Sometimes “good enough” really is good enough, especially if it means you can put that money toward something you’ll actually notice day-to-day.
That’s exactly where I landed after my build. I obsessed over R-values and air sealing, but honestly, the stuff I notice most now is the layout and storage. Wish I’d spent less on “invisible” upgrades and more on things like better lighting or a bigger mudroom. Did anyone else regret not putting more into the basics, like drainage or just a better floor plan?
Title: Building Base Structures—What If You Had to Start Over?
- Been there. I’ve watched clients pour money into high-end insulation or triple-glazed windows, but then end up frustrated by a cramped entryway or awkward kitchen flow.
- Personally, I’d always prioritize layout and drainage over “invisible” upgrades. A well-designed floor plan just makes life easier every single day.
- Lighting’s another one—people underestimate how much it changes the feel of a space.
- Not saying R-values don’t matter, but if you’re tripping over shoes in a tiny mudroom, you’ll notice that way more often.
Totally get this. We spent ages obsessing over insulation and HVAC, but now I’d trade some of that for a bigger laundry room and a spot to dump muddy boots. You can always add better windows later, but you can’t magically make a hallway wider.
You can always add better windows later, but you can’t magically make a hallway wider.
That’s one of those things that comes up every time I walk through a finished house with clients—once the drywall’s up, you realize just how tight some spaces feel. You can upgrade HVAC or swap out fixtures down the line, but if you skimped on hallway width or closet space, you’re basically stuck unless you want to tear into walls. I’ve seen people try to “make do” with narrow mudrooms or laundry areas and it never really works out—shoes pile up, laundry baskets don’t fit, and suddenly that fancy insulation isn’t making life any easier.
I get why folks focus so much on mechanicals and efficiency during planning. It’s the stuff that feels permanent and expensive to mess with later. But honestly, I’d argue that layout mistakes are even harder to live with long-term. There’s only so much you can do with furniture or storage hacks if the bones aren’t right.
Curious if anyone else has run into this: have you ever tried to retrofit a wider hallway or expand a utility room after the fact? It’s usually a nightmare—structural work, moving plumbing, sometimes even messing with rooflines. Wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
One thing I always ask now is: “Where does your stuff go when you come in from outside?” If there isn’t a real answer beyond “the floor,” it’s a sign something needs rethinking before anything gets built.
Funny how priorities shift after living in a place for a while... Insulation matters (especially in our winters), but I’d trade R-5 for an extra foot in the mudroom most days.
Title: Building Base Structures—What If You Had to Start Over?
Couldn’t agree more about the “bones” of a house being non-negotiable. I’ve lost count of the number of times someone’s asked if we can just “bump out” a hallway or add a few feet to a laundry room after the fact. Nine times out of ten, it’s not worth the headache—or the cost. People obsess over triple-pane windows or tankless water heaters, but then they’re squeezing sideways past each other in a 32” hallway. Priorities get weird when you’re staring at spreadsheets instead of floor plans. Honestly, I’d rather see a slightly less efficient wall if it means you can actually open your closet door all the way.
