Re-Model Suggestions

[Hou-Tex Horn]

Just bought a new house and I am doing about a 90% remodel inside (upgrading everything from it's original 1967 state). I know what I want to do with all the floors, baths, and kitchen. However, since I am going to have some of the walls down and will be removing paneling from others, what other things should I think about doing with the access I'm going to have? (it's 2-story traditional if that matters)

I know it's sort of a vague question, but it's Friday, I'm bored and will be going over to the house in a bit to see what demo was done today.

Thanks!

 

[alden]

Need more or updated electric outlets?
How about cat-5 for home network?
Audio cables?

Ooooh, I know. Secret door!

 

[HornBud]

Upgrade wiring and plumbing. Wire the house for surround sound, and bring internet and cable to all rooms of the house. I would definitely replace all plugs with 3 prong varieties, and I'd add a **** load more, including some in the floor.

Light tubes all over the place.

Substantial upgrade to insulation.

Re-use as much material as possible, even if it's in unorthodox ways, but be clever about it.

I suppose you've already considered the option of reconfiguring the floor plan some to be more conducive to modern lifestyles?

 

[alden]

Oh yeah, redo the lighting as well. Especially in the living room type areas.

 

[brntorng]

Replace the wiring if it's aluminum or doesn't have grounded plugs. Add wiring for ceiling fans, recessed lighting, etc. Whole house sound system. Security wiring--much more reliable than wireless. RG-6 TV cable to every room, home run from a central location. Same with Cat 5 or 6 ethernet cable.

 

[Hou-Tex Horn]

Good Stuff...thanks!

We are re-configuring all the baths, removing all the fir downs everywhere, putting in can lights in all the appropriate places, replacing the galvanized plumbing with pex.

All the outlets were 3-prong, but I'm replacing them all just due to age (as well as GFCI where appropriate).

I've got a wireless router in my house now for the laptop and the printer, but are you all saying I should have a hard-wired plug in every room?

What's the difference between cat 5 and cat 6. I have regular directv right now, but will be upgrading to hd tvs and hd directv at the new house. Anything special I need to think about with that in mind?

Keep the suggestions coming. Progress....

 

[brntorng]

Cat 5 will handle gigabit ethernet and Cat 6 will handle 10 gigabit ethernet. While Cat 5 is fine for now, Cat 6 will future proof the installation for a long time.

 

[wolfman]

If it is aluminum wiring you may want to have all of the sockets and switches pig-tailed with copper.

 

[pulque]

Oh ****, that's what I am doing now, room to room. 1963 house west of Balcones. Hire people you can trust. You probably have many issues, and new ones rear their heads everyday. PM me if I can help....

 

[NCAAFBALLROX]

If you have intentions on a skylight (or tube type skylights), this is a good time to get in there & do them; you'll have sheetrock guys & painters anyhow, so let them re-work the areas where a skylight will drop in.

From the roof side, it's really not that difficult (note: I don't frame out any of the 'drop', we just install the system on the rooftop).

How about a wall safe behind some picture on the wall?

Re-route or add proper plumbing fixtures for the garbage disposal or a re-lo'd fridge.

Remove a hot water heater, install a tankless (or two).

Attic access stairs somewhere if you have a 'standard' old school trap door that requires a ladder (the stairs I like are aluminum & slide out vs. the fold out wooden ladder).

Plywood in the attic (over insulation) to give you some useable storage space.

Extra telephone lines (or @ least one in each room).

Receptacles in the garage ceiling for workshop lights.

Lots of receptacles in the garage for power tool charging or other access.

Receptacles on each corner of the house.

Hose bib on each corner of the house.

Security light on each corner of the house.

 

[HornBud]

In reply to:

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[Smurfette]

I suggest installing fart fans in the bathrooms.

And vessel sinks are excellent

 

[OrangeHair]

Not my own idea but some here have suggested an outlet under the eaves for xmas lights. Wire it to a hidden switch, like in one of your closets.

 

[HornBud]

Speaking of closets, refrigerator style switches that turn the lights on when you open the door.

 

[NCAAFBALLROX]

In reply to:

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[HornBud]

They use hedge hogs for the closets, way too warm for the penguins.

 

[Hou-Tex Horn]

What type of tankless water heater do you recommend? I was planning on doing that, but didn't know what brand or size. The house is a 2-story, about 3000sqft, with 3 full baths and 2 half baths. The current water heater is in a closet in the utility room...which is quite a ways from the 3 full baths.

Great input everyone!

 

[kmac30]

lots of great ideas.

not that it gets cold in austin, but heated floors are pretty cool.

i'm also all about having cable boxes/dvd players and all that junk hidden. cabinets close to where you'll have tv's are nice.