What Every New House Should Have
.... and probably won't, unless you ask

Installing these plumbing items while the house is under construction will save you thousands of dollars later on, and eliminate the inconvenience and mess of having to tear up the basement floor and/or foundation walls.

* All prices shown are based on Manufacturer's Suggested List Price

1. Front, Rear, Side, Faucets or Hose Bibs
   
   Many Builders include one outside faucet in the front of the house, and one in the rear.
   
   The problem with having only two outside faucets, is no matter where they are located, they are never in the right place ... and always too inconvenient to use.
   
   Ideally, there should be one faucet at each exterior door, and one at each end of the house - front and rear.
   
   Having the right number of faucets, located in areas where they are needed most makes it easy for watering the lawn and flower beds, washing cars and lawn furniture, cleaning off the patio, tools, etc.. It also eliminates the need to drag a 200ft hose all over the yard when you need water.
   
   If a garden area exists away from the house, at least one exterior faucet should be placed in this area as well ... even if a sprinkler system is installed.
   
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2. Freezeless Hot/Cold Faucets
   starting at less than $20.00* each
   
   
   These freezeless faucets are designed to provide year round hot and cold water service regardless of outside temperature.
   
   While this might seem to be a frivolous luxury at first, consider how often warm water has to be hauled from the kitchen outdoors to wash the car or other bulky items.
   
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3. Rain Water Drainage System
   Technically, piping that moves ground and surface water away from the house foundation is not considered plumbing because it does not tap into the sanitary sewer.
   
   Gutters and downspouts are designed to keep water away from the foundation, which is the number one cause of leaking basements and slab foundation cracking.
   
   Obviously, if the downspouts dump the water next to the house, it isn't being diverted away form the foundation.
   
   An underground drainage system will divert rain water and into a storm sewer, french drain, or other natural drainage area, located well away from the house foundation.
   
   
   
   
4. Gas Line for Outdoor Grill
   
   If your new home will have a gas fired furnace, water heater, etc., avoid the inconvenience and mess of putting holes in walls and digging up the yard or patio later on. Install a gas line for the grill when the house is still under construction.
   
   If you are thinking of adding an outdoor kitchen down the road, have the architect prepare a supplemental plan for it to insure the gas line is where it will be needed. Moving the gas line later, is almost as big of a project as installing a new one after the house is built.
   
   

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