Written by Beth Urch, Sales Manager at Beach Realty & Construction

Plumbing, HVAC & Things You Didn’t Know to Ask (But Really Should)

By the time your dream home starts to take shape, you’ve probably spent more hours than you care to admit debating tile patterns and drawer pulls. But while finishes are fun, the real unsung heroes of any custom build are the mechanicals: plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems. 

Overlooking them now could mean noisy bathrooms, freezing bedrooms, and outdoor units humming right outside your headboard. (Ask us how we know.)  Trust us, when you are finally enjoying the completed project, not only will you be admiring your new interiors, but you'll know exactly what's behind your brand new walls as well.  And that's what you are paying for!    

Start With HVAC (Yes, Really)

You may not know what a return vent looks like—and honestly, we hope you never have to—but you should know where yours are going. Good airflow is crucial for comfort and energy efficiency, and those decisions happen early.

• Where are the air handler units? Avoid placing them above living areas or bedrooms if possible.
• Where are the outdoor condenser units? Keep them away from windows and gathering areas.
• Is the return vent centrally located? This helps the system run more efficiently.

When working with us, you'll learn the reasons why these are important decisions to make.  Making these decisions first allows your builder or designer to integrate these systems into your floor plan early in the process —before you're locked into a layout that doesn’t leave room for ducts, units, or vents where they actually need to go.

Plumbing: It’s Not Just About Pipes

Think of plumbing like the nervous system of your home—it touches nearly every room, but you hardly notice it unless something goes wrong. Here are a few early questions to ask:

• Is there a bathroom directly over the living room or kitchen? If so, you may hear more than you’d like.
• Are the bathrooms clustered to keep plumbing costs down? Spread-out bathrooms can drive up costs.
• Where are your hose bibs (exterior spigots)? Make sure they’re placed near driveways, patios, and gardens for easy access.  Having an easy way to water plants on decks and clean the decks themselves is a major convenience you will be glad you considered.

Plus, plumbing issues are far more expensive (and frustrating) to fix once the drywall is up.

Electrical Comes Later (But Think Ahead)

While most electrical decisions happen during your “walk-through” with your builder or electrician, it’s worth having a rough idea of:

• Where your panel box will go
• Whether you’ll want extra outlets in specific places (home office, media center, coffee bar)
• Where do you want ceiling fans, sconces, and under-cabinet lighting

Don’t worry about finalizing these too early—but do keep a running list of your preferences so you’re not making every lighting decision on the fly.

Designers Design. Builders Build.

It’s normal for your designer and your builder to see things differently. The good news? The builder’s job is to make it all work—even when plans change or unexpected surprises arise. The earlier you think about mechanics, the smoother the process will be.

And if you’ve never heard of fire caulking before? Trust us, you’re not alone. By the end of this, you might care about things you didn’t know existed—and that’s all part of the ride.

Let’s Make It Easier

Our team at Beach Realty & Construction helps homeowners think through the details that matter—before they become problems. We know where the ducts are hidden, what the inspectors check, and how to keep plumbing quiet and HVAC systems efficient.

Next Up...Part 4: “Decisions, Deadlines & the Art of Not Losing It Over Grout Color”