Media Room - Better to do thru builder or contractor afterward? (West: house, neighborhood)

[mgilmore77]

Okay, so the plan we are considering is this one:
Floorplan « The Albany « Westin Homes (http://www.westin-homes.com/index.php/home/floorplan/9-55031 - broken link)

The upstairs has the unfinished storage room to the right (zoom in to really see...they didnt make this floor plan very big online). There is an option for $4,100 to make this a media room.

I am trying to determine if I should just let it stay an unfinished storage room and just have a contractor come out and make it a media room after the fact. Do you think that would be cheaper than $4,100? I would think so, but I really don't know.

[Txgal33]

Does that include the wiring for the surround sound?? If so I would just go ahead and have them do it. Its easier that way really. Plus if you have somebody come in after the fact and mess with the electrical it may void the warranty but I have no idea for sure abt that. Just guessing.

[mgilmore77]

Yeah that includes the wiring for surround sound...Yeah, I was thinking the same thing about the warranty work...

[EasilyAmused]

No snarky remark intended, but...

are people really still building media rooms?
I'm just wondering because from customs in my area, those are no longer on "the list."

[Supermac34]

I think people are still doing them. In the neighborhood I'm in just about every house has some kind of theater or media room. Maybe its the price range. I dunno.

[tdhg566]

My personal preference would be to do it afterwards, and retain full creative control over the room. That's if your builder only has a "canned" media room solution, and if it doesn't void any warranty with the builder. My problem with builder options is that they usually, in my experience, are more or at least as much (never less) as contracting it yourself costs, and you lose the ability to fine tune what goes where.

[mgilmore77]

EasilyAmused...actually, yeah, almost every builder we are checking has the media room option.

Thanks for all the replies...I will look into the warranty thing and will call around to contractors to get an idea as well. I have even considered getting that wall knocked out to make a larger game room, but I dunno.....

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by mgilmore77

. I have even considered getting that wall knocked out to make a larger game room, but I dunno.....

Ok this is what I'm seeing..30x17 Game rooms vs. Media+a Game room. Uber Summer kitchens are still big, but the 4 car garage is becoming the big thing around here.

[cheryjohns]

Media rooms are still big with buyers - and as long as they are, smart builders will continue to offer them, no matter what "they" say is out or in.

[tdhg566]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

...but the 4 car garage is becoming the big thing around here.

Agree with getting a 4 car garage. Best thing we ever did. Allowed us to get all the junk out of the house without using the attic. Containter Store loves me LOL.