There are a lot of details to think about when you’re building a new home. And when that home is a custom home, you have even more choices.

With a custom home, you get to choose your lot, and picking the right place to build is extremely important. Then, of course, you want to make sure you select a floor plan that’s right for your family—one that you’ll be happy with for years to come. Next, you get to move on to picking the finishes, flooring, cabinets and moldings that will give you the look and feel you want in your home. And even though all of those decisions involve a bit of work and research on your part, they’re also a fun part of building a home that’s uniquely yours.

In the midst of all of that, however, it can be easy to overlook some essential elements that will have a serious impact on your comfort in and enjoyment of your new home. There are some “little” things that many homeowners don’t think about—until they don’t work they way they’re supposed to. Here are a few to consider:

HVAC

Your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system probably isn’t the first thing you’ll show friends when they visit your new home. But if your HVAC system is insufficient for your home, you (and your guests) won’t be comfortable inside. On top of that, you could be spending more on utilities than necessary if your HVAC system isn’t well suited to your home. So take a few minutes to talk to the builder about that before it’s installed.

Electrical

One of the great benefits of building a custom home is that you have the ability to place lighting and electrical outlets where they make the most sense. If you have special needs or desires, you’ll want to discuss those with the builder before the electrician comes in so that everybody is on the same page. The positioning of outlets and switches may not seem like a big deal, but if you’re planning to stay in your home a long time, you may want to consider making them easier to reach for when you’re less mobile than you are today! Planning ahead for special needs will make it easier for your builder and electrician to accommodate your requests.

Doors and Windows

You may be perfectly happy with the location of the windows and doors on the floor plan you choose. But if you want to make some modifications to allow extra light or to make things more convenient, the time to make those changes is before construction begins. It’s much easier (and less expensive) to make those kinds of changes up front.

These considerations may not seem like a big deal when you’re first planning your new custom home, but it’s the little things that can make a big difference in how your home feels and functions. Soput aside a bit of time to go over these details with your builder before construction begins.