We are also both quite OCD though, and I have a deep seated need to thoroughly research all alternatives when faced with a decision. So as a result I want to get as many difficult decisions as we can out of the way now.

Which decisions - among those that you had to make *after* your build started - were the toughest and took the most time and effort to make?

I'm thinking along the lines of trim styles, appliance choices, etc, but maybe I'm way off here and there are things I wouldn't even think of until they hit us and we have to decide quickly. I hating being forced into decisions where I don't have time to properly research all alternatives, so thus my question...

Thanks!

I knew what I LIKED and had already picked out almost everything before we ever signed our contract with builder. But by the time we actually started buying lighting and faucets, our budget had taken a severe beating due to a host of issues with our builder. Some very very judicious on-line shopping allowed me to find alternatives at substantial savings that I liked just as well or better than my original choices. But I probably spent a couple of hundred hours looking. By that point, I had taken over GCing our build so I KNEW when I would need to have various items on-site and never got hit with any "make a decision by tomorrow" kinds of things.

As for challenging post-start decisions, these often include areas where the builder may have provided "allowances" for owner selection. These usually include paint and finish materials (cabinets, counter tops, etc.), appliances, plumbing and lighting fixtures, and the like.

If I were you, I'd begin to develop my preferences for these selections, balancing personal choice with expense. Starting early, as you are, will save worry and hassle and let you enjoy the process. This site and Houzz are good sources of information and experience to draw from. Start a file for each area of consideration and stuff it with your idea examples, sources and prices! Good luck!