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Building a Home

It's March 2013! How is your build progressing?

11 years ago

I thought I'd kick it off since I love to look and can't wait to join!

Here's to milder weather (hope) clearing the way for great leaps in progress!

Comments (129)

dpusa
11 years ago
Two weeks out

Exterior

Shot of one end of the Master Bath
njasmine1
11 years ago
Look something happen again! I doubt anything else will happen for a few days because the permit will not be available to march 21.

{{!gwi}}
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It's March- How is your build progressing?
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After lurking around here for almost two years, I can finally say we are starting our new house! In December of '07, we decided to build. Getting our property ready to build on was a challenge, to say the least. My husband's dad and aunt owned land that was inherited by his grandparents. We decided to buy my father-in-law's half of this property. My husband and his grandparents were extremely close, so this whole process has been very sentimental for him. Anyway, when his grandmother passed away in 2000, his dad and aunt did absolutely nothing with her home and property. The house finally deteriorated to the point where it was beyond repair, so it had to be torn down. His grandfather was a hoarder, but hoarded things like old cars, tires, equipment, small outbuildings--you name it, he dragged it home and dumped it. We took it upon ourselves to clean everything up by ourselves and it took about a year and a half of weekends to demolish the house and have all the junk hauled off. It was a huge, frustrating mess. People thought we were crazy for taking on the job. Finally, the property was ready to build on and turned out beautiful. We still needed to have it surveyed and split in half, so we hired a surveyor. Turns out, the last time the property was surveyed (in 1942), it was done wrong. The surveyor could not get the boundaries to line up correctly with our neighbors, and it took him 4 months to figure everything out. In the meantime, we drew up our house plans and found a builder. Finally, everything was done, the property was split and put in our name, and we were ready to build. We went ahead and paid to have all the dirt work done so the pad could settle for a few weeks. We were literally 2 days away from starting the house when we found out we were in the planning zone for our nearest big city (Fort Worth, Tx). We were 10-15 miles outside the Ft. Worth city limits, and not even in the same county, but we were in their planning district. As such, we had to follow the rules of the Ft. Worth zoning commission, who required us to plat the property and dedicate the first 30 feet of our entire piece of property for future expansion of the road. Essentially, we had to give them a total of a quarter of an acre! Had my husband's family acted upon a exemption clause a few years ago, we would not have had to do this. However, their procrastination and laziness got the best of them and the clause expired. Back to the surveyors office! It took him another month to plat the property and we submitted it to the city offices. They took another month and a half to approve it. Two weeks ago, everything was finally signed, stamped, and filed. Our dirt pad has settled VERY WELL by now! While all this was going on, our lumber estimate decreased by over $7000, the fabulous framer and foundation guy who were previously unavailable are now available and scheduled, so I have to believe that the timing just wasn't right back then. Everything happens for a reason, no? Anyway, our builder delivered our temporary electric pole yesterday, we're meeting with the bank this week, and we couldn't be happier for everything to finally begin! Our builder says we will be moved in by the time school starts in late August, if not a few weeks earlier. SO EXCITED!!
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It's been a long time since I posted our floor plans to the forum. We broke ground on July 1st and they have completed the basic framing of the first floor as of today, (except the garage). We completed demolition on the old house in December and since then, several old houses on our street have come down and been replaced. We are one of the few that bought the lot and then hired an architect - the other lots seem to have been snapped up by builders who then sell the homes on spec (the neighborhood is in a tremendous revival, so the economics work). It is an urban home - I feel sometimes as though I am the only person who isn't building on lots of land :) Foundation piers/garage slab: Framed 1st floor:
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We have a full house today! Drywall guys started at 7:00 am. The main guy is out sick. One just came back from being off sick and another told me he felt sick. Yikes! And it's cold inside the house. With all the insulation it's keeping the cold in! As soon as they are ready to tape up the drywall we'll turn on the portable electric heater DH has wired up to our temporary electric. The electrician told him what to do. We were waiting until they put the drywall up for ceilings first before turning it on. And we have a delay on the garage doors. It's been cold, too. Here's the heater we are using. We'll be using it until our geothermal is installed. Our stone guys came, too, this morning. They've decided to go ahead and install the wainscoting now in addition to the chimney. So they've been busy all morning installing some weather flashing we asked they use. While we were talking with the stone guy, we decided to add stone along the whole side of the garage. Here he is measuring for it. ChaChing! And, the insulation guys came back today to spray in the crawl space. Can't wait to see the house with drywall. I went down there early and peeked in but forgot to take pics. They had the ceilings in two bedrooms and hall bath up. Hopefully I can see the place late this afternoon. DH found a very large dent in the chimney flue connectors yesterday when he was running speaker wire. He wants to get that fixed before they drywall the fireplace surround. He couldn't get ahold of them by phone so he drove there and they are closed today and tomorrow. Geesh! And one of the drywall guys just drove up to my daughters looking for DH. They need a 1x6 installed along a certain wall that connects to our pocket door of the master closet. He said the framers forgot to install it. I called DH and he was down by Lowes so he would get one. I am glad we can clear up these things as we find them and not wait days in-between. Happy New Year, Everyone!
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We are almost near the end but I feel like we are progressing at a snails pace. I'm just so antsy to get things done but my gc does not share the same passion. He's been saying we are almost done for the past two months but we keep hitting obstacles on the way. He's also very fickle about getting certain jobs done before something else starts. When I read the comments here, I realize everyone's order of job varies. I just wish he keeps the jobs moving instead of pushing them so far apart that we go on days without any progress. Just venting because we really would like to move in. It seems like we have been waiting forever. At least the stairs are installed. We now have to Stain and paint it.
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boymom23
11 years ago
Things are finally getting going! I walked through every room in our house today! GIDDY!!!
kaljr82
11 years ago
Custom vanity was put together this weekend. Just waiting on one cabinet for it to be finished off. The missing part will just be open shelving.

We also got all of the trim installed and painted. Very little left to do. I think the big things are getting plumbing finished up and getting the gutters put on.
Really hope we are in by our April 15th deadline!
Eden-Manor
11 years ago
PBX2-you must be in my neck of the woods. I go to that outlet every week and haven't had any luck finding that light! Your place looks awesome!
pbx2_gw
11 years ago
@Eden-Manor- thank you for the kind words!

We're actually in Richmond but husband's family is in NoVa & LoCo, so we're always @ that RH outlet.

We lucked out on that drum pendant, a Foucault chandelier & our dual Hutton vanities. So it's helped with our build budget a lot to achieve the modern rustic look we're after.
Jessica Frost-Ballas
11 years ago
I'm so excited to find this thread. We signed the contracts last month and the builder is set to break ground next week (weather pending). I've never owned a home before let alone custom-built one and I'm super excited. Seeing all of your photos just makes me even more giddy!! :)
Spottythecat
11 years ago
Wow....all projects are really moving along. I can't wait to join in!
dupusa - I really love those chocolate brown shutters and stone combo...who supplied your stone and are the shutters composite wood or real wood?
Thanks!
Fun to watch all the builds become homes!
Pam
dpusa
11 years ago
Spottythecat - The shutter wood; hmmm not sure! The color you see went on incorrectly (SW Black Fox) due to a builder error so we changed it to Sherwin Williams Caviar instead and that made it pop.

The stone is a Tennessee Field Stone in a Ashlar cut. Not sure where was sourced from as our builder got it.
Spottythecat
11 years ago
Thanks dpusa....we were looking at Turkish Coffee for our shutters...looks pretty close.

For all those Restoration Hardware outlet shoppers...one opening here in FL...it's 2 hours away..is it worth the drive? Good stuff? Good prices?

Thanks!
Pam
293summer
11 years ago
Would love to see more of your home Pbx2
momto3kiddos
11 years ago
It feels like things are moving much more slowly at this point. Here a a few shots of the exterior, dining room trim detail, coffered ceilings in family room, window seat in game room and master vanity cabinets.

And lastly, the granite I have on hold....
LOTO
11 years ago
The rain has really been slowing down the framers but it is spring in the Ozarks so anything can happen......6-8" of snow forecast for later in the week :(
The taller windows you see are in the vaulted great room and have transoms above them and open into the screened porch. The arch top window area is the breakfast/informal dining area off of the kitchen.
With a little luck the framers will get done this week and trusses are coming Thursday.

This post was edited by LOTO on Tue, Mar 19, 13 at 19:04
newhome4us
11 years ago
Everyone's home looks great. I wish I could say we have progress since the builder quit in September 2012 but that isn't the case. We have had more Engineers or County Inspectors in & out of our home it's crazy. We have issues but hopefully we are on the road to total repairs. All the bad soil from the foundation walls have been removed. Foundation walls cleaned and re-waterproofed. New drainage system being installed this week. After that they start busting out the basement slab and remove the gravel and 18" of soil and fill with all gravel. Then repour the slab......if the wall cracks don't show any movement from the monitors they have in place...if not, we are good to go and start back to building--instead of deconstructing!
gaonmymind
11 years ago
Wow so many gorgeous homes! I see pbx and threeapples still hanging in there with me. Beautiful homes of course.

Well we are two months delayed but finally move in next week. I disappeared for awhile because the stress of one subcontractor. Overall our builder has been great and so have all the subcontractors. Even with the delay I know I am blessed to be moving into my dream home!

I will post more pics once we have the walk through over the weekend. Here is a pic of the kitchen with the 17 ft island that I am in love with! (ignore the orange that is a base coat for gray)
gek711
11 years ago
Lovely inside and out!
momto3kiddos
11 years ago
Wow ga! I remember when you were at planning stages. It looks great. I cannot wait to see more pics. My island is 14' and won't be installed until next week. Now I can "see" it a bit, thanks to your pictures. Good luck wrapping things up.
phoggie
11 years ago
Moved in and loving it!....pics can be found in this site.....Phoggie's house. Thanks to all who gave me such good advice and encouragement ~~
kaljr82
11 years ago
Well, we are supposed to be getting ready to move in on April 15th, but nobody had been at the house since Saturday.
Still so much to be done, and I don't think they will be able to finish it (even though we already told our land lord we would be out by the 15th per our General contractors assurances)

Things that still need to be done:
Carpeting in 4 rooms, basically all of the plumbing, fireplace, master bathroom shower tile, gutters, front porch column trim, a tiny bit of trim and then the touchups.

Seems like way too much.
Has anyone else experienced this?? Maybe 3.5 weeks is enough time, but since basically nothing has happened at all this week I am worried.
Congrats to moving in phoggie! So jealous!
tashasilvester
11 years ago
You all are progressing really well! Some beautiful house pics. too. Great going!
zone4newby
11 years ago
We hope to get our permit on Monday and break ground next week. Fingers crossed!
zone4newby
11 years ago
We hope to get our permit on Monday and break ground next week. Fingers crossed!
flgargoyle
11 years ago
Has anyone noticed that we are now over 100 posts on this thread? That's way more than these monthly threads have had in recent years. Apparently the combination of spring coming, and a bit better economy is getting the house-building industry moving again. Yay!
LOTO
11 years ago
The rain and snow this week has been hard on progress and the forecast is for 6-8" of snow on Saturday night.
pbx2_gw
11 years ago
@gaonmymind - love your island pendants! So glam & fab!

@swtceleb - thanks for your interest!

They tested lighting last week.

This post was edited by pbx2 on Sat, Mar 30, 13 at 2:41
sweet.reverie
11 years ago
Siding starting (just primed now, will be painted grey w/white trim):

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
We are doing hardi shingle over every inch of the house, very happy with this choice.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Here is a link that might be useful: Build Blog

This post was edited by sweet.reverie on Mon, Mar 25, 13 at 11:55
LOTO
11 years ago
Your hardi shinges look very nice and what color are they? We are using hardi shingles to accent a couple of gable ends only..they are VERY pricey compared to the hardi lap siding.
jannz77
11 years ago
So glad to have stumbled on this thread... so helpful for those of us building and are just behind the rest of you with regard to schedule/decisions to be made.

I have a question for "building_a_house" ;

I saw the picture you posted on your exterior stone being installed. Does it have a name ..??.. The picture I'm referring to is grey stone with some yellow also. I would like something like that -- grey with some yellow.

Not sure what part of the country you live in -- I'm in N.TX -- so not sure how available stone is across our country... but maybe a supplier / quarry would recognize the name.
sweet.reverie
11 years ago
LOTO: They are just primed right now. We will be painting them grey with white trim. The total siding cost was 22K including labor. It was our one splurge. :)

ETA: we did briefly consider doing just shingle accents but we decided our gables were too big.

This post was edited by sweet.reverie on Mon, Mar 25, 13 at 12:00
jannz77
11 years ago
RE: Kitchen Cabinets - with glass cabinets at top

To "lucy0214" & " bowyer123"

Can you share how tall your ceilings are in your kitchen..??.. and how tall those lighted glass cabinets are.

I've been considering this approach for our new build and would love to see more pictures of how that looks by the range... presuming you carried that all the way through the kitchen.

Also "bowyer123" -- I need to do a layout similar to what you've done with some wall double ovens and microwave; Is your microwave comfortable to use at that height..??..
bowyer123
11 years ago
Jannz77,

My ceilings are 10 feet tall. The lower cabinets are 36" tall and the uppers are 31' from the bottom of the upper door to the ceiling. Also, the doors are different sizes near the ovens if you compare this picture with the ones I previously posted. We love the double ovens and separate cook top, more than a range. The height is better for us and 2 full-sized overs is preferable for us considering our cook top is only 36" wide.

The bottom of the microwave door is at 59" high from the floor. This is a just a bit higher than is ideal for my wife and kids, but we manage just fine. The frame around the microwave adds 3-1/2" inches to the height of the bottom of the door. I suppose you could do without the frame, but we like it.

Hope this helps!
olivesmom
11 years ago
Sweet.reverie: I've been waiting to see your siding going up. How exciting for you! Can't wait to see it once you have it painted.

And...just curious, did you ever consider cedar shingles? If so, did you opt for the hardie ones due to cost (I have no idea which is more expensive) or due to maintenance/ looks?

This post was edited by olivesmom on Mon, Mar 25, 13 at 21:00
sweet.reverie
11 years ago
Olivesmom: We did not really consider cedar simply for maintenance. :) We never priced it out.
LOTO
11 years ago
Well I got to shovel snow all morning at my new build so the framers could work tomorrow...with owner/builder someone has to do the dirty work sometime....sore and tired and will be in bed early tonight.
LOTO
11 years ago
double post

This post was edited by LOTO on Mon, Mar 25, 13 at 19:35
autumn.4
Original Author
11 years ago
pbx2-love that graceful arch on the front porch. Very pretty!

Sweet.Reverie - coming right along! Love the shingles!

bowyer-would you mind sharing your window dimensions for the ones flanking your range? Outside dimension as well as glass dimension?
Redsgal14
11 years ago
Our rangetop surround was installed. I've been stressing about this for weeks. Seriously stressing over everything at this point and must stop. Is it possible to enjoy it during the last month?
PRO
Window Accents by Vanessa Downs
11 years ago
Reds gal - I am really hoping you post more photos of your home. Your kitchen stone detail over the range is awesome! And YES that final month just might be the worst in the building process, as you're just plain tired of the whole thing and ready to have the decisions over and no more surprises!
PRO
Window Accents by Vanessa Downs
11 years ago
Double posT

This post was edited by downsy on Mon, Mar 25, 13 at 22:22
lucy0214
11 years ago
Everyone's homes are looking so lovely.
Redsgal that stone is fabulous.
Ill also need one of those slides in my next house like laurajanes.

Jannz-My ceilings are 10ft in the kitchen. I'm not sure how tall any of the cabinets are( terrible I know). I just gave them a sketch and they built them. Probably standard sizes.
pbx2_gw
11 years ago
Posted by Autumn.4 (My Page) on Mon, Mar 25, 13 at 19:37
pbx2-love that graceful arch on the front porch. Very pretty!

Thank you for the nice words.
We're pretty happy with the gull wing sides too.
autumn.4
Original Author
11 years ago
Oohhhh! Very very nice pbx2! Love the stone and the shingle siding too. Sharp home!

redsgal-just keep staring at that beautiful stone surround and maybe all of your stress will melt away! That is gorgeous!

So many nice homes going up. I am getting so antsy to join you all. :)
lucy0214
11 years ago
Everyone's homes are looking so lovely.
Redsgal that stone is fabulous.
Ill also need one of those slides in my next house like laurajanes.

Jannz-My ceilings are 10ft in the kitchen. I'm not sure how tall any of the cabinets are( terrible I know). I just gave them a sketch and they built them. Probably standard sizes.
Eden-Manor
11 years ago
pbx2-what materials did you use? Colors? Love, love, love!

We just broke ground on Friday and our footers go in tomorrow.
pbx2_gw
11 years ago
Posted by Eden-Manor (My Page) on Tue, Mar 26, 13 at 21:05
pbx2-what materials did you use? Colors? Love, love, love!
We just broke ground on Friday and our footers go in tomorrow.

Hi Eden-Manor - thank you soo much for the delightful comments.Congrats on your ground breaking!

Our materials: are certainteed heather grey siding/shingle & the certainteed roof in georgetown grey.

Jeldwen windows in wedgewood.
Brick columns & foundation wall.
pbx2_gw
11 years ago
Delete double post

This post was edited by pbx2 on Tue, Mar 26, 13 at 21:57
sweet.reverie
11 years ago
Shed Dormer has shingles, weeee!

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pbx2_gw
11 years ago
We got our Certificate of Occupancy this past Wednesday from the County & can legally move in now if we wanted.
Of course, the Bank has to send their inspector out too, no all clears yet.

This time next week- 1st weekend of April - we will be moving in.

It took 228 days so far & the last couple weeks have been just a mad dash to the finish line for our crew.

Awaiting the grass, final tweaks & cleanup - then walk-thru on Tuesday...

This post was edited by pbx2 on Sat, Mar 30, 13 at 23:40
pbx2_gw
11 years ago
Delete-double post again via tablet. Sorry!

This post was edited by pbx2 on Thu, Mar 28, 13 at 1:14
zone4newby
11 years ago
Our foundation is dug, and the concrete guys are there today. We hope to begin framing next week! Yippee!

Here is a link that might be useful: Our house blog

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