Yes, it is a very frustrating process. There has never been a build or a renovation that has cost less, happened more quickly, or been higher quality than what you expected. And, oh the choices--you have to pick so much stuff it's not fun and it always costs more than anyone told you to budget. It's hard not to get depressed, regardless of how much money or time you had to start with.

I think you are just at "the wall" and will get a second wind. Comparitively, you have a pretty fast build going but you just cant always count on ma nature to be kind during the process, which is typically the biggest reason for delays. Communication with your builder might be as simple as asking him/her when the best time to contact to discuss your project, or set up a weekly meeting at the site, more often if possible or when circumstances arise. No build goes without bumps and bruises and generally most always go over budget, but a lot stems from communication which a reputable builder will include as an important element in order to keep things as smooth as possible. Try to look forward to making the finish decisions as a means of knowing that you are that much closer. Getting those decisions made sooner rather than later will help keep the build going in the right direction. You dont want any more snags at this point, so lets hope it's all downhill for you now. Best of continued luck, you will get there!
Sorry i cant feel for you on the time frame issue, we are in our fourth year ob'ing but only concentrate our efforts in the warmer months, no winter work. Heading up tomorrow to get back at it.

I'm sorry.

The weather is right beside earthmoving for being an unpredictable, uncontrollable, and potentially very expensive proposition. There are some things that just can't be done in or during pouring rain, and other things that can't be done until everything dries out.

What's really bad is that maybe crew A couldn't work at your place because of the rain, but *could* do something else, somewhere else... and once they started elsewhere your place was no longer first on their list. Your GC tries to balance the workloads to keep the guys working and in sequence, else he's liable to lose good folk and then you are both in a hole. Sometimes that means he has to do major re-scheduling of the crews which can really irritate the original owner. In that sort of situation you both have my sympathy, but the GC should come clear with the owner if that's the case.

Yes, it's frustrating, aggravating, and depressing; and sometimes all that misery just makes you even more miserable.

The hades-rental should be replaced or cured, depending on just what is wrong. And if what's wrong is a place too small for too many people, I recommend getting a bigger place even if it is more expensive. Some people don't mind being sardined, but I'm not one of them, so I do feel space is important. When I bang my head on the wall, I don't want anyone to think I'm knocking on their door.

Why are you just now picking out whatever??? That should have been done before the build began because otherwise how would you know how much is a fair contract? Sorry, I'm a little lost on that although I do believe you are miserable if you are just now making selections. That's really stressful. So get rid of the stress -- make all the decisions in advance; do not wait until the GC says oh what color tile for the kitchen? Choose NOW and be done with it. We all second-guess ourselves, so the sooner you've made your choices the sooner you can join us in the second-guessers' club.

Ummm... and you do know that the builder shouldn't be able to talk you into anything?? It's either in the contract or not. Okay, so maybe you don't have that sort of contract, but boyoboy, not having a good contract can cause blisters in the wallet.

Sooo, sit down and let's think about what you do have: your health okay? your sweetie's health okay? food to eat and a good umbrella? your taxes paid? Hey, lots of folks don't have any of that. Your shoes fit okay? Got waterproof boots? Did your sweetie hug you this morning? That's good, those are all bonuses.

Sometimes, and especially when the mud is deep and the bulldozer stuck halfway down the drive, it helps to put everything into the proper order. Nobody ever smiles at a crying woman, and darn few will pass the kleenex. Remember that and don't scream at bulldozer's operator 'cuz he might have the last box of dry kleenex. It's more important to hug your sweetie... houses may or may not get built, but a sweetie in your arms is more valuable than the best house.

This may be easy for me to say but...this really is a good problem to have. I suspect you know that. Honestly, I personally would absolutely love to trade you places right now. I'm bummed about not even getting started, but that too is great problem to have. We all have our own building "issues", but no matter, we know we have other people and things in our lives to get us through it. This forum is a great place to vent and get support when you feel like you can't talk to anyone else, can't control the weather and GC, and/or you've used up all of your house "talk" with family and friends.

This will pass, even if it doesn't feel like it. Then, on to the next "problem". LOL! Hang in there! Before too long I'll be drooling over your house pics!

Our build took longer than expected too and there were those moments when we were picking so many things out, I didn't care any more. [I think some people have everything picked out ahead of time but others -- like myself -- were still shopping when the building was going on -- I think that's normal] Anyway, as sierraeast said, you'll get your second wind. Things go in fits and starts. When it all starts coming together - you see your colors on the wall and your flooring going in, you'll be thrilled. Then, it starts to get fun again.

I'm sorry that your build is frustrating and taking longer than anticipated; however, I would haved loved to be in a position to be upset about finishing the build in 7 months! We are in month 24 of a contracted 9 month build due to contractor errors and shoddy work by his subs...and we still have another 4+ months to go.

Selections can be enormously stressful and challenging. For what was supposed to be the world's fastest build, those probably should have all been chosen up front. It's hard, but try to enjoy it anyway. I looked at finalizing my selections as if it was Christmas shopping(I'm ignoring the fact that it's a Christmas gift that I will be paying for every month for the next 30 years!!)...I had all this money already earmarked for cabinetry, flooring, sinks, granite, etc and I just had to spend it!! That's fun! :)

Hi, all, thanks for listening. Yes, I know complaining about a 7 month build seems pretty ridiculous, and intellectually, I totally agree. I guess I just wasn't prepared to feel down about the process - frustrated and stressed, yes. We've built before, and I remember feeling that. But really down - that I wasn't expecting.

Sierra - interestingly, one of the things we've asked for repeatedly from the builder is a face-to-face meeting on a regular basis, and he keeps ignoring the question - which is kind of a pattern. We'll email questions or concerns, and he'll answer some and ignore others. We don't want to get confrontational, but on the other hand...

janbanks - thanks for your thoughts. We are still shopping, even though I've been looking and collecting ideas and tentatively identifying specific fixtures and colors for months, even before breaking ground. But, now, it's exactly as you phrased it - "I don't care". I just want to start enjoying it again.

Dixie - yes, I should not be upset about a 7-month build. It's just hard because even before the rain delays, we had bank problems which delayed even breaking ground for almost 3 months due to problems with the first appraisal, waiting for a new one, the holidays, the new computer system at the bank, blah blah blah. We're just so anxious to be there.

Meldy - you're right, it is "count my blessings" time. In the grand scheme of things, I have all I could ever need or want - thanks for the reminder. As far as picking things out, we have some fixed price and some not fixed components - allowances for typical things like fixtures, cabinetry, etc. Actually, they are a little low in some places, but overall, pretty accurate. The stuff he "talked us into" were in addition to what was contracted for, and handled as change orders. The conversation went something like, "hey, it would look really good if..." or "you know what you guys ought to do is...". They seemed logical at the time but in retrospect...we are wishing we had passed on the ideas. We do think part of the recent delays even during good weather is that the builder has started another project - so we're feeling a bit neglected now too.

eventhecatisaboy (wow, I do love your name!) - you're right, I do know deep down how truly blessed we are. I hope that your plans come together soon for you.

So, thanks again, all, for your thoughts. I do know, in my head, that once we're there this will all fade away. I just didn't expect to feel this way, and wondered if it was just me.

I would be envious to have finished in 7 months. :::sigh::: We are entering month 20 of our "we thought" 6 month build. Rain delays? Boy, I feel that. We were delayed two months from the get-go just for them to start the dirt work and rain made THAT last for three months before they could ever pour the slab.

Now, at the tail end of this, we are again being delayed by rain. This time, it is holding up the end of the sewer hook-up which is holding up the driveway being formed and poured. Joy.

I have been depressed. Many times. Especially since this comes on the heels of a very long remodel of a house that our renters completely trashed that we needed to sell. We've lived in "the house from hell" for 8 years now. We thought we'd be here for only one or two.

Yes, I've been depressed. Cried probably six times just this past Friday. But I'm closer now that I was last week. I just keep trying to look at it that way. And shove buckets under "the house from hell's" leaking roof whenever it rains.

I too am feeling the pain of the rain slowing down my build. It seemed to take forever for it to be dry enough to pour the footers, then the basement walls. I now have the concrete floors in my basement but I have yet to see wood other than the framing of my basement windows. I have a GC and am building this home as a single woman with no building experience. My 10 y/o son and I go to the site every evening to see if anything has changed! My GC had to start a couple of small jobs to keep the guys busy while they waited for plumbing to be subbed in and basement guys to complete the concrete. I am so glad I found this site! I am a obsessive type person, I try to plan everything in advance and it is very difficult to do when you haven't a clue what you are doing.

Our 5 months stretched into 14. Eventually it gets done......

Yes.
The problem, as with many things in life, is a matter of expectations. To anyone building, expect delays and you won't be disappointed!
Good luck.