Thanks for the sound responses. Needless to say I did not sleep last night. Instead, I took the list of invoices the framer presented to the GC and my DH and I went thru item by item with our resonse. I typed it all up, very matter of factly and presented the facts. I then called the GC this morning and told him he better resolve this issue by Tuesday morning so that A) work will continue and we can get thru the framing stage or B) we are looking for a new framer to complete the job and he has the bill, since he was aware of every single issue before they were commenced with the sub contractor. I reminded him I was the customer and did not need to feel like the enemy. He made the right step and is currently working with the framer as I type. He has my write up, and all of my documents I have faxed him, before all of this, that I reference in my response. I would recommend this to anyone just beginning to build: Among a thousand other things, add this to the list- 1. I had an addendum to my plans to try and catch some of the things that I wanted but didn't make it on the plans. Ie, shelves in closets, niches, etc. This addendum has saved me numerous arguments with the framer, GC since we went over this addendum line by line before they bid the job. Everyone agreed to the plans and the addendum. This is worth its weight in gold. 2. Every day, I note items that we have questions on, maybe items that need to get resolved, whatever the case, but I note them down, date the occurance, and then email it to my GC in the morning once it's updated from the day before. The items completed are left on the document, only not highlighted. The items in progress are highlighted red, with updated comments on their progress daily until it's marked "done". This document serves as my memory on what was said, agreed upon, etc, to make sure everyone is on the same sheet of music and understands the issues correctly. This document involves all aspects of the house, tile guy, electrical, plumbing, etc., it's been invaluable, especially when issues like this come up. 3. Pictures to document work progress, site cleanliness, safety, good things and bad. It's been written here before, document everything, record everything and keep it safe for if/when you may have to use it. 4. If you have a change, get it in writing, agree beforehand and then get all parties involved to sign it. I thought I would be good about this, but as you can see, as things get busy, all smiles, everyone happy, you forget, feel it's not an issue, whatever. Get it in writing. Nuf said. 5. Save everything. Thankfully I have a very good spreadsheet I started from day 1. I have documented every penny spent, every estimate given, every quote received in columns and catagories on my spreadsheet so that I can see the freight train coming down thru the end of the tunnel. doesn't make it all go away, it makes me feel like I have some control as I spin out of control while building this house. Just a few lessons learned, thanks again for the wise words and I will keep you posted. Humbled with the Build :(

Well I'm back, after having consulted with 2 geothermal installers. One is doing a complete load calculation and evaluation for geothermal versus an air-source heat pump, for us to compare against the quotes we have for just doing a/c. The other guy won't do a full analysis, including potential cost savings based on our individual usage patterns, without us paying a large fee for that service (US$700), but he was definitely there to try and sell it. Both gave a ballpark of the cost being about 3x (at least) of our a/c-only quotes, and both said that we'd have to have a split system (two systems?)--one in the basement going up to the first floor, and the split being in the attic coming down to the second floor. And because of that, the cost goes up. The first says we have enough room to trench, while the other says he prefers drilling vertically, saving horizontal loops for unlandscaped/non-lawn areas (like for brand-new construction). Both did say that our access in our unfinished basement and attic are generally good. We have one more home visit by another geo person, but I can already tell that my husband thinks it's way out of reach, though he loves the idea of geothermal. He's now back to thinking that we should just buy window a/c units, as the easiest and cheapest option (he also thinks it would be more energy-efficient if we only get 2 for the hottest 2 rooms). I guess I won't discount geo until I see a hard number from the first guy and compare it to the air-source heat pump option (which I had not considered, either). But there's the update, anyway. I'm very envious, Pyropaul, that your cost did not end up being prohibitive for your old house retrofit! Do you have a split system, too?

PG hit on the biggest "INVISIBLE" factor that SO many Homeowners & Siding-related contractors fail to account for... >>> VAPOR OUT-MIGRATION from the home...THROUGH the siding materials. * This naturally involves many factors...existing insulation and vapor-barrier effectiveness, etc. * Other issues like internal ventilation systems, de-humidification, bath-fan use, etc. * Viewing your house as a "breathing-system" can help you grasp the importance of this. * Plug your nose and swallow...what happens? View the ear-popping as moisture trying to escape...if your home is TOO sealed-up, and not vented very well. * 2 sides of a coin here!! >>> Have someone come out with a moisture-tester and take some readings, once spring weather has stabilized some. * When weather starts warming-up, the "pull" of moisture through the walls becomes faster...in a hurry! * Spring/early-summer can be when peeling happens most frequently. * IDEALLY...natural siding materials need to be "Back-primed" or coated. This keeps more moisture out of the material in the 1st place. * There are a couple siding-ventilation systems out there too. Faron

by plastic (and your description)I assume you mean PEX. Properly installed you have nothing to worry about. I cant answer the question about the pipe sweating because I have never lived with PEX. Unfortunately I cannot comment on the thawing aspect. Though in the crawlspace, be sure to insulate the pipes if you are worried about freezing. Drain lines can freeze, but can often be resolved with a pot of boiling water down the pipe in question. If they are drains that are not frequently used, put some a small amount of antifreeze down them. The blue windshield washer fluid works well for this.