Ok first shuvel hit dirt yesterday. We had a drainage pipe started WOOWEY LOL

Sheetrock is coming Monday!!! YIPPEE! I'm SO ready to see progress on the interior of the house. It was framed a year ago, got rough in plumbing in November, then nothing until HVAC, wiring, and insulation all this summer. The outside is about 90% done. DS and his friend worked on wrapping the porch posts this weekend. We are waiting for the folks contracted by the electrical company to install a new transformer ($$), and lay the main wire/cable. It'd be great if they did that soon so we could have heat for the taping and texturing.

I'm trying to decide on interior lighting...Flooring and appliances are ordered, plumbing fixtures need to be. I'm doing Waterlox on our interior doors and dh is just starting our cabinet boxes.

This is a big, family DIY project. It's been great, but I need to get us out of our less-than-optimum temporary quarters before another winter and all the rain sets in. Our construction loan extension runs out November 1st. Not sure we'll make that, though...

I feel so left out! Still tied up in the tedium of planning. Our plan has gone to the draftsman to prepare final construction drawings. A topo survey has been ordered to figure out where best to site the house. When WILL it get done? How MUCH will those retaining walls cost us? Our G.C. is working with our decisions from the last meeting to cut $50K off the construction budget (will he be able to??)

Back at the ranch, I have examined our personal budget, found out exactly where our money is coming from for the build. And developed all the forms to monitor our spending till we get the project done. And for our future living expenses from now till we pay off the mortgage. If it runs the full 30 years we'll be 90! But at least we know, subject to the vagaries of a build, where we stand. Huge, horrible project; happy it's done.

I'm still plodding through developing all the construction specs for the house. Boring, tedious.

We're WAITING.

Our drywall crew finished on Friday and the taper is due in on Monday. It looks wonderful with the walls up. I am busy online, looking at finishing stuff, you know, lighting and plumbing fixtures, door hardware, etc. Any great websites out there to turn me onto?

On a completely different note, the lumber yard we are using for our build burned down early Friday morning. I got a call early on Friday morning from my builder and then about a half hour later, got a call from the owner of the lumber yard. He says he will be up and running in no time. He is so well connected in the community, I am sure he will be. You can read more details and see photos on my blog.

Here is a link that might be useful: My house building blog

Our stucco was finished this past week. It looks great, except the coining (squares on house corners) don't seem to work with the prewire for the coach lights. When the electrician placed the prewire, no one thought of any possible interferance. Looks like two of the lights may have to be moved. We need him to do a few other things anyway so hopefully it won't be a big deal and the stucco can be patched. Other than that, when he done, we'll be doing insulation and drywall over the next month. We are still moving at a snail's pace (by choice).

It's been 6 months since we broke ground and we are almost ready to start working on the house walls. We have a new GC, but he is picking up several jobs from the last GC who left a huge mess when he skipped town, so things have gone pretty slow so far.

As with the last GC, it seems like DH is doing all of the oversight and management. And this crew is predominately hispanic, so there have been some language barriers. But the trusses are up and are mostly level, so at least there is progress.

This is a picture looking into one of the parking bays:

We are approximately two months away from completion (fingers crossed)!!!! Trim carpenter and cabinetry should be done within the next 1-1/2 - 2 weeks and then paint. Brick and stone is about 90% complete.

Rear View:

Kitchen Cabinetry:

Interior Doors:

Here is a link that might be useful: Our Progress So Far

Foundation is dug, no rock or difficulties there, so perhaps a bit under the allowance? Water and sewer access done at the same time. Footings next and hopefully even basement walls. Got our plan approved by the ARC. So we are rolling.

J

We got our granite last Thursday, and that was a pretty big project. It looks beautiful, I couldn't be happier with all of it. Tomorrow (Monday) the electrician will begin to install my electrical fixtures. I believe it will take them a few days, depending on the crew. HVAC will be done by the end of the week. They will stain our stairs and railings this week, then the painters have to come back. I think they still have quite a bit of work to do!

My gc thinks we are about 4 weeks out. I don't care when, as long as it is done correctly. But yes, I think we will be in pretty soon. YAY!!

Amy

Things have finally started moving on our house again after virtually nothing being done for about six weeks (for various reasons).
Anyway, recently we got our blown insulation done, they started on the siding, and they fnished several little things inside to get ready for sheetrock. The sheetrockers are coming Thursday. Yay!
Also, they are supposed to start laying rock around the foundation tomorrow.
Here's a couple pictures of the exterior, taken some time ago. There is some siding and other things done since these were taken. (Please visit my blog for lots more pictures.)

Here is a link that might be useful: Owl's progress blog (pictures)

I just found out today that the insulation will be done Wednesday then the sheet rock goes up. The rockers are going to start on Wednesday as well! The electrical was finished up today :-) We were told less then 3 1/2 months and we should be in! That was nice news today!

Well, we have started the site work and they hit some rock ledge :( It is going to push the excavating price up but we figured as much. Since we have a shop building already with living quarters inside we have the septic and water already done. Is the lack of progress pretty common on most builds? I don't seem to hear too much about smooth sailing all the way through!

We're hoping for our CO next week!! Our countertops & the rest of our plumbing should be finished this week. There are a few details that still need to be completed this week & we're set. I am SO ready!

We've been GCing this ourselves & I'm ready to put this build behind us & move on. I feel like it's totally taken over our lives. It's getting really hard to leave the new house now though, especially since it looks so close to being done.

I haven't taken any pics recently, but will try this week.

All done except for the punch list. We moved in a few weeks ago and we are loving the house!! I just have to figure out how to get over the fact it will never be brand new again. We've already made some dings in the house and NO, it wasn't the kids! Sigh!

Lindy

We are talking to the architech this week! Things are moving very slow.

We are slowly working on staining the cedar siding as we install it. We have two sides of the house completed and will hopefully finish this week. Metal roof is complete, windows and doors are in. Plumber is coming Friday.

Here is a link that might be useful: our progress

Only two and a half weeks into the build and the bottom floor is almost completely framed. Floor trusses for second floor are being delivered today.

My construction blog - http://www.more-adventures.blogspot.com/

we finally got our permits. Foundation guy should have the first backhoe up there by Weds.

mavs fan Nice kitchen woodwork, doors and trim.

(I'm tired just looking at that stone-slogging mud-loving couple somewhere above. Is there such a thing as too much enthusiasm?)

Awhile back I missed putting in my approbation for the best looking modern home I've seen lately. If anybody remembers that post, let me know. I'd like to repost the pic.

Here are a couple of pics of my most recent project, completed last month. For good or bad, the design, colour and material choices are the client's, not mine.

Here's what I was working on over my summer holiday--and six months before:

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Arriscraft Citadel Algonquin Stone, Hanson Guildwood tumbled clay brick & Cape Code finished wood siding in Benjamin Moore terra cotta.

Looking Northeast

A custom 3,100 sf four bedroom infill on a 50'x150' lot in the established Long Branch neighbourhood two blocks from Lake Ontario, ten minutes from downtown by streetcar. Estimated Value $850,000.

(Looking Northwest)

Main to Second Floor Stair. Red Oak natural finish, 6 piece pattern porcelain tile (Ciot Tiles)

If there aren't enough cabinets here, you can always use the adjacent walk-in pantry and servery. Shaker Style maple finish cabinetry by Logart, granite counters and island, Kitchenaid Superba double oven, dw and fridge.

I'm in! The moving van finally left about 6pm on Friday, and I'm still working on unpacking boxes, but I'm in!!!! Wooohoo!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Here's the last pix I took, a month ago

Things are progressing along right now. Electric people were there most of last week. H/A guys started friday. I heard the units were in today but I haven't been out there yet. Once I get my back sliding door in I'll be able to clean & seal my floors so insulation & sheetrockers can start.

Thanks Worthy!!!! That's quite a compliment coming from you - the details in your homes are fantastic. I always enjoy looking when you share :-)

Here is a link that might be useful: Our Progress So Far

First, just an FYI that I have a "new" GW username (for those of you who remember me, Leilani).

We just started Week 8 and our goal this week is to finish framing all the walls. Last week our subfloor was installed and I was thrilled to finally be able to walk around our home and enjoy the views..whoo-hoo!!!

Sorry, but I won't have pics until DH brings home the camera this weekend. :( Anyway, if you'd like to check back, I will be uploading them to our home building blog VillaDellaVigna.com.

Aloha,
Leilani

Here is a link that might be useful: Our Home Building Blog

labradoodlelady

Those are some wildly colourful choices! But they do work well in a coral home with the blue mirroring the sky, especially in that no-cost barred glass and gold shower. Enjoy!

We are in the dry! First dirt was moved on May 3rd and then the rains came...and more came...They started back up in the middle of July. Waiting on the front door, and the electrician; that was supposed to start yesterday.

Not really building, but we just had our first "real" (i.e. non-preparatory) meeting with our architect this past Friday. She presented 2 floorplan options for our 2800 sq ft house (plus 800 sq ft garage) - one with all the common space gathered in the center of the first floor, and the second with the formal dining room looking out the front window (we live in the 'burbs, so the view out the front is the street view).

It's amazing how quickly 2800 sq ft gets swallowed up....we're limited by our city's lot limitations (35% of total square footage), so with our garage and the 200 sq ft shed out back, we're maxing out what's allowed. :^P

We're planning to move what we call "boxes" (rooms) around for a week or so, and ask our architect to re-draft the plans. After that, elevations!

Wonderful to see everyone's builds....I can't help but wonder what building costs in the rest of the country are like...perhaps that's a different thread. Here in the Bay Area (Silicon Valley), it's around $275-300/sq ft for a custom, but not necessarily "high-end" home.

It finally has rained several inches here, hopefully the builder will burn today all the brush and trees so we can finish clearing. Right now we are also waiting on the bank appraiser for the loan. The first go around he got the sq. footage wrong (clearly marked plus he did a computer program and entered the wrong dimensions, again clearly marked on plans)the number of bathrooms wrong, the type of windows wrong (we are getting aluminum clad wood casements and he put vinyl single hung), wrong flooring, wrong number of bedrooms and the wrong lot. Wow, and he seemed surprised I was not impressed, he kept telling me he would fix things at the end of our build when he does another appraisel, but if he screwed something up once I know he could do it again. He has had a week plus to redo this, I hope he gets back to us today. Did I mention he is a trainee? If this is still so off I am going to his boss and having a fit!!

We are down to the finish and trim carpentry stage, which is the good news. The bad news is that we're doing all that work ourselves, so it's slow going. Overall we love the house, and most rooms just need trim and a final paint touch up/second coat. The porches are being left till next spring, and we are dithering on a few final details like the fireplace mantel, to stain or not to stain the white oak in the den, etc., etc. Our goal is to be finished with the first floor by 1.1.08, then move to the bedrooms and bath upstairs, with that finish work being completed by 4.1.08 ish. Then the porches will be finished, a (very) little landscaping will be tackled and then it's a long summer of boating, beaching, fishing and fun.

Kitchen hutch, all painted up (still missing the glass doors. Sigh.):

Kitchen and mudroom (note the plywood counters on the island and lack of range hood. The vintage bowling slabs cum islandtop and the already purchased range hood will be installed this fall).

Fireplace (as noted above, no mantel, still postponing making that decision).

Our mostly wonderful DD on her first day of 4th grade, which is the important stuff, all the home biz is just gravy:

Best to everyone in the building wonderland-

sandyponder

Wonderful (as expected).

Fun! We started on July 1, and we're supposed to finish in October or November. I'm not holding my breath for October, but November seems doable. They have finished the brick, and they're working on the trim this week.

We are building a Frank Betz plan, Hopewell, with some adjustments. We changed to a single staircase that is completely open to the great room, we added a covered back porch, floored the second story over the GR as attic storage (for now) and removed some catelevers. It's turning out great so far. We've had a few problems here and there, but our builder has taken care of all of them. We did have to pay for some of them, though. Overall, it's been a good experience. Here's a pic of the front.

This is a great forum. I've learned so much here. Thanks!

Here is a link that might be useful: Hopewell Plan

Well, we've got siding going on, the electricians are fighting it out with giant tentacles of wire, the rough plumbing is done, and the guy is here putting in our custom deluxe fancy-pants budget-ruining basically unaffordable septic.

Meet with the HVAC guy early tomorrow to iron out a couple of kinks. Can't wait for the painter come and turn this house red!

Finished painting (still losing sleep over the choice of color in the MB, though!), finally got garage doors (they accidentaly sent an upgraded version, so we get to keep them for the same price! What a thrill!) and the GC brought all the doors and wood for the closets and trim! Things are actually moving along!

Sandyponder! It looks great. I love the casual decor and great colours.

I just love seeing all these homes come to life! Especially the posters that I have been following for months! All the interesting colors, architechture and styles. Very eclectic group we have here and I LOVE it all!

Lindy

Tile!

Dock and stairs!
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Roof!
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They are putting on our trusses as I type. Our well is almost complete. We have been moving along at a steady pace for the last month or so. We are in our travel trailer on our land, and we now have a land-line phone, internet and satellite. It is really great being on-site and seeing all the progress! And it is sooooo much better than that 1-hour-each-way commute!
I have pics to share but left my USB cable at our house, so I will post pictures soon.

Can't see your images, poigirl  and would certainly like to!

What did I do wrong? I can see the images....I'm new at this, so please help me. Thanks.

poigirl, did you make your photo album public? Maybe that's it????

Dock and stairs

Oh my gosh everyones houses look so good!!!! I love seeing the pictures! I was so happy today heading out to our places, expecting the electrical to be done and the rock ready to go on the house. GC said on Monday there were heading over to work that night to finish the electrical and the electrician said the insulation was going in today. Guess what I saw?!?!

NOTHING! LOL! They never even showed back up to finish the electrical on Monday. I love my GC, he is a great great guy, nice as all can be but now I am truly getting frustrated. The whole month of August the only thing done was the roof and now we are at what....September 12? There is NO way we will be in by Christmas. He told the electrician 3 1/2 months. That is January. *sigh* oh well! It will be worth it but I am going to say something if nothing else happens this week.

That is my rant for the day!

As of today...all brickwork, hardwoods(red oak), framing, sheetrock and finishing, trimwork, and "some" cabinetry. If anyone remembers, our custom cabinet maker lost a thumb before starting on our cabinets and we had a heck of a time finding someone else-4 someone elses to be exact, and procrastinated for so long making a decision, our original cab man was ready to come back to work-whoo-hoo!! some more excavating(Waaayyy more than we anticipated-LOL!) but, no landscaping till rain*sigh*

Everyones house looks GREAT!! Can't wait for more pictures!
Sandy

Here is a link that might be useful: new home

Uh..poigirl, You don't have to bring groceries up those steps, do you? :) LOL! The lake looks soo cool and WET to us sun parched NCers. Hope to get a few drops this weekend-lol
Sandy

We won't be starting for awhile yet, our plans are still being completed, but here is a picture of our property and one that shows what our view will be like once some clearing is done-hopefully right after we move out of our house next month.

Wow! Such beautiful houses. I'm always amazed at the quality homes the members on this site are building. We are almost done, final grade was yesterday and my granite was installed! Mostly small things left- master shower, closet, carpet and screening the side porch. We had a really easy time of building our house, pretty much no problems at all. We expect to be in within 2 weeks.
My advice to anyone not yet started is to get out of your previous mortgage before you start and make sure you pick a builder that you would trust to hold your checkbook without any reservations.

Painter is working on trim. Tile is done. Countertops on the 25th. Cabinet end panels, moulding, etc. will be done before then. We're aiming for a by-Halloween move in date!

Range corner in kitchen. The mouldings will be black on the perimeter cabs.

I love the lights above my island...

Tile surround in boy's bathroom. There's a bit of haze not wiped off before pic was taken.

Metal roof is installed. Masons finished the installation of our caststone banding and are now building our front staircase (love it!). Siding crew is finishing up by adding our Fypon dentil moulding and pilasters (to the dormer fronts). Electrical is completed. Plumbing and HVAC will be completed by next week. We'll be moving on to insulation/drywall within two weeks. FINALLY!

Everyone's homes look terrific! poigirl-love the steps and the dock...we're jealous, we would have loved to find some (relatively) affordable waterfront land!

Lots going on the past two weeks: Tile, paint (trim), last of the trim carpentry, gunite on pool.

Lap Pool (Gunite and Coping)

Master Shower

We're back!

We had hoped to break ground this summer, but we stopped everything for a couple of months after we got back bids that were too high on our old floorplan (and I gave birth to our second son . . .).

But now we're back in business . . . finalizing a new scaled-back floor plan, settled on a builder on Friday, and went up to the site today to stake out the house location so that we can start getting some estimates on excavation and land fill.

I'd love to get your comments on our new floorplan before it's too late to make changes (I posted it on a separate thread).

Looking forward to actually starting construction!