Almost DONE! Yay! Our scheduled completion date is Oct 9th with a walk-thru on the 10th. They are actually a bit ahead of the schedule. It's turned out even better than I hoped and the only problem we had to deal with was moving one electrical outlet that was put in the wrong spot by the electrician. Color me happy I took the leap. if you're building anywhere in North Central Ohio and you need a recommendation for a fantastic builder, email me. I couldn't be happier with the job he did for us.

Amish builders RAWK!!!! YAY!!!!!

The last month (actually the last 6 weeks) has been frustrating in the extreme. Very little apparent progress.... My builder told me we would be ready the first week of September for my independent inspector to inspect the framing and mechanicals. We STILL aren't!

Roofing felt was put up the last week of August. As of day before yesterday, roofers FINALLY began putting the shingles on. Meantime, much of the roofing felt had deteriorated to the point where it clearly needs to be replaced and, in theory at least, the roofers were supposed to be replacing torn felt "as they go" before putting the shingles down. Except that I went out to watch for awhile yesterday and they were not bothering to do so - until they saw me watching. I took movie clips with my camera so there is no question that they were not replacing the felt as promised! This of course precipitated a long discussion with my builder regarding the trustworthiness of his roofing sub and just what needed to be done to ensure that the roof would be done correctly. My personal opinion is that everything put on needs to come back off and they need to start over - with my builder staying on site to ensure that it gets done right! Somehow I doubt that is going to happen. So, if/when we get moved in, I'll be constantly checking my attic when we have heavy rains for evidence of leaks.

Meanwhile, the HVAC still needs some revamping done in order to make it more efficient and regain some of my closet space that has been taken over by chases for duct-work. Builder and HVAC sub agreed on the revisions almost a month ago - but HVAC sub still hasn't come back to do it.

Additionally, we had some vandalism six weeks ago - two big windows broken. For whatever reason, these have still not been fixed. [They're standard sized windows so I can't imagine that it should take six weeks to get them fixed!)

There are also some relatively minor framing issues that need to be corrected - but framer hasn't been back to do them.

And, while 90% of my Hardie siding had been put up by the first of September, there were a couple of places (back eave of the garage and around the front door) where it hadn't been installed and one area where they needed to replace vertical siding with half-rounds because they put the wrong stuff in. That still hasn't been done either! Don't know if the holdup on siding is due to my builder not ordering enough siding and now waiting on more to arrive or because whichever sub he has doing the installation hasn't been back to finish it.

Meantime, yesterday the painters began painting the exterior - which will need to be redone in part once the framer finally comes back and finishes his work and the rest of the Hardie is installed. This seems highly INEFFICIENT to me.

Also, our bank didn't offer a one-time close construction loan/mortgage, so now we're chewing our fingernails wondering how the current economic situation is going to affect the mortgage rate we'll eventually be able to get as well as our ability to sell our current home once the new one is built. [I TOLD DH a year ago we should try to find someone who was looking to buy rental property and sell them our house with the caveat that we would lease it from them until our new home was built!!!]

Can you tell, I'm feeling rather low at this point??? And, it isn't like we've had bad weather to slow things down with our build. Hurricane Ike totally missed us... we got maybe a half inch of rain and 20-25 mph winds for a couple of hours.

Only bright spot is that DH and I were able to agree on exterior colors (an exercise in compromise I gotta tell you!) and, based on what was painted yesterday, I think the colors are going to be absolutely lovely. I like to describe the house as sort of a "country cousin" to a Victorian... wrap around porch, a touch of gingerbread but not too much, etc. So we're being a bit lavish with color but trying not to go too far overboard.

The main color of the house will be Sherwin Williams Impressive Ivory. DH wanted a dark main color but I insisted on something light because we're in such a hot climate area and lighter colors reflect more heat away. Trim (except for shutters) will be SW Anjou Pear which reads quite gold colored in the sunlight and slightly greenish gold in the shade. Shutters and some of the gingerbread will be SW Rustic Red which such a close match to our Jeldwen window cladding color (Mesa Red) that I can't tell any difference. Porch ceiling, soffits, and porch columns will be SW Roman Column which is an almost pure white. The ivory of the house looks creamy yellow against the porch's white but reads as a warm white compared to the Anjou Pear trim color. I'll post some pictures as soon as enough of the painting is done to get the full effect.

Here's hoping September has been a better for everyone else and that October will be a more productive month for my build. Looking forward to seeing everybody else's progress.

Progress has been pretty good this last month! Our tile is just about complete (except for the entry and medallion), all bathrooms are having plumbing fixtures installed, most of our living areas have been faux finished, granite counters in the kitchen are going in and marble slabs in the master bath have been installed.

Agenda for this month: finish bathrooms (plumbing, lights, mirrors, shower doors), install light fixtures, baseboard, wood floors, carpet and start the pool, hardscape and landscape. Oh...and many, many more things too tedious to mention!

Backyard view:
{{gwi:1504488}}

Entry groin vault ceiling:
{{gwi:1504490}}

East gallery:
{{gwi:1504492}}

Gallery ceiling:
{{gwi:1504493}}

Kitchen (excuse the DUST!):
{{gwi:1504494}}

Aloha,
Leilani

It is coming along, windows are all in, all framing done, and roof shingles are almost done too. A pic from last Friday.

Well we officially got a move in date for October 16th. All bathroom faucets, countertops, and lights are all installed, Shoe molding is down, all tile (except for kitchen backsplash) and hardwood is done and the brick and the windows have been cleaned. All we seem to really lack is a kitchen countertop, which we are going with silestone sienna ridge, which is supposed to be installed on tuesday, appliances are all in the house waiting to be put in, cabinet man lacks our bookcases by the fireplace and the mantel, and the doors that go in front of the master tub, and carpet to be installed and all toilets and faucets up in running is pretty much all we lack. Getting ancy!!!!

master tub

master shower

wet bar countertop being made

Vineyard, will you adopt me? I want to live in your house.

What a different a month made for us. We went from this

to this

Rough plumbing is done
Duct work compeleted
Fireplace is in
Exterior doors are in
Exterior Stucco underlay is started
Electrical starts tomorrow
Roofing starts on Monday

It now looks like a house so I can dream as I walk through it.

We have had a couple of minor hic-cups along the way but the builder has been great on fixing them. So far, we have only had $162 out of our pocket to fix something that we hadn't caught on the plans.

Biggest lesson learned besides you have to be at the build when ever a new sub is starting to work to answer questions, is that be sure you really understand the windows on the plans and not make assumptions on what some of the codes mean.

Bevangel...love hearing about those red windows and trim! Don't get discouraged...it's all part of the Zen of building a house.
We've made some significant strides in September. All of the windows and doors have been installed, along with the Azek trim. A bit of the primed Nichiha smooth siding has been installed on the back of the house. We'll be using primed shakes on the upper half gables and shed dormers. And most importantly, the icynene open cell spray foam insulation has begun. This has been a hold-up for about 2 weeks. Once we cross this bridge, the drywall can commence.
{{gwi:1504498}}From Exterior

{{gwi:1504499}}From Insulation

And the first delivery of stone for the retaining wall and fireplace has arrived. Now, at last, I can consider what color I want to paint the exterior...been waiting to see the actual stone so as to coordinate colors.
{{gwi:1504500}}From Fireplace

{{gwi:1504501}}From Fireplace

Ours is coming along well. We have one ceiling fan and some baseboard to put up and our closet to finish and the door pulls on the cabinets.
We have to get it done now, we closed the deal on our current home this morning and now have 30 days to be out.
Having lived in this same house for 30 plus years it is going to take a little while to sort and move. Hope to clean out alot of "things".

It is so neat to see everyone's house and their "dreams" coming true!!!

Our build got started late, like the end of August, when we thought we would have been started by July 1. However, it took us longer to sell our house so we have been here from the beginning of the build which is a good thing. We are living in our shop next to our site so it has been wonderful for us and the builder. At this time we have most of the exterior walls up and are waiting for the trusses. My biggest problem now seems to be that my computer is too "ancient" to post pics on photobucket :( I can email some if anyone is interested :)

We're heading into the home stretch! Hoping to be moved in by the end of the month. Exterior is complete with the exception of the light fixtures and painting the downspouts to match the stucco. Still have to figure out landscaping...might wait until spring at this point. Counter top templating was complete on Wednesday and just waiting on fabrication. Tile work in master was complete and they started on the slate and limestone tiling in the mudroom, laundry rooms and baths. Still need all lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, staircase railing and carpet installed. Then cleaning and final walk-through!

{{gwi:1504507}}

Man! I can't believe I'm jealous because I don't have anything to post this month! We finished up in Oct and are pretty well settled now. Everyone's build is looking wonderful. Keep posting pictures. I'm living vicariously through you all now! Jaymie

In the past month we've finished insulation and drywall. Now we're on to interior finishes. I can't even remember all of the fixtures and other material we picked out so long ago. It will be exciting to see it finally installed.

We are really hoping to be moving in on Thanksgiving weekend, but I'm starting to think it's a bit optimistic. This is our first build, and of course our first time as owner-builder, so we don't have a lot of experience to base our time estimates on.

Here is a link that might be useful: Home construction blog

justmeinsd, how sweet! I do sense the making of another courtyard villa based on the sneak peek you gave us...and you're SO RIGHT about being there during the build. DH has been here the whole time and that saved our okoles many times over!

alliern, looks like you're coming along! It's refreshing to see your optimism about moving in this month, things move so quickly once you get to this stage, don't they? I'd like to be done this month, but I'm not stressing over it anymore like I used to. Que sera sera! :)

jaymielo, all I can say is, "LUCKY YOU!!!" :p

Were originally told a July 10th move-in, then Oct. 5th. Due to all our cabinetry having to be ripped out, and a very reluctant cabinet builder, we were lastly given Nov. 15th. We've leased our current home last week for move-in on Nov. 22nd and our builder is now panicking :)

Travertine is in, wood floors need to be installed, fireplace surrounds, interior painting, entire kitchen cabs, fixes on other cabs, window finishes,.. still can't decide on a island light, but got whole house lighting quote from $143K down to $62, so I'm happy... sortof. Still all seems insane and I'm staring to feel angst about leaving my home of 14 years that I've loved. But when I see that entire ocean & harbor view...

Here's my first attempt to post some pictures. One of the front, one of the back and one of the GR framed coffered ceiling.

It's been so much fun watching the progress on all of your homes.

Just finished the framing process Friday. I bought my framers lunch for a job well-done.

The roofers should be doing their thing as a write this

we're at the beginning of week two. inspection for the footings will be wednesday morning. GC will pour the cement for the foundation as soon as we get the ok.
it's only been six working days, but so far all is well and we're happy with the progress. i should also mention there were twenty-two trees (35 to 50' in height) that were also removed and rooted so we've seen a lot of action in a short amount of time. fingers crossed all continues to go well. GL to everyone, and SO happy to finally have news to share!

So glad to hear that everyone else's homes are moving along nicely. I know some of you have gone thru slow spells before so positive news from you gives me hope that things will soon start moving along a bit more expeditiously on my home as well!

And, I have to admit that since I posted a few days ago I am starting to see a little progress again. Painting is done - except for places where the siding STILL has to be put on, and the roofers are making progress on finishing that as well.

Coffeehaus wanted to see the paint color combo we chose to go with our Mesa Red windows. I can't believe how hard it is to get good pics. Part of the problem is that I can't back far enough away from the house because we didn't clear out the native trees and shrubs. And, I couldn't get a shot of the front at all because the sun was right behind the house when I was out there. The first shot is of back side of the garage (the windows follow the stairs going up to the bonus room). The second shows the back of the house where we will eventually have a patio. On my monitor the colors look very close to real life.

Lots of progress! Yay!
Finally got a roof

beautiful wiring!

and last night, insulation!

Oh, and my sink is here! I soooo love it!

Oh my, that hammered copper is absolutely scrumptious!

Well we are tired but we almost done it. We decided to G.C. the build of our house and it has been a big job but well worth it.
Painters did the first coat of paint and the trim guys will start installing the interior doors and trim tomorrow. We hope to be moving in within the next five or six weeks.
The camper will start getting cold pretty soon.

Still chugging along on finishing touches. Finally got the stone done on the foundation. Trying to get the excavator in soon, would like to plant some grass in the next few weeks. The only major outdoor work is now the porch columns/railings which are a point of debate for now!

Here's a pic of the back of the house taken from one of our pastures. One of these days I will take some indoor pics.... I just have to plan it right ( after the cleaning lady comes!)

Eveyone's homes are looking great!

Finally found a website that I could create a photo album on my dinosaur of a computer! Enjoy!

I want to be adopted by alliern--BTW what color are the walls in, I think, the butler's pantry?

Bevangel--the color combo on windows is fab-o!

We're not in yet, but we are in our 4th month after the move-in date. No 4th of July, Back-to-school, Happy Fall or Halloween parties at the new house. Boo. But, if the plumbers will work past 11am some days, we will be finito by the end of Oct. Not holding our breath. It is finally shaping up, though! We do have floors. I'll post a pic as soon as I find my cheat sheet on how to do it!

LandP

Bevangel...thanks for posting those photos of your gorgeous red windows! Love the color combo, and I'll be watching for more photos...especially the front. Get on out there at the right time of day!

Love all of the pictures - we justed started excavating last week.

Ponydoc- Would you be so kind to share the name and color of your shingle? We are doing a house similiar to yours and I am having a heck of a time picking out a shingle.

sand16.

I think I still have the sample board in the basement at home ( I am at the office right now. I will try to track down the info for you!

Eureka! I love google. We have several square left over ( long story) and I thought about it awhile- trying to imagine the packaging in my mind.....

They are from Elk industries.... I do believe this is the exact shingle type. I think we went for the 40 year product. Forest Green.

Here is a link that might be useful: Forest Green shingles

LandP,

Your're more than welcome to join our family...just have to bring your mop and bucket cause there's no $$$ left for a cleaning staff ;)

I think you're refering to the last picture that I posted and that is the kitchenette in the guest studio. The wall color is BM Quiet Moments.

I love looking at everyone's pictures...keep them coming!

We have walls! Well, studs that will some day be walls. It is so exciting seeing the house take shape! Next week we should see studs for the garage, too.

I'll keep adding pics and journal entries to my shutterfly site, so keep checking back.

Here is a link that might be useful: Building Trades House

Ours is coming along FINALLY. Plumbing & electrical slowed us down about a month, but that's completed. All in about a week & a half we got concrete in garage, basement & front & back porches. Insulation installed, drywall installed & to be finished by the end of this week. And the outside trim completed. Next week, trim for the inside starts. And hopefully we'll be painting by Nov. 1st. I'm still hoping to be in by Christmas :)

I haven't posted on this thread before . . . after endless time and costly issues with foundation, etc. we finally were finally framed and under roof by July 4 -- Like Maincoonkitty, I say "Amish framers ROCK!!" This was the same crew that framed the Indiana lake house we moved from, and they did it in just weeks -- came down and we put them up in a motel. Subs told us it would have been a 3-month frame job using local crews.

Then it sat till Sept 1 while I chewed nails and tore hair, whined and moaned.

Completed: HVAC, central vac, and plumbing; electrical is 99.9% done. Fireplaces are installed. Much grading has been done, though not final. Side porch and a correction to the front porch are being poured today.

Ready to install: siding, stonework.

Selected: Nearly all appliances; some are in and waiting.

Ordered: All cabinetry, all countertops.

Here and waiting: All sinks except kitchen (just have to decide which shape Silgranits); all faucets; all but 4 lighting fixtures; ceiling fans. Kitchen hardware due to arrive this week.

Selecting: Going nuts trying to find grey carpeting. Salespeople keep showing me brown and thinking if they call it grey, I'll believe it's grey. When I put my grey tile next to it they say, "Oh, I guess you need grey." Well, doh, isn't that what I asked for? Looking for tile for bathrooms.

Keeping me awake at night: Color schemes. Paint chips. Where to start and stop colors. That dratted grey carpet.

In by January? We hope!!

Arlene

I forgot to post to the October thread and it's almost over already! Guess that's a sign that we've been a little busy. :o)

The interior & exterior painting are done, countertops are in, screened porch is finished (except for the screen LOL), HVAC is finishing today, electrical starts again tomorrow and DH & I should have the deck done by the end of the week. HOORAY!!!

It's so odd to see color on the walls, but I'm loving it. For some reason the colors photograph MUCH brighter than what they really are....they're much more subdued in person. In the pics the house looks like a great big caramel apple! :o)

The kitchen

From the kitchen through to DH's screened porch

The dining room

The sunroom

persnick, love your wall colors, especially the kitchen. All the rooms are beautiful. You've done an awesome job. Can't wait to see all the rooms finished and decorated.

If you don't mind, would you go over to the "Gallery" on the home decorating forum and post the specific room colors on that color's appropriate thread, along with the name and manufacturer of the paint.

Thanks

Thank you so much, Brutuses!!! I'd love to post the info in the gallery. :o)

Much progess. I have pics posted throughout on:
Frank Betz Candler Park progress. We just got drywall!!! So ready for paint! Love this board! Great ideas!!!

We had the dirt brought in and graded at the end of last month.We just signed the construction loan on Monday. Signed the contract with the contractor Tuesday morning. Our temporary power pole was put up Tuesday afternoon. Looking to start on Friday or the begining of next week.

... I'm excited and terrified all at the same time. When this thing is done, we are getting married with just our imediate family there. Then we are going to have a really big informal party in the backyard of the new house. So it's alot of stress all at once!

cursivesailor my friend, you must be certifiably CRAZY! LOL.

Actually, I've sometimes advised young couples thinking of getting married to first do a BIG project together where neither one of them is an expert and where they had no choice but to negotiate decisions in order to finish the project.

Before we got married - we'll celebrate our 29th anniversary in 2 months - my DH and I decided to reupholster a heavy old sofa-bed we bought at a garage sale for $30 which would then become our first piece of real furniture. We took an upholstery class offered thru the adult ed center at a local college and the instructor guided us but even so, by the time we got that sofa recovered (less than a month before our wedding), I had learned more about DH than I had learned in the 7 years we had known each other.

Among other things, about the 5th time I accidentally hammered the poor man's thumb and he didn't even cuss at me, I absolutely KNEW I had found a man who would never ever strike me no matter what the provocation. Seriously, we really learned to work as a team while working on that old sofa and we learned to negotiate our differences of opinion without attacking each other --- which has been a darn necessary skill to have during this #@@&+!~# house build!

When the stress gets to you, do come here to this forum to blow it off rather than blowing up at your sweetie.

I do wish you all the best and, when you're ready to kill your fiance, remember that if your relationship can survive building a house together, it'll survive whatever else life can ever throw at you!

By the way, would you believe we still have that same sofa in our living room? The upholstery is getting a bit tattered so it is going to be relegated to the game room in our new home. Neither of us can quite bear to part with it but neither do we have any desire whatsoever to reupholster it again. LOL!

DH and I are also about to start a new build and I am feeling pretty stressed with making decisions. My husband & I are definitely butting heads but bevangel's story warmed my heart and reminded me of a couch we have from long ago.

My DH and I got engaged shortly after my mother passed away (13 years ago) and we had to sell the home I grew up in. Needless to say, it was a very emotional time!
We had an old green couch in our house that I just couldn't bear to part with even though it had seen better days and matched with nothing. My DH not only happily let me bring that couch to our new tiny apartment, but took it apart to get it through the too small doorway and put it back together for us to use.
When we moved to our 1st house, the same thing happened and the couch lived happily in our office for 5 years.
We recently sold our house and are renting a condo while we build. I had pretty much convinced myself that it may be time to give up the couch since it would need to go to storage for 6-9 months and where could I possibly use it in the new house?.

Moving day comes and I hear DH telling the movers to be extra careful as they took apart and carefully lifted the green couch on to the truck. I was so happy, I almost cried.
It will sit in storage a while and I'm thinking maybe I'll reupholster it and use it in the sitting room attached to our master bedroom.

During this stressful time, I'll try to remember all the happy memories of houses in the past and how excited I am to be building a new one with such a good man.
That is, of course, when I am not thinking of killing him:)! LOL

Thanks Bev! It helps that he is sooo laid back that he's almost comatose. He's basicly given me free-range at all decision making. It helps that he's color blind, so I get to make all those decisions!

Actually, going through something big does have the "make it or break it" effect on relationships. For us it was loosing everything we had (including one pup) during Katrina. I figure if we can get through that together, we can withstand anything.

I'll post more as we get going. And eventually, I need to scan in out final plans to show ya'll.