Here are links to some of the earlier threads . . . http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/build/msg0708180218905.html - unique/favorite features in your build.... http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/build/msg051803107471.html - Things you couldn't live without or wish you had added http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/build/msg012331272427.html - What things did you find needed adjusting or changed? http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/build/msg052337148911.html - is there anything you wish you had done http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/build/msg1011400927581.html - What about your new build makes your life easier; what doesn't ? http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/build/msg0913570232282.html - Brands/Products That I'd Use Again http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/build/msg0321442732113.html - Share your best sites for deals on supplies! http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/build/msg0818041222629.html - To help others - Things I would do different and things i love! http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/build/msg021705141306.html - Things I wish I'd specified on my plans http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/build/msg0120301431285.html - It's been two years...what I've learned, would change, etc... http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/build/msg0901543214301.html - Biggest Mistakes? http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/build/msg0521381417863.html - Help!!! Have I forgotten anything? http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/build/msg122305046544.html - designing electrical in house http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/build/msg0316075322256.html - doing whole house audio

If you are trying to write your own contract without professional assistance it is wise to use or at least refer to a standard published contract form in order to avoid making mistakes that could be costly later. Here is a summary of contract terms I prepared for another thread for a Fixed Price contract: FIXED PRICE CONTRACT OUTLINE - The Contract Documents - list of Drawings, Specifications & Addenda, etc. - Dates of Commencement and Substantial Completion - Contract Sum - Contract Sum, any Unit Prices, any Allowances, any accepted Alternates, and mark-up an Change orders. - Payment - timing, payment schedule & prodedures, interest on overdue payments - Insurance - contractor and owner liability and property insurance - Waivers of subrogation - General provisions - written modifications, definition of the Work, Intent of the Documents, Ownership and use of documents - Owner - responsibility for surveys & legal description of site, approvals, easements, assessments, OwnerâÂÂs right to stop the Work, and OwnerâÂÂs right to carry out the Work; OwnerâÂÂs right to perform construction and award separate contracts - Contractor - Responsibility for: Review of Contract Documents and field conditions, preparation of Construction Schedule, notification to local building authorities, compliance with building regulations, supervision and construction procedures, construction means, methods, techniques, sequences and procedures, coordination of the Work, acts and omissions of the Contractor's employees, Subcontractors and their agents and employees, discipline and good order among the Contractor's employees and others, employment of unfit persons or persons not skilled in tasks assigned, delivery, handling, storage and installation of materials in accordance with manufacturers' instructions, substitutions, warranty, taxes, permits/fees and notices, submittals (shop drawings, product data, samples, etc.), cutting & patching, clean up, Owner access to the Work, and indemnification of Owner, ownerâÂÂs consultants, agents and employees - OwnerâÂÂs Consultant and agent responsibilities - Changes in the Work - Time adjustments, minor modifications, adjustments for concealed or unknown physical conditions, Change orders - Time - Payments and Completion - Applications for payment, materials stored on and off site, title to work, liens, implied acceptance of the work, Substantial Completion defined, Final Payment with release of liens. - Protection of Persons and Property - Correction of the Work - during construction period and one year (or more) afterward. - Miscellaneous Provisions - Assignment of contract, tests and inspections, governing law. - Termination of the Contract - by owner or contractor. - Other Terms and Conditions - to be added by the parties. - Date & signatures of the parties

THINGS I'M GLAD WE DID We planned for the future and ran PVC pipe underneath all our concrete walks and drives so landscape lighting could be added later. Also ran pipe for electric wires out to the backyard where we would be building our barn the next year so we wouldn't have to dig up the yard again. Wired for an entertainment system in the basement (which we are finishing now -- 2 yrs. after move-in). DH insited on 400 amp service so we would have plenty of electrical for pool, barn etc. Splurged on the kitchen cabinets and appliances. It's one of our favorite rooms and is large enough for both of us to cook at the same time. Makes cooking & cleanup easy and enjoyable. Insisted on a pool bath with a separate entrance into the home. We fired our first designer when he insisted it was a waste of space in our northern home and would present a security risk because it makes another entrance to the home. It's great not to have guests walk across our wood floor when coming in from the pool to use the restroom. It's also a great changing room for the pool and hot tub and the shower is a great place to wash the doggie. Lots of very large windows to view the beautiful landscape and wildlife from everywhere in the home. What a way to increase the endorphins during an upper midwest winter. We used to live in a house where we could barely see outside. Our coffee area in the MB suite. We saw this in a parade home and had our second (and final) architect plan for this. It consists of some cabinetry, a small refrigerator and a bar sink -- perfect for making coffee in the morning or storing juice and sodas. It's located outside the bedroom, bathroom and closet area but still inside the suite area. Planned for a single, very large MB closet. It's 10 x 15 and is a perfect size for storing all our clothes and is also a roomy changing room. A covered lanai in the back of the house to escape the summer heat but enjoy the rainstorms. Our hardwood floor (Brazilian Teak) throughout the house. One of the biggest "wow" factors to people visiting. THINGS I WISH WE HAD DONE DIFFERENTLY Mostly small size changes which you wouldn't understand unless you were inside the house. A couple of feet here and there to make a room slightly larger. We actually cut those feet off the original plan to keep it just under 4000 sq.ft. Boy, I wish we had kept them. Really checked our cabinet layout. Our laundry room has a tight area when using the fold-down ironing board. It's mainly because we chose a front loading washer & dryer which are deeper than traditional machines. Try to visualize the cabinets and how they work in the room.

here's my .02 cents- Calacutta/Calacotta (you say po-TATE-Oh, I say po-TOT-oh, actually I say "spud") is a MARBLE - with the majority of the stone being CALCIUM... Calcium reacts with ANY form of ACID - lemon,lime,tomatoe/tomatto,grapefruit, and anything else that has acid in it... Are you using this in a kitchen application? if so, I would STRONGLY (in the most professional sense of the word) ADVISE YOU to consider having a "textured" surface - aka: honed, leathered, antiqued..etc I did a podcast at Natural Stone 101.com (actually two on the same subject) that talks about the issue of acid etching of polished marble, textured surfaces, and sealing the stone to help retard the potential of staining... hope that helps y kevin