Anyone built David Wiggin's s' Fondare Estate?
Brooke Franzen
6 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (42)
Mark Bischak, Architect
6 years agobpath
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoRelated Discussions
Advice Before & During Building A Custom Home
Comments (20)I think the distinction between semi-custom home and truly custom construction is significant. I've done both plus lots of renovations. In our custom build, we had a fabulous GC. The way he liked to do business was to spend countless hours up front getting into excruciating detail about building products. Once we had cost out our desires, it became apparent that this house was going to cost a whole lot more than we had anticipated. We owned the land. The unknown costs lay in porches and basements. We all agreed that we needed another plan. (We were using William E. Poole plans) I went home and quickly found another plan that would work with a few modifications. It had smaller porches and we ditched the basement in favor of a FROG. It was a smarter build thanks to my GC. We owned the land and had more than 60% of the construction cost in cash. The bank loved us. Low risk. They only got involved when we were close to finishing up. I think we had one construction draw and a final inspection. Our GC suggested that we mutually determine his fee up front. It was a flat amount. This way, he was assured that he would be paid and make his profit. We paid him in monthly installments. The last payment would be withheld until we had release of liens from all of the subcontractors and the GC. Any costs would merely be passed through his accounts. There were no mark up on materials and services. They were entirely at his cost. I was given a copy of all of the receipts. He would present a months worth of bills and receipts at a time. There was one or two items that he needed the money a little faster. I think the framing material was an example. It was a pretty big bill as I recollect. In the areas where a guestimate was required in the budget, he would tend to overestimate. This way the surprises were pleasant. The hard work was done up front. We used those surprises to finish out the FROG. I ended up sourcing the appliances, the plumbing fixtures and the decorative electrical fixtures. He was a little leery about that, but I had everything ordered and stored in my garage ahead of time. I would take them over the day before they were needed and have them on site. The appliance dealer kept my appliances in storage until I was ready. The only plumbing fixture that I had the plumber order was two real cast iron tubs. I didn't want to be responsible for transport or installation of those. The GC had such a great time working with us, he and his brother, decided to do all of the interior finish carpentry themselves. They were used to working on projects that were 50% bigger than our home. We fit right into their schedule. It had been a long time since they had gotten to work together, they wanted to do it. They did a beautiful job. They built my mantle and an arched pocket door from a picture I provided them. They did a beautiful job. Semi-custom building, now that is an exercise in frustration. I'll never do that again. The answers in semi-custom building always seem to be no....See MoreAnyone grow Mme Alfred Carriere?
Comments (67)Yes hot indeed.We enjoy hot summers but winters cold and strong sea winds do much damage. I now have roses that can cope with such variation of heat and cold .Took me long time to find roses like horses for courses . Canadian Explorer rang from Morden research labs In Canada have a full range of great plants that are hard as iron nails .John Davis rose flowers most of summer in pink scented flows of climber 10 foot x 7 foot .Makes a good column climber .It can be left and not covered in minus 30c winters and still come back in Spring better than ever. John Cabot too makes a wide rambler on pergoda frame . With out them my rose garden would be bare or cut right back to take half summer to reach a good tall plant .Summers are 100f in July . June is best month for building in garden s. Summer goes on to end of October. Autumn tree colours November December .Worse month February . Im English used to hardly any winters and cool summers .Took some time to find my garden needs in rural wild Latvia...See MoreNewly built house... A/C running all the time to keep cool??
Comments (113)I mentioned way up thread that you should talk to friends or your real estate agent and ask for the name of an a/c company that they trust. Explain your situation and have them come out and do an inspection. It could be a very simple fix, like a duct tear. You are more likely to get someone to come out now when it is slow than in the dead of summer. Don't go into a long complicated explanation. Just say you feel like the a/c is not working properly, the builder is ignoring calls, will you come out and do inspection? If the a/c inspection finds a more complicated issue then take some photos and you will have ammo against the builder....See Morereconnaissante cottage
Comments (23)Thanks for clarifying. I do regret not coming to this site earlier because it’s obvious you guys on here have helped a lot of people and I’m sure could have made some major improvements on my project. Either way, I’m still excited with my future home and I’m sure I’ll be back with questions along the way....See MoreBrooke Franzen
6 years agosummersrhythm_z6a
6 years agoMark Bischak, Architect
6 years ago_sophiewheeler
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoBrooke Franzen
6 years agoBrooke Franzen
6 years agobpath
6 years agoMrs Pete
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoVirgil Carter Fine Art
6 years agoBrooke Franzen
6 years ago_sophiewheeler
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoHolly Stockley
6 years agoMrs Pete
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoMark Bischak, Architect
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agocpartist
6 years agoBrooke Franzen
6 years ago_sophiewheeler
6 years agoBrooke Franzen
6 years agoBrooke Franzen
6 years agoBrooke Franzen
6 years agoHolly Stockley
6 years agoBrooke Franzen
6 years agocpartist
6 years agoBrooke Franzen
6 years agoHolly Stockley
6 years agoBrooke Franzen
6 years agosummersrhythm_z6a
6 years agobpath
6 years agosummersrhythm_z6a
6 years agocpartist
6 years agosummersrhythm_z6a
6 years agobeckysharp Reinstate SW Unconditionally
6 years agoLove stone homes
6 years ago_sophiewheeler
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoMrs Pete
6 years ago
Related Stories
TRAVEL BY DESIGN7 Romantic Vacation Rentals Built of Stone
Tuscany is calling. Or maybe England or even Texas. See if one of these enchanting gems has your traveling spirit's number
Full StoryTRADITIONAL HOMESMy Houzz: Step Inside a Grand 1800s Victorian
A 7,000-square-foot historic estate returns to glory, thanks to loving renovations by a tireless Texas couple
Full StoryHOMES AROUND THE WORLDAn American Chef Remodels in Paris (and Lives to Write About It)
Fixing up an apartment in a foreign land gives pastry chef David Lebovitz the ingredients for a new book
Full StoryROOTS OF STYLEDesign Through the Decades: The 1910s
Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, De Stijl art and the Hoosier cabinet are among the period influences still seen today
Full StoryEVENTSDallas Puts Modern Styles on Show
A 2-day tour adds modern homes to its core midcentury originals. Get ideas from 3 participating homes
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESHouzz Tour: Updating a Midcentury Aerie in the Berkeley Hills
The setting was splendid; the house, not so much. Now the two are right in line, with high quality to spare
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESSee Winning Gardens From the 2015 Chelsea Flower Show
The popular annual London event showcases the best in garden design. Get inspired by these 2015 gold-medal winners
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGN12 Things to Consider for Your Bathroom Remodel
Maybe a tub doesn’t float your boat, but having no threshold is a no-brainer. These points to ponder will help you plan
Full StoryKITCHEN MAKEOVERS3 Pros’ Own Kitchens, Inspired by Arts and Crafts Style
Millwork, hand-glazed tile, lighting and other handcrafted details honor the movement
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDESYou Won't Believe What These Homeowners Found in Their Walls
From the banal to the downright bizarre, these uncovered artifacts may get you wondering what may be hidden in your own home
Full Story
bpath