August. Most cabinet companies are not operating.

It probably really depends on where you are located. Unless there is a federal mandate, states and local municipalities may handle this situation differently for different industries and different setups. For instance, a two-man custom cabinet shop may continue to operate whereas a cabinet factory most likely will have to shut down for a while. Some subs may continue to operate "under the radar" if in an area where social distancing isn't a problem for them like mine. Mark's advice to rely on your GC's most current info is really the only reliable advice to give and then just know, it may not work out like you or he thinks it will.

Thanks for all your replies. Things were really moving quickly until this pandemic hit right after we ordered the cabinets early February. At this point, I guess nothing's really predictable.

I would also point out that if things keep moving, it may be more slowly. Around me most of the trades are still working, but many will only come if they are the only ones in the structure. Things that used to overlap are now sequential.

Talk to your contractor. Is he keeping in touch with all subs? Will cabinets be finished and shipped? Is his installer working? What about appliance installer? Fabricator? Which things could be put off if needed without affecting certificate of occupancy, and which are essential? Is your jurisdiction still conducting inspections? The contractor should be keeping tabs on all of this.

After the cabinets are completely installed, the countertop guys will need to come out and template for the quartz. Then they need to cut it, figure two weeks for that is typical, then install them Then the plumbers have to come back in to install the faucets and any other fixtures.

Is that all that is remaining to be done besides what you listed?

I think you would want more time for your inspection and to have the items on the punchlist all done before you take occupancy... otherwise the builder and subs may lose some incentive if they have all been paid. I'm also seeing the subs prefer not to be inside at the same time.

Add time for the final inspection. Where I am in a rural small town, there is one guy and he is pretty available and flexible. In large cities, there may be a longer wait time.

Thanks all! The cabinets are done and will be delivered sometime next week. My GC also said it would take about 2 weeks to finish the quartz countertop and backsplash. Construction is still seen as essential here.

Things that need to be done (a more compete list).

1. Kitchen Cabinets are coming mid-April, and appliances soon thereafter. The quartz will then be measured and cut.

2. Removal and placing the sidewalk in front. Completed on Monday.

3. Outdoor lighting installed.

4. Grab bars in bathroom need to be installed (blocks behind the tile are already there.)

5. Master Bath shower door/glass needs to be installed.

6. Bench to be installed in playroom against the wall.

7. Guest bath and main bath shower glass needs to be installed.

8. Two AC units need to be installed.

9. Door knobs.

10. Cracked window to be replaced.

11. Punchlist

12. Final inspection

13. White glove cleaning

Not knowing your builders sequences, it sounds like he installs cabinets after flooring.

Assuming all decisions are complete, home is painted, fixtures installed, hardware onsite, flatwork in, mid May, 30+ days after cabinets installed is still tight.

Thanks, Jeffrey.

The flooring was going to be done after cabinets, but there was a delay in the cabinets and the GC wanted to just move on getting things done. All decisions are pretty much complete, except for some mistakes by the GC. I'm willing to live with them since we need to move in, and we don't know if more restrictions are going to be put on us because of COVID-19. The home is painted except for the gas line (it's red as standard for the city...we want it black), and for some of the exterior cement, all the fixtures were installed except for the kitchen fixtures, and one fixture in the master bath. I believe all of the hardware is onsite except for the AC units.

" I believe all of the hardware is onsite except for the AC units."

The HVAC should be up and running for a few weeks with the humidity levels under control before flooring, cabinets, doors and trim, etc are installed.

I would be foolish for the contractor to commit to a move in date without cabinets 100% onsite & all decisions completed with fixtures available.

Thanks! Cabinets are scheduled to be delivered today and installed by the end of the week. The quartz person needs to do the measurements to make the cuts. Everything, but the AC Units are on site.

The HVAC should be up and running before any type of flooring or cabinetry is installed. A change in humidity levels can have some negative (potentially disastrous) effects on cabinetry and flooring.

The heat has been up and running since Christmas, and some planks from the hardwood floors in the Master Bedroom already warped pretty badly. All of the planks have been replaced. I haven't noticed any buckling or warping anywhere else. My architect expressed something similar: all the planks should have sat in the home for a while to adjust to the surrounding humidity before they were installed.

Good luck. Sounds like your GC is taking some risks (it’s his warranty after all) and trying to juggle things to keep things going. If your flooring isn’t impacted by heating, cooling or humidity you will probably be OK. Do you have camera security system in place? Can’t be too careful at this stage. Especially, once AC compressors are installed and appliances on site. These things are stollen during construction. So something to be aware of. Sure will be an experience like none other. Stressful during normal times. So breathe, stay as calm as you can. It will all work out.

Thanks, Flo.

The cabinets were delivered yesterday and will be installed by the end of this week. The appliances are scheduled for delivery early next week.

Just spoke with my GC today, and he said that everything should be done by the time the countertops are cut and installed. He said the delay will be on getting the final inspection which would normally take 1 to 2 weeks.

@HU-629673584 sounds like you're so close. Wishing you the best.

I agree about feeling weird building during this time. It's surreal.

I'm picking countertops right now and some are only sending email pics. 1 company will let you make appointment once you're at the final selection to see them in person.

I bought all appliances and lighting online only. To get paint chips for exterior I had to call the paint store from the parking lot and tell them the chips I wanted and then they ran them out to me. We have crews taking turns on the property so framers are there, then roofers etc.

I'm not complaining at all, obviously it could be much worse and it's such a scary time. Just reporting how it's working in my neck of the woods.

Hit a little speed bump today. We went to make a punch list, and noticed that our kitchen cabinets were a whole cabinet off--about 2 feet shorter--that left the electrical exposed (conduit and wire just sticking up from the ground) that was supposed to be for the peninsula. Hopefully it doesn't set us back that much.

@HU-629673584 yikes. How did that happen? Glad they are fixing it.

Something happened in the plans getting from the GC to the cabinet guys. The cabinet drawings were wrong. I’m worried because it took 60 days to get these made. I’m okay with additions on it though to extend them. Just want this done.

Here's an updated list:

1. Kitchen Cabinets are coming mid-April, and appliances soon thereafter. The quartz will then be measured and cut. Update: Cabinets were installed last week, and countertops were installed today.

2. Removal and placing the sidewalk in front. Completed

3. Outdoor lighting installed. Update: Installed this week.

4. Grab bars in bathroom need to be installed (blocks behind the tile are already there.)

5. Master Bath shower door/glass needs to be installed.

6. Bench to be installed in playroom against the wall.

7. Guest bath and main bath shower glass needs to be installed.

8. Two AC units need to be installed.

9. Door knobs.

10. Cracked window to be replaced. Update: Replaced this week.

11. Punchlist

12. Final inspection

13. White glove cleaning

How long should the HVAC be running before sheetrock is done?

You're getting very close. Plumbing after counters and backsplashes. Some electrical usually. Assuming your shower enclosures are already measured and fabricated, one day for those, 1-2 days of hardware, bench? clean, touchup and clean again if needed. Add a day for every 1000 sf is a WAG. Now is the best time to get it right. Clients can get very upset for a short period of time over delays but hate you forever for poor finish quality.

You're lucky if your building department is still a one day service. One of building departments, pre COVID, has several tasks spread out over 4-10 days.

Well...I just got back from our property. We failed inspection because 3 of our windows aren't tempered glass. That's going to put us back some time. I'm wondering why the city approved the plans but failed it later on. I get it since one of the windows is hanging about 10-20 ft high and is huge (18'x6' divided in four sections). Is it possible to move in while these windows changed out? Who foots the bill for this change?

Any idea how many days this is going to set us back?

HU: Some towns will allow you to put temper safety film on the window instead of replacing the whole window. Ask the inspector or town. It can be done in a day on the windows you already have.

Joe,

Wow. Thanks for that suggestion! I'll check with my GC.

HU: Any luck with the temper film? If the windows have to be reordered I would think it take at least 3 weeks.

Joe,

Nothing yet. The GCs checking with the city, and their office is checking with Pella for the turn around. I'm hoping that's an easy fix.

I just got a quote saying that the change to tempered glass will be 10k. They haven't specifically said anything about the film. The architectural plans got approved by the city, but they are now failing us during inspection since we went according to plan. We need to get out of our apartment by the end of the month.

That is a crazy increase. You need to find an alternate solution. The film should be certified and hopefully acceptable and they can just put on windows in one day and not nearly as pricey. Or can they just raise the windows a few inches so they do not have to be tempered. That probably be way cheaper.

Joe,

I called a couple of film places, and they said it would pass inspection.

Great, so that will definitely save you a lot of time and money. good luck!

I called a couple of film places, and they said it would pass inspection.

It might be a good idea to check with the inspector to see if adding temper film would pass. That's an awesome solution, though, if it will!

"Got through permitting" and also passed frame inspection, when windows are installed. Hmm. Did you order? Did you hire the home designer?

The GC ordered the windows, and we hired an architect who did most of the design.

How are they failing the windows now? They should have been inspected WAY earlier in the build. I'm confused as to why they are mentioning it just now and not on one of the many previous inspections. Ours was inspected during the framing inspection. I hope the film suggestion works out because that size of window, you could be looking at a longer wait than you want to hear. Plus, who has 10K to throw away to fix someone's mistake on this. yuck. So sorry!

Bummer. Too many in that string of pros should know when and where tempered is required, starting with the plans, unless the windows were moved into a tempered distance after plans approved or could not be determined from plans. Plans also reference codes and may have "tempered if" type notes on them also.

Similarly, we were sent a pair of approved sets to bid from the same home designer where approved truss design did not meet the plan requirements. Both homes missed HVAC platforms & accesses that were noted on other pages and in the energy calcs. Designer showed an 8" roof depth (truss section) for a 35' span. Designer, engineer of record, outside plan reviewer all approved. Now we discuss fixes with disappointed clients. One we were able to fix easily, the other we decided to withdraw our proposal.