CamG, I really like he latest rendition with only one gable. I agree with using taller windows. Will you have divided lites? I think this is similar to what virgilcarter is suggesting: We used 8x8 . The columns were slightly off the ground so we put in trim pieces. I would reconsider the stone on the front of the porch. I didn't realize this needed to be specified in advance. We didn't have a brick or stone ledge so it was too late by the time I decided to put stone. Maybe just put in the stone ledge just in case you change your mind.

Just to be clear, I don't see causation for the developer, it isn't that you and your attorney can't argue causation for the developer, feel free to sue him and roll those dice, but it is an expensive get. Your chances of winning are much less than they are against the builder, and you are unlikely to be awarded attorney fees on a negligence case with this many questions. You must show that the developer had a duty and but for neglect of that duty your house would not have these issues. There are many problems with this assertion, first, and hardest to overcome, is if you knew the approved builders before you bought the lot then you found them acceptable. You have to prove that the developer had a duty to the homeowner. Someone please tell me how selling a lot with certain covenants and restrictions creates a duty for him to fully insure the benefit of those covenants and restrictions that supersedes your acceptance of those covenants and restrictions. That is just one of the three things that you are going to have difficulty overcoming. Once you establish duty, you have to show that there was no reasonable action available that would negate the damage, noting that there are other builders available you would have to prove that they all have similar issues. Once you get past that, you have to prove that the developer actually neglected his duty, which since he has kicked the builder off the development is another tough get. It just seems like a tough win, that is going to cost more than you end up with. Sorry, but that is my opinion. ---------------- Along with my father I have developed several mixed use developments (homes, apartments and shopping), and I am currently a member of an LLC developing a small shopping/condo warehouse district development. I am not saying the developer will not want to help, I am saying as a developer, access is the leverage I have (the money that builders can make from me). Once the builder is removed he is going to tell me to go pound sand. I will happily testify on your behalf if need be, however, if I start paying for things to get done I am opening myself up to an argument that I accepted responsibility. As much as I want financing and publicity to be positive, that has to happen on the front end. I can't start paying for the mistakes that builders make without opening myself up to being responsible for every problem by every homeowner.

Can I ask what you loved about the floor plan because I'm not feeling much love for it. Why is it the only room in the whole house with windows on two walls is the master bathroom? You have the master bath on an outside wall instead of your master bedroom. Your master bedroom is against the great room which means it will be noisy if one of you keeps different hours. Your master closet has a window in it which is bad for clothing so will need to be closed most of the time, and supposedly an island but you don't have enough room in there for an island. Clothing hanging takes up 2 feet of space so now you're down to 6'4". You need 32" minimum of space for walking and ideally you need 36". Using the 32", you now have space for a 1' wide island. That's not going to store much. Why double doors into the master bathroom? Is the master bath that special that it deserves double doors? You have a freezer in the laundry area, but look at how far a walk it is to the kitchen. If you're serious about this plan, please do yourself a favor and vet your kitchen in the kitchen forum. It's not bad but it could be a lot better. One measly small window in bedroom 2?

Off balance because you don't take an old craftsman house and put a pop top on it. That's called remuddling. Your house is nothing like your inspiration. In fact your house is so much better, but if you remuddle it, it won't be. (Not that that house is bad. It's not!) 99% of people, including house "designers" (in most cases glorified draftsmen) haven't a clue what makes a craftsman house so wonderful and how to keep the character. I hate the way the front looks at present, Your front just needs the siding that is not authentic to it removed, the proper siding replaced if needed, replacing the columns to hold up the porch roof and a proper paint job to bring it back to its craftsman roots. First do some research by going to your local historical society to see what the house looked like when it was new. If you want to do it right, forget the designer and find an architect who understands this style of house. I would suggest in this case you get in touch with David Heide as one suggestion. You need an architect. Not a designer for something this extensive. Otherwise it's going to look like a b*st*rdized version of what it should be. I would also suggest you join this Facebook group. It's all about American bungalows.