Adventures in building a forever home (Move in date 12/2024)

[Sniggle]

That's a lot of concrete. Off hand do you know how many yards? I'm curious on the "brick" pattern on your foundation walls. Was that pattern on the inside of your concrete forms? Never seen it before. I kinda like it

The brick pattern is a component of the forms. I agree, it looks better than just blank walls, although the front concrete surfaces are getting stone.

Total concrete so far - 132 yards. Still have the garage slab and back lower patio to go, so probably 150+.

 

[MC Rider]

That's a lot of concrete and a lot of steel. It ought to outlast all of us.

 

[Sniggle]

The DW and I got out to the construction site yesterday. First time she had seen it in person since setting the corner. Interior walls on the main floor were mostly in, so we I got to walk her through it. Pretty fun. Trusses were delivered as we were on site.

There will be a few changes we discussed with the builder...based on some good input from an interior designer (and the builder's wife) whom we are working with.

More photos for those enjoying watching money fly out of my pockets

https://photos.app.goo.gl/8UrTwML8JNY2BcnVA

 

[jazz4cash]

That's a lot of concrete. Off hand do you know how many yards? I'm curious on the "brick" pattern on your foundation walls. Was that pattern on the inside of your concrete forms? Never seen it before. I kinda like it

The brick pattern forms have been in use for a long time around here. Our home was built in 1999. You can create some interesting effects by painting them. I was really pleased how the area near our patio turned out but when I showed DW she asked when I was going to do the rest of the foundation walls.

 

[Sunset]

The DW and I got out to the construction site yesterday. First time she had seen it in person since setting the corner. Interior walls on the main floor were mostly in, so we I got to walk her through it. Pretty fun. Trusses were delivered as we were on site.

There will be a few changes we discussed with the builder...based on some good input from an interior designer (and the builder's wife) whom we are working with.

More photos for those enjoying watching money fly out of my pockets

https://photos.app.goo.gl/8UrTwML8JNY2BcnVA

Nice to see the photos.

I really like the brick impression on the poured concrete, a great idea.

Did you have a an architect design the house ?

 

[Sniggle]

Nice to see the photos.

I really like the brick impression on the poured concrete, a great idea.

Did you have a an architect design the house ?

Bought a plan and then did some modifications to it with the architect. Here is the plan as purchased. Big changes were adding 2 feet to the master closet, adding 1 foot and walk in shower to the master bath, re-arranging the guest bathroom, and moving the stairs to the center so my office could occupy the stairs area.

https://www.architecturaldesigns.com/house-plans/one-story-country-craftsman-house-plan-with-screened-porch-architectural-designs-24392tw

 

[pacergal]

It will be beautiful when finished. Enjoy!

 

[Sniggle]

And then there was house.....

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ARvGurg1vNZynT6P6

 

[Sniggle]

The DW and I went appliance shopping yesterday. I had a number of $15k in my head before, now that number has slipped to $20K-$23K. This for an induction cooktop, wall oven set (full and fast oven), dishwasher, refrigerator (built in 42), small beer/wine refrig.

To make myself feel better I poked around a couple of $25k+ refrigerators when there, and dismissed them out of hand

 

[Ronstar]

House looks great!! You're almost done!

 

[skyking1]

House looks great!! You're almost done!

What he said! looking great.

 

[Sniggle]

Lots has been happening on the new home construction front, but visibly there have not been many changes until now:

Google Photos of Progress 5/2/24

Here is a random list of things from the last few weeks:
- HVAC contractor was going to install builder grade Trane duel fuel system and crappy thermostat. Got with the builder and for another $2500 upgraded to a dual stage 96 efficiency system from Trane with their wireless thermostat. The system would have worked OK, but for a little more I have a much better system.
- Roofing was finished. We wanted the blackest asphalt shingles we could find, and they were Tanko Titan X.
- Garage floor has been finally poured.
- Plumber and HVAC contractor are roughing in everything.
- Going with a larger system pressure tank to ensure more steady flow, set to 50-70.
- Windows arrived..all $50K worth, and builder is installing now. He was a big Marvin guy, but he said the Pella windows, and particularly the Pella sliding doors, are superior to Marvin, to his surprise (Pella Lifestyle vs Marvin Elevate).
- Builder was working to install the 16 x 8 foot double slider that opens up to make the screened porch like an additional room. The thing is huge.
- Glad I made the bedroom sliding door larger (72 vs 60) at the last minute.
- The DW and I are working with a designer on Kitchen, utility room, bathrooms. Lots of decisions.
- The preferred cabinet maker is not delivering until December.....may need to go to plan B.
- Are close to deciding on an appliance package. $20K+........everything is either $10K or $20K+......I am numb to it now. Kinda feels like I am struggling forward in a blizzard, knowing that somewhere in the distance there is a warm fire waiting for me. All good though.
- Wood floor is going to be maple...just not sure if select and better or #1 and better. I like a little character.
- I have been scouring the online Bargin bins to save a dollar here, dollar there. Got my bathroom fans from Amazon refurb and Ebay for about 40% savings, putting together the bathroom faucet and shower systems from various sources (Ebay, Delta factory refurb, Amazon refurb) saving 50%+ often. Builder lets me supply whatever I want.
- Purchased $5 K of decorative stuff for the house (shutters, gables, supports). DW and I will paint and deliver to the house.

Enough for now. Will be out there on Tuesday for an electrical rough in walk.

 

[old medic]

Looking Great!

 

[pacergal]

Looking really good, coming along nicely!

 

[Sniggle]

Things have been moving along, but mostly electrical, plumbing and HVAC so not much to show.

Electrical has been interesting. I did the electrical walk twice with the builder, and then redid the walk to determine the number of lights. It is fun to walk into a framed space and think....where should the light switch be, what lights should it turn on, where should the lights be, where should the electrical outlets be. My builder really cares about getting it right, and he gave me all the time needed to do these walk-throughs.

Lighting is so different than it was 20 years ago....no more 'cans', with LED flush mount ceiling lights that just clip onto the drywall, with a small transformer attached to the nearest stud. They are much less expensive than the old recessed lighting, and more versatile. I am a bit concerned about what happens when they die.....as you must replace the fixture itself, but guess I will figure that out when the time comes. Total flush mounted lights: 53 4-inch and 42-3 inch, some with gimble feature. Sounds like a lot, but with the ability to dim we will be able to get the light level just right. At $10-$15 each, really affordable.

Another change in lighting - the LED light rope. We will use these on the inside of most closets with a door hinge switch, with the light rope placed against the above the door. We will also use these to illuminate the tray ceiling in the master bedroom, the space between the top of the kitchen cabinets and the ceiling, under cabinet lighting, and as accent lighting in the front roof gable ends.

Figuring out the laundry room was a challenge...it is a bit of an odd-shaped room, and the DW wanted the room to do everything. With the help of an interior designer (wife of builder, great lady, for $3000 has helped us immensly....money well spent) we finally figured out that space, and have the kitchen pretty well sorted.

Deciding on the countertops for the kitchen, and getting something that worked with the sage green cabinets the DW wanted, proved to be a challenge. After multiple trips to look at granite, we finally settled on a Quartzite Vitrum. It was more expensive than we hoped ($15K installed), but I am just going to swallow hard and go with it.

For those that read this post all the way, I have attached

a picture of the Quartzite.

In the next couple of weeks front door arrives, stone work on front gets done, siding starts, decking starts....it should be a fun June at the build.

 

[pacergal]

counter top is lovely and looks like it will go with the cabinet color just fine.

 

[skyking1]

Looking good @Sniggle
Love that vaulted ceiling made possible by the scissor trusses.