Our SIP House Build

[JackJester]

When we weighed the decision regarding the yes or no on baseboards, we were concerned about cost since the reveal look (i.e., no baseboards) requires the drywall contractor to be familiar with the technique as it is more labor intensive. But our GC said that because they didn't have to measure, cut, install the baseboards, then the cost difference would be a wash. Their preferred drywall contractor has done this work before. I'm not 100% sure, but I think they are using Trim-Tex. Here's a link to the product with a tutorial video (note - the video is quite annoying with their horrible humor embedded, but it does describe the process): Use F Reveal Bead for Modern Base Trim (with No Baseboards!)

Another concern with the reveal bead is damage to the drywall with things banging into it. If we had kids or wall-to-wall carpet, we wouldn't do the reveal, but we only have hardwood floors with a small area rug, and we sweep the floor and augment with a subtle bumper robo vac, so we think the damage will be minimal. When we sold our previous house I cleaned every baseboard in that 3000 sqft home. Unless you're a clean freak, most folks do not regulalry clean baseboards. But what a pain that was after 25 years of neglet!

 

[skyking1]

When we weighed the decision regarding the yes or no on baseboards, we were concerned about cost since the reveal look (i.e., no baseboards) requires the drywall contractor to be familiar with the technique as it is more labor intensive. But our GC said that because they didn't have to measure, cut, install the baseboards, then the cost difference would be a wash. Their preferred drywall contractor has done this work before. I'm not 100% sure, but I think they are using Trim-Tex. Here's a link to the product with a tutorial video (note - the video is quite annoying with their horrible humor embedded, but it does describe the process): Use F Reveal Bead for Modern Base Trim (with No Baseboards!)

Another concern with the reveal bead is damage to the drywall with things banging into it. If we had kids or wall-to-wall carpet, we wouldn't do the reveal, but we only have hardwood floors with a small area rug, and we sweep the floor and augment with a subtle bumper robo vac, so we think the damage will be minimal. When we sold our previous house I cleaned every baseboard in that 3000 sqft home. Unless you're a clean freak, most folks do not regulalry clean baseboards. But what a pain that was after 25 years of neglet!

I hear that. I made shaker cabinet doors for the current house. it catches everything. Nasty dust catcher for being so small.
The new house will have a better bevel on it and hopefully easier to keep up. Thanks for reminding me about how much traditional baseboards do catch.

 

[rmcelwee]

I hear that. I made shaker cabinet doors for the current house. it catches everything. Nasty dust catcher for being so small.
The new house will have a better bevel on it and hopefully easier to keep up. Thanks for reminding me about how much traditional baseboards do catch.

DW is making everything in the house shaker style (doors, cabinets, baseboards, etc). I really don't like this but what could I do. At least I will get to constantly remind her as she spends three full days a week dusting it. You have to get your entertainment where you can.

 

[skyking1]

DW is making everything in the house shaker style (doors, cabinets, baseboards, etc). I really don't like this but what could I do. At least I will get to constantly remind her as she spends three full days a week dusting it. You have to get your entertainment where you can.

I am making modified shaker like this. It will hold less dust than the square edges.

 

[JoeWras]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think they are using Trim-Tex. Here's a link to the product with a tutorial video (note - the video is quite annoying with their horrible humor embedded, but it does describe the process): Use F Reveal Bead for Modern Base Trim (with No Baseboards!)

Looks good. Drywallers like a lot of the Trim-Tex solutions for all kinds of oddball transitions. One of them is around shower surrounds, for instance.

I like that this F-Bead is done exactly like a traditional corner bead - a product in use for at least 70 years. There's no learning curve for properly finishing it.

Gets my thumb's up.

I even thought about the inevitable re-flooring done 20 years hence. This bead will be easy rip out and re-do, or traditional baseboard can be applied at that time, if necessary. Flooring guys might balk at doing drywall mudding, but that's a problem for the next owner.

 

[Fermion]

We did all of our own drywall. I would not have wanted to skip baseboards, uhg, what a pain for flooring.

 

[B-Guy]

How's the house coming along?

 

[JackJester]

Hello. Been a while since I gave an update. It's been a frustrating experience the past couple of months with delays and cost overruns. We had about a month schedule slide for the drywall install and that caused ripple effects. The drywall is done now and paint primer will be done next week. We did get the Bathroom tile done though. We will be at the site next week to hand paint some of the walls with 2 different paint colors we have finalized on. To me, they are "off white A" (i.e., 'Rock Candy') and "off white B" (i.e., 'Rhinestone'), and I could care less, but don't tell DW that. ... I guess I'm partial to Rhinestone for the name alone.
They say that for a custom house build you should expect a 30% cost overrun from the original estimate due to change orders and unplanned items. And expect about 2 months schedule overrun. We're now at close to 50% cost overrun and at the 2 month schedule delay. Right now our target is move-in week of April 13th. But I know better now to just add 2 weeks. Oh well, at least the quality of the build is excellent; this in not one of those cheapy cookie cutter new builds from mega builder conglomerates. Our build crew is small, but local to our town. Here's a few pics of progress:
Gutters are up and the front porch beams are done.
Bathroom tile looks great and we love the long rectangluar drain that blends into the shower; this is a double-sided shower with his and hers sides.
This drywall pic shows the kitchen and hallway to the bedroom. This pic doesn't show the 'reveal bead' (i.e., no baseboard shadow effect is visible) since it will be covered by cabinets. But the revela bead is there in other parts of the house; I'll get some good pics of that next week and post them.

 

[B-Guy]

It's looking great.

I was the GC on our home and we still had our share of delays. The front door for instance, was ordered 32 weeks before it was delivered, correctly and unbroken. Which was due to manufactures policies. Each time something happened it was put at the bottom of the list.

Hang in there, it will be worth the wait.

 

[old medic]

Looking Good...

 

[street]

Looks good!!!

 

[skyking1]

Looking good!
We have backed off that no trim look because of the cost for our house. I want it at some level but cannot justify it.

 

[Koolau]

Right. We've never had a major project that didn't take an extra 1/3 of the time planned as well as 1/3 over budget. Fortunately, we just assumed those numbers to begin with.

It looks like you're gonna be very happy with the result. Thanks for the cool update!

 

[rmcelwee]

It is looking good! You will be in there before you know it!

 

[B-Guy]

It is looking good! You will be in there before you know it!

How is the house coming along?

 

[rmcelwee]

How is the house coming along?

Mine? Trying to get the punch list completed. Having a really hard time getting anyone to come out. I have moved into my office (computers, arcade, gaming, electronic work, home servers) at this point and have been using my bathroom/shower. Bedroom furniture will be here tomorrow so that will be cool. Living room furniture is 6 weeks away.

 

[OK EE]

Beautiful place in a beautiful location. 800 would be a little small for me but I could probably get used to it (we're in 1200' now). Thank you for the pictures and the interesting build process!

 

[rmcelwee]

Beautiful place in a beautiful location. 800 would be a little small for me but I could probably get used to it (we're in 1200' now). Thank you for the pictures and the interesting build process!

We've been in 720sqft for the past 4 years but we've always known it was temporary. We have friends who have been in a tiny open floor plan condo for 10 years. They don't seem to have any problems with it and got rid of 95% of their possessions.

 

[JackJester]

Hello. We are now fully moved into the SIP house, and loving it. We still have a few things on the "punch list" that the builder has to complete. Attached are some pics. We have lots of storage in our crawl space, so 800 sq ft seems like the perfect size for us. We love our large covered deck which really extends the living space. The hot tub rocks! Tomorrow we will have an outside overhead heater installed on the deck. We are now working on landscaping. Oh, and I have to say (as an original skeptic), the expensive bidet smart toilet is a highlight...who would have thought. It is very peaceful with regular visits of pileated woodpeckers and sap suckers every day. As this being our last house, we focused on low maintenance and quality. The Lunawood spruce siding over most of the house never needs to be painted or stained, and the same goes for the gray Equitone fiber-cement soffits and porch siding panels. We have some amazing custom Myrtlewood barn doors and table (not pictured).
In summary, the build time frame from when Building Permits were approved -- to -- Move In was nearly 1 year (2 weeks shy). The cost overruns were high. We were 53% over the original estimate. 30% was due to Change Orders that we made to improve the design. 23% were due to the builder (bad estimates or inflation).

 

[Time2]

Reminds me of the guy (was a show on Netflix at one point I think) that only owned what he could carry in a backpack. That is real freedom.

I used to watch and listen to Imus in the Morning. He often had his brother Fred on and I still remember the brother saying, "I was happiest when I could get everything I owned into my 66 Chevy"

 

[street]

Glad you got moved in. It looks beautiful and love the setting. Thanks for the update.

 

[Koolau]

Very impressive. Thanks for sharing the great pictures. I hope you spend a great life there for a very long time. Keep us posted on the new memories you make in your special place!

 

[pacergal]

Lovely place, very peaceful!

 

[Jimmie]

Beautiful home neighbor! Can I ask what part of PNW you live? We're across the Sound from Seattle. Looks very peaceful.

 

[rmcelwee]

That looks fantastic!!! I bet you are really loving life...