Orientation WalkthroughCompletion Checklist - Week 2December 30, 2020This week our builder continued to cross things off of their Completion Checklist. This included the protective coating on the concrete foundation walls. Thankfully, the weather was warm enough.
We also met for our Orientation Walkthrough, where we we're informed on how to take proper care of our home and address any loose ends for closing. Things like rectifying the numbers carved into the gyp. bd., touch-up paint, missed areas for caulk, etc. |
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Completion Checklist - Week 1December 23, 2020The work completed this week consisted of our builder's Completion Checklist. They're basically dotting their I's and crossing their T's to prepare for the Orientation Walkthrough and eventual closing.
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Glass and Finish ElectricalDecember 18, 2020The work completed this week consisted of the mirrors install, shower door install and finish electrical. Including the installation of the correct light fixtures.
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Finish Concrete and StairsDecember 11, 2020This week the concrete driveway approach was poured. The exterior stairs were built and the garage stairs were finished off. All the finish HVAC was installed, including the installation of our AC unit. Kitchen appliances and bathroom finishes such as the mirrors were also installed.
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Counter Tops, Plumbing, Carpet, Etc.December 4, 2020The finish work continues and our design selections are being realized. And it's awesome! Our beautiful quartz countertops have been installed. Are luxurious shower surrounds. And are not so plush carpet, which is perfect.
I am also starting to like the laminate floor more and more. |
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More Finish Work
November 25, 2020
This week more finish work was done, namely:
- Finish electrical
- Install of interior metallized balusters
- Install of exterior rain gutters
- Poured exterior concrete
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Laminate Floor HeartbreakNovember 20, 2020Preface the flooring sample used to select the laminate floor appears to look nothing like the floor installed in my home. As noted we reached out for verification the correct floor was installed. As evidence that the floor we selected was indeed installed our builder's realtor took said sample to our home and took (4) photos of said sample sitting on top of our installed floor in various undisclosed location. Initially seeing the floor broke my heart, but seeing these (4) photos made me metaphorically sick. I cried. I had a legit emotional breakdown. I've NEVER seen a floor like this, it's kaleidoscope. Yes, every image is the same floor. It disappoints me so. It's not necessarily awful standalone, but it is in my opinion, awful with my must have cabinets. One thing I did not want was/is gray floor. See the images for yourself.
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Various Finish InstallsNovember 18, 2020Various interior finishes were installed, such as the laminate floor, piedrafina shower surrounds, and cultured marble window sills.
The laminate floor, seeing was probably the most disappointing thing. Seeing it filled me with utter disappointment. What is installed doesn't look remotely similar to the sample we used for selection. So much so we reached out to for verification. |
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Exterior PaintingNovember 16, 2020TEARS OF JOY! I've been holding onto an unmeasurable amount of anxiety about the exterior color we chose for our home. So driving up and seeing it for the first time brought me much relief. I LOVE IT! Tears of joy slid down my face. The color we chose is perfection. My brother told me that our house is the Nordstrom Rack of the neighborhood. I can't think of a more fitting compliment. After I parked my car I immediately FaceTimed all my family to show them how perfect our decision turned out to be.
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Cabinet InstallNovember 12, 2020YAY! My CABINETS! My must have splurge item were installed this week. Are they not gorgeous?!
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Interior Paint + Exterior SidingNovember 6, 2020I've said it once and I'll probably say it countless times in the future. There is something magical about a fresh coat of paint and the main color we selected for the interior of our home - PPG Shark is PERFECTION. It's a warm vailed gray that appears white until viewing something white next to it. Why this color isn't on trend is beyond me. It's my new favorite color! Also, check out that exterior it's starting to look more and more like a farmhouse. I'm anxiously awaiting exterior painting! Exterior work and interior painting will carry into next week.
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Exterior SidingOctober 30, 2020Today commenced the start of exterior siding install. It will take a week or so to be completed.
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Finish CarpentryOctober 28, 2020Seeing all finish carpentry was exciting. The trim around the doors (something we didn't opt to upgrade) seemed so tiny. The carpentry subcontractor etched the size of the shelves in the drywall throughout our home...so that's fun... The biggest snag however was the MDF support installed above the washer location in the laundry room to support the laundry shelf. It was installed so low that one cannot physically open a top loading washer. We did our research looking at first our plans, yep it was installed per plan. Then at a model home, yep the support per design. Works great when it's not centered above the appliances. Then we visited another families home to see how their shelf supports were installed. You'll notice in the images that the support in another's home is much shorter than the one installed in our home. Pay special attention to where the shelf hits my shoulder to see it.
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Blinds ShoppingOctober 25, 2020Today we went shopping for our blinds. We opted to forgo getting them with our homebuilder as we wanted to upgrade without paying the additional price quoted and for the labor of something we can easily do ourselves. I had been ogling the up/down accordion style blinds because of the ability to open from the top downward. Brandon however, coined these blinds camping trailer blinds. Which they truly are! He was convinced they'd be tacky, but after seeing them in person he was no longer 'blinded' and saw my vision. We purchased them early to ensure they'd be here on time. With COVID-19 many things have been delayed. Better to be safe than without blinds! That said we are moderately regretting our decision for the blind type because our kid cats paw at the blinds. Hopefully we can all form new habits! *fingers crossed*
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TileOctober 22, 2020The installation of our tile floor marked the first instance of getting to see our finish selections in application. Tile was one finish selection we both agreed on almost instantly. We paid to upgrade to the larger 24"x12" size. Unfortunately, the tile was not installed in the most beautiful manner, the full starting tile was placed under the cabinets. So the chopped tiles are visible for all to see. This was disappointing enough that I asked for the tile to be re-installed. Alas, our builder said "no" again. The exterior finish materials and finish carpentry materials were also delivered.
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MuddingOctober 15, 2020 |
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DrywallOctober 9, 2020Did you know that "Drywall" is a brand name? The generic name for this wall covering is called "Gypsum Board." Drywall is to Gyp. Bd. as Kleenex is to Tissue. Seeing gyp. bd. installed and the start of mudding is very exciting. It really makes our home feel more like a home and less like a wooden box. Most comments about gyp. bd. install are "your home feels bigger now, than it did when everything was all open."
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Roofing - ShinglesOctober 9, 2020We were quite shocked when we saw our shingles for the first time. They have quite a bit of variation to them, which is something weren't expecting. We both agree that the sample we used to select our shingle finish did not prepare us for the finished product. We're chalking up our dislike in our selection as being tied more closely to the rest of the exterior being unfinished, and remain hopeful that once the exterior is finished things will tie together nicely.
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Wall Insulation and UtilitiesOctober 1, 2020Installation of the wall insulation changed the entire acoustics of our home. This is where our spendy upgrade to 2x6 exterior walls really paid off. The additional 2" in the stud cavity allow for a higher R-value of insulation, which translates to better energy efficiency. With my background I still find it so bizarre that our home builder is still using 2x4 studs as their standard for construction. It is also a bit disheartening to me, because I don't think many people know better. Ultimately, I view this as a hugely missed opportunity to make our build environment better.
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4-Way Revisions and Porch PourSeptember 25, 2020This week's progress felt like a monumental success. We had been patiently waiting for our concrete porch pour. Unfortunately, our home builder's concrete subcontractors contracted COVID-19, which caused delays. The relocation of the man door makes my heart sing! It was originally located underneath the bulkhead for some ductwork, if the door remained in that spot the door would be shorter than the standard 6'-8" height. Having a family full of tall individuals, I simply didn't approve. I am grateful our superintendent understood and express no issue with revising the door's location. Our home is the first of this plan to be constructed with a basement.
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4-Way WalkthroughSeptember 15, 2020For our 4-Way Walkthrough we met with our Superintendent to review placement and location of all roughed-in MEP. This meeting is intended to provide approval that everything is its place before the walls are closed up and identify items that need revision. We only had a few items for revision, namely:
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Rough-in MEPAugust 31 - September 11, 2020All rough-in MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing) installed. One thing I thought was really neat and have never seen before is that our home builder installed mesh screens over all louver openings in the floor. They did this to prevent most debris from entering the ductwork. In regard to construction cleanliness our builder has gone the extra mile. The subcontractors are cleaning up after themselves daily. When kids left dirt clods in the basement they were cleaned up by our next visit. This cannot be said for homes by other home builders we have walked through during our home building process.
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Roof SheathingAugust 19-21, 2020 |
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Roof FramingAugust 18, 2020 |
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Garage Wall FramingAugust 17, 20 |
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Interior and Garage Wall FramingAugust 14, 2020 |
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Exterior and Demising Wall FramingAugust 13, 2020Today marked my dad's first visit to mine and Brandon's new home. My dad courteously made it clear he had no desire to visit until there was framed lumber.
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Exterior Wall FramingAugust 12, 2020 |
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Floor Framing and SheathingAugust 11, 2020 |
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Basement Bearing Wall FramingAugust 10, 2020Once framing commenced Brandon and I visited our new home every single day. The timing for framing felt extremely fortuitous because it all occurred during Brandon's hiatus between school semesters.
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Concrete SlabAugust 8, 2020 |
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Under Slab GravelAugust 5, 2020 |
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Underground PlumbingJuly 31, 2020Whilst visiting our home to see and document the underground plumbing we had the opportunity to meet our next door neighbor. She is very friendly. She has lived in the area for the past 30 years so it was neat to hear her perspective and gain insight from her experience. Ultimately, location was the deciding factor for us. Stumbling upon our site like we did felt serendipitous and for me, everything our new neighbor said validated our decision.
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Foundation Wall PourJuly 29, 2020It exciting to think that it only took nine days to get here! It's been nine days since construction commenced and we have these beautiful concrete walls! I never thought I'd be so excited about concrete!
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Foundation Wall FormsJuly 27, 2020 |
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FootingsJuly 22, 2020Three cheers for construction! We have bright smiling faces for these footings. It was a long and disheartening two months for us as we waited for the county to issue our building permit. For me seeing these footings reignited the sense of excitement I lost. I am also totally geeking out! Architectural design, construction, and homes are my niche!
You'll also notice Brandon got a drastic new hair-do since our first selfie. Perhaps I'll have to get a drastic new hair-do at some point too. (I said perhaps.... ;) ) |
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ExcavationJuly 21, 2020 |
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Actual Dig Date
July 20, 2020
We received the exciting news that excavation has started.
It was a late start and will continue into tomorrow, with an objective to pour footings this week.
HOLY *BLEEP*!!!
It almost feels too good to be true!
It was a late start and will continue into tomorrow, with an objective to pour footings this week.
HOLY *BLEEP*!!!
It almost feels too good to be true!
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Site Clean-up and Staking
July 17, 2020
We received communications that our superintendent started clearing and staking the site
in preparation for excavation.
We found ourselves wondering if this was reality or a dream.
It's been a long journey of waiting just to get to this point.
in preparation for excavation.
We found ourselves wondering if this was reality or a dream.
It's been a long journey of waiting just to get to this point.
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Postponed Dig Date #4
Proposed: July 20, 2020 or July 21, 2020
On July 14th having received the permit our builder also communicated a proposed dig date of 7/21 or 7/22.
This proposed dig date is exactly a week (or week and day) after receiving the permit.
This date is 4.5 WEEKS from our initial dig date.
Skepticism is still at an all time high.
Enthusiasm is still at an all time low.
This proposed dig date is exactly a week (or week and day) after receiving the permit.
This date is 4.5 WEEKS from our initial dig date.
Skepticism is still at an all time high.
Enthusiasm is still at an all time low.
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Postponed Dig Date #3
July 14, 2020
The excavator was scheduled to dig, but construction did not commence.
Around noon the news came in that the permit had been received.
Skepticism was at an all time high.
Enthusiasm was at an all time low.
Our permit was approximately submitted 8 WEEKS ago.
Thanks COVID-19 ???
Around noon the news came in that the permit had been received.
Skepticism was at an all time high.
Enthusiasm was at an all time low.
Our permit was approximately submitted 8 WEEKS ago.
Thanks COVID-19 ???
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Postponed Dig Date #2
July 9, 2020 or July 10, 2020
On July 8th we were told the building permit would be ready to pick-up that afternoon.
And could expect construction to commence 7/9 or 7/10.
However, construction was delayed again as we were still awaiting the permit.
And that construction was postponed until 7/14.
A message that the excavator was regularly being rescheduled l was relayed.
And could expect construction to commence 7/9 or 7/10.
However, construction was delayed again as we were still awaiting the permit.
And that construction was postponed until 7/14.
A message that the excavator was regularly being rescheduled l was relayed.
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Awaiting Next Proposed Dig Date
June 22, 2020 - July 1, 2020
On July 1st we were told the building permit would be ready 7/7 or 7/8.
And could expect construction to commence that week (7/6 - 7/10).
And could expect construction to commence that week (7/6 - 7/10).
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Flexed Dig Date
(Postponed Dig Date #1)
June 22, 2020
We received no notice that construction was delayed, so we anxiously we drove to our lot that evening with much anticipation.
To our dismay no work had commenced. Silver lining we got our initial aerial image as pictured in the Construction tab.
So we reached out to our Realtor and learned she had contacted our builder that day and was still awaiting response.
Late that night official communication came in stating we are waiting to receive the building permit.
To our dismay no work had commenced. Silver lining we got our initial aerial image as pictured in the Construction tab.
So we reached out to our Realtor and learned she had contacted our builder that day and was still awaiting response.
Late that night official communication came in stating we are waiting to receive the building permit.
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Initial Dig Date
June 19, 2020*
*Construction postponed to June 22, 2020. We were told it's typical for dig dates to flex a couple days.