Carrie's Building Journey

The footings have been poured for the foundation. I put a camera on my lot so now I can check in remotely and happened to catch them pouring! Temporary utilities are now on the lot as well. That’s power, water and a porta potty for the construction crew (all required by the builder).

I went out to get an updated permit from Town (they put the incorrect issue date on the original one) but went to the property first and found that they had inspected the footings and setbacks and placed an updated permit in the mailbox. Footings and setbacks were good. They had one “correction” which was to cover the dirt piles. I was about to leave and realized I had plastic and sand bags left on site from the initial builder that I had folded up and put aside. My son helped get plastic with sand bags and stakes over all those big piles. Let me tell you …..it was a serious workout. The sandbags probably weigh like 50 lbs and the plastic was heavy as hell with the huge sheets. It’s done and hopefully they will be happy.

Last Saturday, I spent about 5 hours going over all the choices I need to make by the time the foundation is poured. Some of them I am already re-thinking and some I need to get samples on and put them together to see what they look like. I purchased a couple packaged upgrades for the house already —oil rubbed bronze everywhere and upgraded mill work, which gave me solid core inside doors, nicer baseboards, wider moulding around doors and fully wrapped windows (which was the one I really wanted). I considered doing it myself, but wrapping windows is a pain and the cost wasn’t that much to have them do it.

Saturday, chose:

• Cabinets (Kitchen and bathroom vanity) – Kitchen will be white with an antique glazing, kitchen island and bathrooms are a driftwood (light grey) color. Aiming for the look on this photo:

• Faucet Style – Moen Branford
• Roof – Black
• Outdoor Paint – High reflective white
• Indoor Paint – Agreeable Grey Sherwin Williams, ceilings will be white
• Countertops for Kitchen and Bath
• Flooring
• I was going to pick out the backsplash, but I wasn’t able to have a cabinet door to put next to it so I’m waiting on that to make a final decision.

Foundation was staked out today. I also had to make a decision on where the utilities would be stubbed in on the house (septic, electrical and water). Power and Water are on the Northeast corner of the lot. All electric is underground so that will be the longest run.

Do you remember that repeat after me song, “There was a hole”? Well, here’s my version!

There is a hole (There was a hole)

In the middle of the land (in the middle of the land)

The prettiest hole (the prettiest hole)

That you ever did see (that you ever did see)

And the green grass will grow all around all around

And the green grass will grow all around

And in this hole (and in this hole)

There will be a house (There will be a house)

The prettiest house (the prettiest house)

That you ever did see (that you ever did see)

And the house in the hole

And the hole in the ground

And the green grass will grow all around all around

And the green grass will grow all around

And in that house (and in that house)

A happy family (a happy family)

The happiest family (the happiest family)

That you ever did see (that you ever did see)

With a happy family

And the house in the hole

And the hole in the land

And the green grass will grow all around all around

And the green grass will grow all around

And from the house (and from the house)

A view of the sea (a view of the sea)

The prettiest view (the prettiest view)

That you ever did see (that you ever did see)

And the view of the sea

With a happy family

And the house in a hole

And the hole in the land

And the green grass will grow all around all around

And the green grass will grow all around

My project has FINALLY started! I got the permit last week, called my excavator who said he might be able to start this Wednesday. This means in addition to moving us from one rental to another and all the details that go with that (packing, cleaning, hauling, moving utilities, changing address, unpacking, cleaning)…I had to make sure things were ready for excavation.

I’m officially in the Construction Phase, of which are the following phases:

1. Site Prep – this is my responsibility.
   • Clearing (done)
   • Temp Utilities (water, power, porta potty)
   • Excavate for foundation
2. Foundation – Builder takes over from here
3. Framing
4. Plumbing, Electrical, HVAC
5. Insulation
6. Drywall
7. Interior Finishes – doors, casing, cabinets, vanities
8. Exterior Finishes – driveway, walkway, decks, patios
9. Finish mechanical (toilets, sinks, etc.)
10. Flooring
11. Final Inspection
12. Final Walkthrough

Still a long way to go. My excavator is starting TOMORROW. I have a call in to get the water meter installed and need to get a porta potty out on site. I need to schedule a pre-construction meeting with the project manager from my builder. I should have a timeline after that meeting. The excavator was ready so fast, I haven’t had a chance to get my time lapse camera out on site or a webcam. I’ll just have to go take some pics.

I’m excited and exhausted!

My permit has been GRANTED and my construction loan will close NEXT WEEK!!! This means I can book the foundation/site prep excavation and start making the 1 million choices on finishes, fixtures, appliances, etc. I’m back to getting excited!

It’s been a long road. I’m moving this weekend to another rental that will allow me to stay until the house is done. While another move is stressful, I got to stay in the first rental for WAY longer than initially planned (was supposed to be 6 months), which I am grateful for. I feel like I’m mostly packed, but I’m sure I’ll run into things that are still needed, final cleaning, to be done.

I’m hoping to get a live webcam out on the site as well as a time lapse camera during the build so I can show that. Stay tuned! Doing a dance now!

It’s been a roller coaster once again. I am moving out of my rental home as my landlord is putting this home on the market in February. I found a few places, unfurnished which has pros and cons. The biggest con for me is buying, hauling, moving in and then out furniture. The other hurdles have been finding a place that would allow me to start a lease Feb 1st, allow my dog and a shorter than 12 month lease. I found a place last night that will work for us and we can stay until the house is done.

My plans have been updated by the builder again and they spoke with the planner about what needs to be included. I will get them tomorrow and submit Thursday for the FINAL submission. Since this is the third round, I really hope it is only a couple of weeks until that’s granted.

I also ordered a second appraisal with a new mortgage company. If all goes well, I should close the first week of February and be ready to rock and roll (shovel to dirt) in February!

I’m losing so much sleep lately over this whole process!

Plans were reviewed again with another set of comments back to my builder for response. I also got the pricing on a sprinkler system – $10,933 + tax which covers design, installation and permitting. It’s like death by 1,000 cuts. Let’s hope the builder/engineers/architecture team and town can come to agreement on what needs to be included on the plans. The responses were all minor things so hoping it will be the last round.

Let’s hope THIRD TIME WILL BE A CHARM!

Today, I dropped of my updated plans. They were reviewed and commented on with request for more information in many areas. The builder just got all that done and back to me. Still in the permitting phase of the project. Most likely it will be the new year before we start digging the foundation. The it’s 7-8 months from that. Some wrenches in the process:

1. Appraisal for finished home came in less than the cost to build. It’s most likely due to the fact there are just not many homes sold in last few months. It means bringing more money at closing or I attempt to get another appraisal. One of my neighbor houses is pending, so I’m considering another appraisal after that one sells.
2. Due to low water pressure, I need to install a fire suppression system. No idea how much that will cost, plus an additional permit. I don’t have to worry about that until framing is started, but yuck.
3. Landlord is selling the house in 3 months, so I need to find a place to live for about 6 months. I would love a guest house on the property but that takes money away from building the house and I’d have to go through all the permitting shit with that too. Ugh.

I’m not really excited at this point. Until the permit is granted and financing is done, it’s just a bit depressing!