Finally Framing But There's a Big Problem...

It's been a couple of weeks since my last post and although there has been some additional progress including the pouring of the basement, the dump pump and plumbing line put in, the concrete garage floor being poured etc. it wasn't until this weekend where we finally started to see the frame of the home go up and things start looking like they are about to come together or so we had hoped.

This wouldn't be Adventures in Building if there weren't some issues or some level of "adventure" right? Well, okay, there is a pretty big problem.

There is apparently a problem with the construction crew reading blueprints. I say this because they added (yet another) window that wasn't in the plans.

The first window that was added (and not on the specs for our home) included an extra window in the partial basement. Not a big a deal and a little bit more difficult to fix once the concrete was poured.

But this latest window add is one that is a HUGE problem. It's an additional window in the MBR on the outside wall. This window is considered an optional window on the plans - which means it comes at an additional cost. That's fine because we didn't want it, we didn't ask for it and we definitely didn't pay for it. We needed that outside wall to be solid. That is the wall that our bed and two night stands are going on. The design of each room - including the placement of electrical plugs, cable outlets etc.  was carefully thought out and planned for by us. An extra window in the MBR is a very serious problem and will not fly.

So, photos were taken of the problem and immediately emailed to the construction manager and sales associate. No word from them yet but if we don't hear from them regarding a way they intend to resolve this by Monday afternoon, it won't be pretty. 

And so, the "adventure" continued. If only it was going more smoothly.

A week of rain slowed progress slightly

After finally getting things moving on the construction and having the basement dug last week, I thought we would be on a steady pace forward. Uh, nope!

This week we've had heavy downpours, wind, and even some hail throughout the week. The result, not much progress on the house.

But we did get footers dug at least and some concrete poured. There is still much to do including the rest of the concrete on the basement and the plumbing. 

It won't begin looking much like a house for a while yet. But I have been assured we are on target for a September close. Given everything thus far, I will simply say "we shall see."

It's Been a Long Time Coming

Given that we signed papers to build at the end of February/beginning of March, and we haven't had any snow since early April, one would think we would be a couple months away from closing on the house, not just starting to dig the basement. But then it wouldn't be us if that were the case.

The good news is though, that they have officially started moving dirt and our basement is starting to be dug out. The construction manager says that it will take 8-10 days to complete this first step, then they will move on to the floor and frame. Won't that be nice? 

Unfortunately with all the delays we have experienced we will not close in time to celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary in our new home, but hopefully we will be in shortly after Labor Day - giving me time to still grow grass before winter sneaks up on us.

All I can say is it can't come soon enough. Condo living is not for me, or the dog. We are both more than ready to pack up, move out and start living in our dream home and have our beautiful yard and deck to enjoy each and every day.

So the countdown begins. The construction is under way. And the husband is about to start driving the wife crazy with everything from wall paint to cabinet hardware.

AlI want to do is just enjoy this small victory!

We Might Just Start Moving Dirt

I got a call this week from the builder's sales agent saying they got the permits back and they're ready to schedule our construction meeting. He was so excited to make the call to me that when I didn't share in his level of excitement he repeated why he was calling thinking I didn't hear him. 

I heard him. 

It's just that after two month of 'feet dragging' and delay upon delay for the most curious of reasons, I guess you could say the lustor has worn off. I've been ready to build for a couple months now. In our estimation we should have a basement, four walls and the starting of a roof by now. Not just permits and a promise for a construction meeting in a week.

I don't want to be cynical but the adage "I'll believe it when I see it" seems to have become my mantra with them.

Yes, I am excited to build our dream house. Yes, I'm excited to close and move in. But I know there are many other things along the way that we will encounter first. So I will just say I am cautiously excited about what may actually begin to materialize.

And I guess with that.... Adventures in building may just take its next turn....

Are We Ever Going to Start Building?

Well here we are the sixth day of May and we're still not moving any dirt. 

It's not for lack of trying on our part that's for sure. It seems that the builder has continuously been dragging their feet. 

First it was because we needed to send them the conditional mortgage approval, then it was a pricing opinion they were waiting on (that they were doing for us at their offering), then it turned into no, they aren't doing a pricing opinion, instead they want us to have a full-blown appraisal (yes, on a house that hasn't been built yet).

And now that the appraisal has come back, the conditional approval delivered and nothing else is in the way, they continue to drag their feet. They haven't even ordered permits yet - which will be another delay....

O.M.G!

It amazes me. You would think that they would want to build this house, sign the papers and collect the money they are making on us, right? Apparently not. Otherwise we would be a month into the build already and looking at a closing date.

All I can say is that if I didn't like the design of this home, I would have raised Cain by now. Let's just say this house had better be PERFECT! The good customer in me is starting to wear very thin which means the cranky, nit-picky customer is about to surface. That isn't the one they are going to like having to deal with the next few months. Just ask my husband.

At least I have a competent realtor and a competent mortgage group and team working with us. Just wish the builder side in this equation had it together.

I'm still just waiting around for SOMETHING, ANYTHING to happen related to actually, physically building this house.

And the waiting continues......

In Earnest and Impatience

Well, we've signed the contract with the builder, finalized all our selections with the design center and wrote the check for the earnest money. And now we wait.... And we wait.... And we wait... Man, if I didn't know how impatient I was before, it should be pretty clear now. It's driving me crazy waiting for the builder to call about our construction meeting.

Can we just start moving dirt already? This house is our dream house. It has everything we both wanted including an amazing gourmet kitchen and a Las Vegas style master bath shower. A beautiful fenced in backyard and deck and gorgeous landscaping for the front. We have even picked out our paint and once the house is finished, we'll add our personal touches. The next few months are going to be the hardest to wait through. 

I know, I know. Good things come to those who wait. Well, that has always proven to be accurate so a little bit more waiting can't hurt (I guess).

Adventures in Building - A New Adventure

After a lot of conversations with my husband and having the house of our hopes bid out from under us a few weeks ago, we have decided to once again build. Back when we got engaged 14 years ago, we built our first house. I don't know what in the world we were thinking. Planning a wedding and building a house all within the same timeframe, looking back it's shocking we didn't call the wedding off or try to hammer one another into the framework.

That's why it took a lot of convincing and soul searching before we chose this road. The decision didn't come easy but it is the right choice for us. Afterall, this is going to be the last house we ever build/move in to/live in, so maybe it's just as well that we build to ensure we have everything we could ever want (and more) in our forever home.

To help me keep same through the building process, I have decided to keep a regular blog. So, as this adventure in building begins, I have a place to keep record and share my thoughts, frustrations and happiness along the way.

And with that, it's off to sign the contract....