Just some more pics

Well 15 days to go. Some general pictures to look at. Again poor lighting, but you get the idea. About 95% done inside and just needs a deep clean. 

Just some pictures

Everything is VERY dirty and dusty right now and had no available extra lighting, so these pictures are kind of rough, but gives you an idea of where we're at. 

28 day countdown

Railings are in, just need to be stained. Bathroom tile is done and I think we nailed the grout color choice. It was dark inside and some pictures had the flash on, so it washed out the colors. Also siding is starting. I feel pictures are better than me rambling, so here ya go. Ha

Flash on phone washed it out. 

Hate these lights! Already ordered replacement. Ha

Our current backyard view with all the crops cut down and field tilled. 

Replacement lights. Master is a 4 light, and the other two bathrooms are 2 lights. 

Finally have a closing date

We got the letter from NVR and our closing date will be Dec. 8th and the new home orientation will be the 4th. So just a few days away from being able to do the 30 day rate lock for the mortgage. Basically all that's left for our house to be done is:

Interior: Cabinets, finish bathroom tile work, trim, carpet, fixtures and appliances. 

Exterior: Driveway, gutters and siding on the other 3 sides. Sod and landscaping will be done in the spring. 

So we're getting there!

Brick done

The brick is basically done other than some minor work. You can also see the empty space to the left of the front door by the garage for the address stone. The drywall is done and should be primed shortly. Our kitchen cabinets, interior doors and lights are in the garage so that's a good sign. Still waiting on hearing our actual closing date. So far we are pleased with how things are looking. We love the brick and know it'll look even better once the shutters are put on, along with the rest of the siding. 

Drywalling and brick delivered

Looks like the last coat of drywall mud is on and just needs to be sanded. We got our brick and fireplace stone delivered. Right now the brick is a hard call, it's coated in brick dust and other byproducts of manufacture, so honestly to me it doesn't look all that hot to me. But I know once it's set and cleaned off, it should look much, much better. 

All is looking pretty good, BUT the half wall for the morning room is crazy out of plumb, and my eye saw it right away. I'll bring it up to our PM. I would imagine this gets plumbed when the cabinets are installed, but I'm taking no chances. 

The leaning tower of morning room

Brick delivered

Fireplace stone (nothing like just leaving it chill out front free for the taking. Ha)

Living room

Morning room

Kitchen

Home Inspection

Been a bit since I've blogged since we've been busy and also feeling a bit salty. Ha. The same day (14th) we had the predrywall meeting with the PM, we then had our own independent home inspector come in. 99% was good news and he was impressed with the overall general construction so far. Below I'll post the main concerns from the report and then what our PM did to resolve. There was more on the report than I'm posting below, but it was pretty minor things not even worth posting.

PM related that bolt was replaced and problem corrected. 

PM related extra bracing was added and he used foam in between some pipes to make sure there would be no knocking or hammering noise. 

PM related that the HVAC Contractor will come back out and this will be corrected to make them accessible. 

Overall I highly recommend hiring your own Inspector. Even though pretty much everything was minor, that gives you good peace of mind that the right things are being done. 

As the inspection was wrapping up, the insulators were coming in, and today drywall is starting. So it's coming along. 

Progress

Plumbing is in, same with HVAC. Electric is going in now and had the wiring meeting for the surround sound/media jacks this morning. Also garage doors are on. 

Few issues spotted. Myself and the PM agreed it was stupid how the jetted tub was installed. They installed it with the motor facing the shower. Not sure how they thought there would be access to the motor. I compromised and said they could rotate the tub 180 degrees and have the faucet against the wall instead of ordering a whole new tub. Now the access panel will be in the master closet. Now that actually makes sense. 

I didn't like where the thermostat was at in the master bedroom because it would be behind where we want to mount the TV. I pointed to the spot I preferred and the PM and electrician said no problem. Other than that, the interior is actually looking pretty good. 

I like our new PM. He's a no non-sense salty tradesman that seems to be a straight shooter. 

Plumbing and some more framing

Most of the plumbing has gone in. Also some additional framing for the bulkhead in the family room and insulating and framing the fireplace. 

Shingled

Well at least we are now shingled, exterior trim up and have the front porch poured. Hoping the trades get in and things kick in to high gear. 

It's a good Friday

Well most of the windows are in and the roof fully up and sheathed. Not to be a broken record, but we like what we are seeing progress wise. I also really like our roof line. I might be the oddball here, but I like simple, clean rooflines. My dad did roofing on the side and I've done one or 2 myself. I feel less valleys, no decorative dormers, etc. makes for less areas for there to be leaks and other issues. 

Roof going on

I won't make any typical "raise the roof" jokes. Ha. Progress is now going a bit faster. I don't think our new PM could have made that fast of a difference, but we like what we see. 

End of the day first

In progress

2nd floor and new PM

Today was a pretty good day. Gorgeous weather out and the 2nd floor is up. We also got to meet our new PM along with our soon to be old PM in a meeting. While we liked our current PM, I think he might have been too much of a "nice guy" with the Trades. The new PM seems like an old school contractor who will put leather up the butts of any slacking workers. He seemed personable enough, but you can tell he's no nonsense and will get up in it. We like that. Hopefully tomorrow a roof. We also got some great close out deals at Restoration Hardware that brought some items into affordable range. 

Living room with fireplace

Kitchen

Morning room (love our view! It will be cut back, but will never have neighbors)

Living room

3 car garage