Week 5

We have a roof with shingles!  With the weather this past week, I didn't think they would get much done.  Needless to say, they did.  We happened to be on our way out of town for Christmas and just wanted to swing by the house and there were people working on the roof.  I have to say that I do feel bad about that....makes me sad to think about the time they were missing out with their families.

Last week I commented about missing windows and now the windows in the front are complete.  We did notice that one of the windows in the family room is now gone....it was there before.  Will this happen the entire process?!?  One minute there is a window and the next it's gone?  Guess it's definitely better for this to happen now than later.

Our porch also popped up this week!  I'm so excited about having a porch.  So far, we are the only house in our community with one. 

Our PM said that wiring and plumbing would happen and I assume that was the case since we saw boxes that once held tubs!  I can't wait to get in the house this week to see what's happening.  I'm bummed that others were able to go to their site at any time and we have a restriction put on us.  It definitely makes for an uneasy feeling like they are hiding something.  Hopefully that is not the case.

Here are some pics of this weeks progress!

 

 

 

 

Week 4

I'm so excited about the progress of our house.  They seem to be moving along, but I think things are about to slow down.  This week they are call for rain Mon-Wed and then Christmas will be here.  I will be impressed if anything is done.  Our PM says he is thinking our pre-drywall meeting will happen the week of Jan. 5th......depending on the weather and holidays.  He says we are on schedule, but I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around us closing the first week of March....is that even possible at this point?!  Guess we will find out in the coming weeks.

Check out the windows and roof!  I noticed couple of windows are missing, guess they will show up at some point!

Here are some updated pics of our house!

Not so small after all!

So I drove by the house today and I no longer think it looks small!  We have a nice sized house and it shows.  We got special permission to build the Naples in our neighborhood because it wasn't offered. Here is what it looks like as of today...also throwing in the neighbors houses (Venice and Pisa). A Milan will be going on the other side of our house.

Week 3

Here are some pictures from this week.  I tend to drive by the house often and while they are working.  I’m sure they think I’m crazy!

The first floor is up and they are now working on the second floor.  It’s going up fast!   It still looks small though....

Week 2

We have a foundation!!!  Very exciting!  It looks so small, but I know that is not the case. 

Our PM finally called me after a very strongly worded email about doing what he says he is going to do.  Anyone who knows me, knows that when you say you are going to do something, I expect nothing less.  Hopefully I will receive my weekly update as promised.

He did say that they might start framing this week depending on the weather!  Hopefully I will have an update to my Week 2 entry!

Updated Pre-Construction Meeting Questions

Well we had our first delay.  We were supposed to have our pre-construction meeting on 11/6, but it was pushed back a week because RH hadn't received the plans back from the county.....why was the meeting scheduled in the first place if this hadn't taken place :-/

So I've had some extra time to go over my questions and make some changes to my list.....Now I have an even more extensive list of questions.  Should have just met with me last week, lol!  Here is my new list.  I don't think I have missed anything!

General Questions for the Project Manager:
1.       Estimated timeline/milestones, exact closing date?
2.       What inspections will happen at each stage?
3.       Can we visit the site?  Do we need permission?
4.       Rules for visiting the site?
5.       What is the best way to reach the PM if we have questions?
6.       Can we bring our own home inspector?  What is the proper procedure?
7.       How will other homes next to us/across from us be positioned?
8.       Will there be 1 or 2 HVAC units?
9.       Will there be any electrical boxes or cables boxes on our lot?  What about sewer drains?
10.   Extra floor supports in high traffic areas?
11.   Is the subfloor nailed, glued, or screwed?  Is this throughout the entire house?
12.   Exact square footage?
13.   Deadbolt on all doors leading into the house?  Front? Garage? Morning room?
14.   Can left over materials: tile, paint, carpet, vinyl be left in garage for later use?
15.   Thermostat location?

Verification Checklist:

1.       Selected upgrades and Options…things we paid extra for

2.       Confirm extra outlet for freezer in garage

3.       Confirm gas hookup for stove

4.       Confirm extra insulation in the wall by hall bath/kitchen and garage

5.       Cable locations

6.       Design center selections

7.       Ceiling fan prewire locations

Common Areas:

1.       Smooth or rough ceilings?

2.       Power outlet location for each room?  (Kitchen, bathrooms, garage, deck, TV)

3.       Exterior outlets and locations?

4.       Switches for lights in family room

5.       Window size and location in each room?

6.       Door handles- which rooms get locks?

7.       Will all windows have screens?

8.       Verification for extra insulation- possibly in laundry room and garage?

9.       Wall switches for ceiling fans?

Kitchen:

• 1.       Can we choose our own granite slab?  Rounded edges?
• 2.       Size of fridge that will fit in the design of the kitchen?
• 3.       Confirm cabinet above stove will be higher than the other cabinets?
• 4.       Rearrange lighting above the island for pendants- 2 regular light prewires?
• 5.       Outlet on the island?

Laundry:

• 1.       Placement of dryer vent?  Location outside?
• 2.       Can the door open away from the room (not into the room)?
• 3.       Extra insulation in walls and floor?

Loft:

1.       Can attic access be moved here?

Bedroom:

1.       Shelving in closet?

Bathrooms:

• 1.       Vent locations?
• 2.       Can master bathroom window open?
• 3.       Extra insulation?  Hear shower/toilets
• 4.       Recessed lighting in all showers?

Garage:

• 1.       Confirm that garage door opener, sensors, and button will be prewired behind the wall and we will only need to install the unit
• 2.       Confirm garage will be dry-walled
• 3.       Is there a drainpipe in the garage?
• 4.       Will there be a deadbolt on the door to the garage?

Outdoor:

1.       Gas line location?
2.       What outdoor lights are standard?
3.       Location of flood light?
4.       Where are the hose bibs located?  How many?
5.       When will the yard be completed since we are closing in the winter?  Will hay be put over the dirt in the meantime?
6.       Confirm front yard will be sodded?  How much for extra sod?
7.       Grass in the backyard?  How far back?
8.       Gutters around the entire house?
9.       What kind of plants/trees are placed?  Can we alter anything?
10.   Can we pick the placement of the trees?
11.   Grading?  Will the lot remain flat?
12.   What is the warranty on seeding and sod?  What if it doesn’t grow?
13.   How many steps to the front porch?  Railings?
14.   How many steps into the house from garage?
15.   Location of outdoor AC unit?  Heat pump?
16.   Mailbox?
17.   Sidewalks?
18.   Driveway width?  Will it be done in winter or spring?  Wide enough for 2 cars?
19.   Is the driveway asphalt or concrete?  Can we get concrete if asphalt is standard?
20.   If water ponds in the grass, will you fix this after the yard is installed?

Model Pictures and Loan!

We recently went to the Naples model in our area to take note of some things inside. Here are some of the pictures.  

Living Room

Dining Room

"Mud Room"

Downstairs bathroom

Family Room

Morning Room

Kitchen

Picture of kitchen with new refrigerator layout

Laundry Room

Master bedroom

Loft

The loft looks bigger from this angle

bedroom

Another bedroom

Oh, and our loan was APPROVED!!!!  We are super excited.  I've heard a lot of things about NVR...not all good.  My experience has been great so far.  Everyone has been very pleasant and nice to work with.  No complaints from me!   Now lets hope this continues throughout this entire process. 

Hopefully we will break ground in December, which is what we were told when we signed the contract.  It seems so far away.

Our lot....it goes back to the trees!

Our Selections!

We had our 14-day appointment today where we made some changes and everything is *gasp* FINAL!  We have walked through several models and have looked at every blog possible and I have to say we are confident in our selections.   

Here is a detailed list of what we have picked out for each room.

Kitchen:

• ·         Morning room
• ·         Gourmet Kitchen Island
• ·         Cabinet Crown Molding
• ·         Brushed Nickel hardware
• ·         Upgraded kitchen faucet
• ·         Granite- Santa Cecelia
• ·         42” kitchen cabinets
• ·         Cabinet color- Maple Cognac Timberlake
• ·         Stainless Steel Appliances
• ·         Gas Stove
• ·         Recessed lights

Here are pictures of the granite and cabinets we have picked.  Thanks aromeofourown.blogspot.com for the pictures!!!!

Master Bathroom:

• ·         Soaking tub and shower with seat
• ·         Ceramic tile
• ·         Double Bowl Vanity
• ·         Brushed Nickel Fixtures
• ·         Marble counter

Kids Bathroom:

• ·         Double Bowl Vanity
• ·         Brushed Nickel Fixtures
• ·         Marble counter

Attic:

• ·         Attic Storage with pull down stairs

Trim:

• ·         Oak Rails with White Balusters

Electric and Wiring:

• ·         7 ceiling fan rough-ins; family room, morning room, loft, and 4 bedrooms
• ·         Dedicated outlet in garage for deep freezer
• ·         Cable outlets; family room, loft, and 4 bedrooms
• ·         Flood Light in rear  

Exterior:

• ·         Elevation D
• o   Pebble Clay Vinyl Siding
• o   Sandy Tan Vinyl Shake
• o   Desert Tan Trim
• o   Brown Shutters
• o   Door- Black Fox
• ·         10x12 deck

Here is a picture of our elevation and colors minus the stone.  I wanted a front porch and this elevation was the only one that was offered in my community. Thank you sweethomecarolinas.blogspot.com for the picture!  You have an absolutely beautiful home!

Next up- FLOORING!

Here we go!

Well after several months of looking and discussing and more looking and more discussing, we finally made a decision....and signed a contract!  We are building a Naples with Ryan Homes.   We visited a model over a year ago and fell in love with the floor plan.   It is very open and there is a lot of space for our family of four.  

Here is the floor plan.  Ours will be reversed.....

We are super excited to have this opportunity and couldn't pass up a great deal.   We met with our sales representative and he put together a pretty impressive package.   From the initial sales meeting to the contract signing is kind of like a whirlwind.  It’s crazy how you have to pretty much pick out all of your options.   It would be nice if Ryan Homes had a design center so you could actually see the things you are picking.  When we were looking for a house, we looked at a different builder and they let us go to their design center to see everything first hand…..it was really cool!  With Ryan Homes, you have to rely on pictures, tiny samples, and visiting models to see the available options.

Here’s what we have picked so far:

Naples Elevation D- The only option with a front porch

Morning Room

Gourmet island

7 Ceiling fan rough-ins- all bedrooms, loft, family room, and morning room

Brushed Nickel fixtures

Deck

Recessed lighting in the kitchen

42 inch cabinets with molding

Granite

Stainless steel appliances

Upgraded master bath the big shower option

Garage service entrance

Oak Rails (white balusters)

Attic Storage

Double sinks (upstairs bathrooms)

We have our 14-day appointment this week and we have been discussing some changes to the options we initially picked.   Hopefully we make the right choices because I hear it’s pain to make changes after this appointment!  Is there anything you wish you had changed during this appointment?