New Home Construction

[bmac]

Rox,

I do remember this tip for the screened porch. I'll have to run the idea by my builder to see what he thinks. Because I don't know how much its going to cost to finish the porch using standard methods, I can't speculate how the door thingy would compare. There is also the issue of our building code. Were the porch at ground level, we could finish the porch cheaply with full length screens. But, as you noted, ours is 10+ feet off the ground and safety is a concern. I have to have either a standard railing (which I think is around 3 ft high) or a solid wall of the same height. Screen doors would have to have a substantial (solid) lower half to work. By the time I bought enough doors (I'm guessing around 18), plus the framing, I wonder how much I would save, if any. I just don't know. And I don't know if it would meet code, as I said. But, it never hurts to ask and I'll run it by my builder.

Our current plan is standard wall construction on the lower portion with the inside finished with T&G cyprus (for weather resistance) and HardiPlank on the exterior. Certainly, this would be an expensive option, but would provide the "outdoor room" look we like. Alternatively, the standard rail with screen I think would be the cheapest (I'm thinking even cheaper than the screen door trick), but we would lose alot in the looks of the porch. However, desperate times call for desperate measures and this may be one of several compromises we make.

As always, thanks for ringing in on this. I'll update when our plans have been finalized.

 

[steveinmo]

bmac,

Wow! Things are really coming along. The cabinets look really great. I've been anxiously awaiting pictures of them after our previous discussion about pre-finishing.

I think the tile work looks fantastic! Your guys did a great job of showing they're not just laborers but craftsmen. They should be very proud as I'm sure you are.

I'm with Eddie, keep the pic's coming. I know what you mean though, at this stage it's hard to capture things in progress. One day it needs to be started and the next day it's done. I found that this was a pretty hectic time for the new owners too. Lots and lots of little decisions need to be made at this stage.

Great looking house!

Steve

 

[bmac]

Hi, Steve.

Thanks for the kind words.

So far, I've seen a couple of areas on the cabinets where I'll need their crew to come back for some touch up on the finish. Not many. The granite counter tops are scheduled to go in on Friday. Plumbing and electrical fixtures get installed next Tuesday and Wednesday. Beyond that, I don't know what's scheduled.

Re: the tile work, as I look back, I think we were lucky. We gave these guys total freedom with the installation. We could have ended up with anything from plain vanilla to something quite garish. To my eye, they struck a nice balance.

I will say that I about fell out of my chair when I saw what we have paid for the tile install. Trust me when I tell you that everything my wife saved on materials was spent many times over for the labor. Even my builder, who has used these guys for some time and on some really high end homes, was a little shocked at what we've spent. If we ever do this again, I think we'll exercise a little more restraint and provide some boundries. Having said that, we are very pleased with the results.

I'll do my best to satisfy you "photo junkies" as this project enters the home stretch. Maybe I can get some action shots of the granite install.

 

[bmac]

We expected the granite to be installed yesterday, but they didn't come. They did call the builder to notify him that they were a day behind schedule. So, they came today.

I know I always complain about how the pictures I take look on my screen and most of these are no exception. So, if they are too dark, just save them and pull them up in your photo editor to lighten them up. I apologize - they looked OK on the camera lcd.

I'll start with my daughters bath.

 

[bmac]

Another of my daughter's bath.

 

[bmac]

Son's bath. His walls are painted a dark brown so these may show up really poorly. Before you comment on the choice of color, he originally wanted fluorescent green. I look at brown as a very acceptable compromise. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bmac]

Son's bath picture #2.

 

[bmac]

The little cabinet-looking things on my kids' counters was something my wife cooked up. She got the idea from appliance garages some folks have in their kitchens. They have an electrical outlet in them and are supposed to be for hair dryers, electric razors, etc. I think it was a good idea, but I expected them to be taller. Right now, I'm giving them a B+ for potential functionality and a C- on esthetics. We'll see once we move in if either score changes.

The next two pictures are the granite counter tops in the guest bath.

 

[bmac]

Seeing this picture of the long counter top and a single sink makes me wonder if we should have put in 2 sinks. Certainly plenty of room for 2 and would have looked better with 2, but, then again, its a guest bath that won't be used too much.

 

[bmac]

They were still working in the master bath, so I only took 1 picture.

We asked that our vanity be 36" high (or whatever kitchen counter height is). We noticed today that they made all vanities 36". Not a real problem, though my 8 yo daughter might be a little uncomfortable with her's for a while.

 

[bmac]

Here's a few pictures of the kitchen. This is the only corner cabinet. It has the main sink and dishwasher.

 

[bmac]

Different view of sink with the opening for the dishwasher to the right.

 

[bmac]

Here's an attempt to photograph the butler's pantry.

 

[bmac]

Here's the center island as viewed from the breakfast room and toward the butler's pantry.

 

[bmac]

And here's the last picture for today - same center island viewed from the butler's pantry and toward the breakfast room.

One error we found on the island was the omission of electrical outlets on the vertical backsplash. When the electricians wired the house, they deliberately left the wires for these outlets in the basement, pending installation of the island. Well, the electricians did not get the wires run and boxes installed before the granite guys came. So, no outlets. I will talk to my builder Monday to see how he is going to fix this.

 

[EddieWalker]

bmac,

Thanks for the update. Your home is looking incredible!!!

The cabinets on the counters in the cabinets sound like a good idea, but in my mind, I wonder if they will get used. My experience is that things sort of get left on a counter in the bathroom, and the bigger the counter, the that's left out. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The height of them does seem a little odd. How will you finish that off? Can you have another cabinet buitl to put on top of them? Maybe for towels.

Too bad about the outlets on the island. I'm curious how that's gonna get fixed. Not having outlets isn't an option, but how hard is it to cut a hole in the granite after it's up, or how hard is it to remove the granite? Very interesting.

How is the paper doing to protect the floors? Is it working out for you? I've never seen the floors go in so early in a job and I'm curious if it's a better method, or is you should have waited for the other subs to finish their jobs first. Any sign of damage or wear?

Now is the time when it all comes together, but it's also the time when you realize how much you spent and how much more it will cost. I'm always amazed at how much all the little finishing touches cost on a house when you add it all up. Especially those handles and knobs on the cabinets. That's my personal pet peeve that really gets to me. $5 for a knob or even twice that!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Sorry I ranted there. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Eddie

 

[rox]

bmac,
Yes it really is all coming together. I am glad you shared these photographs.

I really like the upper cabinet in the corner by the kitchen sink. I love the interest it gives the eye that it is taller, or perhaps set up higher than the ones around it.

I wouldn't worry about that long countertop in the guest bath. I'm sure your wife will have fun decorating it. A nice silk or dried floral arrangement pops into my mind. It will be fun for your wife to add her own personal touches to her new home. Can we say "Shopping" /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Did you put granit in all the bathrooms? If you did that must have cost ya. I couldn't tell by looking at it.

We put in granit in our last home in the kitchen. I can tell you the only way to cut granit that I am aware of is they have to take it back to the shop. When we bought our granit I walked the shop floor and had the guy explain the equipment to me. From what I saw on the shop floor my guess is that it will get picked up and taken back to the shop which really isn't that big of deal. Who pays for these mistakes? I hope not you.

Oh yeah I also love the kitchen sink, I'm waiting to see the faucet for the sink, bet it is going to be a nice one.

The hosue is looking great, jsut great. I said I would be happy to wait until you were further along for more photographs but I must say, I am glad you shared these.

Are you going to put in a garbage disposal in that small sink on the island? My sister has a similar set up with a sink in the island and she has a disposal in hers and she uses it a lot.

I bet your kids are going jsut about nuts right about now. They msut be so excited with the new house. It feels good to be able to provide such a nice home for them doesn't it? It is fun to feel their enthusiasm. Kudos on everything so far!!!

 

[bmac]

Good evening, Eddie.

<font color="blue"> My experience is that things sort of get left on a counter in the bathroom </font>

My wife is trying to avoid some of the stuff on the counter by providing a place to keep the everyday items. The garages will probably remain empty until my wife goes in to clean up the kid's bathrooms.

<font color="blue"> The height of them does seem a little odd </font>

I agree.

<font color="blue"> How will you finish that off? </font>

I don't have a clue.

<font color="blue"> Can you have another cabinet buitl to put on top of them? Maybe for towels.
</font>

Possibly. hadn't thought of that. However, in that they are sitting on 36" countertops, that would be pretty tall, especially for my daughter (now anyway).

<font color="blue"> Too bad about the outlets on the island. I'm curious how that's gonna get fixed. Not having outlets isn't an option, but how hard is it to cut a hole in the granite after it's up, or how hard is it to remove the granite? Very interesting.
</font>

Yeah, it'll be interesting to see how they fix it. I know they drill holes for the plumbing fixtures on-site (or at least I think they did), but cutting a rectangular hole is a different issue. And, the epoxy holding the pieces together isn't going to let loose very easily, so, I don't know the answer. And, I'm curious who's going to eat the cost of fixing the problem. To me, the granite folks are totally innocent here. No electrical boxes, no holes. Makes sense. The electricians were out there yesterday, along with my builder. Its clear they just did not think to get this done in time for the granite. And, I can see how this slipped through the cracks. But the bottom line is it has to be fixed and I don't think it will be a cheap fix. I'll let you know how it works out.

<font color="blue"> How is the paper doing to protect the floors? Is it working out for you? I've never seen the floors go in so early in a job and I'm curious if it's a better method, or is you should have waited for the other subs to finish their jobs first. Any sign of damage or wear?
</font>

The paper was holding up pretty well for a while. They had to remove alot of it when the cabinets went in. There is so much sawdust and stuff on the floor now, I can't see if the tile has been damaged or not. We'll see after everytthing has been cleaned up.

<font color="blue"> Now is the time when it all comes together, but it's also the time when you realize how much you spent and how much more it will cost. I'm always amazed at how much all the little finishing touches cost on a house when you add it all up. </font>

We went over the budget on Friday and I am amazed at how much more it will cost to wrap this thing up. The only areas where we can save any significant amount is on concrete and landscaping. Everything else has pretty much been commited to (e.g. HVAC, plumbing, electrical, etc.).

I'll keep you posted, Eddie.

 

[bmac]

Hi, Rox.

<font color="blue"> Did you put granit in all the bathrooms? If you did that must have cost ya. I couldn't tell by looking at it.
</font>

Yes, granite in all bathrooms, but there is a little story as to why. The original plan was to use quartz in the kitchen and cultured marble in the baths. Then, several folks (including our builder) told us that there really isn't much savings with the quartz over granite and urged us to consider it. Then, one day while getting a haircut, I ran into a lady I know and we began chatting. When she learned that we were building a house, she informed me that she was in the granite buisness. I told her our plans and she said that, by using remnants in the bathrooms, we could save enough to essentially come in price-wise close to the cost of cultured marble. So, she came out and measured everything and faxed me a quote. It actually came in slightly under our original budget for quartz and cultured marble. So, that's why we have granite in the bathrooms. Long story for a simple question - sorry.

<font color="blue"> From what I saw on the shop floor my guess is that it will get picked up and taken back to the shop which really isn't that big of deal. Who pays for these mistakes? I hope not you.
</font>

I hope you are right on both accounts.

<font color="blue"> Oh yeah I also love the kitchen sink, I'm waiting to see the faucet for the sink, bet it is going to be a nice one. </font>

Thanks. I had to convince my wife on the apron sink. She initally didn't like them. I thought it would go nicely with the country look we were going for. Well, she saw so many in the kitchen design books I think they just kind of grew on her. I honestly can't remember what the faucet will look like. I do know that all kitchen fixtures are the dark, oil-rubbed bronze finish. I hope it looks good. We'll see by Wednesday.

<font color="blue"> Are you going to put in a garbage disposal in that small sink on the island? My sister has a similar set up with a sink in the island and she has a disposal in hers and she uses it a lot.
</font>

Yes, both sinks will have disposals.

<font color="blue"> I bet your kids are going jsut about nuts right about now. They msut be so excited with the new house. It feels good to be able to provide such a nice home for them doesn't it? It is fun to feel their enthusiasm. Kudos on everything so far!!! </font>

I think the kids are ready to move. However, they are getting tired of all of the trips to "check" on things. My wife is very anxious to move, as well. For me, well, I'm dreading the moving process so much that I'm not in a big hurry for the completion of the house. The sooner it gets done, the sooner the packing, moving and unpacking happens. Ughhh. I really hate that part of it.

Once again, Rox, thanks for all or your kind words and encouragement. I'll get some pics of the plumbing fixtures for you next week.

 

[HGM]

bmac,

Maybe if you were to continue those cabinets to the ceiling..?.. Agreed, they would be more difficult to reach(especially for your daughter) but, I would think an open shelving "unit" on top for towels like Eddie said or maybe a clock radio, plant, etc would look pretty good. One thing about a bathroom, you rarely have enough storage. Even if its difficult to reach, you could put something else up there that isnt needed on a daily basis..

Could the outlets be installed into the face of the island(front or side) without being too conspicuous? Just a thought, I cant really tell from the picture.

Looking good though, you'll get the stuff figured out soon enough /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.. Funny how the work never ends though. When you get all settled in, you'll find something else you'd like to do... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif