Big Dirt Pile

20 yards of loam to make the yard more even

Juggling Tasks

The last 10 days has been full of tasks and phone calls.  Things are moving along, but issues have come up with lights, plumbing, floors, and landscaping.  Trying to get all the contractors to do the right thing while managing the finance end of it is hard.  Nevertheless, the bank is all set to close, they’ve given me the loan, and we should have the cash to put down in the right place in time. 

Today I started the garden, using the mound of dirt they left me and some boards that weren’t used.  It isn’t done, but I took a couple pics of the area.

Also here are a couple pics of the almost finished floors and the kitchen island. 

And a pic of the fireplace with TV mount

On Track

So our closing is just about set for June 16th, about 3 weeks away.  As of now, the landscaper, painters, and flooring guys are finishing up, and the appliances and counters will be installed in the next couple days.  Some time next week the plumbers will be there to finish their work and the driveway will be re-paved, and then the house will be complete.   By the end of June we ought to be fairly comfortable and knee deep in projects.

Here are a bunch of current pics:

Dining room wainscoting:

Master bedroom with bench:

 

Frpnt steps and door (to be painted)

 

Japanese Maple out front:

Driveway & Yard

The driveway is half done, but they’ll wait until most of the deliveries are done before the top coat.  The landscaper was over shooting things out, but there is a ton of work left to go.    Also trying to pick out appliances and plumbing so it can be delivered and installed in 10 days or so.  The granite is ordered (see left sample) and the finish carpenters are doing the red oak floors and painting this week.  Pics:

Driveway going around the side:

 

Granite samples (left is what we picked)

 

Cabinets fully installed:

 

Deck with railing:

 

Railings and Stairs:

 

Tile installed (no grout):

 

Front Steps (I need to have them fix this:

Cabinets

This weekend the cabinets and bath vanities were installed.  We’re supposed to get the granite place to measure and then install next week.  I need to order the final plumbing fixtures ASAP, since the sink needs to be cut into the granite.  I also need to commit to the stove type (slide-in or drop-in) before the granite is cut.

Also this week, I committed to paying extra to have the driveway go to the back of the garage, so that we can store another car there.

The back yard was graded, and this week I also need to meet with the landscaper to talk about the stone patio.

Fireplace and TV hookup – Fireplace mantel will be installed this week too.

So Many Decisions

I haven't written here in at least a week, but that time has been full of things happening. In that time, we've picked lighting for the whole house (over budget of course), had the yard graded, watched the plaster crew do the whole place, saw the garage floor being poured, and started to see finishing materials brought in. As of now, there are tons of things left to decide, and not a ton of time left to get them done. I think the kitchen cabinets and the driveway are going in within a couple days, and I need to choose paint, tile, and plumbing fixtures. Today we also picked the fireplace surround and mantel, and let the kids pick their rooms. I will have more pics soon, but for now, I just wanted to list out whats been done. By next week all of the trim and doors will be in and the painters will start. It will be crazy that the kitchen may be in and almost ready. Next thing you know, the yard will be sprayed on and they'll be talking about closing.

Cabinets in boxes ready to install:


Interior finish (before paint)

After Vacation

While we were gone for a week, I see a few things that have happened.  The deck is framed, the columns out front are there, the central vac is in, the gas lines are in, the whole house is insulated, and the place is ready for plaster.  They owe me an updated kitchen plan and I am going to make them swap out the shower valves for something that isn’t the cheapest there is.  I looked at what they were and called Jon, who reminded me that since shower valves are buried in walls, they should be a good brand.

Nevertheless, here are some pics from last night: