PS- Still looking for someone to take over this monthly thread. I'll be out of town July 1, so we'll see if anyone picks it up while I'm gone.

Can't wait to see everyone's progress!

:)
Jenny

Lots still to do!

Framing is complete, roof is on, shingles are on. I believe they start on doors and windows next, but not sure--we'll see what they say during our site meeting tomorrow!

Back view (best view of "whole" house):

Front view, as best as possible (black blobs to hide address) from an angle (trees directly in front of house obstruct full view):

Front half of master bedroom from the closet area:

Family room:

Sunroom:

Kitchen:

Sometimes it's difficult at this stage to "see" anything when you're not intimately familiar with the house, but I can't help but share. :)

Can't wait to see windows and doors in place, and maybe the stairs, who knows!

Looking forward to see everyone else's progress. It's so much fun going through this process with everyone!

I reread your window thread and we are also using the Plygem vinyl and our home is similar in style to yours- 1.5 story.

I feel like I haven't had a good night's sleep in about 5 months - since we started working toward building a home! So yes I'm excited and terrified.

It is looking like a REAL house from the back :) And, it doesn't get any better at my stage of the game either... and in fact, if you are anything like me, once you start adding up how over budget you are, it gets worse!

Can you tell me the make and color of your siding? We're getting ready to start our home in a couple of weeks and we decided on Certainteed's Oxford Blue color which looks very similar to the color on your house. I'd be curious to know if it is Oxford Blue or something similar.

If you have the time, I would love to see some additional pictures!

What are you doing on the front of the house? Are you adding an additional color? We'll do hardiplank on the front of the house painted to match the Oxford Blue color, but then we're thinking about having a darker blue color in the gable where we'll have shake.

We'll get some additional pictures taken on Saturday and I'll put them up for you. The darker blue would complement the oxford blue very well if you decide to go that route. Our shingles are a dark navy blue and I think they really bring out the color in the Oxford blue well.

We've been keeping the brick masons busy. They finally completed the arches in the carport/party pavilion and we got the garage door installed on the garage:

Here is the view from inside of the carport/party pavilion:

Now the masons are prepping the back yard retaining wall for stucco (pardon the mess):

The flooring has been put down on the screen porch, so that you can get the same view from above:

And here is the bump out on the screen porch for the hanging bed with the grilling porch/deck beyond.

We still need to put the siding on this wall of the screen porch.

The brick masons also did the surround for the gas log fireplace in the living room. I can't wait to get the mantle on it.

The cabinet maker has been busy. I took a trip over to his shop to check on things and snapped a photo of this master bath vanity.

There will be two of them - one on either side of this bumpout that will hold the clawfoot tub.

Meanwhile the trim guys have hung all the doors and have done all the door and window casings, the baseboards and are working away on the crown molding. Hopefully we'll start laying tile next week and then painting and installing cabinetry.

Excited to have a few moments to upload images. Am happy to show a few of my favorite details so far. We're just a few days before drywall.

http://s1083.photobucket.com/albums/j397/wwwonderwhiskers/Building I mages/

Can't figure the photobucket yet to organize the images,so they're random by topic & date, sorry.

Am very enamoured with the quality of the stonemasons! Very nice job. Double chimney up the back done in stone for a full wood-burning off the kitchen, and a capped area in the basement for future wood burning stove.

Kitchen is a simple U-shape with large Island & prep sink (an elegant slab of Crema Bordeaux, if you're interested which has perfect area for prep sink w/out disturbing the flow, and deep Verde Butterfly around the U). End of the U will have a rangetop & VaH right next to that large Casement window with a view to the rear (YAY!!!) Cabinets simple cider-on-cherry throughout the house, with ORB in the kitchen. Flooring will be #1 common White Oak 4" all first floor except wet areas (stain TBD). Mud & laundry off kitchen are slate-look TB porcelain.

MBR: we asked them to price something we saw done once, and were very happy to see that Anderson makes this window set in a config that you can order now - and we could afford now - which enables you to have some of the panels ventilated! We're VERY happy with this bow!! And very happy how they trimmed it out in the back.

Home is stone (Weatherface TS with Roanoke's Straw mortar) & Hardie fibre-cement (Navaho Beige).

All y'all have some pretty spectacular homes shown here - very fun! Looking forward to seeing more soon.......

Rear view (chimney is finished now, and is awesome!):

From there, we checked out any information we could find. First, we were impressed how honest he was the first time we met with him, when he flat out told us that there was no way he could compete on price with the existing homes on the market that were a couple years old and falling so much in value. Next, we checked the local home builders association and he had won awards for many years. We also asked local realtors and did a public records search to see if there were any past judgments or lawsuits against him. Before our bank issued our construction loan, they also called his accountant (we didn't ask for that, and to be honest I thought it was strange, but it was good to know that he was in good financial standing). We are extremely happy with our choice. However, we probably could have found someone less costly, but then we might not have gotten the high quality we are getting, so the lowest bid is not necessarily the best.

I also would not skimp on getting the very best builder you can find- I'd build a smaller house first or skimp on finishes that can be added later. There's so many things that at least I didn't know to look for that we ended up getting just because our builder has such attention to detail (for instance, our HVAC guy pointed out to us that there were about a billion metal brackety things along the wall seam at the top- apparently, our builder puts in way more than code requires because he doesn't want there to be separation of that top seam at the wall that creates those little cracks that you so often see. I never, ever, would have thought to ask for that!

Good luck with your search for a builder!!

He doesn't have to charge me extra overhead for national advertising, regional cost differences, and reams of people doing who knows what. We've also seen that national builders seem to be same, or more expensive per square foot, but the materials they use are WAY cheaper. That's just what we've seen in mid-atlantic.

Don't rush. Good luck!

Thanks for posting the extra pics of the exterior of your house. It reconfirms our selection of the Oxford Blue for our house! I hope to post pics of our build starting next month!

Even once you've done the math, there is likely still some wiggle room on that price. You may not want hardwoods throughout or maybe you prefer laminate to granite, etc. all of which will bring that price down some. The builders themselves are also being VERY competitive at the moment with their pricing due to the lack of people wanting to build vs. buying an existing home at a lower cost per sq. ft. Good luck to you & hope to see your photos on this thread in the future!

They did install the doorway from the walkout basement, so this pic is not current.

In the kitchen looking into the living room.

Finally, last week we had the gypcrete poured for the main floor radiant heating and for just a few hours it looked organized, calm, and almost like a home. We snapped pictures like crazy! Now that the floor is done and the electrical inspection is behind us, they can insulate and then drywall. This isn't our first build, so I know that the end goes fast but I don't remember being so discouraged in the middle the way I am now. It may have to do with the fact that it snowed on our Memorial Day cookout, we still have at least a foot of snow on the ground, and we're wallowing in mud! Crazy weather!

BuckheadBilly, I can't wait to see your finished house. Your choices look beautiful!

Everyone, keep posting your pretty pictures - they give all of us hope when some of us are making progress!

Here is our Memorial Day snow:

Looking through the kitchen into the great room (that "panel" on the ceiling is actually a work table, bolted to the joists to get it out of the way!):

The great room fireplace with the staircase in the background:

Except for the dusty windows, this is the cleanest I've seen this room since June of last year:

Our plan is much smaller (about 1400 sq ft) than most, but we think we are packing in the use. To keep out of state family posted on progress, we have a blog with our pics and progress.

Our siding is just starting going up today. I had wanted Hardie, but cost ruled that out. So we have a 6.5 inch vinyl with a bead at the top. It looks great and I can't wait until I can see a bigger section done. That should be later today.

Alto - like your new neighbors! ;) Fawns are so cute - even though they grow up to be wild Hosta munchers like their parents.

Peyton great to hear. Hope to echo your sentiments this time next year!

Everyone's progress looks fabulous. We've just had our footings poured, so nothing interesting to photograph.

Here is a picture - hope that helps!

mcg1245: where are you located? I ask because you mentioned Schuemaker and Wayne who advertised heavily here in NE Ohio where we live.

We opted to go for a local custom builder, Charis Homes. We found them by visiting every open house in the area for several years. We were always impressed with their quality, and the three things that really won us over to them were:
1. the fact that they do 'dusty shoe open houses' where they open up the houses to potential buyers during construction so you can see HOW they build. the owner can see the house at any point in the construction (not all builders allow this). they only do a few houses a year, so there is lots of personal attention.

2. We wanted a house built with green and universal design choices, which they specialize in. We are going for LEED certification and they are happy to work toward that goal.

3. Most importantly, we talked to at least 10 owners and about that many vendors. NO ONE had a single complaint about them. That sold us.

Use the models and parades to find builders whose quality you admire. Ask for names and numbers of owners you can interview and ask questions like, 'Did you enjoy the process?' 'What would you do differently?' 'Would you build with them again?' Make a wish list of what you want in a home, and look for a builder who is excited about all the things that make it custom to you.

We had to do more clearing than expected in the front to even out the artifical berm that was created when the road came in and had to cut down the front yard some so the house would be above street level. Thankfully, there were very few decent trees in the front yard - mostly scrub pines and dead wood. I think we had to take out an oak and a poplar and that was it . . . the upside is that we have a great football yard! Hopefully we can landscape to transition from the woods to the lawn so it looks more integrated into the landscape - at least that is the plan!

Here is the front - the long "windows" on the front and on the right side are actually french doors with 4 single lights on either side and a panel at the bottom. The garage and friends entrance are on the right.

Here is the garage.

Here is the right side. That blank area above the french doors will actually be a "false" window with shutters that are permanently closed to even out the facade. That is a bedroom with windows on one wall and we couldn't get a window on that wall without making it very off center in the room and throwing off the bed wall.

Standing on the front porch looking through to the rear of the house.

Den french doors.

View from den.

View from screened porch.

View from master bedroom.

View into den from kitchen. The fireplace header is crooked because they had to cut it to put in the steel support for the Isokern fireplace. They haven't reattached it!

Den french doors.

Hopefully next month we will have a roof and windows!

But exciting news, our stone is going up! (partial stone on front of our house.) And apparently our front door is in our garage. I didn't get to see it today (knee problems) but my husband and MIL went, and brought back pictures. So I had to share!

Front door (it's going to be painted black):

Stone:

I go to meet the builder on Tuesday for our weekly site meeting, so I'm looking forward to lots more progress. My parents house is getting 2nd floor framing this week. And finally, my Mom seemed excited when we walked through on Friday. I don't think it felt "real" until she got to see her ginormous kitchen and dining room with the framing up.

Does anyone else have weekly site meetings with their builder at this stage??

This month is flying by... our floors are getting finished beginning tomorrow. Can't wait to see that as they have gotten so dirty and dusty over the past few unfinished months.

See you all next month!

We closed on our house on 5/27. We've had a few things that needed fixing and are still waiting on a few things (we have no back light on our fan, etc), but moving has been a big pain with no family nearby to help and little ones to manage. Our garage is still full despite my constant efforts to clear it.

Finally on the day of closing, they finished the "right" front door


My hubby did the backsplash after the granite people were going to charge $500 just for install



New fireplace


downstairs guest room

Upstairs family room (this was where we closed off the 2-story great room)..sorry, kids always in pics LOL


Master

It's sad I don't have an updated clean pic of our bathroom

Thanks!

And mythreesonsnc - yes we are zipping along! We broke ground March 24th. Grading took longer (and was more expensive) than expected because they hit lots of rock. In fact, our builder said it was a good thing the house was no closer to the street than it was because they would have been in "dynamite city." As it was, the loader patiently scraped away at the rock and they hauled lots of it off. We still have probably 75 rocks that we will use to transition from the woods to lawn in the back (they are behind the silt fence now and some are MASSIVE)!

It sounds like you will be in before September at that rate! Might be nice not to have to scramble to move right at the end though . . .

As far as LEED, our builder has won several awards for green building, and since our city doesn't have a LEED certified home, they'd love to be the first. So if we proceed with it, they will be taking on the mounds of paperwork and funds. Either way, we are following as many recommendations that we can, just because it makes good sense. We are definitely having some conversations now about what we really need/want to do, and what really isn't going to give us most extra because of the other things we're doing.

Deb,
your home is just beautiful. I am insanely jealous that we haven't even dug that first shovel of dirt!

CurvvyGirl, I LOVE your door!!

Deb - your house looks fantastic and I'm anxious to hear the roof color too. Also I remember you said the name and color of the brick and stone in another thread but would you mind mentioning it again. I like the Old Century style of stone, but your color is similar to what I want and your brick looks great with it.

I'm enjoying watching everyone's progress.

We must have similar taste! I love seeing your house, I remember you posting the renderings and how exciting to see the framing! It is going to be lovely, you must be so thrilled. My walnut will be installed in 3 weeks...I will definitely post a pic!

We submitted the grading plan to the county for review so we can start working on getting the drainfield designed and a well drilled. Once we get the final plans, we will submit to contractors for prices. We got preliminary prices...so it may be a go ahead.

I am going to try and set up a blog...so that I can share our new home building!!!

Everyone's homes look so beautiful.

Thanks everyone for the house compliments! It was a stressful journey but worth it even though we have a few outstanding things..
AthensMom- Luckily I was anal about taking pics and have a pic of the stack of boxed roof shingles..so I can tell you it's Tamko Heritage 30 in Rustic Black.

Nini - glad your building is moving along so well. That is what ours did and it was hard to stay on top of them but we ended up visiting daily towards the ending.

JM - the color is Red Cent by Sherwin Williams..a mid-range terra cotta. It went on a bit orange during the tinted primer phase and I got nervous but it really toned down to a nice shade after 2 coats. I get the most compliments on that color despite my early reservations about it. On and the molding is called shadow box style..our builder uses a company who makes their own molding, but you can reproduce the same look yourself at Lowes etc..my hubby did all our molding in our old house in Maryland.

ICM- I was jealous for awhile on this thread myself!

Downsy - Our brick is Brentwood by Boral and our stone is Westchester by Horizon. I really love how they turned out. We had buff mortar on the brick. I was going for a warm look.

lzerarc- Funny about the mood lights..between having 3 kids, including 1 who often ends up in our bed and a hubby who goes to bed like 7:30-8pm and gets up at 3am, there isn't much need for mood lighting, although I wouldn't have minded a fourth baby ;) but DH won't go for that I'm afraid.

Jean - good idea about the blog

I am enjoying seeing everyone's homes! I go in mine several times a week...sometimes I just sit on the staircase and marvel! Today dh caught me fondling the hardware on my island! ;)

We haven't started the color process yet but our windows are Kolbe Natural Cotton - very similar but slightly lighter than SW Wool Skein. One color that has been recommended to us is Relaxed Khaki which looks so dark and, um, khaki! If it lightens up on the house it might work. I am also thinking about pushing it towards a taupier color - I'll have to play around with it. Relaxed Khaki is as dark as I would go though . . .

I like the rock on your home. What is it called?

DH went crazy when he saw the "wall" next to the front door. He almost couldn't contain his excitement over it!

It's really neat for us because we get to see all the work happening on our house, then three weeks later, on my parents' house. Then I get to come here and see all of yours! So much fun!!

Yes, Buckhead Billy, Mythreesonsnc, Wwwonderwhiskers, Peytonroad and anyone too shy to ask -- you can come anytime you want, especially if you show up with champagne!

We drove from Washington to Montana today and arrived with enough light to visit the site tonight. While we were away, they finished the insulation - we can't walk through walls anymore! Next step: drywall!

It is not installed yet but if you keep an open rail on the second floor it also gives a really great view over the rail to the first floor. I have a picture of this view from the top and will post it if I can find it - very sculptural looking as it goes around in a rectangle. You also have the benefit of a couple of longer "swoopy" rail pieces on the landings which I have always liked.

Conservatory:

Gathering room into sunroom:

Gathering room from sunroom:

Sunroom skylights 1:

Sunroom & skylights 2:

They also started to flatten out the uneven-ness in the back of our hilly lot:

And to widen our driveway:

imacurvygrrl, i am crazy for your stone!! can hardly wait to see that fab door with all that stonework!

mydreamhome, what a lovely setting - looking forward to watching your home go up!

All I have pics of right now is the exterior, where they've put in Driveway and sidewalk recently, gutters are up, and a lot of the siding & stonework completed. Haven't been inside much with a camera this week, but tomorrow can see this past week's progress - both hardwood floor is down, doors mostly are in, crown molding is mostly up, and everything being trimmed out.....
What I can share is a favorite thing - the back of the home - it's just about my fave! Porch on the end is open, while porch in the middle will be screened.

It's getting exciting! Almost a little fast to keep up with.......

Freshly paved....

Fave!

The stonemasons did a fantastic job with the stonework.....

Oh - we're staining. Their Mahogany, I think. Looked Cordovan to me - darkdark red cranberry colored, which is what I wanted. What are you doing with yours? Builder said he would hold off until all the messy work was done, closer to close, then put the stain on the door. Fine with me!
About 5 weeks out......... am adding "Shop for Wig" to my list - if I make it out of this with any of my own hair, and without gaining another 20 lbs, I'll be impressed.

- WW