Homeowner’s Blog about Home Improvement
Categories: Real Estate News
hiEarthdate: 090412.001
It is April 12 and its been a little over a month since we started construction — I’ve been surprised with the progress and lack of conflict. This is unusual for this type of remodeling or re-building. Having been in construction most of my life, I get real nervous when everything is going real smooth, because it is usually like the calm before a bad storm. But maybe this is just the side effects of a recession–people want to work and therefore, they are producing and actually focusing on customer satisfaction.
At this point all the masonry work is almost done – we have a few places where we need to introduce a tie down column, but the garage addition is up; tie beams are poured; roof trusses are up; roof sheathing is down. The contractor has kept the project moving and actually installed the trusses before finalizing engineer or City approval. He feels it is simple enough and he can resolve anything that may come up.
Windows and doors have arrived to the installer and this week they plan to install the wood buck on the openings. That must be approved by the City before he installs the windows. He is planning to do that by Tuesday and possibly start installing windows by Wednesday. This contractor does not try to impress me with a lot of paperwork and fancy schedules. He seems to keep things moving and I guess he has done this long enough that he knows who he needs at the site at what time and apparently the sub contractors have been working with him long enough that they show up on time. So far there has not been a no show…people are at the job site when he says they will be and the site is closed when he also tells me.
I am concerned with the interior design — the designer took it upon himself to redesign the kitchen and I am not happy with the changes. That means revising drawings and resubmitting to the City and it is not making the kitchen function better or adding value.
I also need to revise the electrical drawings, because of a few errors and changes. I also want to make some revisions to the site plan. That is the biggest problem because it may take up to two weeks for review by the City and at the pace this project is going we could be finished by the time they approve the changes.
I’ve had some additional expenses due to site conditions and errors, but so far it is not bad. I had to eat three impact windows because either the field conditions were different or an error in the design. In any case, it cost me about $1500 to correct that problem. I also added a sidewalk I should have had since the beginning and I never liked the approach to the entrance, so I re-adjusted the drain-field for the septic tank to allow a more generous sidewalk. 
All and all, this is proving to be a good decision to build at this time. Construction is going fast and smooth. Prices are still good and good subcontractors are still available. Being in real estate it is always a dilemma – should I live in the house or should I sell? So far the shell is impressing the neighbors who think it looks pretty good. Frankly, it is a very nice design that is reminiscent of old Gables. It is not going to be an ostentatious house with a two story entrance, but a very functional, warm and comfortable home with all the bells an whistles when it comes to energy conservation and smart living. It is a multi-generational home that will accommodate a full family and in-laws or a family with an adult son or daughter ,etc. It is definitely not your typical builder’s home–it is well planned, designed and built. I sure sound like I am already trying ot sell it…maybe I am.
