Day 75 - Naked Floors, More Dirt, and Buried Pipes

Our PM called with an update this morning.   He says everything is on track to be done 3 days before closing.   Concrete is going in tomorrow, carpet on Saturday, first cleaning this weekend also. Next week is all the little touch up stuff.

They definitely added a bunch more dirt today.  The slope to the front yard is not too extreme, so no worries.    They also uncovered the hardwood floors, so we got our first look at how they really will look (but a lot dirtier still).

Lastly... I have been kicking around this self-installed sprinkler idea for a few days.   One problem was the hose bib was on the far front of the house away from the garage and there is about to be a sideway in the way.     On the way out of the community today I ran into our PM and ran an idea past him.   

He had no objections so after dinner I went to Lowes and got two 2" PVC 10' pipes and caps for each end.   I cut them down to 8' and installed 1 under the front steps and 1 under the sidewalk where it connects to the garage.   [See pics below]    The eventual idea is to run water lines/hoses (3/4") and/or power through the pipes.   At the minimum I will run a low voltage wire for landscaping lights through the steps pipe.  Our power outlet is right by the water...   Probably an extension cord for Christmas lights too.   Tons of uses and 2" should be enough.   Hopefully the concrete crew won't tear them out.  Maybe I should have written do not remove in spanish also, now that I think of it...  

Day 74 - Granite In, No Concrete Yet.

I stopped over hoping to see some concrete progress,  instead I found an exterior trim painter and an empty house.    Seizing the opportunity I did a good 45 minute walk through.  Checked lights, baseboards, overall trim, etc.   No major issues.  1 wall of trim is pretty bad but I think they are already on top of that one.  Somebody marked a big X on it and popped the caulk.  

The granite is in and I love how it looks with the floors and cabinets.   It's hard to take a good photo because it reflects everything, but the last photo shows off the subtle specks in the stone and actually has a bit of clean floor.

I tested out the Mwave vent, and it is actually venting outside, despite my skepticism.   All is good with that.   I just noticed the fridge is missing (kinda important) but I'm sure it will be there soon.  

Deck footers inspection failed.   Seems to be the MO for this inspector.  He always finds something, which I like as a buyer.    1 of the footer holes was too close to the foundation so it was actually in "filled" dirt, not naturally compacted dirt.  Not sure the fix, but they need to get another inspection to pass.

17 days to go and it's all starting to come together.

Day 73 - Pour me another...

18 days until closing.  We're now the the stage where it looks like not much is going on, which tends to make me nervous.   We did a decent amount of furniture shopping this weekend, and all of the installations /deliveries are set to start the day after closing.   And we only have 6 days overlap from closing on new house to vacating old house -- all that combines to make me really screwed if closing slips at all.  BUT there have been no indications that will happen.   Just my nervousness.

Since my last update they appliances are installed.   I am not 100% sure they did the microwave exterior vent correct.  I plan to test this one night this week and see if it is really venting.    Friday night the vent was drywalled over (DRYWALL CREW MISTAKE...) , and by Saturday afternoon the microwave was installed.   I think it is expecting too much for the appliance subcontractor to have known there was a vent. 

On the plus side though the concrete looks to be going in this week.  I don't want to jinx it, but the driveway width looks a little generous by my eye.   I will elaborate once they pour and can't undo it.   Second thing was that I'm surprised at the walkway height from the front steps in relation to the current grade.   I guess I expected there to be 2 steps off the landing, but they are setting up for 1.   Just means they will have to bring in a bunch more dirt to backfill that front yard.   I prefer a decent grade away from the house when possible (drainage paranoia) so this works well for me.   

By my tracking we still need:

• Concrete drive / sidewalks
• Granite Install
• Carpet Install
• Gutters Install
• Deck Install
• Some final plumbing stuff remains
• Hookup appliances (possibly already done...)
• Tons of touch up work. Drywall, paint, etc

Lastly,  I have been doing a lot of research on in ground sprinklers and the insane prices contractors charge for installation.  I will do a separate post on this tonight, but I'm pretty sure I can install independent in ground systems that feed off my hose bibs (with an electronic timer and all) for less than $400 and maybe 10 hours of labor (x2 for the standard DIY under-estimation, so 20 hours).   Much better than the $4k  to $6k that a professional will charge.   Will theirs be better, absolutely...   $5500 better though?

Day 69 - Shutters and Sidewalks Oh My...

Tons of photos for this one.     Our old house officially passed inspection with no issued (who knew...) so we're in the clear to close 1 week before our new house is done, but we have 2 weeks possession post closing.   So that means I will have 6 days to move.   Any slip to our closing date and things fall apart very quickly.    

Anyway.   Shutters are on (brown) and look great with the brick.   Lots of credit to my wife for the shutters/door/siding selections.   I love they way they are coming out.

Staining is done now, painters were finishing up.  Drywall repair done.  They were grading the lot, tearing out the temp driveway, and scraping for the sidewalks today.   Looks like concrete could be going in soon :-)   I need to email my PM this weekend and stress how much I expect the sod to be in before closing.   I can count 4 houses around me that are done with no sod.  Two were done before they could install the sod because of the cold, but the other 2 have closed in the last 6 weeks, which is inexcusable in my book.   I will either have sod or a FIRM installation date before closing.  And no surveys returned until everything is done.  

Few pics of the back garage side for a fellow blogger below, and a shot of the neighbor's hole in the ground through a dirty window also.

Click on one of the photos for a larger slideshow...

Day 68 - Siding and Progress

I stopped by late last night and again today.   My main reason was to measure the garage door for the installers (5 panels = 8' FYI) and measure the windows so I can order blinds for the 2 bedrooms.   The other bedrooms will have to wait a bit, but the master and our daughters room need blinds ASAP.

There seemed to be a slight variation in some of the window sizes (+/- 1/4 inch usually) but all were very close.   Also, the family room windows are huge (75") which we didn't realize when we first built.  Very cool and lets in tons of light.

Speaking of light -- I think all the electric is done.   One of the garage coach lights is out (bulb? wiring?) but everything else seems to be done.   Very cool to see it lit up last night.

Painters were finishing up some stuff today, doors, etc. and staining the rails.   

And lastly we now have siding.  The color is beige, but it doesn't look yellow like the photos show it.  The first photo (front view) is probably the closest color.  

Shutters should be up tonight, maybe the front door trim soon.  

Siding Done

Stain on Rails

1st Floor 1/2 Bath

Back view of Siding