Tick, Tock...

We have just over three weeks to closing and move in day. It's hard to believe the big day is almost here. It's a little harder to take pictures of the progress these days because they have now moved in the appliances and locked the doors, so no more sneaking in. But we do have some updated photos of the outside of the house. From what we can tell, they just need to lay the carpets, finish painting, and do the landscaping. They laid and stained the hardwood floors, installed the light fixtures, and more within the last few weeks. They're really cruising on our neighbors houses too, and we were lucky enough to even meet some of our neighbors at a little block party the other day. Feels like home already. :)

Siding, and cabinets, and tile...oh my

We're just a month away, can hardly believe it. So much of the house is done inside and out already. The siding, shutters, and even driveway are done. The cabinets, tile, molding, baseboards and trim are done. They even started installing the wrought iron spindles...which we love. It's so close we can almost taste it. They're coming along on our neighbors houses too, foundations are in and they are starting with their framing. Better start packing, move day will be here before we know it!

Walls are up.

It's really starting to look like a home now, the drywall makes such a huge difference. With the drywall up, it looks more cozy. Next should be cabinets, lighting, flooring, etc...all the fun aesthetic stuff. They've even started on our neighbor's homes. We also checked out one of our other neighbor's homes being built across the street and got a few neat photos from their top floor of our home.

Operation Sierra Whiskey

Operation Sierra Whiskey, otherwise known as Operation Speaker Wire, was a huge success. The mission commenced at approximately 1900 hours. Reconnaissance was done approximately 24 - 48 hours in advance. Look-outs were posted and equipment was smuggled in under the cover of dusk. Working at a fevered pace, holes were drilled, insulation was flying, sweat was pooling, and wires were hung. Mission accomplished at approximately 2200 hours. Thanks to the following under cover agents, Dan, Alex, Reggie and Dana, for executing a successful mission.

Pretty Pretty Portico

We have successfully completed the pre-drywall walk-through. We were pleased with all the workmanship and progress. Our own inspector only found minor things that she suggested be addressed. While on the walk-through we got a heads-up that the drywall will be hung in a few days. So, if some little faeries want to sneak in to the house to hang speaker wire, there is a tight window of opportunity. So we'll see if the faeries are successful.

It's looking like a house...

We now have windows, wiring, plumbing, and the stone on the front of the house. It's really starting to look like a house now. We've also been pleased with the progress and the workmanship. We can see where they've run the wiring, very neat and clean, with insulation around everything. We've also noticed where a few notes have been left for the workers to correct areas that don't meet their standards. We're assuming it's our project manager leaving the notes, but who ever it is, we're glad they're covering all the bases. We're already scheduled for our pre-drywall walk through too. Approximately another two months to go. It's going by so fast.

Busy Bees

The construction is moving along at such a quick pace we can barely get out frequently enough to keep up the pictures. We've been told that once the outside is pretty well set and they move inside, that things will slow down a bit. Shouldn't be long now before they do just that.

Taking Shape

The first floor is taking shape. Even with all the rain, they are diligently working away. It's amazing how fast things move, but we can finally see where things will be and envisioning how things will look when it's finished. Probably this time next week, I'll be posting pictures of the second floor.

There's a hole!

Who knew that a hole in the ground could be so exciting. Well, it is for us. After months of waiting, the construction has finally begun.

We pretty much drive out every weekend, which I've heard is pretty normal and not at all obsessive.

So, on one of our regular visits we were over joyed to see a huge hole in the ground. Especially with all the rain we've had. It was more like a mud pit, but hey...beggers can't be choosers. The next day we went out again to see if the hole was still a hole or if they started doing anything else to it. They sure had started doing something...they had poured our foundation and started putting in the footings. THE WRONG WAY...yup, they had totally started putting the house in flipped the wrong way. Our garage was suppose to be on the left side of the house and they were putting it in on the right. Now, it's an honest mistake, we did decide to flip the house from it's original orientation, so the driveway cut-in was laid for the original plan, and the workers just went off the of the driveway cut-in. Luckily, we got a hold of the project manager through some phone tree tag using a couple of the sales agents, he called one of his subcontractors and they rectified the problem. Whew...crisis averted.

After a few minor changes to interior walls, the garage and front stoop foundation, and the steps coming up from the basement...all is right with the layout. If this is the biggest issue we have, we'll be in good shape.

Now, we just hope the rain holds out so they can keep up the momentum.

Floorplan

It might be a little hard to see from these floor plans, but since we don't have anything else to share, here you go.

The first floor will have a study for Dan, formal living room, dining room, kitchen, family room, and laundry.  We have chosen to do all hardwood floors on the first floor except in the family room, where we'll have carpet.  

The second floor has 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.  My home office will be one of the upstairs bedrooms, and plenty of room for family and friends to visit. Dan will have a hobby room upstairs as well.  There will be hardwood through the hallway but carpets in the bedrooms.

The house will have a basement, but we're leaving it unfinished for now.  

Sold Sign

Dan and I putting up the "Sold Sign," making it official.  

Selections

This past weekend we were able to meet with the builder and make our color selections on things like cabinets, floors, carpets, siding, etc...

The house will have a stone water table, which means that stone will come up about 3 - 4 feet from the foundation, then the rest of the house will be siding.  We went with white siding and white trim, with a "Carolina Slate" door and "Midnight Blue" shutters.  Originally we thought about white siding & trim, with a black door and black shutters, but after holding the samples up to some actual stone, we decided that the slate door and blue shutters actually look better with the stone.

The rest was fairly simple.  "Mocha" cabinets, medium cherry stain for the wood floors, light "fox white" for the carpets and "sapphire blue" granite for the counter tops in the kitchen, and slate surround for the fireplace.

It's all still conceptual, so it will be neat to see it all come together.  Stay tuned...