The official count-down has started.

I am sure that just about everyone has heard rumors and speculation about the real estate market in the past 9 months.  The reality is always subjective, and in some ways, portionate to the integration an individual's personal experience and understanding of multiple inputs.  My own reality is that I have fielded a great many calls on this new build project.  I think that the limited inventory on listed houses has provided the impetus for families to look at the possibilities.  People who have been interested in exploring the idea of building or the moving parts of the process, our own experiences and generally if we have found the journey to be akin to self-injurious behavior.  If you have questions or I can be a resource for friends or family, please don't hesitate to reach out!  

Painting:

Early on in the process, the builder informed us that when we signed the sworn construction statement it was essentially a written contract for materials and services.  We could make the decision to upgrade materials and the end result would be an increase in cost.  We could put forward change orders, and that in turn would increase costs as well.  We could down grade materials, or services to shrink the costs as well.  We made a decision to cover the costs of the painting budget, and would supply our own labor and materials.

Conceptually speaking, the thought was to save money so we could upgrade on other materials.  Here's what we learned.  When the builder informed us we would be responsible for touch-ups and dings we were still on board for the budget saving maneuver.  Our responsibility was to paint the ceilings, and walls with two coats of paint.  That meant 3 bedrooms, 1 office, 1 bonus room, living room, kitchen, 2 baths, laundry room, 4 hallways, 4 closets. 1 pantry.   I was utterly useless in this entire process, and in-fact may have caused more work than if I had gone fishing.  I over sprayed 100% of the walls and one bath tub which still needs my attention.  Kelly, her mom, Jodi P and Kevin L were incredibly hardworking.  A week ago the house looked really good and Kelly and I were feeling like we were on track and in a good place.  Saturday was a day of tears.  The drywall crew came in and "touched up" each and every wall in the house, added new mud and tape in places and it appeared as though this house had done them some sort of injustice and a measure of retribution was required.  The entire house needs to be repainted.  The coup de grace was when we saw the trim boards in place.  We were then told it was the responsibility of the painter to fill all nail holes, paint the new trim boards, and run a bead of caulk on all trim.  I am sure that the installer doesn't want the trim boards to dislodge from the drywall, but man those are not load-bearing elements to the house and do not require 47 holes from a brad nailer!  

The ceiling was installed.  The boards were filthy and a little beat-up.  The ceiling needed to be wiped down and painted with two coats.  After a conversation, Kelly and I agreed to contact the builder and ask if the painter could come out and do the ceiling for us.  I could not entertain the idea of getting scaffolding and spending the energy and time on the ceiling.  I honestly didn't think the tongue and groove ceiling would need to be painted.  The end result is this.  Make sure you are aware of all the moving pieces when you agree to take on a portion of the build.  I think Bob Ross was high for every episode.

Flooring:

Are you really suppose to call it the "owners" bedroom and not the master bedroom anymore?  The "bill-payers" space is the last room that needs flooring.  

Bathrooms:

Title is done in the second bathroom, and almost done in the shower and sauna.  

Challenges:

The propane tank has been delivered.  There is no well pump.  The builder will need to get out the warming blankets to thaw the ground and dig a trench from the well to the house.  The well guy does wells, and not trenches.   We will have a temporary hook up from the propane tank to the house till the spring when Range LP will do the final install.  

Thanks for reading!  I will keep firing these off for your entertainment!