OH MY, WHAT A BUSY WEEK....

The PM called us on Thursday, since he took Friday off.  According to the PM, ....the plumbing should be completed on Friday (07/08); the electrical wiring should be completed on Monday (07/11); and roof should be done by Saturday (07/09).   Next week, Guardian should be done by Tuesday (07/12), a few inspections will occur, and the PM will complete a frame punch-out (we believe this is his final walk-thru with the contractors to make sure everything is complete and correct before our pre-drywall walk-thru).  If all goes well the insulation will be installed on Thursday and they will begin to hang the dry-wall.  Pre-drywall meeting is set for Thursday, 07/14 at 9:30 AM.  (Whoooooo Hoooooo!!!!!!)  We are just a tad bit excited.

Yesterday (07/08), we met with Guardian to finalize the layout of our options in the basement.  We also added a few cable/data outlets (1 in the master bedroom and 1 in the family room).

We also met with a landscape architect to discuss our options regarding the landscaping for the front and back yard.  We expressed our needs/wants and within a few weeks he will provide us with a design layout.  We plan to meet with several other architects over the next few weeks and we plan to have a decision made on a landscaper by mid-August, so that work can begin as soon as we close on the house.

Landscaping plan (within the next 3-5 years)

• irrigation system - front and back yard (Priority #1)
• landscaping - front and back yard, includes maintain grass, add trees, add flower beds, etc. (We really need assistance in this area.  We have such a big front yard and we want it to be very appealing with a lot of curb appeal; however, since we have very busy schedules we need it to be low maintenance.  Neither of us know much about plants, so we are really counting on the landscaper to provide a lot of guidance.)
• front yard additions - terrace the hillside with retaining walls, add walkway from front porch to main sidewalk
• back yard additions - add partly covered patio off of morning room with area to entertain, a place to grill, and maybe a fire pit, add a play area (swing set, sand box, playhouse, etc.), convert egress window into walk-out from basement, add in-ground pool (last item on priority list)

Next week, we plan to call a few moving companies so we can get a few estimates.  We hope to receive our actual closing date soon so we can begin to schedule shut-off notices with the utility companies, update our address, etc.. 

We hope to make it out to the property this weekend to check out the progress and will post some pictures of the progress.  For now, we have to catch up on what our fellow bloggers have been up to for the past week.  Happy weekend everyone!!!

PROGRESS and MORE PICTURES (TAKEN 07/03)

Sorry this post is a little late...with the busy holiday weekend and our niece has been staying with us for a couple of days, we just haven't had the time to blog.  We made another visit to the property on Sunday, 07/03, this time we took some family members with us.  Not much changed since our last visit a few days ago; however, we snapped some random pictures of the progress.

This week...according to the PM, the electric and plumbing will be complete.  Guardian will begin; however, it may be held up since we have to go back on Friday, 07/08 to finalize the layout of the options in the basement.  Also, the roof should be started if not finished by the end of the week. 

Here are a few pictures....





front yard
entering the development

 



front yard
street view

 




back yard

 

front yard w/ rough grading
from right-side of property





roofing materials
will be completed by end of next week (07/09/2011)





more roofing materials



front foyer
taken from solarium

kitchen
taken from family room

family room stairs to 2nd floor

family room
taken from top stairs to 2nd floor

shower valve system



spa shower with plumbing

2nd floor hallway looking at stairs and 2 bedrooms
taken from master bedroom

Bath #2 shower/bath

backyard from 2nd floor bedroom
possible location of in-ground swimming pool

jack/jill bath/shower
for bedroom 3 & 4

rough-in for powder room
located in basement

It appears that they added the rough-in for the shower;
however, we didn't add the shower. 
Hmmmm...we need to look into that.

not sure why they have the wood hanging down into the
basement like this....very interesting.

master bedroom sitting area
taken from master bedroom

ceiling beam support in morning room

pantry and refrigerator area
kitchen

closet in laundry room

washer/dryer location in the
laundry room

service door in the garage
We are sooooo very happy that RH was able to
accommodate this custom request.

support beams
basement



LOOKING FOR ADVICE...

UPDATE ... We fixed the comments to allow for comments from anyone.  Please let me know if you continue to have problems.  We were wondering why we were not receiving comments.  Thanks Shara for letting us know about the issue and for the advice.

We are meeting with the electrical and flooring contractors tomorrow.  We have an idea on what we want; however, we are always open to hear what others have to say.  Any advice is greatly appreciated.

BTW, love all of the blogs....it is nice to see we don't have to do this alone.

CHECK OFF ONE, ADD TWO MORE...

As we check off one item from the endless "To Do List", we seem to add more items.  However, the entire process is very exciting and is going very well.  Everyone has been very helpful, friendly, and accommodating to our schedule.

NVR APPROVAL
We received notice that our financing is approved.  The next step is to get on the construction "start" schedule, set-up a formal meeting with the Project Manager, and schedule the pre-construction meeting. 

ELECTRICAL
We are scheduled to meet with the contractor on Friday, April 8th to discuss the wiring for the electrical, cable, and phone jacks.  We have already decided that we want additional cable and phone jacks; as well as, electrical boxes for either a ceiling light or fan.

FLOORING
We are scheduled to meet with the contractor on Friday, April 8th to discuss the flooring options.  We have an idea on what we would like to do; however, it is subject to change based on either us changing our minds or cost.

HOME LOCATION PLAN (PLOT PLAN)
We are scheduled to meet with the Sales Rep. and PM to discuss the placement of our house on the property.  The PM is suggesting to push the house back from the road an additional 15-20 feet, which will allow for less of a slope in the front yard, but takes away from the back yard.

WHAT WE SIGNED UP FOR...

On 03/29/2011, we met with Ryan Homes to review the options and sign papers to move forward with building the Waverly model on lot #5.

Waverly without the solarium
We will update with our house with the solarium once it is built.

Waverly
Premium lot - .77 acres
Elevation D
Front - Brick Veneer, Side/Back - Vinyl siding (need to choose a color)
Shutters (need to choose a color)
Front Door (need to choose a color)
Garage - 3 car side entry garage

Main Floor
Kitchen - added gourmet island, Wyoming square cherry Bordeaux Timberlake cabinets, laminate counter tops, stainless steel appliances (includes double oven, microwave, and gas cook top) and ice maker line (we will purchase a stainless steel refrigerator later)
Morning Room - added optional side windows
Family Room - added side wall stone fireplace (Aspen) and optional side window
Dining Room - added tray ceiling and optional bay window
Living Room
Solarium
Laundry Room - (we will purchase a washer/dryer later)
Powder Room

Second Floor
Owner's Suite - upgraded to Luxury Owner's Suite, includes extended bathroom over 3 car garage
Bedroom #2 - added optional full bath
Bedroom #3/#4 - jack/jill full bathroom

Basement
Finished w/ powder room
Media Room - Opted not to finish this room; we plan to finish it later
(2) HVAC - added humidifier (main and solarium) [Update: Confirmed that we will have 3 HVAC units (attic unit controls the 2nd floor, basement unit controls the basement and main floor, and solarium unit controls the solarium)]

Additional standard/options
Crown and chair molding
All brushed nickel fixtures

Outstanding (TBD) options
Flooring
Electrical (wiring/outlets)
Drain in garage
Columns (Dining/Living room and Owner's Suite)
Inside/Outside lighting

Incentives
Finished basement (credit) - $15100
Front Brick (credit) - $10000
Sprinkler System (credit) - $5000
Transfer tax cash discount (RH pays half) - approx $6391

We have 14 days from 03/29/2011 to finalize structural plans and 30 days to finalize the electrical and flooring plans.  We will provide updates as we finalize the plans.

The following is the Waverly floor plans, elevation D; however, the plans are opposite of our layout.  Our house will be built "reverse plan".  The driveway/garage will be on the left-side and the solarium/living room/dining room will be on the right-side.

Waverly - Elevation D - First Floor
(with optional 3 car garage, gourmet island, morning room, solarium)

Waverly - Elevation D - Second Floor
(with optional full bathroom, jack/jill full bathroom, luxury owner's suite/bathroom)

Waverly - Elevation D - Basement
(finished with powder room)



 ***Thanks to all of the other bloggers for some really great suggestions and ideas.***