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!!!

GUARDIAN WALK-THRU and MORE PICS

We met with our Guardian rep. this morning to discuss the layout of the security system, outlets (telephone, cable, data), and audio/speaker system.  We were a little disappointed that we only got to the main and 2nd floor, and that we had to reschedule the walk-thru in the basement to next Friday because RH did not have the steps completed to access the basement; nor was the framing completed in the basement.  Also, according to Guardian, they are unable to start tomorrow because the framing and electrical is not complete.  The Guardian rep. indicated that they should be able to start on Tuesday and should be finished in a day or two. 

We contacted the PM to express our frustration because we feel we should have received a heads up regarding any delays with the framing or electrical because both the PM and RH sales rep. were well aware that we were scheduled to be onsite this morning.  The PM expressed that Guardian should have been able to finish the walk-thru today and begin work tomorrow and indicated that he would follow-up with the Guardian rep. 
During our walk-thru we notices a few more (minor) surprises that we brought to the PM's attention.

1) Master Bathroom decking was installed for an enclosed tub (see pic below). Now for those of you who have been following our blog since conception are well aware that we are installing a custom claw foot tub after closing.  When we brought it to the PM's attention; he informed me that he was aware of it and was not surprised that we brought it up.  The PM indicated that it was a communication error amongst the framing crews and that it would be removed.  Our frustration was if the PM knew about it and knew we were going to be onsite today; don't you think he could of contacted us (email, text, phone) to give us a heads up prior to us finding it out on our own.  Oh well, it has been taken care of and we are ready to move on.

BEFORE
bathroom with decking for enclosed tub

UPDATED PICTURE a few hours later...

AFTER
decking removed, ready for the claw foot tub

2) Master Bedroom closets - base on the layout specs that we received (via RH website) the access to the closets were via the bedroom; however, we noticed that the framing was completed that we would access the closets after we enter the bathroom.  Now we actually are ok with this layout; however, it would have been nice to know before hand just in case this was not ok with us.  When we brought it up to the PM; he was unaware of it and indicated that he would look into it when he got onsite.

UPDATE added at 4:42 p.m.: After speaking with the PM, it is our understanding that this is the correct layout for the bathroom because we upgraded to the luxury owner's suite with a 3 car garage; however, it does not reflect correctly on RH's website.  So we apologize for taking it out on the PM; we should have noticed this when we viewed the blueprints during the pre-construction meeting.  As we mentioned before, we are very happy with this layout and have no complaints.  We appreciate that the PM took a lot of time this afternoon to clear up the confusion.

doorway to the closet on the left

doorway to the closet on the right

The following are a few more pictures that we snapped during our visit. 

Fireplace in family room

HVAC system in attic
for the 2nd floor

bathroom and shower
bedroom #2

HVAC
for main floor and solarium

front view
grading is almost complete

Overall today's visit was very productive.  We will receive our weekly call from the PM tomorrow, which will let us know what was completed this week and what is planned to begin next week.

Until then, we are working on scheduling for a sprinkler system to be installed in the front yard and gathering estimates for professional movers.  Any information or guidance is greatly appreciated.

WOW ... REC'D GUARDIAN ADDENDUM

We met with Guardian last Friday to discuss the security system, phone jacks, cable/network outlets, and audio speakers (inside/outside) and today we received the addendum.  Well let's just say we were not expecting for the final cost to be so high.  We know a lot of the options are based on personal preference; however, any advice/suggestions on how to decrease the cost is greatly appreciated. 

Summary:

Security System Options

• Preferred Builder Security System - Base Package (includes standard keypad, pet motion detector, control panel, siren, 3 door contact, heat)
• Standard Keypad w/ Fixed English Display
• Window Contact
• Glass Break Detector
• Smoke Communicator
• Carbon Monoxide Detector

Home Wiring System Options

• Basic Home Wiring Package (Standard - Telephone/Cable/Data) (includes 8 single wall plate outlets, 4 telephone, 4 cable, basic enclosures 20, upgrade premium 42 enclosures)
• 7 Single Wall Plate Outlets - Cable
• 3 Single Wall Plate Outlet - Data
• Home Network Package w/ 7 Port Router, includes 6 Data Outlets
• Home Network Option: Wireless Access Point - additional cost

Audio System Options

• Lyriq Standard 4 Room Audio System (includes Main Source input, Local Source input, Pair of Klipsch R1650C In-Ceiling)
• AW 500 SM Dual Voice Coil Outdoor speakers - additional cost
• Lyriq Standard 2 room Audio System (includes Main Source input, Pair of Klipsch R1650C In-Ceiling, Multi Source Input)
• AW 500 Dual Voice Coil Outdoor speaker - additional cost
• Four Source Eight Zone Distribution module - additional cost
• Pre-Wire Only Installation Option for Lyriq 4 room Audio System (includes Main Source input location, Local Source input location(s), 3 In-Ceiling Pre-Wire location(s), Outdoor Pre-Wire location(s))
• Pre-Wire Only Installation Option for Lyriq 2 room Audio System (includes Main Source input location, 1 In-Ceiling Pre-Wire location(s), Outdoor Pre-Wire location(s))

Do you know do we have to go with Guardian or do we have option of using other vendors/contractors prior to closing?

Well, we are headed off to bed.  Another big day on getting the current house ready to sell.

WOW...so many decisions were made today

We had an amazing busy day; however, we got so much accomplished.  Please note: Pictures are located on the Picture page.

LOT MEETING
We started our day on the lot - we met our PM and Sales Rep. to discuss the location of the home site.  We agreed with the PM to push back the house an additional 12-15 feet, which will decrease the slope in the front yard.  It will take away from some of the back yard, but there is still enough space to add a patio and eventually an in ground pool.  However, we found out today that we have an easement that runs through the far back part of our back yard (close to the conservation area) to accommodate the sewer line.  We were a little disappointed to just find this out today and plan to do more research to make sure that this does not affect us with our plans to put in an in ground pool in the future. 

Also, today we found out that we are currently 7 weeks out before we break ground, which will be around May 22.  This makes us a little nervous because we already have plans to go on vacation on June 4th-12th.  We are afraid we are going to miss so much of the building process and to get pictures.  We are hoping to get a family member to take some pictures while we are out of town.

ADDITIONAL OPTIONS 
We met with our Sales Rep. and made the following selections.
Brick - Madrid
Vinyl siding - Heritage Grey
Trim - White
Shutters - Grey
Door - Plum Jam
Counters (Kitchen) - Red Montana (3470) Formica (we went with this option because we know that we can get granite counters a lot cheaper and we didn't really like any of the options; so we plan to replace the counters with granite shortly after we move in)
Cabinets (Kitchen and Bathrooms) - Wyoming Square Cherry Bordeaux Timberlake

ELECTRICAL
We ran out of time today and need to schedule an appointment with Sales Rep. to discuss the outlet and wiring option.

RUSMUR - This meeting was 2 hours long and very productive.  We are pretty confident that we will stick with our selections; however, we have until 04/28 to make any changes.

Hardwood - Manchester Plank 3 1/4 Cherry
Foyer, Living Room, Dining Room, Solarium, Kitchen, Morning Room, Powder Room, Study

Carpet - Collinsville 101 Sisal w/ 6 # pad
2nd floor hallway and all bed room (upgrade owner's suite 10 # pad)
Basement, except Powder Room (upgrade padding Karastep rubber 21 # pad)

Carpet - Top Talent 123 Straw w/ 6 # pad
Family Room

Tile - Salerno SL 83 Marrone Chiaro, installed on diagonal
Owner's Bath

Vinyl - Initiator 66177
Laundry Room

Vinyl - Initiator 66200
2nd floor Bathrooms #1/#2, Basement Powder Room

Stairs/Bannister - Direct Set White, Oak, Cherry Stain, No Carpet

GUARDIAN
This meeting was an hour long and very informative, but not as productive as we expected.  We discussed the security system, phone jacks, cable/network outlets, and audio speakers (inside/outside).  Once we receive the quote via email from the rep. regarding the selected options and pricing; we will schedule a follow-up meeting to finalize the selections.