PRE-DRYWALL SUMMARY / SCHEDULED FINAL WALK-THRU and CLOSING

The pre-construction meeting lasted a little over an hour.  During the meeting, we discovered a few issues; however, over all it was a good meeting. Our PM is really good at making sure that all of our needs are met and that we are happy.

The insullation was being hung at the time we were doing our pre-drywall meeting, which concerned us a little because we didn't feel that the home inspector would be able to see all of the details.  However, the home inspector didn't seem to be worried about it and said he could work around it.  There were so many details for us to look at and we mainly focused on the ones that we were confortable with, such as # of outlets and the custom requests and we left the inspection of the structure up to the home inspector.  The next day, we received a report via email.  The report stated, "...framing, as well as the electrical, plumbing and hvac rough in have been complete in a workman like maner." and "the master bathroom rough in for custom work appear to be in line with fixtures to be installed."  It went onto say, "It is recommended that the insulation can now be applied and finish to the drywall completed. No concerns were noted that would not permit the next stage of construction."  For peace of mind, we are glad that we spent the money and had an outside home inspector look over the structure.  We plan to use the same home inspector at the final walk-thru.

Additional information from pre-construction meeting:

Garage - floor has been poured, garage doors installed, and additional insullation hung (exterior walls)

***Funny story - after the pre-drywall meeting, we left the site and returned a few hours later to take a few pictures.  When we got out of the car, the PM met us out front of the house to inform us not to be alarmed; however, when he went to close the main garage door the track fell and he was waiting for the contractor to come back to determine if there is any damage.  A few hours later, we received a text with a picture of the garage door back on the tracks; however, the PM said he may need to replace a few panels. ***

garage door fell down
view from outside

garage door fell down
view from inside garage

garage door all fixed
text from PM

Master bathroom - custom tub rough-in installed; Also, we had RH removed 2 walls on the left and right of the tub, which will add extra space to the area.  This will make it easier to get around the tub for cleaning the floors.  A GREAT suggestion made by our PM. 

claw foot tub rough-in
We will install the tub after closing.

Master bathroom - spa shower system rough-in is complete.  Since we decided to remove the custom tub, but we kept the shower seat; the PM made a suggestion that we shorten the shower seat about 4" to avoid it sticking out into the bathroom.  We agreed with the suggestion and feel that it will make it easier to maneuver around the tub. 



custom spa shower system rough-in install is complete



spa shower valve system
located in master bedroom closet

Jack/Jill bathroom (for bedroom #3 and #4) - RH installed rough-in for double sinks; however, we only wanted one bowl.  The PM will fix and ensured that the vanity will have one bowl. 

double bowl sinks rough-in
PM will cap and fix to accomidate a vanity with one bowl

Study - removed the main hallway closet and added the space to the Study.  This called for a "happy dance" right in the middle of our meeting.  We are sooooo very grateful and happy that RH was able to accomidate this request.  We really think that the extra space in the Study will be put to good use. 

removed main hallway closet
adds additional space to the Study

Main stairs installed - per the PM, since we decided not to cover the steps with a runner; there are 2 pieces on the steps that are currently plywood, but before they stain the stairs the plywood will be replaced with oak.

Solarium - HVAC exterior unit - the PM stated that the contractor ran the wires to accomidate the HVAC exterior unitl outside of the solarium on the side wall; however, he suggested that we move it to the back wall...and we agree.  We plan to plant rose bushes on the side wall and we do not want the HVAC unit to be the 1st thing that people see as they drive up to the house.  Another GREAT suggestion from our PM. 

will move the wiring for HVAC system
on back wall to solarium

Brick has arrived...RH will begin to lay brick on Monday and will finish by 07/22



Drywall will begin to be hung on Friday and should be complete by 07/22 and sanding/painting may begin on 07/22

Trim is scheduled to arrive around 07/19

Vinyl siding is schedule to arrive around 07/25

Finally, we discussed the best time for the final walk-thru and closing.  If all goes well, our PM will be finished on-time, Tuesday, 08/29/2011 (Whooooo Hoooooo....way to go PM!!!!).  However, due to accommodating our schedule, the final walk-thru will be on Thursday, 09/01/2011 and the closing will be Tuesday, 09/06/2011 (even louder Whooooo Hoooooo!!!!)

Well there you have it folks, it seems so official now.  And there is soooooo much to do.  Next week, we meet with 5 moving companies for estimates and then let the packing begin.

Pre-drywall jitters....

We didn't make it out to the house this weekend and are sooooo looking forward to seeing the progress on the house on Thursday.  Our pre-drywall meeting is scheduled for this Thursday at 9:30 AM.  We plan to meet the home inspector (that we hired) at the site at 9:00 AM so he can begin the inspection prior to the inspection with the PM.  We want to make sure that we don't miss anything because we feel that after this there is no turning back.  What if we miss something...something BIG that will cause us problems and possibly money in a few years.  This is the first time that we feel that we have to totally trust the people who are building our house that they will do everything in their power to make sure it is done right. 

For those of you that have been through this before, any advice on things we should focus on is greatly appreciated.

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!!!