Long Overdue Update

It's been almost two weeks since my last update, and we're making slow but steady progress.   It appears as though most trades have at least stopped by to begin completing their work.  But for the most part, everything looks "half" done.  Half of the trim has been painted and half of the downspouts are in place.  Half of the light fixtures have been installed and half of them have working electricity.  Etc. etc.  Is there a method to this madness?

The tile and vinyl flooring are complete!  And all of the closet shelving is in place!  We even have toilet paper holders!  We're getting closer and closer and can't wait to move into our new home!  However, there is ALOT of work that needs to be done before our pre-settlement demonstration.  We have a sizable punch list (large and small items) that needs to be addressed.  Unfortunately, we have not had a conversation with PM in over 2 weeks so I'm on pins and needles wondering if his list is as long as my list.  We were suppose to meet him at the house last week, but he needed to reschedule for this coming week.  We're still not sure what day we're meeting with him. . . . . And I'm starting to get antsy. . . . . And to top it off . . .

We noticed a strong gas odor outside of the house where the gasline enters the home.  I will be sending an FYI email to PM about this shortly so he can check on it bright and early tomorrow. 

Overall, everything looks as expected.  And for the most part, the workmanship has exceeded my (low) expectations.  Our island, range, dishwasher, toilets, and plumping fixtures are in the garage so I assume at least "half" of them will be in place by the end of the week!

Photo Time!

Base Lighting Package - Brushed Nickle

(I will update with a photo of the foyer light once it's installed.)

Upstairs Hall Bath

Master Bathroom

Powder Room

Dining Room



Flooring

Note:  The flooring appears much darker in these photos than in person.

Just FYI for those who are in their research or selections phase.....

Master Bath
Upgraded Tile - Brixton Bone

Master Bath
Upgraded Tile - Brixton Bone
Yikes!  I didn't notice that pink undertone in person!



Hall Bath
Base Level Vinyl - Glenville Creme




Foyer
Base Level Vinyl - Bridgeton Cinnamon



Kitchen
Base Level Vinyl - Bridgeton Cinnamon

Another attempt at getting a good representation of
Base Level Vinyl - Bridgeton Cinnamon

Standard Shelving - Pantry

Porch Columns!
Can't wait to see that "Fine Wine" door!

Is this what everyone's fireplace logs look like?
I feel like we're missing one or two or three - seems a bit sparse.

Interior Progress! Lots of Pics!

So far this week, there has been a lot accomplished on the inside of the house.  On Monday, the doors and trim on the first level, cabinets, counters and fireplace were all installed.  Today, the banisters were installed and the 2nd level was completed (trim, cabinets, counters).  There were workers building a retaining wall next to the driveway when we stopped by this evening as well.

Everything looks pretty good.  We're very happy with the cabinets.  All of the lower cupboards have pull-out drawers!  I was under the impression that we would only have those in the island!  Score!  Another nice surprise was seeing the crown moulding extended to the upstairs hallway!  Score again!  That being said, there are some things that we plan to bring to PMs attention.  To name a few, our mantel is not centered on the fireplace surround, the chair rail is missing in the foyer, there is shoddy trim and windowsill installation in several areas and a funky "double door" cabinet in kitchen that I really hope can be replaced with a single door.

I also noticed a box of door "knobs" in our garage - the lever style that I've seen on most blogs.  During our selection meeting, I specifically asked SR for door knobs and not levers, especially for the front door, and was told this would not be a problem.  Hopefully, PM can still order the door knobs and use the levers on another home.

Photo time!



Wyoming Cherry Spice Cabinets
Do you see the funky double doors?
Upper cabs to left of where range will be?



Butterum Granite laminate countertops



Love all of the pull-out drawers!

This little drawer is perfect for herbs, spices and jars of seasoning!



Love the pantry!  And the two panel doors!

Slate Fireplace
Looks like the electrician needs to re-locate the light switch on the right -
The surround pretty much covered it up!
(You can't tell that the mantel is off-center in this photo....)

Crown, chair rail and cased opening

Stairway to 2nd level




Upstairs banister




Master bath vanity:  Wyoming Cherry Spice cabinets with
white cultured marble countertops
(We purchased our own mirrors.)



Retaining Wall

Maybe tomorrow our island will be installed....



Exterior Progress!

There has been significant progress on the exterior of our home.  Besides a few brick repairs that need to be done, we're very happy with how everything is coming together!

We now have a driveway!

And shutters!

"Black Watch Green" shutters

They finished the trim and siding as well.

"Stone Mountain Clay" siding

Once the forms were removed from our concrete porch, we noticed a few cracked bricks and several places where the mortar has come loose.  We're confident that PM will have it taken care of once we bring it to his attention.  He has already found a few other areas where the brick was not to his satisfaction and had it repaired - We're glad that is as detail oriented - just like us!  Here's what to look for:

cracked brick and mortar

missing mortar

cracked brick (top right) and missing mortar

Sloppy globs of mortar under windowsill

missing mortar



hole where brick meets front door threshold


We have a very exciting week ahead of us.  The ceiling is stippled and the drywall is painted.  Now it's time for trim, cabinets, counters and doors!  We finally get to see what is inside those boxes in the garage and watch our selections come together.  We can't wait! 

On the NVR/closing front, we are scheduled for our Pre-Settlement Demonstration on May 14th (exactly one month from today!) and will close as planned/negotiated on June 1st!  WooHoo!  Only 46 days to go!  Let the packing begin!

Steps & Siding!

On Friday we arrived to freshly poured steps and walkway.  And we saw the start of our siding.  The siding on the entire back of the home was finished today - It was very dreary outside so I'll try to get some good pics tomorrow.  The drywallers are still chugging along on the inside - seems like the drywall is taking forever!!  Here are some pics of our exterior progress:

Now we can use the front door

The stairs looks steeper than they are in "real life"

I love how the brick "wraps" around the right side of the house

Stone Mountain Clay vinyl siding

Morning room door and 2 of the family room windows

Christmas! Or something like it. . . .

This evening we found a ton of goodies in our garage!

Lots of cabinets!

Study doors!

More doors!



Loving the 2 panel doors!

Besides cabinets and doors, we found bathroom sinks, trim, and banisters.  In the backyard, a pile of siding and shutters are waiting to be installed.  According to PM, the siding intallation will begin tomorrow or Monday.  The drywallers are finishing up the tape and mud inside and it sounds like there will be paint on the walls by the end of next week.  PM also mentioned something about pouring the concrete for the front porch and putting a layer of asphalt on our driveway at some point soon.  Things seem like they're moving at the speed of lightining!

Slow, but steady progress

The brick front is done and the scaffolding is down!  Can't wait to see it with the Black Watch Green shutters and Fine Wine front door!  We expect the siding to begin sometime next week.

Biscay Brick

The drywallers haven't returned since they first hung the drywall.  We assume they are running behind and hope to see some progress inside before the end of the week.  However, we did see a little present in our garage this evening which makes me believe that we aren't too far away from cabinet and counter installation.

"Butterum Granite" Laminate Countertops!

Pleasantly surprised to see a "bullnose" edge!