Merry Christmas

I hope everyone that reads this had a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and i hope you have a Happy New Year.

The plumbers and electricians are doing their rough-ins and have gotten a lot done I think the plumbers plan on being done Friday or soon after and the electrician will be done the first of the year then the HVAC guy will be coming behind them. The siding guys are almost done - we didn't have quite enough siding so we are waiting for the shipment to come in...

We were soooo lucky to get everything all closed in before all the rain - in the 5 weeks the house was being framed prior to getting a roof on i think we only had 2 little sprinkles and that's it so we were very lucky!!

New picture

I have new pictures and they started the siding today so i'll have some more soon...

Windows..Roof

I will post some better pictures this weekend but here's some updated ones for now. The roofers will be done today, the side wrap is on, all the windows are set, and the framers are done. The plumbers are supposed to be in tomorrow and the electric and hvac behind them. While that's going on i hope to start getting the siding on prior to Christmas but not sure if that will happen.

Update...

Ok I stopped and took some pictures this morning so I could update everyone. The framers are almost done they just have a few little things to complete now. The shingles are being put on today or tomorrow and the plumbers are scheduled for next week so everything is moving along great! I did a little snag it work on some of the photos so everyone could see where rooms are and all that good stuff...

Cold week...

Well despite the cold weather and WIND the guys were able to get all the roofing finished and it's almost ready for shingles. It looks like the shingles will be put on next week so that it will all be weathered in and we've been very lucky with the weather so far...so we hope it will continue for one more week until we can get the shingles on then next is the siding.

Here's the latest picture:

TGIF!

Well...as you can see the progress is coming along great!! It's so exciting to look forward to getting off work to go see the progress of the day...it's very cool to see it all come together and to be able to make decisions regarding what is taking place! We have already been able to change a few minor things and add a few minor things (without upping the cost) which usually doesn't happen when you have a contractor...so that has been GREAT!! Michael and his guys are doing a great job and he takes a personal interest in building the house so the confidence and comfort are a nice experience as well!

Here are the latest pictures. And oh as far as what's next - he anticipates being totally done by Dec. 12th so we hope to get the roof on before Christmas so it's protected by the elements. The plumbers, electrician, HVAC, roof, siding are all lined up and ready to go...

My Current Favorite Picture

More Pictures!

Lot's of progress happenin! Here are some more pic's....

Updated Pictures

The first floor is pretty much complete and they were starting the second floor today :)

Walls and floors and windows OH MY!!

So we have floors and walls, and places for windows and doors :) Just a quick picture update for everyone this morning!

First Day Driving the Truck!

Ok...so I couldn't resist putting pictures of the lumber guy getting stuck in the driveway. Apparently 40 foot of driveway wasn't enough for him..lol. 3 hours later Grandy pulled him out with the tractor.

Brick almost complete...Framers started today!

Progress!!

Hey guys it's AB....Just adding some pic's of this weeks progress! The projection inspection passed last week, and they are coming today to do one on the temporary power pole. Everything seems to be moving along as planned!! The framers should be starting next week, and then we'll really see this thing take shape! Thanks for checking in!

More Pictures

The block work is now one course all the way around and the corners are all up. The Projection Inspection (the 2nd of about 7 needed) is scheduled for today and hopefully all will pass for the block guys to finish up. The lumber will be delivered on the 12th and the framer will begin the same day. I'll keep adding pictures! :)

New Pictures

Breaking Ground

It's OFFICIAL...we have the building permit and Diggin' Dick was at the lot bright and early this morning breaking ground. He said he's going to beat the rain!
As bad as we need rain you know it will start raining now that we're trying to build the house while we were doing all the paperwork there was no rain in sight - but hopefully we can get some much needed rain that won't hurt our progress all at the same time!

Everything with the sub-contractors is going well so far even though I know we are very early in that process but the footing will be done by Friday. The brick and block is being delivered on Friday. The foundation guy is starting on Monday and the framer is set to start Nov. 5th. So, everyone is on schedule and the timing of all that is going good so far. I will be posting new pictures on the regular now to show everyone the progress. It's nice to have visible progress!!! :)

I was so excited last night i couldn't sleep :)

We Can FLUSH!!!

I went and picked up the septic permit this morning and took everything to the next step which is the zoning permit which should only take a couple of days to get back and then on to the building permit...

I'm thinking about framing the piece of paper that I finally received from the health department today which I totalled up and that piece of paper is worth just shy of $3k...WOW!!! All of that to be able to flush!! That was just for the piece of paper I can't imagine what the total cost to flush will end up being...LOL!

So after a couple of months of frustration and pure entertainment by incompetent people we are on to the next step!

I attached the permit so everyone could share in the joy!!! :)

YOU'RE FIRED!

Hey its Anna...I thought I would try my hand at this bloggin stuff. We do apologize for the long span with no news,but the only news we had was bad..and involved lots of cuss words to explain! Since the last post we have had to fire the septic lady and get a new guy based out of Williamsburg. The short version is that the lady was terrible, hard to get in touch with, and just basically didn't do her job! Luckily this guy in wburg came recommended and so far he's done an excellent job of getting things to the health department. Fingers crossed if all goes well we may have the septic permit tomorrow or Monday! If that happens, the building permit should soon follow...and you know what that means kiddies...that's right...we might actually break ground!!! No more cutting grass on an empty lot! Speaking of cutting grass, if you get the chance, ask Dana about how I almost killed her on the big tractor! It's funny now, not so funny at the time! I think after 3 weeks the bruises have just about disappeared!

Nothing other than that to report...hopefully Dana will get the permit and we can start posting pictures of the progress!

The first FUN story...

So the first fun story to tell about dealing with others that don't know how to do their job. The septic lady claimed for days that she had my stuff ready however she began not answering the phone and not calling me when she said she would in order for me to get the stuff I needed. Well, she had the mistake the first time I ever met her to give her all the information she needed of letting me come to her house...so I know where she lives.
I finally had been patient long enough in my mind so Anna and I rolled up to her house and she was out in the yard and a little shocked to see me. Once again she started with the excuses and she promised to have it to me the next day. The next day came and went and nothing...the following day I finally got her on the phone and this time she tried to blame it on the health department. I called the Health Dept. myself and got the stuff she said they couldn't find and went to her house again that night. This time she wouldn't come to the door so I left a "NASTY GRAM" on her door threatening her if it wasn't in my hands the following day that I didn't want it and she would not receive a dime. Funny how somehow the next day it was not only in my hand but turned into the health department for me.
Needless to say that put me a week to possibly 2 weeks behind from when I figured I would be done with all the paperwork but everything is in place and on track again and we're keeping our fingers crossed for no more hold-ups with the paperwork. I hope to start the beginning of September....

Just wanted to give everyone an update...

Money in da Bank!!

Ok so it's official there is no turning back now I have to build a house. I just closed on my construction loan this morning and signed my life away! Everything is in place to start I just have to get the building permit. I am waiting on the septic permit which should be to me this week and then I plan on going to get the building permit next week. We have continued to receive bids and so far everything is still coming in under budget which is great news!!!

We can't wait to get started and it's becoming more and more REAL!!!! Soon I hope to be updating you with pictures of ground breaking etc...stay posted!!

Dirt Devils...

Well...it was a great week with Dirt Devils! We finished the week 5-2 and finished 14th out of 58. We lost both games on Friday by 1 run. So, now I have plenty of time on my hands to build a house. I haven't had much progress since I've been gone for a week but everything has probably worked out just right as far as timing is concerned. Dirt Devils is over and closing on my construction loan will probably be this week or next week and I should have my permit next week hopefully...if not then the following week.

So, it's time to focus on just the house and that's it. Tomorrow the new plat should be ready to pick up - I will take that to the septic designer which will then have my septic permit ready for me. Once I have the septic permit I can then go get my building permit. :)

There should be lots of updates coming soon - thanks for checking on us! :)

I LOVE MY DEVILS!!

Appraisal...

The appraisal has already come back and came in much higher than anticipated which is great because of the equity shown already in the house. They anticipate that I can close on the construction in about 2 weeks.
I wanted to take all the information to the County for the permit on Friday but I'm not sure if that will happen because I have to have all the information in from the septic as well as the new plat so it might have to wait until I get back from Maryland with the Dirt Devils.

Everything is coming together well I continue to receive bids and estimates and everything is under what I've estimated for the bank which is great so the savings for all the hard work is looking like it's going to pay off big time!

We are leaving Saturday to head to Maryland for the World Series with the Dirt Devils wish us luck!!! :)

Almost there...

So, I just realized I haven't updated in a while and lots has been happening. I have been so busy trying to get everything done and with Dirt Devils that I haven't taken time to update the blog.

The money is almost in the bank - I went last Thursday and turned in all my paper work etc. and everything looks good and he said I should have everything ready to break ground by about Aug. 16th. So, we're shooting for this date.

I have estimates in for footing, foundation, framing, lumber, windows and waiting on a few others. I definitely know who is doing my footing which is the first step so that's a good start. While we're waiting for all the money paper work to go through we are continuing to get estimates on everything needed.

I found out since the last post that a company has to design my septic system which the health department didn't bother to tell me...so that is in the works now as well to the tune of about $1500 not to mention the $19,000 it will take to install the system. We decided to put a septic fund jar on the back every toilet in the house and you have to put in a $1 per flush and maybe in years we'll pay for it...hahahaha. The best part about this was Mr. Hawkins came out to do survey of where the house was going to go on the lot and the septic lady came the following day in the house had to be moved so Mr. Hawkins had to come back out to re-do he was supposed to be coming out today. I think we finally got all that straight and settled though.

The driveway is all set now and the big rocks are setting up well. Although, the septic woman seemed to have some issues and went out of the driveway straight into the ditch...wow what an idiot...luckily she didn't mess up my driveway and Dad and Bubba pulled her out with the tractor.
I am taking all of my information to the county this week probably Friday to obtain the building permit.

I think that's all the updates for now - i'll keep you posted it's beginning to seem REAL!

I actually already have another update:

• The plans are with Stock Building Supply and they will have the lumber, window, and doors take-off list done by next week. Then they pass it on to their engineer who has to do the LVL data sheet which is something the County requires to pull the permit.
• The Framer is coming to look at the plan tomorrow to give me an estimate on framing it.
• One of the guy's Anna works with is meeting with foundation guy tomorrow to determine a material list for brick and block and we're getting that at a discount as well.
• We picked out our faucets and some of that stuff last night and marked some pages etc. Anna still can't decide on hers but we have a good idea.

My goal is to give all the information to the bank by July 16th to start the construction loan process and to pull the building permit the same week. :)

Blueprint

We officially have a BLUEPRINT!!! :) :) :)

Now the real work begins...trying to get bids and starting the construction loan process and pulling the permit so we can finally break ground.