Service and Warranty

When my house was being built, I was told more than once that warranty people would be in touch with me about 9 days after closing, and then again a little further out and then around one year and again at 18-months. So far, I haven't heard anything from anyone unless I open my mouth and ask. Thankfully, Raymond, my construction superintendent has been wonderful in that respect. He's truly been a Godsend from day one (er, Day 41, when he came on).

There are still a couple of things needing attention in my house that didn't get completed 100% and that I need to have done before I feel confident that anything else is on my shoulders to take care of. One, the ceiling where my outdoor ceiling fan was installed is still a jagged, gaping hole. It needs to be caulked, painted and make to look finished. Second, beneath the edges of my countertops is simply some random caulking. It needs to be completed so Im happy with how it looks if I happen to be sitting on the floor and look up at it.

I went ahead and inquired on KB's website under "contact" and "warranty service". Im sure someone will get back with me in a timely fashion. They've been stellar in that respect all throughout my experience.

Day 158: Three Days Til Closing!

Ran by the house this morning and saw the backsplash. It's not all done as it still needs to be installed over the nook and the whole thing needs grouting. As it is right now though, it looks amazing! Its so hard to pick from samples, in hopes that it'll all look good once it's said and done. Im relieved the house is coming along as nicely as I had hoped.

I also ran into Raymond as I was leaving and he mentioned the house was being inspected today, and that Mr. Horton, his boss, would be swinging by. Im glad they are staying on top of things for me. With closing only 3 days away, Im starting to get a bit nervous. Biggest purchase of my life! I couldn't be more happy or ready.

(See Part II below)

Tonight we stopped by and found the house had been cleaned. And the backsplash was finished! It looks so beautiful! Im loving seeing my whole kitchen complete.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 152: Nine Days Til Closing!

Today the countertops were installed. I chose the Eco by Cosentino tops in Polar Cap. They look wonderful! The plastic wrap was still on them until the backsplash gets installed tomorrow. I peeled back a corner tho so I could see them. Pretty! The white looks super clean and gives a nice bright contrast into the room. I'm thrilled with them!
 

Nine days til closing!

 

 

Day 137: Peace

Yesterday was hard. With the last week's stress of lamenting over the granite, and making a new choice so quickly yesterday, I have to say that Im mentally exhausted. I did spend last night staring a the lousy pictures I took of the Eco countertops. I do adore it and am eager to see how it looks in my new kitchen. I know it will work well with my kids and all of the wonderful things we intend on using that huge island for. I can breathe easy knowing that they cant stain it. It doesn't have to be sealed or use any special cleaners on it, which will be easier for me, too. So, overall, I think this whole thing happened for a reason and is working out for the best.

Jennifer called this morning to check and make sure I was happy with the new selections I had made yesterday. I could honestly tell her I was. And am!

This morning I headed over to the house to select where Id like my new trees to be placed. With a blank slate of a yard, tree placement is important as they will eventually give me shade, if I place them in key spots. However, because of the direction my house faces (west-southwest), mostly my neighbors trees will shade my house in the afternoon. My trees will at least help shade my front sideyard. However my beautiful house will give my whole backyard its afternoon shade, which will be incredibly nice in the summertime.

While I was placing bricks where Id' like the trees to be, I found a heart-shaped rock in the dirt.

And last piece of granite was being wheeled out and put onto Summit's truck. Goodbye granite!

 

 

 

Believe it or not, after reading about my new countertops, Eco by Cosentino, Ive learned about how granite can expel radon, an invisible odorless gas which is a Class A carcinogen and a cause of lung cancer. Remember when I said perhaps God knows best? I sure don't need anything like that around my daughter who has asthma. The Eco tops will be much healthier for her and all of us. 

Also, there was a worker there working on the leak in the master bath/kids bathtub area.

When I picked the kids up and stopped by the house today, we noticed white stuff on the floor, so we didn't walk around or look at much. I would take a guess that its in preparation for the wood flooring. I cant wait to see that! In all of the houses Ive ever rented, none of them have ever had anything other than vinyl linoleum and carpet. It will be a wonderful change to have a earthy element in my new home.

I did notice that our nook lower cabinets were installed. Uppers were still not there. Upstairs, in the master bathroom, the leak has been repaired and the wall put back into place. Also, the entry hole to get into the attic now has a cover.

My littlest, who has the best eyes in the family, noticed on our way out that the shingles are finally complete (above the front patio). The house from the front now looks almost finished.

What a good lookin' house!

 

 

 

Last, on our way out of the neighborhood, we met a new neighbor, David, who is building down the street towards the pool. He was checking out his lot. I remember those days! He'll be where we are in no time.

 



Day 136: Meeting About Granite Leads to Changes

This morning I met with Cade Horton, the Regional Operations Manager for KB, along with Rob and Branden from Summit Stoneworks, and Raymond to discuss the granite that was installed. Mr. Horton was able to shed some light in that the samples were switched out after I made my final selections. Consequently, from there, there was a failure to communicate to me about the change. The Summit Stoneworks guys didn't mention a whole lot. They suggested an alternate granite, but it wasn't on my color scheme's radar.

 

Mr. Horton offered for me to reselect my choice for countertops and backsplash. While I'm heartsick that I cannot get the Delicatus granite, I'm thankful he was so helpful in his offer to make it right.  He recommended the Colonial Cream granite that was in the kitchen showroom. After lunch, Mom and I went down to the design studio to have a look, however it wasn't exactly what I wanted. I'm still set on the black and white contrast "look". Perhaps its hard to make a change when you've been planning on having something a certain way for half a year.

 

We browsed through all of the granite, but didn't really see anything in white other than a piece that had purple veining. When I consider the possibility of ever selling my home, would the new buyers want purple countertops?  Eh. No.  Overall I wasn't gaga over any of the granite.

So, then we looked at the Silestone and I did like one. It's a quartz product called Eco and is made by Cosentino, the makers of Silestone. The one I liked is called Polar Cap and it's pure white. It sparkles yet isn't as flashy as granite, but it's also not as difficult to maintain. It's made from 75% recycled materials such as mirror, glass, porcelain, ceramics and vitrified ash. Even 94% of the water used in its manufacturing process is re-used. It's non-porous which makes it ideal for areas where the kids will be. Im also impressed that it doesn't give off any radon like granite does.

 

 

The reason I liked it was because of my initial visit to the KB Home Studio when I went to pick out my initial options. The design kitchen had the Eco countertops in the crystal ash color, a gray with tiny bits of sparkle, which I later learned was from the bits of mirror used in its production. It was, however, unavailable at the time (and still is today). But today, they had the white Polar Cap in the design kitchen and of course, white is the color I have been wanting all along. After seeing that there wasn't a granite that I loved, this was my next favorite in line from the Delicatus. Im happy it was here today or Im not sure what I would have done. Perhaps God knows that, with kids, I needed something that can withstand all of the abuse we'll be throwing at it.

 

 

Next, I picked a new backsplash by Emser Tile called Lucente Stone Blends Servolo glass mosaic. It features clear and matte glass with quartz stone, adding a bit of gold/copper sparkle to it.  It should look amazing with my expresso cabinets and will bring the warmth of the wood flooring up into the room. Even though pictures do not do these two justice, at all, watch in the following weeks for pictures of the countertops and backsplash to be installed. 

 

I have to say that today Mr. Horton, on behalf of KB Home, definitely showed me that they do care about their customers. They were willing to make it right, and in doing so, I continue to be a very happy customer who is equally as proud to have chosen KB Home as my first time home builder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 128: Granite

So it appears I'm unsettled with the granite. At first when I saw it, I was surprised because it was not how I had envisioned or designed. I had my heart set on the sample that I had picked out and ordered at the design studio, and the colors it entailed. I picked out other things based on my kitchen centerpiece--the granite. I chose espresso cabinets to match the chocolate sparkles that Delicatus is known for. I liked the contrast between dark cabinets and white countertops. I chose a sleek, pure white back splash to go with it as well. 

And after lamenting, pouring over pictures, going to see it in person more than once this past weekend, and doing a lot of research, I know this is *not* Delicatus.  

I am convinced this granite is Arctic Cream. I can find plenty of pictures of that and it all looks like what I have installed. It features a beige-ish, latte-colored background with dramatic, striking black lines. It's not white at all.

I have found no other pictures anywhere--not on granite websites, not on blogs, not on home building websites, not on pinterest or Houzz, not even on Summit Stoneworks' website (the granite company who installed this) -- not once have I found a picture of Delicatus that looks like this.

Im definitely going to have to talk to Raymond and Jennifer about this.

 

 

 

 

 

Day 125: Granite

Today granite was installed. I was sort of surprised by it because the look of it was different than I imagined. Turns out it's not *my* granite. This, I am almost certain of, is called Arctic Cream. I ordered Delicatus.

 

Now I have to decide whether to love it or have it removed.