Day 160: Tomorrow is Closing!

Today is Day 160. Its the final day of the fourth 40-day period in this home building journey. The first period was hard because I was so eager to get started only to have to wait. The second period was a little better because there was something to see during this time but, still required patience. In the third period, the building caught up to my excitement with its daily changes and the surrealism of it all. But this last period has been the best. I've gotten to see my house become a home made with all of the details I picked out. It's a place I am proud to call my home and I am looking forward to moving my family in and live the life I envisioned us living here.

People often look at you like you need your head examined when you mention you're going to build a house. I can honestly say it's been the best decision I've made. KB Home makes the process easy and enjoyable from day one to day 160.

I've been able to appreciate every piece of lumber, drywall, nail, etc. that has gone into my home. My kids started a "scrapbox" (if you will) of all the pieces of material we found. It has a bit of everything from nails to copper wire to a bit of shingle to a siding sample. There's a bit of marble, some foam, a cabinet scrap and so much more. Every bit we saw go in, knew what it was for and can appreciate its piece of this 3D puzzle that has become our new home.

If you baulk at the notion of building, just remember you give up the opportunity to reap the riches that come with the experience. My kids and I have many memories now, ones I'm sure they will tell their own kids about one day. And, I like knowing where my pipes and water lines are. I like knowing where my studs are without having to use a stud finder. I like knowing that I know my home from the inside out. I took pictures of it all! One day, if I ever move, I'll be able to provide the new owner with a wealth of information about their house.

That said, here is my final update before I close tomorrow:

I had my final walk-thru today with Raymond. All the paint touch ups were done. There were only a few things left to be done such as adding a piece of bullnose molding to the bathroom cabinet, restaining part of the railing, and then just going over things that were on the list to be fixed. They got it all knocked out!

There is only one more thing that needs done and that was installing the water filter by the kitchen sink.  Pur is supposed to get doing that in the morning. 

Overall, the house looks so beautiful! I can't wait to get the keys tomorrow!

Day 159: Two Days Til Closing!

Today I had my first walkthru with Raymond. We punched the places that need attention and he showed me how to use all of the appliances and major home features.

 

Mom and my sister, Heather, stopped by and got to see the house, too. I was finishing up with Raymond outside and didn't get to really hear Heath's comments about the whole house but I know she liked my kitchen!

 

Tomorrow afternoon is my final walkthru and then I close Friday morning!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 130: Drip. Drip. Drip.

Today the girls and I stopped by for what I thought was going to be a quick visit. As usual, they ran in ahead of me, pointing and shouting out about the new things they found. "Faucets!" "Our dishwasher is in!" "Come see!"

And, I do. As I entered the kitchen I made note of the granite, again. I keep trying to like it, but my gut keeps reminding me that this isn't what I ordered. *sigh* I'll have to speak to Raymond and Jennifer about that.

Before I could appreciate the new things installed, I heard a dripping. Drip. Drip. Drip. I checked the faucet. No, it wasn't dripping. I walk towards the sound of it and quickly discover my laundry room ceiling is leaking! 

I immediately call Raymond. Then Chance. Then Raymond again, trying to get anyone out there to help. 

Raymond comes put and checked the shut off valve. It's off. Guess the lines weren't bled and they froze over night, busting. Raymond assured me it would get fixed and any replacements done if need be. Thank goodness!

In all the commotion, I didn't have time to snap pictures of the new fixtures so I'll try go get those taken soon. 

Day 127: More Brick and a House Number

I know I had a hard time choosing a brick that I loved (after not being able to order Kennewick brick), but this brick is really making me happy. I love its unconventional tumbled style where as most of my neighbors have completely rigid, squared off bricks. Mine looks old and has a lot of character. In the sunshine (see last picture), it looks amazing! And that's something we don't run short of here in Texas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 126: Brickwork is Almost Done!

The house is almost done getting her brickwork. This is sure a messy process! Isn't she looking grand?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 124: Tile Complete

It's a cold day today which means the workmen couldn't finish laying brick. The tile inside is complete and looks sharp!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 123: Tile, Marble & an A/C. Oh My!

Lots getting done today. My bathroom is tiled, needs grout. My bath also got it's marble--counter, tub surround and shower. The kids' bath got tiled, grouting all done. Their bath also got its tub surround tiled. Last, I noticed the vent covers in the ceilings were all installed and the A/C is outside on its pad.

 

Outside, about one-third of the front facade was bricked. I am convinced there is way too much brick pallets than my house will require. I hope they leave it for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 120: Week 18 Brings Painting!

Day 116: Siding Repair

Today they replaced the piece of siding that was damaged by the nail gun. It will still need to be sealed and painted, of course.

 

I also received a couple of emails from my mortgage company requesting documents and advising they were sending out disclosures for me to sign. Closing is getting close!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 108: Cold Day

Today is bitterly cold and hovering around freezing. Obviously the workmen cannot lay brick in these temps. They're currently over inside other homes putting up walls and keeping warm as best they can. Soon enough my home will be finished. Today I enjoy seeing my home as it is, and knowing that just a little more than a month ago, I didn't even have a house. I have a lot to be thankful for. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 106: Walls!

Today is the start of Week 16. We have walls! The downstairs is mostly complete and the workmen are now working upstairs. It's really dusty in here now.

 

We also have the form for the stairs leading down from the back porch to the backyard. We'll have five!

 

I thought we'd get the driveway poured today as we saw the cement trucks and the boom, but they only ended up pouring a slab for the third house on Grand Junction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Insulation

Today the house got its exterior insullation. It was exciting to see because we've seen empty space for weeks and this brings us one step away from sheetrock. The girls thought it looked like cotton candy.

I also picked up a copy of an inspection that was done last week on the frame. And it failed. :( 

I'm sort of upset about having 8 things go wrong. Some are minor, things needing redone or done better. Others were major-- truss issues. I immediately called Raymond who advised me that the issues were addressed and the frame was reinspected with a passing grade. Next time I see him, he's going to point out these issues so I can be aware and see the fixes.

Day 100!!!!!!

Today marks the 100th day in our home building journey. It must be a sign because I saw a cross made of wood right, in the middle of our house, amongst the trusses and air ducts. It gave me peace.

 

Here are a few pics we took today.