Our "no problem" 10 1/2 months at the most move in date has come and gone.
The delays really occurred at framing and drywall and we never recovered. We spent a few weeks extra back and forth with structural reviews and inspections on the framing and then the drywall was also a few weeks longer than scheduled. In case you are curious the budget is running about $75k over budget; about half of which were conscious add-ons and the other half was just increased costs or bad estimates. We're excited to finish and get moved in and love the house, but I'm personally getting worn out and ready to be done. The finish work is definitely the most stressful because by now you're already over budget from drywall, framing, electrical, yet now is the time that upgrading things has the most impact. The things that I have taken control of like cabinets, paint, tile, stone have actually remained relatively in budget and we've gotten what we wanted, but it's still stressful. The cabinets have been most stressful, because they keep getting the white wrong (you would be amazed at how the eye picks up different shades of white).
Another thing that can be a bit stressful in building a custom house is that, although you can demand quality work, sometimes in order to get things the way they need to be you just have to pay extra. For example, on our back splashes the cost was going to be $985 for the soapstone. But now because we don't have enough stone left we have to pay an extra $1,000 for another slab, so it's $1985 for the back splashes. It's not really anyone's fault, it just costs us an extra grand to make it right. There's countless examples of things like this where you just have to open your wallet to get it right.
My advice to anyone wanting to build a custom home is that it takes a couple years from start to finish (maybe 20 months from the time we actually meant with an architect), and absorbs about 10-20 hours a week during that time (sure, a lot of that is fun things like shopping, reviewing plans, etc. but it's still time that you have to budget on). I've found it to be a great learning experience, but there is no doubt that my work has suffered which can be tough because it also happens to be a time of writing a gazillion checks. I've taken care of all the money and have a detailed Cost vs Bid sheet that tracks that cost of every time. I have every document imaged as well as filed in a now 6" thick binder. A dedicated checking account and Quickbooks (with all categories setup for tracking) tracks the project and my bookkeeper probably spends another 8 hours a month on it. I would definitely do it again (after a long break), but I would be more realistic on the time commitment.
Here's a quick snapshot of what remains to be done:
FIRE DEFENSE:
--Trim out- prefer this week before hardwood.
DRYWALL:
--Drywall repair in garage
--Drywall repair touch up in master
--Drywall touch up to elc outlet moved in laundry room
--Final Drywall touch ups
ROOFER:
--Roof at balcony needs flashing
--copper chimney cap, price, etc.
--repair to bubbled garage roof
--coordinate on blower install
HVAC:
--install blower
--install acs
ELECTRICIAN:
--Trimout
--Install blower
--finish heated floor
--Outlet in blue bedroom for train shelf covered up
--Outlet needs to be moved in Upstairs bath (front of house) where it will be in the way of the mirror
--Outlet in laundry room had to be moved-- add box.
--Wires to gate in future (not ready yet, but we seemed to have already paid for this, so will there be another charge)
Plumber
--Trimout
--Replace brazen bronze fixtures
--Don't forget hot water recirc, and water pressure booster pump
--Don't forget water line for freeze
--Don't forget the fresh water chiller and filter system
Concrete:
--Slab at garage patio
Asphalt
--Driveway all the way up to both garages
Harold:
--Final grade (wait till fence is done)
--Fill window wells & check water proof were stucco is down too far
Steel:
--Confirm price on Doug's steel guy includes powder coated Oil Rubbed Bronze finish. All railins, I supply decorative piece. If so proceed (confirm price was $7k and include two ladders for a couple window wells for escpae from the basement). Confirm includes all window wells, balcony, and outside stairs.
Stucco:
--Complete stucco consistent with grade outside area by door from breakfast nook.
Mirror & Doors:
--Install shower doors
--Order and install mirrors
PETE & TODD:
--Remove the board that Pete & Todd put up today below the niche/shelf above the doors to the master bedroom. Not sure why it is there- they said you told them to put it up, but Kaly thinks it looks funny and preferred the drywall.
--They still need to put up the trim at the edge of the roof at the master balcony.
--They centered light at entry, but what happens to the cutout spot where they moved it from?
--Jack & Jill bath still needs some plinth blocks and baseboards.
--Trim mirrors same as windows.
--Door and bath hardware
--Modify doors of antique vanity
Counterops
--Install
--Add backsplash
--Cut hole in antique vanity ($75)
Masonry:
--Cement blocks at large window well
--Finish stone
--brick fp and behind stove
--flagstone cap on hearth
--Steps at front stairs
Custom iron works
--Front gate w/ wind fence on each side, opener controls
Fence:
--Complete fence
Painter:
--Finish inside & touchups, inside of windows, garage door edge, etc.
--Shed, playhouse, well house
--Touch up outside barn room and trim
--Window wells
--Downspouts, Flashing and mechanical on roof
--Stain doors and rail
Security System:
--call for trimout
Fireplace:
--Confirm all trim in glass
--ordered new liner kit
--Trimout before or after brick??
Cabinets:
--Laundry room hamper correction
--Dining room niche install and cover adjustable shelf holes
--Repaint laundry room and misc trim
Me:
--Deliver light fixtures to rooms
--Order pulls and label holders
--Put up weather vane
Landscaping:
--Select co and plan
