A lot of rain is schedule for this week however our GC told us that they’re planning to slab plumb today (Google), inspect Tuesday, slab prep Wednesday, inspect Thursday and pour the slab on Friday. Yes!!! A schedule!!!
Check out her Tile Picks
So Julie wanted me to meet her today at Traditions in Tile to see what she picked out. Initially I wasn’t too excited about it but I have to say that her and Heather did an excellent job!!! And… have I mentioned that she was under budget? Excellent all of the way around!!
As for the check, well our GC called this morning wanting to know when he could pick up his check. Wish that he communicated like this on a normal basis. He was at my office within an hour – still couldn’t give me an estimate on when they would pour the foundation or when framing would begin.
He Wants Some Money
So we got a message this morning from our GC which was quickly followed by an email that he wanted a check for his first draw. I tried to narrow him down on a date on when the framing would begin however he stated that he had no idea. Ok, so when will they finish the foundation? Answer – “I have no idea on that either but I’ll let you know… when can I get a check”? We’ve been trying to reach you for 3 days and you call not to return our messages but to say you need money to buy materials? My answer, “tomorrow”.
Decisions Have Been a Bright Spot
Julie and I as well as the designer are getting a little closer on the kitchen layout as well as the bathroom colors. Actually I have no interest in the “color scheme” but the efficiency of the kitchen is of interest. I like efficiency and cheap while Julie likes pretty and more pretty ($$). Luckily we’ve been able to easily compromise and actually we’ve been pretty much on the same page with most things. Plus it’s been fun working and making decisions with Julie. I was totally expecting this to be the typical husband and wife battle ground area. I’m somewhat laughing thinking that maybe this is so easy because the construction part has been a migraine.
Way Way Off
Being a fairly optimistic person I’m going to view the following as a positive step. They came back and re-graded today being that they were a little off in the needed depth of the foundation – 34 inches off!!! How in the world does this happen? Whoever is doing the measuring should be fired or find a new job. At least it was caught.
Received a funny call from our GC today, he wanted to know if we could let the plumber into the house, seems as if he can’t get his key to work (Julie at best is 104 lbs and has no problem, while he’s easily double her size). During the conversation he said that he’s only been inside when we were with him – that’s only twice and for whatever reason this seems concerning to me.
Step Forward (baby steps count don’t they?)
Yeah, our GC said the plans were approved today by the city and are to be picked up tomorrow. Only a 10 day delay, we can handle that.
We’ve had a lot of rain lately and unfortunately some is accumulating on the hardwood floors in one of the bedrooms. Seems that it’s coming in from the area covering what they demo’d. Definitely concerning to see but when I told the GC he said that he would have someone fix the tarp and not to worry because it won’t hurt the floors, also that it’s common in these types of remodeling jobs.
He also said that they’ll check the depth of the grading tomorrow (thank you), I’m curious to hear back about this because I truly don’t think that it’s deep enough for an 8′ finished ceiling which is noted throughout the plans and has been discussed numerous times. He still can’t tell me when they’ll pour the foundation or lay the plumbing, my hope is soon.
Remember, originally we were suppose to be in the house in May, then July – now that isn’t looking too promising. Are there really no schedules or timelines in residential construction? This is starting to become pretty frustrating.
Already Over Budget
Good news, our revised plans were submitted to the city today (a day later than we were told) so hopefully this holdup won’t last too long. Still trying to get use to the residential construction world, it seems as if it’s more of a “it’ll get done when it gets done” mentality, a little different from what Julie and I are used to.
Get this, we were informed today that we’re already $2,000 over budget on cabinetry. We haven’t even picked out our cabinets nor have we added any additional linear feet. GC said that we will have to get creative on the kitchen cabinets; meaning get cheaper cabinets or we have to come out-of-pocket to get the quality of cabinets which were originally budgeted.
How could this happen? Oh, it seems our GC forgot to include the cabinetry in what is to be an office. But those were in the original drawings and we’ve talked about them 100 times and you even stated in an email that you included them? And didn’t we just talk about surprises? A big reason why I wish we had gone over the plans and budget in more detail a week ago instead of being rushed through it. Of course I asked him to double-check everything again to make sure that there are no additional surprises.
I just wonder if this extra expense should be our responsibility? I’m thinking no and Hell No!
Julie’s Having Fun
Today Julie was tasked with meeting our designer at Traditions in Tile in Buckhead for a preliminary look at all of the various tile choices and hopefully decide on a few options. The two of them ended up spending the majority of the afternoon with a girl named Heather who Julie loved. Amazingly Julie not only narrowed her choices, she actually decided on what she wanted!! She was so excited showing me her selections that you couldn’t help but share in her enthusiasm . Great selections and what’s even better is that she came in under budget!! Fantastic Job and I love seeing her get so excited about the house as it’s been challenging lately with the various challenges. Tile Box – checked!!!
Morningside Renovation 