Our GC had to postpone our scheduled meeting until tomorrow – we’ve got to get back on track. The last thing we want are delays and surprises…been told that’s not possible though with residential construction.
We were also informed that we need to go ahead and decide immediately if we want an outdoor room on our deck so the concrete guys will know prior to pouring the foundation. A little different from what we were originally told by our GC about being able to wait on deciding until after the deck is finished.
I’m really getting frustrated as it seems the wheels are slowly starting to come off.
On a positive note, a colleague of mine introduced me to a local company that specializes in selling floor models of Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, XTRA Inventory. Still might be out of our range but I can’t wait to see what they have in stock. Love a good deal.
Well our GC informed me today that the grading for the carport is correct and it is exactly as shown on the plans. Ok, he’s correct, however it isn’t what we discussed numerous times. I haven’t been educated in reading construction documents however I do know that numerous times we discussed our size requirements with him as well as the architect.
Tip: do not rely on anything verbal, make sure any changes are in writing and reflected on the plans – this “miscommunication” is now considered a change order (additional costs).
Also found out from our GC that the concrete guy is requiring that the foundation wall design be approved by the Permit Department before he will pour the walls. Delay!! Why was this not known or even drawn before now? Plus, I had to remind our GC about stubbing the basement for a future wet bar as well as the possibility of adding an outdoor room on part of the future deck.
Frustrated, Concerned, Scared and somewhat Mad are pretty accurate feelings that I’m currently experiencing. Our GC tells us that we can deal with the various issues and concerns “when we get to them” but that’s doing little to comfort me. We need to meet with him, we’ve yet to sit down with him and go over the plans in detail and have only walked through the property together twice for about 5-10 minutes each time. Email and phone conversations can accomplish a lot however I think it’s time we go through everything in more detail. This isn’t a little job and in my mind we’re spending a considerable amount of money – we’re overdue for a meeting.
UPDATE: I made the call and we’re scheduled to meet with our GC tomorrow, hopefully we’ll all leave on the same page and more importantly that this will reduce any further delays and/or miscommunications.
Tomorrow’s a new day and I’m looking forward to us getting back on track.
We received the first draft of our kitchen layout today. Pretty impressive but I have a few questions with regards to the refrigerator door opening up into a doorway as well as the kitchen sink being under a “window” that is nonexistent. Never thought that I would, but I actually bought the most recent copy of Kitchen and Bath Ideas on the way home from work, hope this isn’t a prelude as to what’s to come of me.
So we went looking at appliances today for a few hours and I was amazed at the advancements that have been made over the last several years. Pretty fancy and so many choices and brands; Thermador, Viking, Wolf, Bosch. Tip, never look at the high-end stuff first, it’s like going from a Bentley to a Chevy. We either need to adjust our budget or our taste.
We were just informed today that we need to have our appliances selected within the next 30 days so that they can have the proper dimensions to be able to accurately layout the kitchen. That’s a lot to decide in such a short period of time. Julie traditionally goes for the aesthetics however I want something that’s going to last and standup to the rigors of 2 boys – my hope is that we’ll find a happy middle ground. So much to do; just subscribed to Consumer Reports and we’re planning to visit Builder Specialties as well as Ferguson‘s this weekend.
Ok, I’m probably overreacting but I’m feeling a little anxious. We’re 3 1/2 months away from the projected move-in date and a hammer hasn’t even been swung yet.
So I asked our GC for a schedule and I was quickly informed that they don’t do that in residential construction, it was as if he found it funny that I would even ask. He even stated that “he hasn’t lost a house yet” and that there are way too many variables. That goes totally against my wife and my personality but what can you do? He’s calm, the designers calm, they’ve done this before – Julie and I will have to be more disciplined with our patience. But I still can’t help but think “what comes next”?
Our GC sent us an email this morning letting us know that the first stage of demo will be completed today and that his crew will start grading for the foundation tomorrow. He hasn’t yet been able to nail down when they’ll dig for the footings – had to look that one up www.finehomebuilding.com – great site for those that don’t know (me included). Moving forward though, we seem to be a little behind schedule but he says we can easily make that up, depending upon the weather.
Yeah!! Our GC just informed us that his crew is planning on demo’ing the old detached garage as well as the deck and back of the house where the addition will be added. Next up grading, foundation, framing, etc… Can’t express the excitement we’re feeling and knowing that in just a few short months this “structure” will be transformed into our home.
Morningside Renovation 