Grade work! Getting ready for utilities...

We have Dustin from DRW Excavating (he's awesome) digging the grade work.   Below he has the water line, the sewer line, and electrical ditch (behind) dug and ready for inspection.    We got a lot of stuff done today.   KUB came by and actually put the gas line in ... but, we are still awaiting an inspection before we can get it turned on.

Randy and Jeffrey are working on the brick stairs ... should be done with them completely in 1 day.  He's the man.

Our plumber, Jason Strickland, is great too.  We called him and he came over to help because we needed the sewer line installed.  We have to get everything inspected so that we can allow Dustin to cover everything up before we lose him again to another job.  We are sweating it ...

The water line loops back in front of the house ...

We are really optimistic that we can get the gas/electric turned on by Friday.  If that happens, we can heat the house and start wood floors etc. on Monday.   It's stressful because we are fighting for everything we can get.

My friend Erin came by the house today - he really liked it.   It was really good seeing him again.

Boys Bathroom and cabinets

Because of how unreasonable Home Federal is acting - the tail is wagging the dog.   I'm having to completely screw up my schedule just so that I can get paid - so we're cherry picking stuff that can get done to appease the bank.   To say the least, we are really frustrated.

One of the challenges is that we need to get wood floors put down - but to do that - we need  heat.  To get heat, we need final grade done in order to get the gas installed.  To get final grade it needs to stop raining so that our excavator can do his thing.  We also need electric (same challenge).  So, this week we are pushing to get rough final grade done so that we can get the ditches dug for gas/electric/water.  Then the grunt work begins - picking up crap around the house and cleanup.

Oh, I bought a sweet Dewalt table saw today too!  Should be in the mail soon.

Imma gonna cut something.

So have the tile done in the boy's bathroom ... and we are setting vanities today (Tuesday).  It looks awesome.

 We have the kitchen cabinets all set as well.    We are so thrilled because tomorrow appliances are being delivered and installed (and, yeah, i have to install them - because the bank is acting like a spoiled child.)   I would do that later, but I need the 3 points.

Tile Floors in laundry room...

Wow.  We are really loving the tile floors in the laundry room ... I'll include a couple of pictures with the cabinets in there (I'm catching the blog up).

The tile was laid in a "chevron" pattern.   Shae and me did the backer board and her and Jeff did most of the tile while I laid backer board in the other bathroom (Colson/Colin) and the mud room.

on 12/10 the following picture was taken showing that we are done grouting and the cabinets are set.  We plan on getting cabinets and our washer/dryer on flush so that we can put a counter top there.   It'll be pretty awesome!!

We are closing this out..

So - Home Federal is being absolutely stupid and really putting a lot of stress on us.   We are highly organized and we have lined up everything, pre-purchased everything (hardwood flooring, tiling, trim, doors, kitchen appliances, etc) and they are refusing to give us any money.  Apparently they are accustomed to working with idiots who have no clue what they are doing.    They aren't using any common sense at all - and although WITH all of the purchased pre-purchased and us being only 'overdrawn' 1% - they still feel the need to persecute us.   Whatever.   We'll get it back.

So, that's my rant.

Here's where we are today - the painters are killing it ... painting like crazy.    They pretty much finished the house in 3 days.

Mike Pizzalongo is doing the stucco outside.   We are trying to get our paint done exterior but the rain is really hurting us.

Garage doors baby!!

I love them...

Sheetrock done...painting started

We are working on priming the house. Our guys should be done this weekend priming the whole house.  We are going to buy the hardwood tomorrow.

The sheetrock guys threw a fit... but we didn't really care...they missed several deadlines.  They good though.

We are also getting tile in master bath done.  Should be done tomorrow.

The fireplace on back deck

Came home from work tonight and framed up fireplace in the freezing cold with dear wife.   Got home about 10.  Got up next morning and Shae went to Home Depot to get osb cut to wrap.   I took kids to school and then we screwed the osb onto the frame.   Stucco guy will work on it today.   Job done.

Built the mantle

Shae and I built our mantle...  It was a lot of fun.  I had never done that before.   The mantle will end up being wrapped  in stucco.... So aesthetic aren't really all that important.   Just depth and details.   I can't wait to see to finished in a few weeks.

Wood ceiling & Staining

We got the t&g put up... That Saturday we used the sheet rock people's scaffolding and stained the wood.   All day job.   Shae worked on Staining the doors.   Next week is trim.   The brick is about 80% done.

Kids installed the door hardware!

Colson took care of getting things locked up.   What a kid!

Insulation and sheet rock

Loving the progress.  We passed our efficiency inspection (insulation etc) today.   really thankful for as she sheetrock was going in while the inspector was there.   anyways, we are good to go.   

The great room has the 'beams' in place and we will be putting up the wood ceiling today.  

Staining wood and wiring house

  first night at the house tonight.   We wired the surround sound. 

Here is the wood that we stained

Back porch!!

Hipolito finished the deck today.  We are shopping for outdoor decking as well as spindles from Knox Rail Salvage.

Another side of brick done.

Electrical rough in of kitchen is done.   We should be really ready for mechanical and framing inspection on Tuesday.

I'm really stressing about the sound system and other automation stuff... I have no idea how to do it.   Oh well.

Oh NO we DIDn'T!

Yes.  We did.  Check out the brick.  We chose to go with the 'weeping joints' on the masonry bricks.  So, looking down the side of the house, it looks kinda weird.  But, looking directly and angled at it - it honestly looks amazing.  Me and Shae are in love with it.  haha.  I can't wait to get more progress on it.  The masons are doing a great job and they're having a lot of fun too.

just tell me if you don't like it, i know, it's kinda strange

Also, we are making a lot of progress on what is being called "The Turret".  Wow.  The jury is still out on this one, but Shae feels good about it.   Hipolito is the man.

Richard Knight is finishing up the security system today.  Electrician, after his accident hurting his leg, is scheduled to start tomorrow.   We also got some cool news about using "aluminum soffit and fascia" that should save us a ton of money.   Still looking into that.  -G

Vendor Update and Stuff

So ... here is the update.    

Got my first huge bill from 84 Lumber today.  (thanks Mark).  

HVAC - the guys from Rocky Top Heating and Air have been working all week and should be done with the HVAC rough in probably today.

PLUMBING - He should be done this week - but kinda been AWOL.  We have the rough in plumbing stuff ready.   Not too worried.   

GARAGE DOORS - So, wife found a garage door guy that beat Dukes out that does Amarr doors.  So, we got belt drives, keypad, and controllers - 2 in steel back insulated "fake wood" doors with glass and hinges.  Saved about $500 overall - maybe.   I don't remember the guys name.

Electrician - He is starting Monday - and wants to be the only contractor in the house.  He's a machine and has a huge crew - committed to be done in 2 days

Insulation - about 90% sure that we'll be using my vendor CFI (Mike W.) for insulation.  He comes recommended by Cooks and Fuad.  

Sheetrock - we are on the schedule for Mr. Lynch and his people.  They met budget and are in the works.

Brick - ACME Block and Brick are scheduled to drop off brick Monday AM.   Told Hipolito to get guys started Monday

Framing - Hipolito is getting all windows set today (Wed.) and will be working on the garage bump out tomorrow.  He is pushing to get done this week.   The shingles are about 95% done.

Here is the picture from the high side looking down the side of the house

It's always really cool to see about 20 trucks lined up

 ... but, yeah, neighbors are getting angry