The House that Built US - Weeks 7 & 8

Week 7

This week wasn't the best for building. There was a lot of rain and storms that came through our town but they did manage to get a few things accomplished. We were hoping they would get the slab in the downstairs poured but that didn't happen. They managed to get the plastic and rebar down and they filled the block walls with concrete as well. It was a beautiful day that Sunday and the hubs and I took our first front porch picture!

Front Porch Standing

Ready for the slab to be poured

Lots of concrete in those walls

Week 8 started out beautifully and we had a fantastic week progressing forward on the house! 

Monday a bunch of wood and floor trusses showed up so that was exciting to see and they also got the slab poured! 

Tuesday we stopped by and they had cut the concrete and the holes for the back deck posts poured

Wednesday I was blown away by what all they were doing. The back wall was up and they were framing the downstairs. It's a good thing we stopped by those because they had forgot to frame one of the doors leading to the back patio. They immediately started taking out posts and framing the door! The work they have done so far has been excellent and I am so pleased with how it is looking!

Walking into his Safe room and home brewery

Standing in the toy room/workout room, not decided which yet

Back wall is up and I am loving the BIG windows!! 

Thursday they had the entire downstairs framed and were putting the wood up top for the floor trusses to be put on. We also met with the cabinet company to pick out our cabinets. The bathroom cabinets were fairly easy to pick out but the kitchen was a little more difficult. I am doing dual color cabinets in the kitchen and the shades are where I am struggling. They only had two shades in to show my but he is trying to get doors of the other two, that I think are more along the lines of what I am looking for. Hoping he will have those in next week for me to see.

Back of the downstairs

Timberlake in the bathrooms and TRU in the kitchen

Friday they put all the floor trusses on! This was so exciting because this means in the next two weeks we will be walking through our bedrooms and kitchen, bathrooms, etc. :-) This is where I am praying for clear weather for the next month! 

I took the workers donuts that day too hoping the little sugar kick would give them a boost of energy to finish and it seems to work as when we went back that evening the trusses were completely finished. 

This morning we went and got a few quotes on Appliances. I thought that was going to be an easy choice because we pretty much knew what we wanted however it is becoming a little more difficult. The fridge we LOVE is in one brand and the only brand that makes that style but all the other appliances we like (and are within our budget) are in another brand. Do any of y'all have two different brands of stainless in your kitchen?? Can you tell a difference in the color?? 

I'll be back next week with more updates! 

~Mel

The House That Built US Week 6 - Downstairs prep

It seemed like they got a lot accomplished at the homestead this week. Theme returned on Monday and had the basement and garage block completed by Wednesday. This was including a half days lost on Tuesday due to the rain! They did an amazing job on the block and the foundation is looking nice and sturdy!

Monday

More gravel arrived on Thursday which they will use to doe some back full drainage with. 

I got to talk a bit with the contractor on Thursday and we are on track to be framing by end of March/beginning of April. I guess with life being so busy all the time it seems as though this process is flying by. I'm thankful though as I do not do so well with the waiting game.

Workout Room and Safe Room

The garage! 

We went by today and the plumber came to do the plumbing for the downstairs and then they spread out the gravel and are preparing to pour the slab. It was so fun to be able to see the pipes sticking up where the downstairs crapper will be! ;) 

Leveling out where the patio will be

Downstairs bath

Have a good weekend y'all! 

~Mel

The House That Built US - Week 5 - Basement

 While the week didn't go quite as well as I had hoped with 2 days worth of bad storms that moved through our area but I am still happy with the work the did manage to complete. 

We also met with two different real estate agents this week and have one more meeting scheduled for next week. We have never sold a house and had quite a few questions plus we had been told that we needed to interview and shop around to be sure we found the person best fit for us. We have been very please with what we have heard so far but still are unsure about the "timing" of putting our house on the market. This area is a HOT area which is great but it could also leave us moving twice, something we aren't crazy about doing.  Have you all had any experience with the POD's? We are thinking about going that route but don't know much about them. Any advice is welcome! 

Tuesday

My mom stopped on Monday and said no one was there and I had a super busy evening so I didn't stop by but I did swing by on Tuesday even though it rained that morning. It looked like someone had been there because the block was lined up all along the edge of the outline. That was the only thing that I noticed.

Lots of water! 

Wednesday the storms were really bad with lots and lots of rain! IT worried me that Thursday and Friday would be a wash since the storm left standing water down by the footers but they didn't let that stop them! 

Thursday

Thursday evening they were working when I stopped by and to my surprise already had what I considered a pretty good amount lay.

We went back today to see what all they got completed Friday and found one entire basement wall up long with half the other and the bottom layer along the bottom completed. 

That little indention you see there is a Closet downstairs! 

We talked with the contractor and pending no major weather issues he anticipates all the block walls to be completed by the end of next week! ::) YIKES!!! Even just one wall up made the realization that this is happening sink in! Not gonna lie, I'm still in partial disbelief y'all! :) 

Praying for no rain and sunny blue skies this week! I may have to take those men some Advocare Spark this week to get them pumped up and ready to go! LOL

Till next week,
~Mel