Picture updates...we have drywall!

We have drywall!  It didn't take long after our "pre-drywall meeting" to actually have drywall.  We were told it can take over a week for the drywall process, and we are happy for this part of the process to drag.  Drywall is such a pivotal piece in how the home will finish.  So, we are happy for the crew to take their time hanging, taping, mudding, sanding, etc.  We probably won't go too much this week to give them some space to work since they will be spending so much time inside.  (I did take a peek in the garage and saw that cabinets have been delivered...they are still in boxes, but it's so exciting!)   -Luke and Ashleigh

Interestingly, this heater is on full blast.  We think it is helping heat and dry the house to a certain point so the drywall can dry well in a more controlled environment.

One more time...

Some of our friends wanted to get some ice cream and see the house, OF COURSE!  So, just two short days after our pre-drywall meeting, insulation is already installed.  EVEN IN THE GARAGE CEILING! It's crazy how something as simple as insulation can change the sound and appearance of the inside.  It was even a little warmer!  Random: I like how they foam everything.  I mean there is spray foam anywhere insulation couldn't fit: drill holes, cracks, window jams, etc. The house is tight!

On a personal note...I have to leave the country for work.  So, today and tomorrow will be my last times to see the house for awhile.  I'm leaving it to my girls to hold down the fort and make sure progress is being made.  I don't know if I'll have enough service to blog or check anything, but Ashleigh will keep you updated as best she can.  Here's to hoping the baby stays in and house keeps coming along!   -  Luke

Pre-drywall Meeting

Today we got to have our pre-drywall meeting!  This is a huge milestone in the building your home schedule that Ryan Homes prints off and gives you.

Since we have been to the house every few days, nothing came as a shock to us during this meeting.  But, we were able to use the running lists we've been keeping from our visits to make sure the meeting went as we needed it to.  Over the last couple of weeks, we already got them to move a few simple things and change/ fix areas of concern.  We're believers in catching and fixing things early to save everyone a headache in the long run.  

We met another neighbor last week (hey Brian!) who gave us pointers and hints of interesting items to look for. Although not life changing concerns, there are some things that can be easily overlooked or forgotten.  For example: blocking for the kitchen cabinets and mounting TV's, finishing the basement closet, subfloor on main level, and garage insulation.

The meeting started upstairs and we worked our way from top to bottom going over all our selections and 'what's where', 'why this', and 'how come'.  We asked questions as we came to things and felt that the PM's responses were reasonable.  

The main level's subfloor was a concern for us.  We are going to have nice, upgraded hardwoods running throughout most of this floor and don't want issues with noise/ buckling/ replacing in the future.  We've heard that others needed it to be replaced or repaired within months of moving in.  Most of it is due to the floor sagging or buckling causing the wood to warp.  The remedy would be to replace and/ or reinforce the subfloor after the fact (what a mess that would be) .  We were reassured that the wood we chose doesn't usually have this issue and we should be fine as they treat and inspect the floor before installing anything (supposedly the wood that had the issue was a different brand, size, thickness, etc).  We'll see!

Next was garage insulation.  We think we know what's code, but what's actually done?!  Brian told us that they didn't insulate the ceiling of his garage causing the rooms above to be cold and loud.  We are not sure if it was an oversight by someone or laziness by the installers but it was missed in his home nonetheless.  We were told that it's standard to install it on the outside of all "livable space", it should be there!  So, we were right to know that it should be there, but we are glad we asked instead of assuming.  We also filled Brian in on this "standard" installation technique so that he can work with Ryan homes during his first year of ownership.

We left feeling comfortable and confident that our expectations are clear and will be met.  We are excited about the progress to come.  Final walk through/ demonstration set for May 16!   -   Luke and Ashleigh

Roofing, Plumbing and HVAC

On to roofing, plumbing and central air… things are moving fast so keep up.  Friday, 11 March 2016, was a busy day at our house.  Roofers continued the momentum the framers came and went with, done in one day and coming back to finish the roof vent and pipe collars. 

HVAC was nearly completed on Friday except a few things in the basement.  I really like the trunk style runs in the attic and the glue/ filler they use to seal the pipes from letting air escape.  One issue, not really a problem, but something to be moved….  In our basement they placed an air return in the center of the wall where we want to put a wet bar, it would interfere with the cabinets and overall layout.  RESPONSE from Project Manager: I’ll meet with HVAC contractors to move it over a bit.

Plumbing did their thing and nearly completed as well.  A few more pipes to connect in the main level and basement.  Another little concern about rain leaking down the roof vent pipe, but this was fairly normal due to what I mentioned above.  Roofers are to install the pipe collar on their next available stop. 

Us being nitpicky and having great PMs!  We were told on our initial pre-construction meeting that the basement sometimes comes with a closet under the stairs.  It’s not a standard option, but typically comes prefabbed when they are framing out the house, it wasn’t installed nor a header where we thought it should go.  RESPONSE from PM:  The closet isn’t a standard option, but we talked about it at the pre-construction meeting and I have it noted to add for you guys! The framers will frame it out when they’re in the house for their “punch out”. 

Lesson learned:  It doesn’t hurt to ask and it pays dividends to have a great relationship with the people working on your house.      -Luke

Pre-Drywall Scheduled for 3/21

We just got another email updating us on the progress of the build and told “I hope you are doing well and enjoying this beautiful weather! We’ve had great spring weather since the start of construction on your home, so you guys must be lucky!”  Lucky…. that is how I feel going through this build and experience it with my family, BLESSED!

Pre-Dry is set for March 21: Our HVAC contractors and plumbers have been working this week and electricians will be following early next week. After that, we will be focusing on getting ready for your county inspections!

In the meantime, below are a few pictures of the inside progress thus far:     -Luke

   

Basement Bathroom 

Upstairs Hall Bathroom

Master Bathroom

Laundry

The Difference a Day Makes

FRAMING DAY 1- We are so excited!  Our weekly PM update said they would try to start framing next week.  So, we were ecstatic to see that it had already begun today.   The crew was working hard when we got there and then took their lunch break.  It was cold, so we were happy to see them take a break and warm up in their cars.  We wish we had thought to take something warm with us, like coffee or cookies.  We decided to try to do that sometime in the next week to let them know how much we appreciate their hard work!

 

Their quick break gave us a chance to walk down into the basement and really get a feel for what the layout is like.  It was also exciting to see that our windows and doors have been delivered.  We are so excited about the progress that Luke wants to drive by everyday this weekend.  Hopefully we can!     -Luke and Ashleigh

FRAMING DAY 2- I wasn’t joking when I told Ashleigh that I was going by everyday this weekend.  It’s not all too often that someone gets the opportunity to build a house and enjoy the newness.  Or is it part of my controlling personality that I can’t let go?  Either way, I’m going to enjoy this process and no one is going to stop me/us!

Seeing one wall yesterday got us excited, imagine the feeling of seeing/ watching the entire first and second floors go up!  It’s amazing how fast the puzzle pieces go together and build what we’ve been trying to envision. 

I took a moment and snapped a picture of the girls attempting to do their part in building the house.    -Luke

FRAMING DAY 3- Things are really taking shape.  The roof gives the house its character and overall size.  There is more to be installed on the roof, but I think what they've done in 3 days is great enough.  -Luke and Ashleigh

FRAMING DAY 4- These pictures are towards the end of the day and we didn’t bother attempting to get in the house.  As you can see, waterproofing has begun (which we are thankful for considering it may rain in the next few days). There were almost 10-12 people working on house so we kept our distance.    -Ashleigh

A PM Update

 Naturally, we plan on driving by our home tomorrow since Luke has the day off.  But, that doesn't take away any excitement from hearing from our PMs Maggie and James!  Below is the email update we received today:

Good afternoon Luke and Ashleigh!

We’ve been busy this week and Brookside, and if you take a look at the picture I’ve attached, you’ll see we’re finishing up the work on your foundation! This week, we were able to finish the waterproofing and drainage system around your foundation. We backfilled, and the past couple of days we’ve been working on the concrete slab prep work! Your lumber has been delivered to the jobsite, and depending on the weather, we’ll be starting framing tomorrow! The framing process will take about a week to complete, but will be a great time to see the structure of your home start to come together.

Please let me know if you have any questions and have a great rest of the week! Thanks     
   

We are so excited at the prospect of being able to see our home really take shape.  Since we are in VA, the weather seems confused as to what season it is.  Should it be Spring and warmer, or Winter and snowy?!  We have a chance of snow tonight, but 5 days later it's in the 70s!  Here's to hoping for dry, warmer days and tons of progress!   -   Luke and Ashleigh

Marching On...

Today was Super Tuesday in Virginia, so after we voted, we decided we should continue on to the new house and see if we could see any new progress.  We know...we've been driving by a lot lately...we just can't help it!  We seem to find an excuse to drive by every time we are out and about.










Today we were happy to see that even more work had been accomplished.  We have officially been backfilled.  The huge hole that was our garage is now filled to ground level, as is the perimeter around the foundation.  They also worked on completing the drainage system.  It was fun to actually be able to walk around our property without feeling like we could fall into the hole around the foundation!

 



And finally, the most SUPER part of this Tuesday...our wood has been delivered!  This was a milestone we have been anticipating and anxiously awaiting.  We may or may not have made spectacles of ourselves when we realized it had our lot number painted on it.  We can't wait for our update from our PMs to see when they plan to put the wood to good use!  
 -   Luke and Ashleigh