Another new house

Hi all,
I have made a few posts in other sections, and have enjoyed all the posts i have read on different subjects on this board. My wife and I bought 4 1/2 acres in the country and started building our dream home this month, I have noticed most post are geared at do it yourselfers, we have done major projects in our old house, but have decided to leave this project to the pros. Our builder is a dear friend of ours and is building us a custom house at spec price.
The building has started and i will try to post pics as progress goes.

Thanks,
Brent

Sorry about the first pics in this post i try to shrink the size do it right .

http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258...%202%20168.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258...%202%20170.jpg


http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258...%202%20180.jpg

Keep the photos coming!

You may want to fill out your profile so we at least know where you are located.

Thanks Dave,
I forgot about the profile.

I should give some info about our project, Our house will be a single story ranch 1758 sq ft, 9ft basement, 600 ft plus drive [img]/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif[/img] and a small pond in front of the house. This has been going on for 3 weeks now, I had trouble with posting pics, can i post them as url or img or do they have to be a attachment?
here our some more pics at a smaller size.

Thanks
Brent
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic1.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic2.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic3.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic4.jpg

Hi Brent and welcome to CBN! Where in SW Michigan? That consumers concrete truck looks familiar, we used them for some footings last summer. We built in Edwardsburg a couple years back.

Have fun and keep the pics coming [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Thanks Rob,
We are in the Kalamazoo area, and we are having fun! It is nice being so involved in the the process, our last house we built was a spec house and we did not have much input until it was almost done, this time we are as involved as much as the GC.

Brent

Sounds much like us. Our first house was a typical subdivision house built by a typical large builder. We tried to be involved but they just worked around us.

This time around we used a much smaller, custom builder. Got to know them and all the subs very well and were very intimate with the whole process. Much more satisfying as I'm sure you'll find out.

K-zoo is a nice area. I take 131 and 94 to Detroit occasionally and we've done a couple day trips up that way just for fun. Used to be a large antique/architectural salvage place downtown but I think they went purely internet now. It's been a couple of years [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

here are some pics of the basement with the beam in,and pics of retaining walls, sorry about the previous post with pics as img, did not think about download times with folks with dialup, i will post as url's.

Brent

http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic5.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic6.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic7.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic8.jpg

The past few weeks have been flying, the framers are very good and i can hardly keep up with the pics, they told me it will slow down soon once the shell is up.
some pics of foor joist ,decking and wall frameing.

http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic9.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic10a.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic11a.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic12.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic14..jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic15.jpg

They are sure right Brent, it will slow down considerably after the framing is up. In building ours Vickie would come home from work and be amazed at how much I got done that day. When I started on the siding it seemed so slow even I wondered if I had even worked that day. Then 1 day the rockers will come in and it will seem like you are almost done then the trim will seem to take forever. Keep up to pics, I love to see work that I didn't have to do. Later, Nat

Thanks Nat,

I have to agree on watching somebody else doing the work.
Pics old house basement project: http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/Old1.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/old2.jpg
I know with our old house I spent almost a year finishing 1300 sq ft of our basement , after working all night on the graveyard shift at my job. So it is kinda of nice sitting back and enjoy the process.

The guys are doing the inside walls and our really going to town.

http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic16.jpg Front entry.

http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic17.jpg front bedrooms & bath


http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic18.jpg Garage entry , laundry room and powder room.

http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic19.jpg Greatroom view of pond.

http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic21.jpg View of drive.

Savor the bursts of progress as there will be times when NO ONE will show up and NOTHING will happen for a while as well as those periods of time when many units of labor are invested with little visible progress.

Remember: Motion, in the right direction, however slight, is progress.

[img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Pat [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

We had a little snag that set us back a week, The truss company made the trusses that go over the entry door wrong so they had to make new ones. I have been working 12 hr shifts on my job so I am a little behind pics, these were last week.
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic25.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic26.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic27.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic29.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic30.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic31.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic32.jpg


The trusses came in wed and the the guy's worked their tails off and got the trusses in and sheeting on the roof done, got to get my camera out there and take some more pics.

Take care

Brent

Brent...What do you plan the house with?

It was supposed to be a simple question so I didn't go back a look at the post...shame on me... [img]/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif[/img]

Brent...the question was supposed to be;

What do you plan to side the house with?

When we started this project, we thought about cedar siding, but have changed our minds and are using vinyl siding (maple color) with white trim. We decided the cost factor of the wood could be better spent on the inside.

Brent

Brent, I worried about the siding issue, but my wife won so I used the cedar siding, it cost 2Xs as much to buy and takes 3Xs as long to install and then you still have to stain it. Oh well, I sleep with Vickie, no my billfold, so not to much trouble after all.
Your progress looks great so far and we expect to see the pics rolling in in the future. I build a lot and still like to see how it's done in other parts of the country, and enjoy seeing what is more important to others, so keep it up, later, Nat

Have you given any consideration to Hardie Plank??

I have a mid 1920's craftsman that I rehabilitated which included an addition of almost 800 sq ft. The siding on the original house is cypress. I needed to find something that would closely match the wood grain yet not be cost prohibative. It also comes in smooth and can be had in panels. I didn't ask but I think the panels are what EddieWalker is using on his place.

The stuff is absolutely astounding. I painted 4 years ago and it looks like it did on day one. It cuts clean, you can trim the windows and doors with it or use real wood if you perfer. It's straight, goes on easy, has a natural insulation factor because it is a cementious product. From the great white north to the hot humd south. It's bug proof, won't burn, moisture resistant, it doesn't warp, crack, peel or chip. I even opted not to use corner boards (the original house doesn't have them) and it fit great. The ends didn't fall apart or anything. You can change the paint scheme more easily than with vinyl. Say the Mrs wants something she saw in a magazine a few years from now. You and Mr paintbrush spend a few happy days together and viola.. [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

I can't say enough good stuff about the product. I'd be happy to send some pics if you like.

And no, I don't have stock in the company... [img]/forums/images/icons/smirk.gif[/img]

we looked at few options in siding, one sounds kinda what your talking about it is called (hardboard) looks like T1 siding but in single strips, we also looked at cement fiber board siding, but have decided with the vinyl. we are finishing about a 1000 sq ft of the basement and the money we save on the siding will help offset the cost and at $34 a sq ft, we need all we can get now.


some new pics:
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic33.jpg Front view with one guys broken down truck as a bonus [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic34.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic36.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic37.jpgpic of back with the trusses that were wrong , what a waste [img]/forums/images/icons/frown.gif[/img]
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic38.jpg

Brent

Wow, A lot got done the past 3 days, The roof got finished and the windows were brought out and the builder wanted to get them in, because of possible theft, we did lose some 2x4's and header stock last week. we are quite a ways off the road and are starting to get people in the area checking out the site, I have ran into a few neighbors myself, and it is hard , without sounding rude , telling folks they should get permission by calling the builder or when were at the site .

some new pics
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic40.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic41.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic42.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic43.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/pic44.jpg

Not a lot new in the picture department, a lot a work going on inside! The guy's finished framing in the basement( about 1000 sq ft.) The plumbing got roughed in and the furnace and some duct work is just about done. The guy's put in 2 skylights one in the kitchen and one in the master bath so the wife is happy [img]/forums/images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
I met with the siding guys and the electrician and they will be starting soon. It is really starting to take shape.

Brent

Did take some pics today, the pics can only capture small amount of the excitement of starting to see this project coming together, seems like only yesterday it was just a few stakes in the ground [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/8-20%20004.jpg skylight in kitchen

http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/8-20%20008.jpg
basement rec room

http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/8-20%20009.jpg
the babies playroom

http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/8-20%20010.jpg
office area

http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/8-20%20012.jpg
music studio

I thought things were going to slow after the shell was done, but wow these guys are still flying. The plumbers are done with the rough in, the hvac is done, the electricians got done friday.
insulation starts this week and siding friday. The septic system was done last friday, did not even get a chance to take pics, by the time i got out there it was inspected and covered. I just want say i have enjoyed reading and watching some of you other guys projects coming together, i wish i could be as detailed with pics and comments as some of the posts i have followed.

http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/8-26%20004.jpg
as much of the septic system install as i could get
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/8-26%20006.jpg
great room/w fireplace installed
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/8-26%20007.jpg
kitchen
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/8-26%20008.jpg
dining area // I like the way the guys ran the wiring, would be a shame to cover it up [img]/forums/images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/8-26%20016.jpg
rec room //Not real thrilled with the bulkhead, but glad we went with the 9ft basement wall.

Brent

The bulkhead will allow for a nice shelf. You can never have enough room for knick-knacks!

The walls in the music room should be leaning in and when you insulate the room use sound battening and hang the drywall on RC-1 channel.Just a suggestion.Looks great

Brent, my GC recommended 9' 1 1/8" inch rough floor to rough ceiling heights in the spaces where I wanted 9 ft ceilings, including the walkout basement. It sure cuts down on the "cave" look in the basement. Large open rooms with short ceilings look even shorter than they are. You will be thrilled you have 9 instead of 8 in your basement.

I have a guest bedroom in the baement. It is not all that small but the the high ceilings seem to pull the walls in and make the room look smaller. I'm hoping the wainscoting on the bottom 4 ft of the walls with a strong heavy chair rail atop it will give some horizontal reinforcement to the visual effect. As all four bedroom walls are cast concrete (yet another safe room) I will be glueing carpet to the walls above the chair rail. This will reduce reverberation and make the walls comfortable to the touch. Even with interior concrete walls at the average room temp (say 72F) the heat conductivity and storage capacity of the walls make them feel uncomfortably cool to the touch, chilling to lean against. The carpet will fix that. Same story in the main portion of the basement where the pool table goes. Can't have your shooting arm get chilled leaning against the wall while watching your competition taking their turn.

[img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Pat

Pool room sounds like some dim place where all types of undesirables hang out!! [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Now " Biliard Parlour " makes one think of " Fine Wines, Cigars and Brandy" which would only be fitting for Gentelmen and after dinner conversation. [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Egon

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
Pool room sounds like some dim place where all types of undesirables hang out!!

Now " Biliard Parlour " makes one think of " Fine Wines, Cigars and Brandy" which would only be fitting for Gentelmen and after dinner conversation.

[/ QUOTE ]

Parlour it is [img]/forums/images/icons/cool.gif[/img]


I am so glad we went with the 9 ft basement, the way the stairwell is laid out in the middle there was no way get around the bulkhead in the rec room. In response to the studio: I am leaving that for a winter/spring project, i have a few studio plans i found online and i think one them had slanted wall look(thanks)
With the cost of the house project in whole [img]/forums/images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] The better half says [img]/forums/images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] studios can wait [img]/forums/images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

The guys have insulating since yesterday and another crew has been siding since friday, they got the side walls done with blow-in today and the ceiling is done also it is amazing what can get done in 1 day.

http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/9-11%20002.jpg

http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/9-11%20003.jpg

http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/9-11%20004.jpg

http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/9-11%20007.jpg

http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/9-11%20010.jpg


http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/9-11%20013.jpg

http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/9-11%20014.jpg

thanks
brent

A little update:

The drywallers have all the drywall put up and the finishers should start Friday. It seemed to have made all rooms look smaller the wife told me [img]/forums/images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] I told my wife that making the house any bigger at this point was not a option [img]/forums/images/icons/wink.gif[/img] While the guys are busy inside I am getting ready to transplant trees, I have about 35 holes dug for maples and beech with a Bobcat and also stripped off a swath about 300 ft to plant a wind row of poplars. Just waiting for the leaves to fall off the maples and beech and to get my poplars and pines from arborday.

http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/9-22%20033.jpg
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/9-22%20032.jpg

Brent

Hi all,

Got some bad news, The rental house that we are living in sold so we got to move . Since the house we moving to does not have cable or our new house we are building(wont be done until late Nov early Dec) we are losing are internet , which also means my web space for pics. I can still access from where i work but this post will have dead links to the pics. Should I delete this post? You guys have been great following our progress on this project, below is the last pics i will be able to post with our shutoff Monday.

Thanks again
Brent

The outside is just about done.
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/9-27%20017.jpg

They are starting to lay the stone.
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/9-27%20020.jpg

I have been busy with the bobcat with future windbreaks
http://webpages.charter.net/bone5258/9-27%20018.jpg

If you reduce the file size to less than 100K, and attach the files to your post, rather than an "inline image", they will be stored on the Country by Net server and you won't have to be concerned about it.

Good luck on the move and the latest photos show a fine looking house.

Brent, even if you can't save the pics, keep us updated. I remember the old "Progressive Farmer" magazine had a cartoon call Hambone, and in one episode Hambone said that he loved work and could watch it all day long. After all the work that I put in building mine, I enjoy watching others work. Later, Nat

Sorry all links above are dead, lost the webspace.
I did find some free web space at Photobucket so any future pics that i post will come from there, I cant redirect the above links without editing each one. My post's will be limited to when i am at work(look's over shoulder for boss) [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Thanks again for all input .

Brent

Hi all,
I think i am back in the loop now [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
The past few weeks have been crazy to say the least, having now moved two times since july because the rental house we had for 6weeks sold and now we are living in a 1 bedroom house with a 11 mo old baby, We are chomping at the bit to get our project finished. The outside is done except the driveway apron and front sidewalk, the inside is painted and the guy is trimming out the windows and door frames the tile is done and the wood floor is being installed so we are getting close [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] I dont have the latest pics , we are so busy picking out stuff for the inside [img]/forums/images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] I did find time to add a new addition to our future driveway needs, I found a 1948 Ford 8n tractor, it is no showdog but runs like a top, it has a 7ft blade and 2 24" end pieces that bolt on, should make snow this winter a smaller chore than with my 24" snowblower [img]/forums/images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]
I will post the latest pics soon, Here are some from a week or so ago.
Front
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...X/10-7001a.jpg
back
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...X/10-7014a.jpg
front
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...X/10-7004a.jpg
Front door
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...X/10-7008a.jpg
basement rec room
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b2...X/10-7010a.jpg

Thanks
Brent

Hi all,
We are about 2 weeks out, I am hoping Thanksgiving [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]
Things are moving fast. I have been planting trees in the field and waiting for the final prep so i can plant the grass seed, The link below has the latest pics from 10-31.

Brent

http://photobucket.com/albums/b242/X-treme-X/

WE had a little setback, and should be in by Dec1, The house is just about complete, all the subs are coming back doing last minute details. The wife's goodies are coming for her kitchen 11-23 and the carpet should be in the by 29, I know we need final inspections yet but we can start moving stuff out of storage into the garage.
pics as of 11-19.
http://photobucket.com/albums/b242/X-treme-X/

We are done!!!!!!!!! [img]/forums/images/icons/cool.gif[/img]
We got finished and have moved all our stuff in. After living in small 1 bedroom house(baby had the bedroom) and sleeping on a aero-bed on a drafty floor for the last 2 mo + drinking bottled water(well was real bad) all I can say it is good to be home!!!!
This site and people are great, Thanks for all your input and suggestions, it is nice hear what other folks think. I will try to be a regular here and repay the kindness you have given me, After I get unpacked [img]/forums/images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Thanks again

Brent


Photo album

Congradulations and enjoy!! [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Egon

Brent, I think I can understand your feelings. We once lived 3 months with 2 kids in a 24' travel trailer while our new house was being built. [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]