The rains have not kept our builder away! We just haven't posted for quite a while. The house now is completely sided, and has all sheetrock done, and most wood trim and cabinets in place. We must next decide on a wood stain color - pretty important to not get the wrong shade since all the wood trim and cabinets will be the same color.
The rain HAS delayed any pouring of the driveway or sidewalks so the entrance is still a muddy challenge.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
June 28
We haven't done a post for awhile, but not because of no progress! The house is framed, roof is on, windows and doors in, and the siding was started today. Lots of progress! Our crews have managed to work around all the June rain. Inside, the framing is done, A/C HVAC crews have installed the furnace and ductwork, and markings are done for electrical outlets, TV and phone.
We like the spaciousness of the great room and master suite, and are glad we could still have large windows to the back of the house (W/SW).
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
June 14 2010
Subflooring and wall joists are being installed today (I think joist is the right word...!) The lumber crew is really working along, despite REALLY muddy ground surrounding the house.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
June 9
City inspectors approved the plumbing connections. Basement floor concrete was poured and garage floor was poured.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
May 4 - Meet with Builder, Bank, and City
We met the builder at the site to refine preliminary layout of the house. We decided to center the house off the circular, cul-de-sac street and moved it back to 48 feet back from the cul-de-sac. That still leaves our back yard at over 100 feet in depth!
Ed and Steve (builder) met with bank officers in regards to cash flow of a construction loan. A long discussion was held on how to handle lien waivers. The next trip was to City Hall to gather paperwork for building permits.
Ed, Steve, and I met over lunch to review the house plans and ask/answer other construction questions. Because one of the early questions from Steve concerned exterior colors, surfaces, and appearance, Ed and I chose to drive to Altoona in the afternoon to examine the townhomes in his addition for siding/shake shingle color, trim color, roof color and stone trim. One of the homes has the combination that we like best so those details are now in place. We are looking at beige siding/shake shingle, dark brown trim and a block-type stone trim in a wainscot effect.
Ed and Steve (builder) met with bank officers in regards to cash flow of a construction loan. A long discussion was held on how to handle lien waivers. The next trip was to City Hall to gather paperwork for building permits.
Ed, Steve, and I met over lunch to review the house plans and ask/answer other construction questions. Because one of the early questions from Steve concerned exterior colors, surfaces, and appearance, Ed and I chose to drive to Altoona in the afternoon to examine the townhomes in his addition for siding/shake shingle color, trim color, roof color and stone trim. One of the homes has the combination that we like best so those details are now in place. We are looking at beige siding/shake shingle, dark brown trim and a block-type stone trim in a wainscot effect.
May 2 - Site visit
Ed and I went to the house site and placed marker flags every 50 feet along the property lines. We placed markers for approximate location of the house and garage. We were chased away by a sudden afternoon rainstorm but got the basic things marked.
April 30 - Shopping with subcontractors
We spent much of the day visiting the subcontractor businesses that supply several of the interior elements for the house. We have been to the granite vendor before, but today picked up a 2nd sample of granite for possible use in the 2 baths. We checked with the vendor that handles both the gas fireplace and furnace, and also spent considerable time at the flooring vendor, matching carpet samples, wood flooring, and granite for the "right" combination. We have learned that "there are 72 shades of beige" and multiple types, colors, and thicknesses of granite!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
April 27 Appraisal info
Barb and Ed - A call was received today from an appraisal firm that the bank requested. He had several construction questions for us. Appraisal paperwork could be turned in as early as tomorrow.
April 22 - Bank loan info
Barb and Ed - We met with a Marshalltown bank today to complete the paperwork on a construction loan. We hope that the steps from here go smoothly so that we receive approval and construction can start soon afterward.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
March 29 - Lot purchase
Barb and Ed - we signed the paperwork to acquire the 3/4 acre lot in Cross Country Estates for our future home. We met with Larry and Marlene Kester to complete the legal transaction. We officially own a pile of dirt - for the immediate future! The lot is nicely situated on the southwest side of the development and backs onto fields, so there will still be a touch of country when we look out the west side of our home.
April 21 - Builder Contract Signed!
Ed,
With the changes and modifications we have made, the price has changed accordingly and we are now nearing the $250,000 price - not including the lot which we already own. The next connection will be with the bank! If the bank paperwork can be completed in a timely fashion, we should be looking at digging the basement in the next few weeks. The weather is ideal (so far) for starting construction. We are still hoping to get the home completed for an October 1st move date.
Barb
We signed the necessary contracts to begin construction today. We met with the builder and the realtor in the townhome that is the essential pattern of our plan. After working on plans and adjustments for several weeks, it is a good feeling to be able to take the next step.
With the changes and modifications we have made, the price has changed accordingly and we are now nearing the $250,000 price - not including the lot which we already own. The next connection will be with the bank! If the bank paperwork can be completed in a timely fashion, we should be looking at digging the basement in the next few weeks. The weather is ideal (so far) for starting construction. We are still hoping to get the home completed for an October 1st move date.
Barb
We signed the necessary contracts to begin construction today. We met with the builder and the realtor in the townhome that is the essential pattern of our plan. After working on plans and adjustments for several weeks, it is a good feeling to be able to take the next step.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
March 6 2010 Shopping for "New Stuff" and Paperwork
Barb - On Wednesday, we headed to Des Moines to look at various components required for the house. We did some browsing for furniture (just to see what's in style now - we haven't purchased anything for awhile!), area rugs, and fireplaces. In preparing our current home for sale, we've been moving some furniture around to achieve some different areas of living space. It seems that the best tips are "declutter" and "stage". We know what declutter means! We're working on the staging gradually - if not just learning about it.
Ed - We now have the paperwork from the lawyer on the home site and everything appears to be in order. We are just waiting for the developer to get home from south Texas so we can complete the deal and give him the check. Two days ago we met the ICF builder from Cedar Rapids at the site and walked it with him. The snow was still 12" deep so we could not see much. However, he was happy the site slopes to the northwest and the shape of the property will allow the house to face mostly southwest. After a 2 hour meeting and lunch, he still is thinking the cost will be in the $150 dollar per square foot range. Later that day I contacted the second ICF builder in Johnston and discussed the plans he is working on also. His prelimianry estimate is between $125 and $150 dollars per square foot - which is better. I also contacted the Amwood builder and he is still working on the costs also. I then sent an e-mail note to the builder in Altoona to see what has happened since our meeting 2 weeks ago. I have not had any response from him since our 2+ hour meeting in Altoona. He has the floor plan we like the most and we hope he can be a bit more competitive in pricing. If not I have a couple additional names of local home builders I can talk with. The problem is that these folks build a home at a time and will not have any purchasing power to speak of.
Ed - We now have the paperwork from the lawyer on the home site and everything appears to be in order. We are just waiting for the developer to get home from south Texas so we can complete the deal and give him the check. Two days ago we met the ICF builder from Cedar Rapids at the site and walked it with him. The snow was still 12" deep so we could not see much. However, he was happy the site slopes to the northwest and the shape of the property will allow the house to face mostly southwest. After a 2 hour meeting and lunch, he still is thinking the cost will be in the $150 dollar per square foot range. Later that day I contacted the second ICF builder in Johnston and discussed the plans he is working on also. His prelimianry estimate is between $125 and $150 dollars per square foot - which is better. I also contacted the Amwood builder and he is still working on the costs also. I then sent an e-mail note to the builder in Altoona to see what has happened since our meeting 2 weeks ago. I have not had any response from him since our 2+ hour meeting in Altoona. He has the floor plan we like the most and we hope he can be a bit more competitive in pricing. If not I have a couple additional names of local home builders I can talk with. The problem is that these folks build a home at a time and will not have any purchasing power to speak of.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
March 3 Early Plans and Thoughts
Barb -We have lived in our home in the country for nearly 23 years. Our home is a passive solar envelope style set among shagbark hickory trees. We have enjoyed the country setting at our spacious unique home, but the struggle to keep the downhill gravel drive plowed in winter and and all the summer mowing and upkeep is just that. Also, we don't need to be in a "midpoint" location for commuting to our jobs since we are now both retired.
After looking for already built homes for sale in three different areas in Central Iowa, we decided to purchase a lot in Marshalltown at Cross Country Estates. The lot will still allow us to have open areas bordering our home while also being in town.
We are working with a house plan that is a mix of two different layouts.
Ed - We have lived in this home for 23 years and tried to keep it up and nice. However, it takes 4 hours or more to mow and the driveway is 400 or more feet long. In the winter, the drive can take hours to clean. We have to do tree limb duty everytime we have a storm. We planted 6 apple trees and 2 cherry trees and now we need to do canning and freezing duty every fall. We used to have a 50' by 50' garden until that became too much to handle. Finally, we need to drive 40 miles round trip just to get groceries or go out to dinner. We are retired and want to move to town. Therefore, we have purchased a .75 acre lot in Marshalltown. The paperwork is in the hands of the lawyers right now and should be concluded in a couple of weeks. We have already contacted two banks for 9 month construction loans and are just waiting for cost estimates from the contractors so we can finalize the loan amounts.
After looking for already built homes for sale in three different areas in Central Iowa, we decided to purchase a lot in Marshalltown at Cross Country Estates. The lot will still allow us to have open areas bordering our home while also being in town.
We are working with a house plan that is a mix of two different layouts.
Ed - We have lived in this home for 23 years and tried to keep it up and nice. However, it takes 4 hours or more to mow and the driveway is 400 or more feet long. In the winter, the drive can take hours to clean. We have to do tree limb duty everytime we have a storm. We planted 6 apple trees and 2 cherry trees and now we need to do canning and freezing duty every fall. We used to have a 50' by 50' garden until that became too much to handle. Finally, we need to drive 40 miles round trip just to get groceries or go out to dinner. We are retired and want to move to town. Therefore, we have purchased a .75 acre lot in Marshalltown. The paperwork is in the hands of the lawyers right now and should be concluded in a couple of weeks. We have already contacted two banks for 9 month construction loans and are just waiting for cost estimates from the contractors so we can finalize the loan amounts.
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