Ground breaking. More Framing Pics added FEB 12

[Duke{CLR}]

Long story short after 10 years of plans we decided to subdivide our property and build our own home. We broke ground on Monday morning and I have decided t keep a record of the site as we go along.

A few pics of our yard on Sunday after the escavator was dropped off.

http://img580.imageshack.us/img580/3131/dscn4622t.jpg
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/6403/dscn4620m.jpg

Monday night.

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/7587/dscn4626k.jpg

He wrapped up Tuesday afternoon and here is the the hole.

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/8580/dscn4628.jpg

More to come...

[Rand{CLR}]

Sweet. :2thumbs:

-Rand

[goldenfooler]

Looks good. Seems like your doing a slab and no basement?
Are you going to insulating under the slab?

[Duke{CLR}]

There will be a basement but it's hard to tell from the pic that I took while standing on my boat. The walls will be insulated with rigid foam but I have not gotten the price for the under slab insulation, The under slab insulation is a requirement for this program we have up here but I was told that the cost of the insulation is more then the check you get so I doubt I will. There may be other things that disqualify me like the direct vent hood in my kitchen or my heated garage so I will see if it's worth it. My wife and I are way above our budget already so we need to be careful. If you are interested you read about it here, I would be interested to know if your state has something similar. http://efficiencyvermont.com/for_my_home/ways-to-save-and-rebates/building_buying_new_home/building_buying_new_home/general_info/overview.aspx

While on the topic of efficiency check out this efficient wood burning fireplace.
http://www.fireplacex.com/ProductGuide/ProductDetail.aspx?modelsku=98500113

[goldenfooler]

Are you going to try to get LEED cert?

[goldenfooler]

There will be a basement but it's hard to tell from the pic that I took while standing on my boat. The walls will be insulated with rigid foam but I have not gotten the price for the under slab insulation, The under slab insulation is a requirement for this program we have up here but I was told that the cost of the insulation is more then the check you get so I doubt I will. There may be other things that disqualify me like the direct vent hood in my kitchen or my heated garage so I will see if it's worth it. My wife and I are way above our budget already so we need to be careful. If you are interested you read about it here, I would be interested to know if your state has something similar. http://efficiencyvermont.com/for_my_home/ways-to-save-and-rebates/building_buying_new_home/building_buying_new_home/general_info/overview.aspx

While on the topic of efficiency check out this efficient wood burning fireplace.
http://www.fireplacex.com/ProductGuide/ProductDetail.aspx?modelsku=98500113
Fireplace looks good. I am unsure what NJ gives away. I am so far away from a house its sad. Frankly the apartment I live in doesn't even have insulation in the walls. (1930?)
I guess if your doing a basement then the slab won't cause that much trouble. Are you doing a radiant floor? How much have you worked in the solar gain?

When you say direct vent hood. I am guessing you are venting right to the outside. This is normal for me and actually with my cooking background only way I would want it. I can understand the heat loss and wondered about it sometimes. Are there any insulated flaps that could be manually adjusted. I guess this would work the house more like an Earth Ship design.

On thing I always wanted in my the range hood was a telescoping vent so you can put it closer to the offending onions ect.

I look forward to following this build and pestering you with questions.

[goldenfooler]

When you start going for applices I can look up the links for a rating system above the energy star labeling.

[Duke{CLR}]

Are you going to try to get LEED cert?

I'm not to sure what that is but it looks just like another PITA to deal with with the house. I will have a super efficient house regardless.

[Duke{CLR}]

I think most of my appliance have an energy star rating but I'm not certain about the range yet, as i get closer I will post up a few options. I MUST have a a 5 burner gas range similar to this.

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100597588&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&ci_sku=100597588&ci_kw={keyword}&cm_mmc=shopping-_-googleads-_-pla-_-100597588&ci_gpa=pla&locStoreNum=4501

[{CLR} ObiTroy]

Fantastic, Duke! I know you are excited. :2thumbs:

[Rand{CLR}]

I'm not to sure what that is but it looks just like another PITA to deal with with the house. I will have a super efficient house regardless.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, run by the U.S. Green Building Council. It's a rating system to measure building efficiency in "green" or environmentally sensitive design systems. There's a number of sub-certifications available, one of which is LEED for Homes.

It's going to become a significant marketing point, but aside from that even the USGBC itself cautions that LEED should not be considered the only rating system in the block. Energy Star and others are just as valid for most applications.

-Rand

P.S. By the by, I'm a LEED accredited professional in Building Design and Construction (so when I choose, which isn't all the time, I can put the following after my name--which I DO do for my business cards: LEED AP BD+C).

[Duke{CLR}]

Interesting, when I get a chance I will read up on it. So far I have only read the Efficiency VT and Energy star information.

[goldenfooler]

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, run by the U.S. Green Building Council. It's a rating system to measure building efficiency in "green" or environmentally sensitive design systems. There's a number of sub-certifications available, one of which is LEED for Homes.

It's going to become a significant marketing point, but aside from that even the USGBC itself cautions that LEED should not be considered the only rating system in the block. Energy Star and others are just as valid for most applications.

-Rand

P.S. By the by, I'm a LEED accredited professional in Building Design and Construction (so when I choose, which isn't all the time, I can put the following after my name--which I DO do for my business cards: LEED AP BD+C).


Rand, what are the prep work before the house is started that need to be done for LEED? or can it be done afterwards?

[Rand{CLR}]

It's always much better to start out knowing your're going for LEED certification because some of the passive things and mechanical devices could be planned from the start--for example, the location and orientation on the lot has impact on several credits due primarily to sun orientation and how it hits the building.

LEED systems have prerequisites, and if you don't meet all of those, you can't certify. I'm not directly familiar with LEED for Homes because I'm in planning, but LEED for New Construction (think more office/retail/multifamily buildings) has a prerequisite for commissioning, which entails an outside party verifying certain things.

If that prerequisite exists in LEED for Homes, that would preclude certification off the bat. The commissioning authority needs to review documentation at the start.

-Rand

[goldenfooler]

It's always much better to start out knowing your're going for LEED certification because some of the passive things and mechanical devices could be planned from the start--for example, the location and orientation on the lot has impact on several credits due primarily to sun orientation and how it hits the building.

LEED systems have prerequisites, and if you don't meet all of those, you can't certify. I'm not directly familiar with LEED for Homes because I'm in planning, but LEED for New Construction (think more office/retail/multifamily buildings) has a prerequisite for commissioning, which entails an outside party verifying certain things.

If that prerequisite exists in LEED for Homes, that would preclude certification off the bat. The commissioning authority needs to review documentation at the start.

-Rand
That is what I thought. One of the local car dealers<mini> has a LEED certified building. Now the thing is I doubt this company went very far out of their way to do anything special.

[mapes]

I know a LEED inspector and my wifes old work (she quite a couple of weeks ago) just open a huge fully LEED cert'd building. Here's a write up on it

http://www.worldinteriordesignnetwork.com/news/nordic_naturals_unveils_new_sustainable_hq_in_cali fornia_110202/

[Dead...Again]

There will be a basement but it's hard to tell from the pic that I took while standing on my boat. The walls will be insulated with rigid foam but I have not gotten the price for the under slab insulation, The under slab insulation is a requirement for this program we have up here but I was told that the cost of the insulation is more then the check you get so I doubt I will. There may be other things that disqualify me like the direct vent hood in my kitchen or my heated garage so I will see if it's worth it. My wife and I are way above our budget already so we need to be careful. If you are interested you read about it here, I would be interested to know if your state has something similar. http://efficiencyvermont.com/for_my_home/ways-to-save-and-rebates/building_buying_new_home/building_buying_new_home/general_info/overview.aspx

While on the topic of efficiency check out this efficient wood burning fireplace.
http://www.fireplacex.com/ProductGuide/ProductDetail.aspx?modelsku=98500113
We burned wood as our primary heat source when I was a kid. We had a large wood-burning stove in the basement and a fireplace in the living room. At some point we got a fireplace insert, and it greatly increased the efficiency and heat output of the fireplace.

[Duke{CLR}]

We burned wood as our primary heat source when I was a kid. We had a large wood-burning stove in the basement and a fireplace in the living room. At some point we got a fireplace insert, and it greatly increased the efficiency and heat output of the fireplace.

When I was a teenager my father had my brother and I split and stack 9 cords.

Now this particular fireplace will heat 3000 sq ft and has two 10" ducts that will draw air from the basement for heating and another duct will draw the combustion air from the outside, it's slick. In combination with out forced air system we should be in good shape. :2thumbs:

[Dead...Again]

When I was a teenager my father had my brother and I split and stack 9 cords.

Yeah, I had to help my dad cut wood, which meant we he cut and I loaded into the truck. I also had to split wood and keep a certain amount stacked in the basement. Gawd I hated it. I am probably the worst at splitting wood. I must have bad hand-eye coordination or something. I don't know how many handles I broke over the years over-shooting the log. Luckily I didn't have to out the wood left outside in nice orderly rows. It was usually a big pile. We went through a lot of wood each winter.

[Duke{CLR}]

What I remember most about my fathers wood burning days was that my room was on the opposite end of the house as the wood stove and I liked to sleep with my door closed so the temp in there was about 50 deg. F. it was chilly but with the proper amount of blankets it made for perfect sleeping conditions. :2thumbs:

[{CLR} Cobalt]

Yankees and their heating systems. :scratch:

[goldenfooler]

yea lets hear about your cooling system LOL... how many days have you spent sitting in the kidy pool?

[mapes]

Yeah, I had to help my dad cut wood, which meant we he cut and I loaded into the truck. I also had to split wood and keep a certain amount stacked in the basement. Gawd I hated it. I am probably the worst at splitting wood. I must have bad hand-eye coordination or something. I don't know how many handles I broke over the years over-shooting the log. Luckily I didn't have to out the wood left outside in nice orderly rows. It was usually a big pile. We went through a lot of wood each winter.

If you don't do it all the time it can be very therapeutic to split woodb

[Dead...Again]

If you don't do it all the time it can be very therapeutic to split woodb
Yeah I don't mind it so much now, although it isn't as fun as wielding a chainsaw :D

[goldenfooler]

you rent log splitter and play with the chainsaw.

[Duke{CLR}]

you rent log splitter and play with the chainsaw.

I say this log splitter that split the log in 4 piecs, I have a few trees that must be taken down so I'll be getting for a day. :2thumbs:

[Rand{CLR}]

Duke, if you get some rain that delays things, you should fill up the whole foundation and float around in a dinghy. Have a bit of fun amidst the stress. :D

-Rand

[BlackArrow]

good luck duke...i know you have been looking forward to this day for a long time:2thumbs:

[Duke{CLR}]

These were shot with my camera and they seem to be better then my wifes Coolpix 90:scratch:

Tomorrow they add the rigid insulation to the tarred area.:2thumbs:

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/6707/imag0152ho.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/52/imag0152ho.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/1879/imag0154i.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/840/imag0154i.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[goldenfooler]

Did you use the insulated blocks for the wall?
nice boat BTW

[Duke{CLR}]

Did you use the insulated blocks for the wall?
nice boat BTW

The shorter foundation wall will not have the insulation around it but the wall for the 8' basement will. Tomorrow they will stick those to the side and i'll try to get a few shots.

[Duke{CLR}]

One thing I had failed to mention was that our permit wasn't valid until the September 9th so I had to slow my guys down but Friday they went at it and they say by the end of next week they should be framing the rafters. The bank was pretty impressed when I called them on the first official day to ask for the first inspection and what was more impressive was that the guy showed up that evening and gave everything a :2thumbs:


Here is the insulation around the foundation.
http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/6027/imag0157u.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/534/imag0157u.jpg/)

Here is the first man cave, Mini is standing in the rear part of the garage which will be a workshop of some sort.
http://img849.imageshack.us/img849/9633/imag0168l.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/849/imag0168l.jpg/)

Here is another man cave. The lighted area is where the steps from the workshop will com down, the area to the right will be another workshop.
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/1130/imag0181m.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/29/imag0181m.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

There rest of the basement.
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/9922/imag0179i.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/198/imag0179i.jpg/)

Here are some miscellaneous framing shots.

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/5388/imag0203of.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/819/imag0203of.jpg/)

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/6752/imag0202z.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/819/imag0202z.jpg/)

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/5454/imag0204o.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/195/imag0204o.jpg/)

[goldenfooler]

Why not use insulated foam forms for the walls?

[Duke{CLR}]

Why not use insulated foam forms for the walls?

The pricing for the foam insulation was way too high. The entire job with foam would have been 10,000 more then the the standard.

[Apache Warrior]

But, how much would it have saved in heating and cooling costs, over the long run?
Apache

[Rand{CLR}]

How many workshops do you need? :scratch::D

-Rand

[Duke{CLR}]

But, how much would it have saved in heating and cooling costs, over the long run?
Apache

The R value is the same plus the with the barrier under the siding will keep it tight. I will be going around the house and filling many of the cracks with spray foam which will help out even more. We will be installing a top end heating system, that's where the 10k went.

How many workshops do you need? :scratch::D

-Rand
You can never have enough. Yesterday I lost my main man cave when the wife decided to turn my office into a living room. I may even have to set up my gaming rig down there.

You cna never have enought

[goldenfooler]

The pricing for the foam insulation was way too high. The entire job with foam would have been 10,000 more then the the standard.

Ok good to know. I thought the ease of labor to put up them up would take down the price. If the insulation is the same then I personally wouldn't worry. Especially if you are going to do a foam insulation on the inside.

Have you found a place to rent or borrow a therm camera so you can do touch up's easier?

[Apache Warrior]

If the r rating is the same it is silly to pay that much more.
Apache

[Duke{CLR}]

They only worked three days this week.

The Nook, It was supposed to be only on the first floor but I extended it to out the master tub in there.
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/2259/imag0223es.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/690/imag0223es.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)


The back, there will be a kitchen window to the right of the nook.
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/6996/imag0225h.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/827/imag0225h.jpg/)

Another change I made, the cost of one of those build pantries is huge so i modified the hallway/mud room to have a pantry on the left and the coat closet on the right.
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/2200/imag0226n.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/97/imag0226n.jpg/)

The floor of the garage had to be dropped for grading purposes, this makes for a 12.5 foot ceiling in the garage which made the from of the garage look a bit plain so the builder suggested 10' doors, I hope this doesn't end up looking like "Dukes Auto Repair" when it's done. The builder says that when the gable is up it willl put it in perspective.

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8786/imag0236v.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/10/imag0236v.jpg/)

Steele beam FTW.
http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/2081/imag0237e.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/824/imag0237e.jpg/)

[Rand{CLR}]

Another change I made, the cost of one of those build pantries is huge so i modified the hallway/mud room to have a pantry on the left and the coat closet on the right.
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/2200/imag0226n.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/97/imag0226n.jpg/)

The floor of the garage had to be dropped for grading purposes, this makes for a 12.5 foot ceiling in the garage which made the from of the garage look a bit plain so the builder suggested 10' doors, I hope this doesn't end up looking like "Dukes Auto Repair" when it's done. The builder says that when the gable is up it willl put it in perspective.

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/8786/imag0236v.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/10/imag0236v.jpg/)

Duke, what makes the difference between a larger pantry and a split pantry/closet? And couldn't you have a larger pantry with partial built-in shelves and a kitchenmaid shelving system for the rest? :scratch:

I think you should make a "Duke's Auto Repair" sign, post it on the finished garage, and photograph it for us. That would rock. :2thumbs:

-Rand

[goldenfooler]

you can now park your tank in there:twisted:

how many sq feet are you looking to be at in the end?

[Duke{CLR}]

Rand, excellent question about the pantry. The original kitchen had a pantry that was the same height as the fridge, it had a nice slideout shelving system. The problem we had with the cabinets is that try had all the frills added which added up to be way above our allotment for cabinets. By framing in a panty we can still get quality cabinets and add shelving systems can be added down the road. I would post up a floor plan to show you that change but my laptop charger just died and so did my battery.

There is no way i'm putting a sign up on the garage, I'm already hearing about the size of the garage from my wife.

There is about 2600 square feet of living space, 992 square feet of garage, 337 square feet un finished area above the garage, 1200 feet of basement and an 8' porch along the front. When I searched online for plans I searched from 2500 to 2750. I was told to plan for $110 to $125 per heated square foot so this number would fit our budget. After my wife and went through many of them we picked it out, when we found a builder he pointed out that the large porch, which used to wrap around, the garage etc made this a much more expensive. We have made many changes to reduce the cost as a result. This has us probably having to sell our old house as opposed to renting out as we planned.

[goldenfooler]

Rand, excellent question about the pantry. The original kitchen had a pantry that was the same height as the fridge, it had a nice slideout shelving system. The problem we had with the cabinets is that try had all the frills added which added up to be way above our allotment for cabinets. By framing in a panty we can still get quality cabinets and add shelving systems can be added down the road. I would post up a floor plan to show you that change but my laptop charger just died and so did my battery.

There is no way i'm putting a sign up on the garage, I'm already hearing about the size of the garage from my wife.

There is about 2600 square feet of living space, 992 square feet of garage, 337 square feet un finished area above the garage, 1200 feet of basement and an 8' porch along the front. When I searched online for plans I searched from 2500 to 2750. I was told to plan for $110 to $125 per heated square foot so this number would fit our budget. After my wife and went through many of them we picked it out, when we found a builder he pointed out that the large porch, which used to wrap around, the garage etc made this a much more expensive. We have made many changes to reduce the cost as a result. This has us probably having to sell our old house as opposed to renting out as we planned.

Ah she might not like the garage space now, but she will use it later. But if she is like my stepmother she is over using her part of the "storage" area they added as a basement to the extension. We have 9 shelves that are 4 foot high and is a full piece of plywood.

[Duke{CLR}]

I'm hoping that we use the space we have sparingly, there is huge potential for clutter.

[Cain]

Are you going to wrap that Tyvex around the exterior, before you side it ??

[Duke{CLR}]

Are you going to wrap that Tyvex around the exterior, before you side it ??

Yes they are. Two expensive rolls of it are lying around somewhere on there. I hope they get it installed before it walks away.

[goldenfooler]

Yes they are. Two expensive rolls of it are lying around somewhere on there. I hope they get it installed before it walks away.

Are you that worried about stealing things in your area of Vermont?

[Duke{CLR}]

It could happen but because we live next door and we are at a dead end we are probably safe. It's just when you see thousands of dollars of stuff laying there it get you thinking.

[{CLR} Cobalt]

Man, I hate to hurt your feelings but I'm having my 2100sq.ft built for $62. I'll show pics when I get moved in and settled.

[Duke{CLR}]

You won't hurt my feelings, I'm well aware of the cheaper labor costs down south. I begged my wife to move to charlotte NC just before we went down this road. We found a 4100 square foot house on a lake with a boathouse for 421000. That would get you a no frills 2500 square foot colonial on a .25 acre lot up here.

[{CLR} Cobalt]

She must have taken leave of her senses somewhere along the way. :D

[juneau]

So interesting to watch US construction from a British POV. Keep the pics coming Duke. :2thumbs:

[Duke{CLR}]

Not too many major changes this week but except the first floor decking is in place. When you climb up on top you can really get a feel for the size of the building. Next week they tell me that the second floor walls will be up and maybe the roof over the garage.

This one my wife took with her in the back corner and me standing on the front corner of the garage.
http://img851.imageshack.us/img851/6461/002ov.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/851/002ov.jpg/)

This is one with her on the front corner of the garage with me in the back of the house.
http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/2136/008meo.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/854/008meo.jpg/)

No stairs yet so this is the only way up.
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/25/imag0251sz.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/405/imag0251sz.jpg/)

Mini standing where the master tub will be.
http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/7426/imag0254i.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/838/imag0254i.jpg/)

Mini wanted to run into the basement and take one from there to the top.
http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/3051/imag0258pr.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/594/imag0258pr.jpg/)

[Duke{CLR}]

More pics, roof framing in porgress.

Sophie, the builders rottweiler.
http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/5810/imag0262w.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/705/imag0262w.jpg/)

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/226/imag0263o.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/560/imag0263o.jpg/)

Bonus room entry.
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/789/imag0264f.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/42/imag0264f.jpg/)

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/3900/imag0270lo.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/40/imag0270lo.jpg/)

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/226/imag0263o.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/560/imag0263o.jpg/)

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/7092/imag0269j.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/80/imag0269j.jpg/)

[Rand{CLR}]

Starting to look like a house now.:2thumbs:

-Rand

[juneau]

Looking great Duke. :2thumbs:

[Quamin]

Hey Duke, there's a dog on your roof! :twisted:

Man that is looking nice - you make me look forward to my first house!:2thumbs:

[Dead...Again]

:2thumbs:

[Duke{CLR}]

They have been busy, roof is done rough, plumbing and the ground work is complete until spring. This week the guy should have the air system in place and the electrician will start next week some time. Here are a few pics.

The roof detail made those 10' garage doors a little less commercial.
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/7213/imag0355s.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/15/imag0355s.jpg/)

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/7250/imag0356l.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/716/imag0356l.jpg/)

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/7767/imag0357y.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/191/imag0357y.jpg/)

We found this tub at the Plumbing supply place for $100.00!

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/9681/imag0362j.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/834/imag0362j.jpg/)

A clean looking mechanical room.
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/2696/imag0360l.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/3/imag0360l.jpg/)

[DougBob]

That is looking very nice :2thumbs:

[juneau]

$100?!?!

Somebody die in it or something? :twisted:

[Quamin]

$100?!?!

Somebody die in it or something? :twisted:

Dying to get rid of it, it seems :twisted:

[Duke{CLR}]

$100?!?!

Somebody die in it or something? :twisted:

Lol, They had several tubs on the floor at the time, this one was a smaller one that was lost in the warehouse and they had to order another one for the customer so they were stuck with it. I like the fact that it wont drain our hot water tank like the larger ones will and it didn't drain our plumbing fixture allowance.

[{CLR} ObiTroy]

Sweet!

[Duke{CLR}]

My wife sent me theses this morning. After my trip ends on Monday I wont be going back until the 25th so I will be in there doing things like pulling cable and whatever else I can do at this point.


Porch, house wrap and windows.
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/6472/001qqvb.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/153/001qqvb.jpg/)

Back view.
http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/7044/003gy.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/802/003gy.jpg/)

Inside the second floor of the nook. I'm pretty happy with this aspect of the house because I was the one who added the nook to the second floor and redisgned the master suite to put the tub int
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/3121/006udk.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/836/006udk.jpg/)

[Apache Warrior]

Looking good. :2thumbs:
Apache

[Nauticas]

Cover the tub well before any sheet rock starts, especially since it is a whirl pool. The fine dust that gypsum makes when sanded down will find its way into the jets, hehe. Tile on the wall? Don't forget about the ceiling :D

It's looking nice Duke. I'm hoping that space above the garage is going to be Duke's Lair, hehe.

[Duke{CLR}]

Cover the tub well before any sheet rock starts, especially since it is a whirl pool. The fine dust that gypsum makes when sanded down will find its way into the jets, hehe. Tile on the wall? Don't forget about the ceiling :D

It's looking nice Duke. I'm hoping that space above the garage is going to be Duke's Lair, hehe.

That's great advice about covering the tub. I should have done that earlier there is a bunch of debris already in it. No tile on the wall, we took all our tile budget and used it on the wood floors downstairs so I will be installing the tile myself on the floors only. The tub enclosure will have tile on the top but the walls will be a stained wood to match the vanity.

The room above the garage has man cave written all over but it will have to wait until the tax man comes and goes. :2thumbs:

[Rand{CLR}]

Duke is going to get his freak ON in that bathroom with all those windows. Doing a little show for the neighbors.

-Rand

[Duke{CLR}]

Duke is going to get his freak ON in that bathroom with all those windows. Doing a little show for the neighbors.

-Rand

Lol not unless I forget to close the shades. :D

[Duke{CLR}]

More updates, Today I spent time stuffing fiber glass around the ducting and in a few areas that the insulating guy asked me to, I save a few bucks but it itches. Here are the latest pics. It's all coming together but its kind of fun but I just want the thing to be done with so I can get back to normal.

This day set a record high temp of 68 degrees, nice day to take a pic with all the windows installed.
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/263/imag0371p.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/684/imag0371p.jpg/)

http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/2417/imag0369g.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/804/imag0369g.jpg/)
http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/8499/imag0370n.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/265/imag0370n.jpg/)

I was going to replace the Atrium door with slider but was talked out of it after seeing it I'm glad I kept it.
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/9776/imag0376c.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/337/imag0376c.jpg/)


The asphalt plants shut down on Thanksgiving and the paving companies weren't returning my call until Tuesday night when two of them called, they paved on Wednesday.
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/465/imag0374u.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/5/imag0374u.jpg/)

[Duke{CLR}]

Over the years I have noticed a similarity between the mental phases of pregnancy and building a house. At first your excited and maybe a bit nervous but as time passed you just want it to be over and then in about 6 months you want to do another one. I'm definitely getting to the I want it to be over phase.


Here are the latest pics.

With the false roof across the front and the angles framed in these 10' garage doors don't look like I had feared they would. Dukes auto body will have to be somewhere else.

http://img810.imageshack.us/img810/7391/imag0397d.th.jpg (http://img810.imageshack.us/i/imag0397d.jpg/)

The have started the siding, the trim is aluminum wrapped wood. this will be maintenance free and go well with the vinyl siding. I'm done with exterior painting.
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4389/imag0398o.th.jpg (http://img10.imageshack.us/i/imag0398o.jpg/)


Front door and cedar decking, the cedar was about $230.00 more then normal PT but a couple thousand less then the composite materials. As for the door, My wife usually picks out the most expensive thing we are shopping for but the simple front door looks great and with it's small windows the price was right. Who say size dosen't matter.
http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/5254/imag0400f.th.jpg (http://img13.imageshack.us/i/imag0400f.jpg/)

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/7184/imag0401p.th.jpg (http://img593.imageshack.us/i/imag0401p.jpg/)

[goldenfooler]

less glass more insulation I like the door.

[Quamin]

I like it, and the similarity you noted. I'll be most thrilled, myself, buying a new home. Haven't done so yet, but in the dreaming process.

[Duke{CLR}]

I like it, and the similarity you noted. I'll be most thrilled, myself, buying a new home. Haven't done so yet, but in the dreaming process.


Our dream started back in June of 2001 when we bought this "fixer upper", then after 9/11/01 I lost my captain position resulting in a %60 reduction in pay our plans had to change. Since then there have been numerous plans twists and turns and now that's its finally it come about I'm slightly worried about what I will think about. I may tick 3 of the 4 things on my bucket list. I want to learn to speak french, play the guitar and take golf lessons. The fourth one would involve breaking my marriage vows and wont happen. :2thumbs:

[Duke{CLR}]

Been really busy. All of the professional insulators around here only want your business if you want to drop 20k on spray foam because that is way above my budget we did the job ourselves, I stuck to the garage and my builder did all the important parts, I even put some R13 between to bedroom walls and the ceiling downstairs to cut back on noise. The siding is done which almost completes the shell. just a bit of work on the front porch and steps to go.

On a side not Image Shacks new app is great for sharing pics these days, just drag all pics into it hit upload the with one cut and paste you post all of them. :2thumbs:

just a few pics of the outside.

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/4177/62143765.th.jpg (http://img38.imageshack.us/i/62143765.jpg/)
http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/4459/65570037.th.jpg (http://img28.imageshack.us/i/65570037.jpg/)
http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/5058/40461664.th.jpg (http://img27.imageshack.us/i/40461664.jpg/)
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/3861/61775849.th.jpg (http://img6.imageshack.us/i/61775849.jpg/)

[juneau]

Looks amazing Duke. I'd hate to see how much that would cost to build here. :shock:

[goldenfooler]

nice duke. But you can't fit the tank in to the garage.

[Devilguns]

It's coming along very nice Duke. :2thumbs:

[Skud]

Very nice, Duke! :2thumbs:

[Dead...Again]

:2thumbs:

[Apache Warrior]

It is looking good Duke. When is your estimated move in date?
Apache

[Duke{CLR}]

It is looking good Duke. When is your estimated move in date?
Apache

We are shooting for Jan 26th, Minis birthday. I guess after the sheet rock it goes pretty fast.

[Apache Warrior]

Good luck and maybe you will get in early.
Apache

[Quamin]

Wow, it looks great and very roomy just seeing it from the outside! Keep pics coming as you move to inside work. It's sure to inspire the rest of us who are still dreaming of building our own house for our family (or family to come) :)

[Duke{CLR}]

Wow, it looks great and very roomy just seeing it from the outside! Keep pics coming as you move to inside work. It's sure to inspire the rest of us who are still dreaming of building our own house for our family (or family to come) :)

Are you making an announcement?

[Quamin]

Are you making an announcement?

Only that I'm married and all options are on the table when you can build a home :D

[Duke{CLR}]

My brother and Mini took a few shots of the house while I was busy with other things. The lighting was poor and he only had a basic flash so some a re a bit dark.



From the kitchen to the fireplace
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/9428/img4328a.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/i/img4328a.jpg/)
From the fireplace to the kitchen
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/7739/img4329b.th.jpg (http://img249.imageshack.us/i/img4329b.jpg/)
Kitchen to dinning room.
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/7358/img4334t.th.jpg (http://img210.imageshack.us/i/img4334t.jpg/)
Minin in the siting room.
http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/397/img4341ma.th.jpg (http://img685.imageshack.us/i/img4341ma.jpg/)
From our closet to the master bedroom.
http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/1337/img4346z.th.jpg (http://img804.imageshack.us/i/img4346z.jpg/)
Upstairs hallway
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/4269/img4350k.th.jpg (http://img254.imageshack.us/i/img4350k.jpg/)
Minis room
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/4017/img4355q.th.jpg (http://img233.imageshack.us/i/img4355q.jpg/)
the unfinished storage, this room turned out to be the coolest room in the house and if I could go back in time I would use this for the master sweet but hind sight is 20/20.
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/2833/img4361bf.th.jpg (http://img690.imageshack.us/i/img4361bf.jpg/)

[Quamin]

Nice big living/family room!

[Rand{CLR}]

Looking pretty sweet. :2thumbs:

-Rand

[goldenfooler]

we can play racket ball in that living room :twisted:

[Duke{CLR}]

It is a bit big but the lens my brother used is the same one he uses to film skydivers so it makes it look a lot bigger then it is, also there will be a peninsula below the three hanging wires. This will separate the space a bit and when you figure the door needs to be open as well as the opening to the right it will shrink it up a bit.

Don't get me wrong this place is going to be huge, here is a picture of both our houses next to each other. You can see we are going to have to do a bit of work on our current house before we rent/sell it.

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/5003/img4320y.th.jpg (http://img337.imageshack.us/i/img4320y.jpg/)

[Quamin]

So you're building next to your current house? That can be fun and easier to move if it is! My family did the same thing for a couple of houses, then we made a jump to a whole mile away! :twisted:

It is a bit big but the lens my brother used is the same one he uses to film skydivers so it makes it look a lot bigger then it is, also there will be a peninsula below the three hanging wires. This will separate the space a bit and when you figure the door needs to be open as well as the opening to the right it will shrink it up a bit.

Don't get me wrong this place is going to be huge, here is a picture of both our houses next to each other. You can see we are going to have to do a bit of work on our current house before we rent/sell it.

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/5003/img4320y.th.jpg (http://img337.imageshack.us/i/img4320y.jpg/)

[goldenfooler]

lol now try to find your holiday decorations ... I can see it now. Which house was it in?:scratch:

[Duke{CLR}]

Lol, the old house will be cleared out entirely and everything will be labeled so finding decorations will be easy.

What's funny is that there is a blue house just across our white one that we moved from so that was an easy move too.

[Nauticas]

I assume that is Mini moving the sheet rock putty bucket? If it is, nice job putting him to work, hehe.

The 3 NM (Romex) cables, why are they hanging and not attached to ceiling junction box?

It looks like you are going with ceiling fans that have lights on them in some rooms or are you putting pendant lights only in those rooms?

Last chance for outlets. You sure you don't want that one on that wall that you might put something that may be used one day? Hehe.

[Quamin]

Lol, the old house will be cleared out entirely and everything will be labeled so finding decorations will be easy.

What's funny is that there is a blue house just across our white one that we moved from so that was an easy move too.

So Duke singlehandedly builds the neighborhood! lol! That is, if you built it too! :2thumbs:

[Duke{CLR}]

It's been awhile since I have put up pics, Things have been real buys but it's all coming together. I snapped theses 4 quick shots this morning before I headed into work.

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/3747/imag0508o.th.jpg (http://img717.imageshack.us/i/imag0508o.jpg/)

http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/1015/imag0509w.th.jpg (http://img825.imageshack.us/i/imag0509w.jpg/)

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/7126/imag0510p.th.jpg (http://img23.imageshack.us/i/imag0510p.jpg/)

http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/1240/imag0511j.th.jpg (http://img837.imageshack.us/i/imag0511j.jpg/)

[Rand{CLR}]

Looking pretty good. :2thumbs:

-Rand

[BlackArrow]

:2thumbs: I am sure you guys are soooo ready for it to be done and move in.

[goldenfooler]

very nice kitchen

[Dead...Again]

looking good :2thumbs:

[72Toryu]

Hey Duke, that looks beautiful!! :D

but blow up some extra in the garage bro, so the tank get room in there! :D :wink: :twisted::twisted:
Than a logo of BF3, please do not touch my TANK!! :wink:

[Quamin]

Awesome pics! House stuff is exciting!