Our New Build

[maudefindlay]

Thought it would be fun to share our new build progress and might be helpful to anyone considering the same.

We'd been casually looking for a house on more land or land to build on for several years. This past spring we kicked it into higher gear and found land we loved. We researched and found a custom builder shortly after. Since we paid cash for the land it only took about 10 days from pending till sold. There was a real estate agent for the land, we did not use one ourselves. We closed in early August. We started working on house plans in June and started getting rough plans in July. It's November and framing will start in the next 2 weeks weather dependent and we are still finalizing details, our builder is very go with the flow and fine with that. Below are photos of the digging which began Nov. 4th, grading, and pouring of concrete walls for the basement which they just took the forms off yesterday. The basement will be finished and walls drywallwed after framing. This coming week a plumber will come to do the rough in stuff in the basement and they will pour the basement floor.

We do not have layout yet for kitchen or primary bath. Our builder suggested we wait till framing starts to finalize that. We have a general idea, but I like that we can still move things around once we see the actual space.

We have chosen exterior stone, shingle shake, and concrete board siding, windows, roof (shingle on main roof and a metal roof on front porch and on the roof over the back deck), and front door. Currently picking out flooring, cabinets, tile for showers and bathroom floors, and backslash, and also working on the built ins we want. Right now they predict drywall to be done late January.

[simpsongal]

Wow! Thank you for sharing - how beautiful to be so close to the lake!

I could see it being helpful to spec out a space when you see the framing. I found that to be one of the most difficult parts of designing my kitchen and bath - kitchen esp since it was an addition.

[maudefindlay]

When the excavation crew was there I asked if they could knock down any dead trees they saw and they did, so that was nice to have taken care of already.

[maudefindlay]

Thanks simpsongal there is lake on our other side too. We own pretty far back into the woods and what is behind that is owned by the community hoa. They have a path way back there that we cannot see that they use to access the lake when doing any treatments so we've been told no one will ever be building back there in sight, will see. Our builder suggested we discuss purchasing the little bit of land that would give us lake access/spot for a dock with the hoa. Will see. Our basement will be a walkout and we plan to eventually add a pool down there. Not sure we need lake access too. We do have a bathroom planned in the basement that is right by an exterior door so no wet people running thru the house, so we are set up for it.

[nicolewi]

Wow, exciting! Looks like a gorgeous spot!

And I would TOTALLY look into trying to purchase access if possible, pending the price obviously. I wouldn't pass up that opportunity as it might not always be available and might be great to have down the line. Unless you really think you'd never use it.

[k3am]

How fun! That's a beautiful location, totally see why you picked it.