- higher dryer vent
- 6" higher master closet shelf run and they will install the 2nd lower course of shelving as well as ceiling fans & pendants at the 30-day if we buy them prior, we will still be living out of boxes at that point anyway since were not fully moving in for a week or so after closing, no rush.
- 20' wide driveway, he said the apron that leads to the street has to be 18' because of county codes, so it will taper slightly at the curb, but we still get plenty of parking space
- were getting the side door on the garage and he may be able to arrange a concrete walkway to that door from the driveway (this one will cost me about $450)
- clearing nearly 30' behind the house for a larger backyard, were totally wooded
- guaranteed 3' of foundation above ground so the house will sit taller on the lot
- 2nd outlet on the opposite side of the gourmet kitchen island, garage light switch inside the house and an additional master closet light switch next to the master bath light switch ($50 each)
- run kitchen cabinets 1" higher on the wall to make sure our tall frig will fit. There might be just 1/4" of clearance otherwise and thats too close to risk it possibly not fitting.
- were also going to order a small triangular kitchen wall cabinet to go on the edge to the left of the sink, there is some blank wall there that doesnt really look right. also to dress up the island we will be ordering cabinet door fronts to cover the sides and back veneer panels and yes, you guessed it, they will install them at the 30-day
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Score!
Just heard from my PM that all of my extra tweaks are no problem at all. Thanks to you guys, esp. Sgt Rich for providing some heads up.
Sounds great.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad we have a list of blogs with all these ideas. I had a hard time finding info like this on the blogs when I started. Lot's of "look at my drywall" pics but i wanted/want the list of things you did different, or tricks/tips to what you would have done different if possible.
I will tell you that the wider driveway is one of top things my wife and I are glad we did.
100% on point with that one. As a resource this community is priceless. Hopefully were forging the new frontier of really useful tips & tricks. Im sure I forgot something but for all the price markup theyre getting at least I feel like Im getting some real value.
Deletedon't forget they do not insulate the outer wall of the garage or the ceiling of the garage that is not covered by living space. If you want a nice warm garage insulate those. We did not have an option for an insulated garage door but if you can get to them before they install the door they might be able to get you the upgraded one. That is the one big thing i wish i had known I would have paid the extra for a better door. The one that came with the house was just stamped metal.
ReplyDeleteThanks Taz. This was on my pre-punch list. Since were getting the bonus room which is above the garage (not entirely) there are two 4x8 sections on the ceiling in the front corners that lead to empty rafters. Ill have to sit through a winter to see how that room holds up. If we dont do anyting pre drywall, at the very least we could put up some foil, but with no floor surface at all in these areas, Im not too excited about trying to put in some fiberglass with the potential of falling into the garage.
DeleteI think the non-standard things are at least as important as the stuff on the list precisely because they are not on the list. The selection process is so hectic, it can be difficult to think of all the important things, leading to multiple forehead smacks to oneself later. Why didn't I think about where the light switches would be placed? The living room in the front of the house has them placed between the two windows. This is stupid to me on so many levels. You caught the light switch for the garage from inside - good for you!
ReplyDeleteI could not live with myself now had I not changed the wall for the master closet/laundry room to a straight flat wall. My closet would be way less wonderful, and I would be hating myself.
I Wish I had made sure the outlets in the Master made sense. If you are going to put the bed between the two windows on the back of the house and the outlet is under the corner window it's a beast. That is how mine is done. Not smart.
Hi Tammi, absolutely correct as well, my SR was great but he didnt pitch some things that are available that we would not have thought of either. Blogs to the rescue.
DeleteWe had asked about some outlets and I think county code specifies every 12', but Im def. going to the model this week to see what it looks like because they have a bed covering that wall. I saw someone comment about switched outlet placement, Im going to keep on top of that as well. Every PM seems to be very accommodating to a point, hopefully he keeps an open mind.
One thing that I left off of the initial post was that, in one Ravenna that they are building in my community, there was an art niche "mistakenly" framed in/drywalled. I asked about it and the PM said no problem, just tell me where you want it while the framing is happening :-O
It just hit me what you were saying about the closet/laundry room wall. So you had them not do that nook in the closet and that gave you more room in the laundry and a cleaner look in the closet?
DeleteSteve, I think she skipped the nook in the laundry giving her more room in the master closet. We like the nook in the laundry for ironing board, dryer stuff, iron, etc... So it's a "to each his/her own on this one".
ReplyDeleteTammi, They put the living room light switch BETWEEN the two windows? That seems screwy. Ours are before the two windows...you know, in a logical spot. This is another fine example of electricians and plumbers using their discretion. We didn't verify the outdoor water bib location because we were told "front and back". Then the "back" was installed on the side of the house (because it was easy for him to bump off the half bath pipes) and then the PM told me that the placement is actually "at the plumber's discretion".
Ahhh gotcha...hmmm would need to figure some sort of dirty clothes solution with no where to put a hamper or whatever...Ill bounce that one off the boss
DeleteI just found your blog. Congrats on the house! I am in awe that you were able to make the 3d model look so great! Mine is still a work in progress!
ReplyDeleteWell done on getting them to do the cabinet stuff for you too. I need to get Timberlake's info so I can order a valance to go over the sink and connect the two sets of wall cabinets and then order crown molding.
Hi Leah, thanks! The 3D software does take some getting used to, there are some bugs that are undoable so make sure you save often. If you want some pointers let me know, Im a techie so I love stuff like that.
DeleteI think the charge for Ryan to do the crown was $300. When you think about getting it on your own, staining, miter cuts, etc, its not worth it (at least in my opinion). Even if it was pre-stained by Timberlake, they would probably sell it to you in 8ft lengths or something, then you still need to cut and rent a finishing or brad nailer, hide the nail holes, etc. You could use construction adhesive as well and that will take some effort out, but not much :)
Where did you get the doors for the back of the cabinets if you don;t mind me asking? We added width to our driveway as well. Also made the master closet bigger (no bump in laundry). We worked with the electrician for placement of switches (some there was no choice). Also added the outlet on the end of the island (had it in our last house). You guys are coming out of the gate running!
ReplyDeleteI asked the PM who they use for cabinetry work locally and he gave me the direct contact info. He also provided me with the exact measurements of each base cabinet on the island to take the guess work out of it. Just ask your PM, Im sure they will take care of you.
ReplyDeleteAnd were only doing so well at this because of everyones previous efforts and headaches :)
How did you get them to agree to install your ceiling fans for you? That sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteHi and welcome! It was offered by the PM. they have a "budget" that they can use for fixes at the 30-day inspection. He said basically if not that much needs to be done we can use up the "budget" by getting some things done. Not all PMs may be willing to do this or even admit it.
DeleteDid it cost extra to widen the driveway?
ReplyDeleteNo not at all, it was just a perk my PM likes to do
Delete