Love the website. Great resource. J. Jarrett

Getting Started Update

Posted by Bettie in Harlem, GA on 7/27/2008

As promised, pictures of the cleared land. I am located in FL and building in GA. I spent this past week in Georgia getting things in place. The most frustrating part has been the waiting. I had my plans approved by Columbia County and obtained my permit from the City of Harlem. When I took my plans to the local lumber company for my takeoff and pricing, they all suggested that I use a new flooring system that used less I-joists. Well, since all three suggested the same thing, I decided to go with the new system. The lumber company drew up the plan. I had to take plans back to the county for approval.

I can attest to the fact that you should get at least three bids from the lumber companies. My bid between the first and second was off by $9,000.

I searched the Augusta area for granite for my kitchens and bathrooms and found the prices to be way beyond my budget. The dealers in Augusta told me that they obtained their granite from Elberton, Ga. So I drove to Elberton, Ga. They have over 70 granite and stone suppliers. No deals were available. After visiting four showrooms and being quoted about the same price, I headed back to Atlanta depressed. One bid alone from Elberton was over $12,000.

The next day I set out looking for deals in Atlanta and, by happenstance, at a location in Norcross, Ga. I was able to obtain the same granite that I had originally chosen in Elberton for my kitchen (120 sf for the kitchen alone) and 3.5 bathrooms, including the kitchen sink, three undermount sinks and a vessel sink for less than $6,500. I was elated.

I am now looking for flooring (engineered wood) and tile. I have picked out the tile and flooring by trying to find a deal.

Photos

This is what the site looks like after clearing.

This will be the view from the back porch.

Posted by RogerC in Phoenix, AZ on 7/28/2008 RogerC's Forum Posts: 53 Interview Answers: 3 Average Forum Rating: 3.38 Randomly Selected Image 7/28/2008

That's a really sweet view!  And those trees....   beautiful!  :)