We are owner-building to have the house of our dreams and save money. Lee in Schertz, TX

One Month Later

Posted to Blue-Springs-Project by Joe in Broken Arrow, OK on 2/24/2008 7:10:15 PM

Since my last post we have completed roofing, rough wiring, plumbing top out, structured wiring rough, security wire rough, and passed the multi-trade inspection. Insulation has been installed with sheetrock nearly complete. Exterior Brick/Rock is approximately 1/2 completed. Cabinets have been measured and are being built. Granite paid for and on order. Interior/Exterior doors have been measured and ordered. Met with Trim Carpenter and Painter to relay game plan.

Expectations for this week include- finish sheetrock, finish exterior Brick/Rock, get permanent line for Electric and set meter so texturing can commence (need some heat). Attic insulation blown. Install garage doors and schedule flatwork.

Outlook beyond that- Trim install in about 8-10 days. Painting to commence in 2.5 weeks.

Photos

Front Elevation

Rear Elevation

Nearly Dried In

Posted to Blue-Springs-Project by Joe in Broken Arrow, OK on 1/24/2008 3:04:58 PM

We are very near the dried in stage at this point. Everything still moving along smoothly...knock...knock...knock! The framers were superb. They went as far as to actually clean up after themselves. Went through the entire house taking the time to remove all scrap lumber and pile this debris up outside for removal. They even swept the enterior. I can't say enough good things about this crew. Roofers are installing shingles, and as of today have completed roughly 2/3'rds of the roofing. Electricians have installed all boxes, panels, can fixtures and are starting to run wire. HVAC install begins sometime tomorrow (Fri 1/25) and expected to be completed (rough in) by Monday morning, which is when we are expecting plumbing top out to commence. Hoping to call in for next inspection by mid to late next week, then we are ready to seal this puppy up. The included pics were taken on the 19th, and do not include the roofing progress to date.

Photos

Framing Well Underway

Posted to Blue-Springs-Project by Joe in Broken Arrow, OK on 1/9/2008 6:36:41 PM

Framing commenced on 1/2/08 and has gone pretty smoothly thus far. Since I have no prior experience building a home, and thus no real familiarity with this process I can't make a comparison. Nevertheless, I would put this crew up against any other. They work non-stop except for a brief lunch break. The lead framer and owner of the company is terrific. While laying out the lines for the first floor framing he detected several errors with the squareness of the slab and a distance error on the long run dimension. He was able to make up for these errors but took great strides in making sure that the finished product was not jeopardized in the process. Whenever a change is considered or a necessary correction he thinks all the way through the trim stage to make sure it will look right (quality end result). As of this journal entry they are finishing up installing the ceiling joists on the second floor and installing rafters. By the end of the week, hope to be decked with roofing likely to start first of next week. Plumbers and Electricians are next on deck and ready for top-out. Progress pics provided.

Photos

Rear Elevation looking East-Northeast	Front Elevation looking West-Southwest	Left Elevation looking North-Northwest

A Solid Foundation!

Posted to Blue-Springs-Project by Joe in Broken Arrow, OK on 12/28/2007 10:48:42 AM

Despite a cool, cloudy and occasionally drizzly day, the foundation was poured (12/27). First wall package due to arrive early Mon (12/31) with some framing expected to be accomplished. Not sure how much though, I guess it depends on how early the framers want to get their New Years Eve celebration underway. Nevertheless, looking forward to seeing some lumber being erected. Already contacted Cabinet man, Brick/Rock man Roofer to get them lined up for hopefully mid Jan. Windows on order as well. Pics attached.

Photos

12/21/2007

Posted to Blue-Springs-Project by Joe in Broken Arrow, OK on 12/21/2007 2:05:43 PM

12/21/07 Update- With power and water to site and construction loan closed, actual construction commenced with the Pad prepared on 12/17 and 12/18. Footings were dug, steel set in place and inspected and footings poured, all on 12/19. Form boards and fill were set on 12/20 in preperation for slab pour. Rough plumbing began and completed on 12/21, waiting for inspection. Electrical slab rough-in unfortunately will not happen until after Christmas. Shooting for a slab pour around Thursday of next week (12/27), providing favorable weather. Some pics of progress to this point. Some of the photos reveal the damage that occurred with our recent ice storm.

Photos

11/18/2007

Posted to Blue-Springs-Project by Joe in Broken Arrow, OK on 11/18/2007

On 11/16/07 we trenched roughly 500' in order to get power down to site. The majority of the 4' deep 18" wide trench went well...with the exception of a 20 to 30 foot section where the sandstone was just too hard to dig. There we were only able to get to a depth of 3'. Water meter and temporary electrical pole have been set. Power company thinks they can get the lines in trench and transformer set early next week. A few pics are included.

Photos

Some Progress!

Posted to Blue-Springs-Project by Joe in Broken Arrow, OK on 10/12/2007

We have secured financing. Have the majoirty of the quotes to put quote together now. Need to get "perk" test...set water meter and get power to site, which have all been requested just waiting for them to happen. Hoping to break ground first of November and get dried in before the weather becomes less favorable...which in this part of the country is anyones' guess. A few of the figures that I have gathered so far are as follows. First the particulars about the house. It will have 3950 sq. ft of heated space. Double car garage with 699 sq. ft, a single garage with 339 sq. ft, Covered front porch 245 sq. ft,  Covered patio 295 sq. ft. 5 BR, 4.5 Bath, Formal Living, Formal Dining, Family Room, Game Room on 2.5 Acres. I have attached the front and rear elevations.

Files

8/10/2007

Posted to Blue-Springs-Project by Joe in Broken Arrow, OK on 8/10/2007

I have been viewing/reading info on this site for nearly a year...as long as I have been working with my architect to get the plans completed for our new home. Have finally decided that it's time to get the book and begin what I hope to be an eventful/fulfilling journey. We purchased our land about a year and a half ago...so already have built some equity there. In fact asking price for similiar lots (2.5-3 acres) is now 15k more than our purchase price. Plans are finished and have recieved the quote(s) for lumber take-off, windows and doors. Now ready to line up other trades for quotes. Not sure if this is the exact order that I should have done things in...nevertheless here we are. Based on reader recommendations and positive feedback...the hope is that the books will steer me in the right direction/back on course to successful completion!