quote:

Originally posted by 95flhr:
It's looking good.

My wife and I built this house in 2015. I have to warn you, nothing will test the relationship more than going through a construction project. There are so many things to pick out and choose that you can get overwhelmed and argue about it.

LOL true I suppose. But we are well past picking things. We agreed on almost everything. She made some concessions to me and I did for her. We have similar tastes so it wasn’t difficult. Plus I don’t really care so much about a lot of options. The nice thing was she wanted to spend extra on truly valuable upgrades. Kitchen, deck, whole house generator. I’m pretty lucky.

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:

quote:

Originally posted by 95flhr:
It's looking good.

My wife and I built this house in 2015. I have to warn you, nothing will test the relationship more than going through a construction project. There are so many things to pick out and choose that you can get overwhelmed and argue about it.

LOL true I suppose. But we are well past picking things. We agreed on almost everything. She made some concessions to me and I did for her. We have similar tastes so it wasn’t difficult. Plus I don’t really care so much about a lot of options. The nice thing was she wanted to spend extra on truly valuable upgrades. Kitchen, deck, whole house generator. I’m pretty lucky.

It sounds like you are very lucky and truly found a winner. Looks like you will have a very nice house when it's done too!

I am completely baffled at how fast it is going up compared to what I see here in South Florida. But I think some of the permitting process holds things up here.

If you hire a good framer, he always has a good crew and high standards. I have a friend who is a home builder. He described how a good framer works. What I thought was interesting was how much the head of the crew (I forget the term) would ride the new guys until they got the message. For instance, when they were carrying lumber, he would make comments like "What the hell "guy's name," my wife could carry more sticks than that. It would become a source of pride within the crew about how much work they could do, and he would always make sure it was high quality work.

quote:

Originally posted by Maui19:
If you hire a good framer, he always has a good crew and high standards. I have a friend who is a home builder. He described how a good framer works. What I thought was interesting was how much the head of the crew (I forget the term) would ride the new guys until they got the message. For instance, when they were carrying lumber, he would make comments like "What the hell "guy's name," my wife could carry more sticks than that. It would become a source of pride within the crew about how much work they could do, and he would always make sure it was high quality work.

I’ve mentioned before they aren’t hiring many subs. Family of builders. The guy that sold me the house is the guy heading the framers and excavating and just about everything. I’m very lucky in that respect.

I'm a homebuilder and it takes us an average of 4-5 months to build a home. Old neighborhood I was in, we would take even a year to build a home. But then again, our demand is far outpacing our supply of contractors here. Our inspections are also quite strict here with the hurricane threat. Once it gets to drywall, it's all downhill from there.

quote:

Originally posted by Edmond:
I'm a homebuilder and it takes us an average of 4-5 months to build a home. Old neighborhood I was in, we would take even a year to build a home. But then again, our demand is far outpacing our supply of contractors here. Our inspections are also quite strict here with the hurricane threat. Once it gets to drywall, it's all downhill from there.

I think being winter is helping with resources now for us.

Quick update. I didn’t take a lot of pictures today except for inside close ups. We met the builder and went over questions and options. Windows and roof are done. Electricians were working today. Siding starting Monday.

We were very happy with everything. The only snag we hit was we bought a fancy shower faucet and sprayer from Amazon and the plumber said the brand isn’t approved in Massachusetts. Then to install similar he wanted $600 extra. We said that was ridiculous and just put standard. I’d pay a couple hundred for a bit extra but $600 is insulting.

We are going on a cruise so no updates for a week and a half.

quote:

brand isn’t approved in Massachusetts

What???

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:

quote:

brand isn’t approved in Massachusetts

What???

Possible the realtor wasn't relaying the info properly. But I swear it sounded like there is an approved roster just like for gun. I have no idea but they said some fixtures don't meet Massachusetts code.

ETA: Seems to be list of manufacturers approved by the Board of Registration of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. Sounds like some union kickback shit if you ask me.

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:

We were very happy with everything. The only snag we hit was we bought a fancy shower faucet and sprayer from Amazon and the plumber said the brand isn’t approved in Massachusetts. Then to install similar he wanted $600 extra. We said that was ridiculous and just put standard. I’d pay a couple hundred for a bit extra but $600 is insulting.

Have him put in the least expensive available. Have the wall guys put in an access panel (in the drywall) directly behind the faucet.

Once the house build is complete, replace the faucet (access panel is in case they need to be soldered out/in) and replace the shower head.

quote:

Originally posted by LS1 GTO:

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:

We were very happy with everything. The only snag we hit was we bought a fancy shower faucet and sprayer from Amazon and the plumber said the brand isn’t approved in Massachusetts. Then to install similar he wanted $600 extra. We said that was ridiculous and just put standard. I’d pay a couple hundred for a bit extra but $600 is insulting.

Have him put in the least expensive available. Have the wall guys put in an access panel (in the drywall) directly behind the faucet.

Once the house build is complete, replace the faucet (access panel is in case they need to be soldered out/in) and replace the shower head.

Good idea. I think I’ll just wait and put in a panel when I need to change something. Luckily the panel will be in the walk in closet. So it’s easy. We just wanted it plumbed for a separate sprayer. They want way too much money. So we will stick with standard fixtures.

Bump. Any updates?

quote:

We are going on a cruise so no updates for a week and a half.

Might not be back yet.

quote:

Originally posted by ffips:

quote:

We are going on a cruise so no updates for a week and a half.

Might not be back yet.

Doh, thanks for the reminder.

In Florida now. I fly home tomorrow morning. I’ll post updated pics soon. Plumbing and electric are roughed in. Siding is started and deck is started. Drywall soon. We got a few updates from friends.

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:
In Florida now. I fly home tomorrow morning. I’ll post updated pics soon. Plumbing and electric are roughed in. Siding is started and deck is started. Drywall soon. We got a few updates from friends.

Lot faster than where I build. We have so many inspections:

form boards
slab
underground plumbing
underground electrical
lintel/tiebeam
frame 1
wall/roof
windows
boracare termite treatment
rough HVAC
rough gas
rough electrical
rough plumbing
rough low voltage
insulation
drywall
driveway/sidewalk
final HVAC
final gas
final electrical
final plumbing
final low voltage
irrigation
termite traps

Each trade is from a different vendor.

And people wonder why it takes 4-5 months to build a home...

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:

quote:

Originally posted by 6guns:

quote:

brand isn’t approved in Massachusetts

What???

Possible the realtor wasn't relaying the info properly. But I swear it sounded like there is an approved roster just like for gun. I have no idea but they said some fixtures don't meet Massachusetts code.

ETA: Seems to be list of manufacturers approved by the Board of Registration of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. Sounds like some union kickback shit if you ask me.

Maybe rules about how much water is alowed to flow?

flashguy

Okay we stopped by today. Lots of work going on so we did the best we could to get a few pics. The drywall was being done today.

Kitchen. We ran into an issue with the spot for the hood vent. Because of the vaulted ceiling there was a double stud right up the center so they would not be able to get the vent out. I suggested the frame out the wall a bit so they can curve the vent pipe around the studs up higher without it being visible.





I think this is in the master BR. Not much to see. It's a huge room over the garage. In hindsight we could have had vaulted ceilings here too, but I guess we save on heating by keeping them low ceilings.



This is the garage, entry to house is shown.



Garage looking at the (soon to be) garage doors.



Some basement shots...





View out the master BR



Front of house...



Back of house






I think that covers it for now.

RE "approved" fittings and fixtures in MA:

Yes indeed the plumber must install things listed in an approved database.

However, the local town/inspector can sign off on something not listed.

It's something routine now, and actually it's not as bad as the Firearms Roster, a ton of things are on it.

If the plumber or builder has a good relationship is can be a non issue.

quote:

Originally posted by arcwelder76:
RE "approved" fittings and fixtures in MA:

Yes indeed the plumber must install things listed in an approved database.

However, the local town/inspector can sign off on something not listed.

It's something routine now, and actually it's not as bad as the Firearms Roster, a ton of things are on it.

If the plumber or builder has a good relationship is can be a non issue.

This particular plumber didn't seem to want to deal with it. He quoted $600 extra just to plumb for the shower faucet we had. All he would have needed was another outlet for the separate sprayer. We told him just go with the standard. I can get it done for much less after the fact if needed. It was honestly the first issue we've had with any of the builders.