Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2016 16:12:27 GMT -5
Husband is a Mason, stone mostly. Yes we know who will handle most of the big stuff he can't luckily. So glad for positive stories There will definitely be garden beds!
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mroped
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Post by mroped on Mar 26, 2016 16:13:35 GMT -5
I'll hire excavating, some electrical/plumbing, HVAC, probably roofing and drywall(at least mudding/finishing) myself and a former employee will do the rest. And yes, anybody that will work on my house I've had contact with for years, I know their abilities and skill level. I figured that if I pick the right people I'd be considerably reducing the stress on the process. I can't wait for it to start!
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NoNamePerson
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Post by NoNamePerson on Mar 26, 2016 16:32:51 GMT -5
I'll hire excavating, some electrical/plumbing, HVAC, probably roofing and drywall(at least mudding/finishing) myself and a former employee will do the rest. And yes, anybody that will work on my house I've had contact with for years, I know their abilities and skill level. I figured that if I pick the right people I'd be considerably reducing the stress on the process. I can't wait for it to start! That's what we did!! I thought you were in the trade somehow - have a kickass good time with the new adventure!!!!!
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Mar 26, 2016 17:01:14 GMT -5
I'll hire excavating, some electrical/plumbing, HVAC, probably roofing and drywall(at least mudding/finishing) myself and a former employee will do the rest. And yes, anybody that will work on my house I've had contact with for years, I know their abilities and skill level. I figured that if I pick the right people I'd be considerably reducing the stress on the process. I can't wait for it to start! My brother learned a lot from our grandpa about construction and electric. He aspires to forget how to finish dry wall. And to never need post hole diggers lol. Good luck building the new house.
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debthaven
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Post by debthaven on Mar 26, 2016 18:22:37 GMT -5
Congrats on getting the land!
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gregintenn
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Post by gregintenn on Mar 27, 2016 17:12:03 GMT -5
Just the exterior walls are concrete Greg! ICFs- Nudura We've designed it so the outer shell is solid but the interior walls/partition walls can be moved at any time.For that purpose, all roof framing is self supporting so we don't have to have bearing walls. We will use manufactured trusses of three different types. I will not build any interior wall until I have roof overhead. All floors will be supported with engineered joists and no Lully columns in the basement. All free span, the longest I believe it to be 22'. I am still to see if there will be any deflection when we build but acording to the engineering specs should be just about 1/8" if we use 14" joists at 16" OC. If the deflection is higher than I might end up putting some girder under the joists. That's an interesting concept. May I ask your reasoning for this? Just curious. Oh yeah, I didn't put it together until just now that you and oped were married.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2016 18:05:36 GMT -5
His explanation there was a little wonky maybe? The interior of the nudura, which are basically like big styrofoam Lego blocks you build with then fill with rebar and concrete, are ready for stone on the outside (or any veneer) and already insulated/have foam on inside you cut into for wiring etc then just drywall over. The walls should be efficient in helping regulate temperature. Anyway, here is a link www.nudura.com
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mroped
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Post by mroped on Mar 28, 2016 7:40:01 GMT -5
Having the outer shell spanned clear by roof trusses allows us to build the rooms/move them arround with ease if we decide to. We won't have to worry about leaving in place any interior walls because none of them will be weight bearing. Plumbing for bathrooms can be easily moved too. Gives us more flexibility for future plans!
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Mar 28, 2016 10:15:30 GMT -5
The lot looks beautiful! We built our home - it was one of the most exhilariting and frustrating experiences of our lives. A roller coaster. In the end we are very glad we did it and never want to do it again. And I'd have to say we bonded, even more, during the expeience.
Yes, there were some arguments. And I had to remind myself that the marriage was more important than whatever it was we were arguing about, But I did get most of my wishes.....
Enjoy the thrills and when there are disappointments (and there will be) remind yourself that no house is going to be perfect, in spite of your best efforts.
I still have the champagne cork (with the date, Feb 6,2006) from the date we made all the plumbing, electrical and cabinet decisions. That was done after the roof was on.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Mar 28, 2016 11:58:11 GMT -5
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bean29
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Post by bean29 on Mar 28, 2016 13:06:40 GMT -5
DH and I built our current house, and it is really very stressful. We had been married over 10 years and owned two rentals and a mixed use commercial property in addition to two previous personal residences. We were veterans of buying a foreclosure that was in very bad condition and several property rehabs. Believe me, I get it when people say it is so stressful that many marriages fail in the aftermath.
My SIL told me once that she could never build b/c you have to make so many decisions, and she just is not capable of making that many decisions at once. It is hard sometimes, I think Zib's suggestion to pick rooms were certain people get dibs on the decision is a good one.
My DH wanted brick front, tile floors, cathedral ceilings etc. The things DH wanted were not necessarily anything I objected to, just that they drove up the price. I did want hardwood floors he vetoed it (for the kitchen), but now he is kind of sorry we did not put hardwood in the living room (no regrets about tile in the kitchen though!). I would have skipped the brick front and gone for more square footage in the house.
It looks like you have a partial exposure, the front of our house is higher than the sides and back, so we have full windows on 2 sides. We added a staircase to the basement also, but I wish we had put an entrance on the exposed side of the house and combined the staircase to the basement so the rise/run would be less steep.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2016 8:51:24 GMT -5
Ok. This footprint is about right but the interior walls can change a bit. Mostly the 7 foot hallway by the stairs can give 2 feet to the side with rooms. But anyway, thought I'd let you all rip it apart before we get the final draft done.. What glaring issues do you see?
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NoNamePerson
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Post by NoNamePerson on Mar 31, 2016 8:58:50 GMT -5
Can I ask a personal question? How many children living at home right now?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2016 9:00:25 GMT -5
2. They are 14 and 17.
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steph08
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Post by steph08 on Mar 31, 2016 9:05:51 GMT -5
Personally, I would add more counterspace near the stove. I always put all my ingredients right there when cooking and hate when they start to pile up (disclaimer - I have never had an island so maybe people put their ingredients, utensils, etc. there when cooking, but I like mine right next to the stove and need lots of maneuvering room!). And the pantry seems like quite a walk from the stove as well - that might get old.
Is the fridge right next to the pantry?
Are those French doors right by the stove?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2016 9:11:36 GMT -5
Yeah, I'm not sure I'll put stuff exactly where it is in the kitchen. You make good points. The only thing that will be anchored by concrete is the window over the sink... I like this kitchen myself , but maybe a glider instead of French doors? I've also suggested one large set of doors by dinning 'hall' rather than one set on either end? I think the living room doors block usable space... Minus the wood stove, and the chicken...
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2016 9:14:52 GMT -5
I have French doors off of the kitchen/dining into a sun room and I really hate them. They're just always in the way.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Mar 31, 2016 9:25:35 GMT -5
I spend so much of my life -- honestly -- in the kitchen that I would recommend moving the sink so that you have a view. Its current location suggests you'll only have a view of the side door.
Also, I prefer a larger separation between stove/oven and fridge -- competing temperatures.
Finally, it is interesting to me that you have put the MBR in the front of the house rather than toward the rear (for peace, quiet, privacy). Of course, with your plan, you will have a better vantage point to hear/observe the kids coming home late on weekend nights (and check for levels of sobriety or lack thereof, LOL.)
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2016 9:29:28 GMT -5
We moved the master when my father suggested the master up front because if kids are gone and we are older then we live just 'up front' ... there are so many decisions here I'm a little overwhelmed. If I moved the door I could put sink on back wall.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Mar 31, 2016 9:35:14 GMT -5
I do like the big doors in the kitchen and great room -- very Tuscan. But, I also like a view. ;-)
And sliders, while they use less floor and wall space, only allow you to open half at any one time. It will be lovely on a beautiful evening to throw the doors wide open while eating dinner.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Mar 31, 2016 9:43:36 GMT -5
How high will the ceilings be -- similar to the kitchen picture?
Also, what is different here from your current home? What are your reasons/goals in building the new house? Does the posted plan accomplish that?
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steph08
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Post by steph08 on Mar 31, 2016 9:48:48 GMT -5
What about one of those glass doors that folds into itself and is basically an entire wall? I don't know what they're called, but they use them on HGTV all the time.
I agree that the French doors in the living room block usable space. In our living room, we have one wall of windows and one wall half taken up by a sliding glass door - it really limits the way we can set the furniture/tv/etc.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2016 9:49:17 GMT -5
I get overwhelmed with decisions (see school choice thread or just painting the kid's damn bedroom thread), so building was very difficult for me. The decisions were constant. Plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, cabinets...ugh. I have to say though, that in the end the only thing I really royally effed up and regret is WHERE I built (as in a poor draining area). The site wasn't properly prepared and I've suffered over and over ever since due to that. You're so lucky to have a pro husband in that area. We were just young and naive kids that trusted our contractor.
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Mar 31, 2016 9:57:45 GMT -5
No closet by the front door?
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bean29
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Post by bean29 on Mar 31, 2016 10:07:09 GMT -5
Well, I have a few suggestions.
Add a little bit of square feet to the house and take the door from the outside into the laundry room out of the laundry room! When you are getting ready for a party if people may walk through your laundry room to get in and out of the house, you need to have all your laundry done and you have nowhere to stash stuff.
Keep the bi-fold doors in the one kid's bedroom. Don't change to sliding doors. Had bi-folds in my last house and sliding in current house. I like being able to see everything at once. I suggest using the closet maid shelf track systems in the closets. It is so much easier to decide you want to change the closets around and reconfigure the space. Check their website or look at the displays at Home Depot. If not, make sure there is wood 2x4's running horizontally where ever you may anchor shelving.
Both of your bathrooms are too small. You need to have at least a small linen closet somewhere to store towels and shampoo bottles and TP etc.
Living room - are you going to float your furniture in the room like that? If you do, the sofa probably needs a sofa table behind it. If you are not going to the window placement might be off. What is on the other side of the staircase is that a closet or an entertainment center? I would make sure you could use 1/2 the Living room as a dining room - so lighting would be centered over a theoretical table and a sofa and a TV would still fit in Living room space.
Oh, and I meant to ask if the area behind the kid's bedroom and the laundry room was meant to be a covered porch? My neighbors have one and it is so nice if you are having a party and it is hot and sunny or if it starts to rain. If you design it in from the beginning your roof lines can just flow over it.
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mroped
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Post by mroped on Mar 31, 2016 10:34:26 GMT -5
Ceilings are at 9'(or 108"). The "kids bathroom" will in fact encompass most of the "powder room" too since we have that ungodly 7' opening there. That next to the stairwell is an 10-11' wide natural stone fireplace structure with a 4'x4' arched opening.
I am doing something for the architect right now so I am at his office everyday. Just turned in the prints with the changes on and he will take care of it.
Anyhow, I plan to use the prints more for an "idea plan" in regards to where exactly fixtures/appliances go. There will be full 9' basement under most of the house and crawl space-36" height- under the rest of it. Since we will have hollow floors then I can easily relocate any plumbing/wiring if needed.
I am thinking the door at the kitchen to be a French swinging full glass door I am not opposed to having more windows in the living room but the ones that are in the plans right now will be 5'-3" height double glider and only about 4'-6" width. Marvin Integrity line doesn't make any taller gliders.
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travelnut11
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Post by travelnut11 on Mar 31, 2016 10:58:20 GMT -5
I would definitely not want the media room next to the Master bedroom. That's one thing I can't stand about my house is that the master is too close to the living room so I can always hear the TV when I go to bed and my husband is still up.
What about pocket doors to avoid some of the issues caused by the french doors?
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ohmomto2boys
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Post by ohmomto2boys on Mar 31, 2016 11:26:04 GMT -5
I have built one house. We were our own contractor. It worked out really well. However, the marriage didn't last - it wasn't because of the house.
Took us a year to build it. I can remember insulating the house on Christmas Eve with my dad, brother and ex-dh. We put a lot of sweat into that house ourselves. We took our time and had great sub-contractors.
The only thing I see on your layout that I "might" change is - can the kids bathroom move closer to the bedrooms and move over the mudroom toward the powder room?
Good luck! I think building a house is an amazing experience and I would do it again in a minute.
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ohmomto2boys
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Post by ohmomto2boys on Mar 31, 2016 11:27:59 GMT -5
I have this in my current home too and I hate it also. When we remodel the kitchen, we will be putting in a slider.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2016 11:29:38 GMT -5
How high will the ceilings be -- similar to the kitchen picture? Also, what is different here from your current home? What are your reasons/goals in building the new house? Does the posted plan accomplish that? I don't think quite so high. The he location is what we need to change most. Other than that, most living will be in one floor and more open, which I like. I will think more on this.
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