Ready for Concrete in Driveway

Not a lot new happened today, but we are almost ready for the driveway to be put in.  They have been adding load after load of dirt around the foundation to set the grade away from the foundation and prepare for the driveway pad.

The driveway has a nice big backout for extra parking

Back yard nicely leveled also

Granite countertops have been grouted.  The island is read for the cooktop to be installed.

Sink ready to go in here.

Glad I added this little desk area under the window.

Driveway and Granite

The driveway is going to go in on Friday, so today the dumptrucks came in and dumped 13 loads of dirt to grade the slope away from the foundation and prepare a pad for the driveway.

Lots of dirt right in front where the parking pad and sidewalks go.

Countertops in the entire house are complete and ready for grout tomorrow.

Island with cutout for cooktop

I am glad I had the granite backsplash put in.

Shower hardware was installed in the master bathroom

All the master bathroom hardware is from this same set.

There was enough granite to do the laundry room cabinets also

Balcony railings went in today.  Just need paint

Wood flooring should go down by this weekend. 

Pedistool sink waiting to be installed in Guest Bathroom

Granite and Plumbing Installation

The granite countertops are goign in.  The kitchen is almost done and then they are moving on to the bathrooms. 

I bought enough tile for them to do a backsplash also. 

There are three of them on the tile crew, so things go fast.

Four toilets were installed today.  All dual-flush water savers.

Hot water heater installed in garage.

Railings were installed on front porch.  Same railings go on rear balcony.

Ready for Granite

The cabinets are finally ready for granite.  The cabinet maker is moving on Monday to do the Oak Staircase. 

This is a sample of the granite I ordered.  Looks nice with the chestnut cabinets

Sinks are out of storage for the first time since we bought them 3 months ago.

The large posts were finally installed on the kitchen island.

The jacuzzi tub sits perched on the edge of its new tub surround.  This is waiting for tile also.

You can see the stone has been addd around the front columns and the last front arch has been put in.  That means just a small piece of brickwork is left on th back of the house.

AC Units and Doors

These pictures were actually taken yesterday, I just didn't have time to post them.  The Air Handlers both were installed along with the thermostats and the vent covers.

The ourside units are going to be on hold until right before we have our final inspection.  Apparently they get stolen from construction sites.

Air intake vents installed

These thermostats will have to be replaced.  I want programable thermostats on both units.

Better late than never, the columns for the island arrived

Cabinet doors going on, drawers are next

Timeline Meltdown

Well, the title of today's post should have been Six Days to Final Inspection, BUT our contractor finally told me today just how far behind schedule we actually were.  We are not moving in on the 15th as we had planned, he told us today that we are so far off schedule that he will need until the 27th to get it completely done.  I am happy to give him the extra time he needs...believe me, I don't want him to rush through the finish and detail work and make the house look shoddy.  What upsets me the most is that he waited to long to finally adjust his timeline and inform us.  I have already arranged for utilities like electricity, cable, internet, and water to be turned off at our rental on the 16th.  How I have to go back and start all over again calling and rescheduling. 

Now that I have vented, I am going to post some pictures I took of the varnished cabinets.  I am trying to stay positive about the progress we have made.

Some stonework was also done today....and of course, they ran out of stone and have to order more. 

Seven Days to Final Inspection

One week left to go.  Cabinets are just a massive job.  There are so many of them throughout the house.  There are drawer fronts, cabinet doors, and other assorted parts all over the house in various stages of being stained, sanded, sealed or varnished.  Here is a some of the progress.

These don't look like much right now.  They have been stained, sealed, and sanded.  But if you take a rag and wipe off the loose dust, you see the beautiful chestnut brown color underneath. 

I thought the island was missing something.  These two empty looking corners are supposed to have decorative posts installed. 

Drawer boxes without the drawer fronts installed

Doors and drawer fronts.  I really love the Knotty Alder we picked for the cabinets.  The wood has lots of knot holes and other imperfections.  I think it adds a lot of character.

Doors, doors, doors...I told you there were lots of cabinets

Front door was stained today also. 

Even the doorbell got stained today

More did get done today than just cabinets.  The electrician brought in scaffolding and installed the light fixture in the foyer.  This is at least 20 feet in the air, so lets hope no bulbs burn out anytime soon.  I took this picture standing on the second floor hallway to get a good shot.

This door was also installed today.  It allows access into the attic over the garage fron the second floor hallway.  You can see all the leftover bathroom tile boxes sitting in the attic in the background.

Last thing for day, the jacuzzi tub is finally in the bathroom, although not yet in place.  This is the tub support being built.