I was in Austin, TX for a couple of days this past week. Much progress on the house, yeah!
The biggest change is the exterior look of the house. To jog your memory, here is what the messed up version looked like. They gave us a squared opening, and the front top is flat, in one dimension.
And now, here's most of the corrected version. It's not a great shot as there were trucks and dumpsters in the way, but it definitely shows you the new roof line that was added along with the arched opening instead of the square opening. We're still missing the brick detail above the garage doors, but that's not an urgent thing.
We also got our windows in the kitchen put in, and yes, they are the correct ones!! FINALLY!!
Remember the ones on the left being so box-like? The correct ones are longer and thinner, and will bring in more light and fit above the counters looking less "odd" than the others.
Cabinets were supposed to go in on Wednesday, but they weren't there when we were there, so I went back on Thursday and still no cabinets. This puts us behind some more.
The joy of building continues...
People don't realize what goes into building/remodeling sometimes. Good luck, Donna.
There sure can be a lot of anxiety when you are building. I have only done it once on a personal residence. You do get what you want, but I still enjoy transforming those old gems that have "potential".
Hi Donna... look like things are moving along slowly but surely. The changes you insisted on DEFINITELY make a big difference!
Having been though this process a couple of times as an owner and lots of times as an agent I've learned you have to stay on top of the process.
Donna - Your new home is looking great! Thanks for keeping us up-to-date... :)
Heather, I've been doing this for almost 9 years, but it's so much harder when it's your own home rather than a client's. I'm paying MUCH more attention and not waiting until they catch something and change it without me knowing.
Mike, I've never transformed an old gem, though I've watched clients do it before... not sure which is a worse process.
Steve, Thanks! I was worried that I might regret insisting on the extra roof line, but it looks awesome!
Cindy, Yes, but it's hard to when out of town, and especially when the original, red-lined plans are missing, and we have to remember all the changes we made by heart.
Debi, Thanks, and you're very welcome!
What I don't understand, if it is there in black and white, why do they still get it wrong?
Hang in there Donna, these things take time. Our house took 13 months to build. It will be worth it when you are through.
Donna - as a client you're much more impatient, too. Helps us to understand how OUR clients think of time.
Angelia, For the most part, I agree. For other parts, our original re-lined blueprints are missing, plus we were given a new builder since our original one got laid off, and with lots of miscommunication and assumptions on the new builder's part, mistakes happened.
Gary, I don't have 13 months... I switched my license on Thursday, and each day I'm not in Austin is another day I can't actively recreate my business.
Sharon, Yes! I'm very impatient!! But since the original close date was for January, I'm allowed to be impatient!! ;)
That brick just to the left of the window looks crooked.....
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j/k
I know it sux building..... you have to keep an eye on them.
wow, im sorry. best of luck. Hang in there
Tom, you're a funny funny man... And actually, we did catch a brick with no mortar. I tell ya, we're looking at everything!
Logan, Thanks!
Donna, I've been following your home building escapades since the beginning and now I know what I'm getting you for your housewarming gift......Xanax!
But I'm going to take a few myself......the stress you guys are going through has gotten to me too!!!
Hang in there. It'll all be over soon.
Craig, GREAT, I need some!! I'm sorry you're feeling my stress, but I'm a very sharing person! ;) I would hate to hold all the stress myself!
You're a good woman!!!
Such a giver!!!
Craig, Yes, I'm a very caring woman and give back so much!
Hey Donna, I'm kind of like Craig....so I am glad to see the windows corrected! I really like the arched one up stairs; it looks so much better than the square one. Now what did we do about the mortor issue??
... it's getting there !!!! Good luck !!!
(PS: I hear you and 'mini-Donna' made a great impression when you visited Sherry Scales last week !! -- hope Alyssa is doing well :o)
Teresa, Haha... the mortar issue is still an issue... we're still waiting for it to "dry" some more as they still think it'll lighten up. Cabinets went in, and I have a couple of pictures from the salesguy's cell phone... my next blog...
Sheldon, Thanks! Alyssa took a couple nasty falls on the concrete floors, but she's tough... but not tough enough to fight the bug she picked up while we were there, and then passed on to me... still not feeling but about 80%.
... oh dear ! ... there are some CRAZY bugs going around, stronger than I have seen in years. I am never sick, and one throaty thing kicked my butt for almost two weeks ! Well, get well soon !!
Sheldon, can't sleep... every time we go to Austin, Alyssa gets something... pink eye, 5th disease, and now this bug last week. Something is in the Austin water that her system doesn't like...
Its getting there Donna. Are you getting nervous yet? :-)
John, Not really getting nervous, but trying to figure out how they plan to hit a closing date in 30 days when they are usually 60 days out once cabinets go in. I would hate for them to rush some more and mess up a million more things just to get things done in 30 days.