So after buying my house back in Nov 2015, I'm FINALLY able to move in. Construction was completed Jan 30 and we received our CO on Feb 3. Inspections went well and didn't cause any delays. The work done by the builder was fantastic.
There are a few IOUs pending, but nothing that's critical. It's a backordered doorknob and the mantel that the fireplace company still hasn't delivered. Builder will be back once the items arrive.
Overall I'm thrilled with the results and am excited to move the (extended) family in. We've been waiting for such a long time. The best part has been seeing my almost 3 year old get into the house and just RUN for hours.
If anyone is doing something similar, please reach out. I'm always willing to provide feedback and advice from my experiences.
Some general lessons learned:
- Even if you have a PM, you MUST be involved. There is no handing over a bunch of cash and forgetting about it. You should know your contract and use it to ensure you are getting what you wanted and asked for. Sometimes people forget or miss a nuance. It's up to you to make sure your project ends the way you want it do.
- Expect the worst. Hope for the best. This way when issues come up (they always do), you are mentally prepared for the challenge. If planning/construction/inspections go without any issues, then consider yourself lucky.
- Plan backwards. Think about the furniture you want and how you would layout the room, the backsplash, the tv, the toilet, towel bars, wireless network, etc and then plan your space. A simple example is designing your bathroom. You plan it to be beautiful but you realize you have no place to hang your towels. It's not something you think about when you design your dream bathroom.
Thanks for anyone who joined me on this ride. Thanks @KeyCC for his post. Finally some last pictures!
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Construction Complete!
