Building our new home

[evil4blue]

This isn't really a photo day assignment, but it fits in this section best. My wife and I are building a new home in Parker County and I will be chronicling the event with my camera. I the build progresses, I'll add photos to this thread so you guys can see our progress (or lack there of ) Here's the first couple photos, nothing much to see, just some scraggly trees.

[PeteQ]

Evil, let me tell you, that camera will become your best friend throughout the building process. I took tons of snaps just to help verify electrical and plumbing routing, etc. as my house was built. Also great if you have a dispute about something with your builder.... Nothing like photo evidence to send along with a complaint letter!

A couple years from now when you go to do an updates or stuff like that they will really be handy.

[Roy]

Good idea!

[bburton]

Originally Posted by evil4blue

This isn't really a photo day assignment, but it fits in this section best. My wife and I are building a new home in Parker County and I will be chronicling the event with my camera. I the build progresses, I'll add photos to this thread so you guys can see our progress (or lack there of ) Here's the first couple photos, nothing much to see, just some scraggly trees.

This is an excellent idea; please keep us posted with brief descriptions.

BTW: Love what you've already done with the landscaping.

[Shane]

I work for a national homebuilder (www.khov.com) so if you need a vendor recommendation, let me know and I will see what I can do.

[evil4blue]

Originally Posted by Shane

I work for a national homebuilder (www.khov.com) so if you need a vendor recommendation, let me know and I will see what I can do.

Thanks,

I think we're good for now, but as I get the ball rolling, we'll see if we need any help.

[Silvernic]

Hey, it looks nice and airy so far!

[Clint_Smith]

I can't stand watching homes go up...you can see all the shotty material contractors are using.....

It is gonna cost me and arm and a leg, but I am gonna be the contractor for my next house...

just too many things I want dones specific ways....like 3/4 inch plywood for roof decking, or spruce studs or solid core doors or meadeco locks....the list goes on and on.

I watched my sisters house be built and I chringe when I walk into it because I saw what it was made of.....

[evil4blue]

I swung by my land today and wasn't surprised at the lack of progress. With the holidays I figured it would be slow goings.

I did take a picture of what my view is from the end of the my future driveway.

[evil4blue]

Land has been leveled and most of the trees have been knocked down.

[aquaview]

evil, I am in the same boat man, I have just started clearing my land for slab preparations. Taking shots of progress and utility routes is a very good idea and I think I will do it myself. are you building yourself or hiring a builder? if you can and have the time you save if you sub it out yourself.

[mwhigham]

I did that with our home in 1999. The photos weren't very good (cheap digicam), but it was fun tracking the progress. I worked for a building materials wholesaler at the time and was checking very closely the quality of materials used in the build.

[bear1962]

After building a new house, I'll never contract a builder again... I'll do it myself.

1. Your builder is NOT your friend.
2. Do not trust your builder... Verify EVERYTHING.
3. Document EVERYTHING. Take pictures daily.
4. If you see something wrong, send a picture of it to your builder and tell him to fix it before they do anything else.
5. If they say "Put it on your punch out list" Tell them it's already on it 3 times... Now fix it before proceeding.
6. If you have a construction loan, DO NOT... I repeat, DO NOT sign off on the last draw until the house is completed to your satisfaction.
7. Hire your own construction inspector to do a complete inspection once the house is complete.
8. If there is a problem with the house, forget filing with TRCC... It's a waste of time and money. Call any news station and get them to come out and do a story. Contact HOBB (Home owners for better builders) Janet Amad is a firebrand who knows how to get under builders skins.

We fought for over a year with our builder, but constant harassment and TV coverage (3 TV appearances) and threats of legal action won out and all my problems were fixed. To fix the plumbing cost the builder $18,000.00.

I don't mean to scare you but the housing industry SUX !!!

If you want to paint a ladies fingernails in Texas, it'll cost you about $3000 to become licensed...

To become a home builder in Texas, costs you $125 filing fee and the cost of business cards.

BE CAREFUL AND DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT, DOCUMENT

[sraulers]

Steve: Any updates? You're building just a few miles down the road from me so let me know if you need any assistance out that way...

- Steve R.

[evil4blue]

I've been slacking, so here are the 2 newest panos. Everything is going okay so far, they did "forget" to install the drain in the mud room, but I've already let them know that they can't and won't pull that crap with me. They're in the process of fixing that "mistake".