Day 168: 180 Days to build a home??

They say a home can be built in 180 days, hmm, we are fast approaching 180 days and our contractor only tells us that he is trying to complete by September 15th (203 days) and will guarantee that we will be completed by September 30th (218 days). Now remember our original promise was September 1 (Day 189). Hurray is all I can say!

Remember we close on our existing home August 31st with the original plan to move only once. Now we have to move our belongings into storage, find a place to live anywhere from two-four weeks, and then move our belongings out of storage into our new home. Needless to say an unexpected cost to endure.

Progress on our home? Hmm, this week, the finish carpenter completed his work on Monday. Doors and casings are hung, baseboards are completed except where the wood floor has to be stained, closet shelving is installed,stair banister is installed and the crown molding is completed. The rest of the week, Tuesday-Thursday there has been no progress. This is maddening when we were hoping to be completed by September 1.

The home is beginning to look nice and we are excited about how it is turning out despite all of the pain and misery that it has been to construct.
Speaking of pain and misery, this week we encountered the communication gap between owner and contractor again. "Wet Bar in basement that is an extra.", "No, that is included in furnishing a completed basement". "It's not in the contract document". "Why isn't it in the document it was included on our list of inclusions to be part of the final price". " Well we will re-visit the issue" "Hmm, looks like a compromise is in the works to me". Regardless, it will cost both of us some money.

Well as we near the end of the tunnel, I believe that is the light at the end of the tunnel and not the train coming at me. We have recognized that our budget to complete the home is going to exceed our original budget amount. We have really figured out how the allowance program works. Allowances only give you a bare minimum to work with. Oh, you want color tile that's an upgrade. Oh, you want light bulbs in those fixtures, that will be an upgrade. I'm beginning to feel like every time we talk to a supplier or subcontractor it'll be another thousand dollars. We have also been floored by some of the sticker shock of items and now I"m nervous to see those items that we approved to be installed without an established bid price. I'm sure we will jump with glee at how lost the price will be.

It'll will all be worth it, I"m sure when all is said and done.