Got first comments back on permits the other week...turns out there are some grading issues and a few architecture issues. Overall, the dont appear to be anything major, but who knows. We resubmitted the corrections on Friday, so hopefully we are getting close.
Had a tree guy out the house on Saturday to examine some tree issues. I will need to trim back a couple of my neighbors trees, as they are impeding in my air space, and will hamper building. One of them is probably 150 yrs old, so no desire to trim too much off. Also, the Naperville Forester (who knew they had one) recommended I remove the lone crooked Ash tree in the front yard. It has certainly seen better days, as it is a bit hallowed out, but hate to see a tall tree come down. But better now than 5 yrs from now when it lands on the house!
Also, trying to get the loan closing scheduled. We have been approved for quite some time, but I dont like having a unclosed loan hanging loose in this financial environment...had it scheduled for Wednesday, but need to reschedule.
Other than that, just the continuous process of trying to make selections on what we are actually going to use in the house...which is endless.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
Decisions, Decisions...
Way to many decisions to make in this process – our habit of spending weeks to make one decision now must go out the window – as decisions will have to be made much more quickly over the coming weeks, as there simply is no time to spend weeks and weeks pondering. Luckily, we have narrowed down options over the past year. However, the following areas are ones where no final decision has been made:
**Windows – down to two brands that best fit our needs and have the options we desire – JeldWen or Pella. All will be double-hung with the more standard grille patterns. It is amazing the number of options there are for grille patterns – however, basic colonial style is the most common for the style of house we are building. We tossed around the idea of casement windows, while I like the look better, I don’t like the functionality vs double hung. Plus, casements are more $$ than double hung – so pretty easy choice there.
One last decision is on exterior cladding/grille color – we were originally at two colors (white or cream). However, we saw several houses in Downers Grove that had black or stone colored cladding/grilles – really looked classy. So yet another decision to be made. Are hunch is we will go with cream if all the exterior trim is cream – but black is appealing (cost may be the determining factor).
Then of course there are the interior hardware options….
**Kitchen Cabinets – To go with a glazed, aged white style or a more traditional honey/chestnut type color? Costs are all over the map – and this will likely be one of the more difficult decisions to make.
**Interior Doors – Have it narrowed down to two styles – a two-panel and a 3-panel craftsman style.
**Flooring – I love the look of a darker prefinished handscraped floor – but dark shows more dirt. Plus there are the issues of matching up to the stairs (which will be wood). The other option is a site finished standard red oak floor (cheapest) or possibly a site finished brazillian cherry (more expensive). A lot depends on the kitchen cabinets – darker floor means lighter cabinets.
**Exterior color – fiber cement siding is the choice (Hardi Plank) most likely a historical shade of mossy green/sage…however, still like the look of the really old, deep, deep blue color.
**Appliances – too many options to even mention…double vs single oven, induction vs gas cooktop, side by side vs French door fridge, microwave location, venting, etc
**WaterHeater – Idea to go with a tankless is out after most plumbers I talked to said cost savings is often negated and then some by the upfront costs (more expensive unit, larger copper piping needed) and the required maintenance.
**Patio Door – really like the openness that a 4-unit sliding door provides (far left and far right panes are stationary – two middle panes open opposite of each other like a side by side refrigerator (but sliding on a track). Cost may drop that idea out quickly – thus may end up with a 3unit door – opens in the middle. We shall see.
**Interior colors – have not even given thought.
**Baseboard trim and casing – what happened to the day when you had two choices – ranch style or colonial style? Now there are 175 options…minimum baseboard height will be 5-1/2” – much higher than the standard builder grade 3-1/4”
**Roof – have not even given the color or style any thought.
**Interior hardware/faucets – its either the now standard brushed nickel or the more trendy aged bronze (almost looks black).
**Bathroom cabinets – have given no thought.
**Kitchen countertops – we are going to need over 100sq ft – so no matter what, it aint going to be cheap.
** Garage door – again, there are so many options now – its mind numbing…
**Fireplace – you would think this would be simple – not so much – a lot of options here too…of course the one I like is the most expensive.
So, needless to say, there are a few decisions to be made yet…
**Windows – down to two brands that best fit our needs and have the options we desire – JeldWen or Pella. All will be double-hung with the more standard grille patterns. It is amazing the number of options there are for grille patterns – however, basic colonial style is the most common for the style of house we are building. We tossed around the idea of casement windows, while I like the look better, I don’t like the functionality vs double hung. Plus, casements are more $$ than double hung – so pretty easy choice there.
One last decision is on exterior cladding/grille color – we were originally at two colors (white or cream). However, we saw several houses in Downers Grove that had black or stone colored cladding/grilles – really looked classy. So yet another decision to be made. Are hunch is we will go with cream if all the exterior trim is cream – but black is appealing (cost may be the determining factor).
Then of course there are the interior hardware options….
**Kitchen Cabinets – To go with a glazed, aged white style or a more traditional honey/chestnut type color? Costs are all over the map – and this will likely be one of the more difficult decisions to make.
**Interior Doors – Have it narrowed down to two styles – a two-panel and a 3-panel craftsman style.
**Flooring – I love the look of a darker prefinished handscraped floor – but dark shows more dirt. Plus there are the issues of matching up to the stairs (which will be wood). The other option is a site finished standard red oak floor (cheapest) or possibly a site finished brazillian cherry (more expensive). A lot depends on the kitchen cabinets – darker floor means lighter cabinets.
**Exterior color – fiber cement siding is the choice (Hardi Plank) most likely a historical shade of mossy green/sage…however, still like the look of the really old, deep, deep blue color.
**Appliances – too many options to even mention…double vs single oven, induction vs gas cooktop, side by side vs French door fridge, microwave location, venting, etc
**WaterHeater – Idea to go with a tankless is out after most plumbers I talked to said cost savings is often negated and then some by the upfront costs (more expensive unit, larger copper piping needed) and the required maintenance.
**Patio Door – really like the openness that a 4-unit sliding door provides (far left and far right panes are stationary – two middle panes open opposite of each other like a side by side refrigerator (but sliding on a track). Cost may drop that idea out quickly – thus may end up with a 3unit door – opens in the middle. We shall see.
**Interior colors – have not even given thought.
**Baseboard trim and casing – what happened to the day when you had two choices – ranch style or colonial style? Now there are 175 options…minimum baseboard height will be 5-1/2” – much higher than the standard builder grade 3-1/4”
**Roof – have not even given the color or style any thought.
**Interior hardware/faucets – its either the now standard brushed nickel or the more trendy aged bronze (almost looks black).
**Bathroom cabinets – have given no thought.
**Kitchen countertops – we are going to need over 100sq ft – so no matter what, it aint going to be cheap.
** Garage door – again, there are so many options now – its mind numbing…
**Fireplace – you would think this would be simple – not so much – a lot of options here too…of course the one I like is the most expensive.
So, needless to say, there are a few decisions to be made yet…
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