Home Improvements (Pun Intended)

This week, we have been seeing major progress with the house!!! Most of which is on the interior, which is making it look like a "house" not just a shell of drywall.

Well, where do I start? First of all, here's our Progress Point. Everything on the exterior is pretty much complete. Oh wait, yes...SIDING. Don't worry, that's coming. Our house won't be blue forever (despite my nieces and nephews' dismay). The front porch was finished on Friday, with the exception of the "ceiling" of the porch, they still have to install that, but shingles and framing are complete.

By Saturday, the cabinets were totally installed and they had also installed our garage doors! I love that they aren't your average garage door, they have a little more detail to add to that "Craftsman" style that is our home architecture.

On Monday, the house was inspected for nicks and imperfections in the drywall. All of that was "touched up" and given a coat of white paint. (No, the builder will not paint colors for us. We already asked.) It's really amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do! Everything looks so clean and white. Nevermind the inch of dust on the floor.

On Tuesday, the workers were busy installing tile and the linoleum we got in the guest bath and laundry room. It looks SO good! On Wednesday, the plumber came back and installed all the final fixtures: toilets, faucets, sinks, shower heads, etc. Bobby also informed me that the water tank was also installed. (I'm scared to go in the basement now because there are several frogs down there with the open windows. Gross.)

Guest bath has tile surrounds and linoleum flooring.

Master Bath has tile floor and tub and shower surrounds.

Also on Wednesday (today) the HARDWOOD was installed!!!!! Yay! This was my most anticipated part of the house. Please don't ask me why. We got a very light-colored maple hardwood with a really interesting grain. The floor is very light and it looks really cool contrasting with the dark cabinets and (what will be) dark counter tops (coming Friday - also very excited). They had a protective cover on top, so we had to pull it back for a picture. Hopefully you can get the idea!

Floors against the cabinets in the dining area of the kitchen.

MMmmm....gorgeous. This room is really light, so the floor will add a really interesting dimension in here (the dining room).

Last, but not least... SIDING!!!!! They were starting the siding as Bobby and I were taking pictures today (Wednesday). They should be finished with that tomorrow!

Wow. I can't believe how much they were able to get done this week! I think next week should be just as exciting as they will install the granite in the kitchen, install all the lighting details, deliver the appliances, etc. The house is estimated to be complete on September 16th. HOWEVER, they run Quality Assurance tests to ensure everything works properly before we move in. Settlement is still scheduled for early-mid October.

SO, here's your update!

Schedule Update:
Day #60 - Friday, August 14, 2009: Drywall installed, not complete.
Day #61 - Saturday, August 15, 2009: Drywall taped and mudded (but not sanded), columns arrive.
Day #65 - Wednesday, August 19, 2009: Drywall sanded.
Day #66 - Thursday, August 20, 2009: Columns begin to be completed. Primer is applied to walls.
Day #67 - Friday, August 21, 2009: Columns finished!!! Walls painted. Trim and Doors delivered.
Day #70 - Monday, August 24, 2009: Baseboards, Trim and Doors installed!
Day #71 - Tuesday, August 25, 2009: Cabinets delivered.
Day #72 - Wednesday, August 26, 2009: Cabinets installed in kitchen and bathrooms!
Day#74 - Friday, August 28, 2009: Front porch finished. Garage Doors installed.
Day#77 - Monday, August 31, 2009: Interior drywall touch-ups, walls painted.
Day#78 - Tuesday, September 1, 2009: Tile and linoleum laid.
Day#79 - Wednesday, September 2, 2009: Hardwood floors installed, plumbing finished, siding started.

If you're looking for me or Bobby this LOONNNGGG weekend, we will be found on the beach. Relaxing. Getting sand in our hair. Hopefully not breaking out in a rash from sunscreen. We'll be back on Monday with more updates from Thursday and Friday! Happy Labor Day Weekend!!!