Back from the beach

We've been in the Outer Banks for the last week. It was an awesome vacation -- sun, sand, surf, kids, family and entirely too much food. But so much happened at the house just before we left and while we were gone.

Are those wild horses eating sea oats on the dunes at dawn? Why yes they are!
Totally worth the early rise that day.

Before we left: We had a great pre-pre-drywall walk-through with our PM2. We've got a main PM and he has an assistant. It was good to catch up on what was going on at the house, and the timeframe for the next steps. We had a chance to look at framing, add blocking and review all of our electrical choices before the electricians arrived. That was especially helpful in the kitchen where we have the 6-7 recess lights that come with the gourmet kitchen package, plus the rough-ins for our pendant lights, which hang over our non-standard island (6" granite extension). Very helpful to say "I want it there" and have the PM2 mark it on the actual studs, ceiling or floor.

We turned in a long-list of paperwork to NVR on the night before we hit the road. Our loan specialist had proactively sent a list of requests so she could get the ball rolling on re-approval. And our close date isn't even until Sept. 20.

Also right before we left, we got word our main SR was leaving us. Sad to see him go. He had done a terrific job for us, from working out a contingency when we were waiting for our old home to sell to giving some very helpful advice on upgrades and choices. It sounds like he has an exciting new opportunity and we are happy for him. We also have a SR2 in our community (previously part-time, but taking on a more full-time role now), and they're bringing on a new person. Not that I think we have much left to do with the SR, but it's nice to know there's still a familiar face there.

While we were gone: Wow, stopped by this morning (Sunday) only to run into the electricians, who were just wrapping up a 1/2 day. (Hello double time!) Rough wire is just about complete (looks like a few switches and, fingers crossed, our 2 conduit pipes for future wiring). Plumping rough in also mostly complete (they missed the laundry tub in the basement -- already emailed PM). HVAC in. Garage door installed. Guardian did their rough wire -- not that they let us know anything about that. Rigid basement insulation installed. Brick delivered.


Upcoming: Insulation Monday/Tuesday. Official pre-drywall meeting Wednesday! And we're now less than 2 months out!


And now the obscene number of photos:

Lots of shutoff valves. 

Piping for yet-to-be-delivered water heater ... or a future swing for the kiddos.

Interesting detail that our PM added: We're getting the full trim package, including the chair rail and decorative wall moldings (wainscoting, kinda). Our PM feels that the plugs, if left according to plan, interferes with the moldings too much. So ... he has the electricians put them in horizontally just above the baseboards. See outlet box, center. Now that's attention to detail! 

We got plugs added to our tray ceilings. Having the trim held down, so we can throw some rope lights in there. 

Recess lights, back, and the pendant light rough-ins.

Guardian was here. We only got 1 TV mount done (up/down).  For those who have done this: Did they just pull those wires through the box? Or is there some sort of receptacle? 

There's that TV mount. Family room.

Family room: Fireplace wired, eyeball and recess lights in. Another interesting PM tip: At his suggestion, we've added a plug just above our mantel (for Christmas lights, etc). Interested to see how that works with the stone.

Washer/dryer prep.

Hose bib in the garage.

More blocking added in my office, in case I ever want to mount a TV. Thanks to Thomas and others who suggested requesting blocking!

I kinda love that our electricians were labeling the wires for these multi-switch boxes.

Pretty sure this was a rough in for a smoke detector (not evident here, but "smoke" was written on the joist there). Did anyone else get Guardian to do an alarm system with smoke detectors? It looked like there were smoke detectors in every bedroom. Is this the case?

Kids bathroom -- ready for 2 sinks. And, yes, they've already claimed sinks.

This cracked me up.

More blocking in the bonus room.

Bonus room. That thing in the wall between the windows is one of our flood lights. We'll be able to reach out the window to change the bulbs. =) And by "we'll" I mean, "the husband will."

Bonus room, closet and bath.

Looking through the bonus room wall to the baster bed and bath beyond. Lots of framing, lots of wiring.

Tray ceiling in master, with a dangling outlet.

Master bath.

Brick has arrived! Castlerock. And like almost every other blogger out there, I'm nervous about the color.  When I pulled one out it looks good -- not too dark, not too light, worn but not too worn. But hard to say what it's going to look like up. Crossing fingers.

Front and garage ... with door!

Ready for brick!