10 Things to Remember After You Sign Your Contract
Lisa Albrecht shares more lessons she's learned while building her
dream home. In the second part of her journey, Lisa provides advice
for the framing stage.
1. Keep your eyes on the job.
Keep your blueprint (or mini print) close at hand to verify that
dimensions and details correspond with what is actually going up.
The windows in my master bedroom were supposed to be near the corners
so there would be enough room for my king-size bed and end tables
in between them. When I visited the house, I noticed they weren't
far enough apart to accommodate my furniture - which was the focal
point of the room. So I insisted the framers move them.
The support beams in the basement were also located incorrectly.
So we compromised. Some minor modifications were made to make the
beams work where they were...in exchange for the windows being moved.
2. Decide what your
priorities are.
Rather than let upgrades wreak havoc on my budget, I stuck with
standard products - except for the things that would be difficult
(and costly)
to change later. My interior will be contemporary, so I chose black
laminate countertops for most of the kitchen and then highlighted
the island with a red Silestone¨ countertop.
While the Silestone was expensive, it's a choice I can't live without.
As a trade-off, I'm choosing standard faucets, door knobs, pulls
and paint in the kitchen.
I also put extra money in some custom windows and my wood floor
(which will be factory sanded and stained black). If I don't get
these items now, I probably never will. To offset these costs, I
chose the standard carpet grade and vinyl flooring rather than tile
in my guest bath and mudroom.
On the exterior, I upgraded the brick to cultured stone and added
some pillars to the front porch. In exchange, I selected an inexpensive
front door and outdoor light fixtures that I can replace at a later
date.
3. Let your real estate agent serve
as a go-between. Asking my agent to express my concerns and negotiate changes alleviates
some friction by keeping communications more professional and less
personal. 4. Don't forget to ask your builder
to use radon-resistent construction techniques.
There are simple measures that can be used to help prevent radon
entry into your home. If they are incorporated during construction,
they are considerably less expensive than mitigating a radon problem
after the home is completed. 5. Get everything in writing!
This includes corrections that must be made, upgrades, and change
orders - what they will cost and when they will be completed. 6. If you have existing tress or
areas of vegetation on your property, indicate which ones you want
to keep on your plot plan.
Otherwise, you may lose them during grading.
7. Either have someone create a
landscaping plan or draw up your own.
While I won't be able to complete my whole plan immediately, it
helps me decide how to spend my landscaping allowance and ensures
there
will be continuity as time passes. I can also give my builder the
plan so the subs will know where to place sprinkler heads. 8. Consider planting some plants
or flowers before you move in.
Because I know new landscaping takes awhile to get going, I planted
some flower bulbs in the woods at the edge of my property last
fall. So when I move in, this May, I'll have something colorful
to look at.
9. Keep accurate room dimensions
with you when you shop for furniture I bought my home plan from Design Basics and also purchased a furniture
layout guide, which includes a simplified floor plan with plastic
furniture pieces to scale. I carry it with me...so if I run across
a piece of artwork or furniture I like, I can check whether it
will fit. 10. Learn to Dance
I'm learning to dance with the builder and subs (I take chili to
the jobsite on cold Saturdays); to dance with my decorator so
I make wise choices; and to dance with myself by asking "What
do I need? What do I want?"
No one offers dance lessons for building a new house, but I'm learning.
I just hope I don't step on too many toes!
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