Build Notes (New Construction, Older Homes, Renovations, Interesting Finishing and Details)
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Man, it takes forever to get anything done these days. Almost six months later, we’re finally finishing up the first of the three pools/courtyards I posted about back in March. This is also the first house to close in the small 10-unit development and, barring any unforeseen issues, closing should be Friday.
Everything is last minute now. The days of doing pretty custom builds in 6 to 9 months have long been gone. Ten to 12 months is much more realistic, and some are stretching to 18 months.
We originally had a really lush, organic courtyard designed, but the buyers wanted turf. I have to admit, the newer stuff looks a hell of a lot better than the fake grass from years ago. And hey, the courtyard is completely private and can’t be seen from the street, so there’s only so much I’m going to fight them on.
I’ll say, after building homes for decades, I actually prefer the complexity and difficulty of these kinds of projects compared with the larger-lot builds I did years ago, even intown. They’re definitely more stressful, but also more enjoyable. Every home has always been unique, but as the sites get tighter and tighter, that uniqueness just keeps getting amplified.
The next two are going to be really cool. One of them is a market home that isn’t sold yet, so we’re really amplifying the finishes and landscaping to make it stand out.
The other one is completely custom and pretty much no-expense-spared, so that one should turn out really nice.
And by all means, if this belongs somewhere else or I should just start my own thread, I’m totally fine with that. I’m not trying to sell anybody anything. It’s really just some of my day-to-day, and I think it’s cool stuff for anyone interested in architecture, design, and new home construction.
Watching the first of three pools being dug today on a project of mine. Super tight construction 10 homes on approximately an acre. All detached(zero lot line) except for this one brick outbuilding that’s attached to the house next- door.
Been waiting months for these pool permits, been holding me up on starting the next three houses as the only access is ramping over these privacy walls that are semi complete.
First two houses have these smaller pools, the other one will have a 12 x 40 lap pool. I’m standing on the gym/spa structure. two-story garage in front of it with the lap pool between it and the main house.
Edit: that’s not the finished color of the interior of the pool, it will be acid washed in the morning. It has a lot of black/dark pebbles it’s called “Turtle Bay”
Squeezing these things in…
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@northsouthdenimguy said in WHAT ARE YOU DOING TODAY - WAYDT (PICS):
I should just start my own thread
You should. I'd love to see that kind of projects evolving.
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Yes, that would be great. Thank you!
It might actually be kind of nice to catalog some of the stuff I have going on in one place, almost like a little construction blog. I post pictures here and there, but it could be interesting to show the different houses, some of the design decisions, the cool stuff we’re doing, and of course the things that inevitably go sideways.
People can always mute it
If people are interested, I think I’d enjoy doing it. It would also probably help keep me from going crazy at times just having a place to talk through what’s going on with these projects.
@endo thanks!
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@northsouthdenimguy I have split the topic and please edit the post with a title of your choosing (or let me know and I can change it).
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I think Build Notes works really well because it leaves it open enough for other people to contribute without making it sound like it’s only about new construction.
Could be a place for anything a little more construction-oriented, whether it’s new construction, older homes, renovations, interesting finishes, details, things coming together, or even things that go sideways.
I’ll post some of what I have going on, but by all means anyone else should jump in with their own projects too. I know there’s already a “Show Us Your Pad” type thread, but I was thinking this could be a little more focused on the actual construction, renovation, materials, finishes and how things come together.
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@northsouthdenimguy I’ve changed the title per your recommendation. Let me know what you think and if you would like it amended.
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Im going to enjoy this thread! (General Contractor here)
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@northsouthdenimguy Its great watching your project, which look amazing. I also enjoy this thread.
