Move in

Finally got moved in.  Turned out good over all.  Disappointed that to save money they don't put air returns in the rooms - they just undercut the doors to 1.5 inches above the carpet.  This not only looks weird, but also lets in light and noise.  Note they also cut every door 1.5 inches above the carpet so they all look wrong the same.  Basement is a little cold.  I think because they put the supply vents on the same side of the room as the return vent that the conditioned air doesn't cross the room and really warm it.  I'll see what can be done about this at the 30 day mark.  Furnace is a Goodman single stage, single speed blower and quite noisy.  I don't think I'm gonna be able to do anything about this however.

Pisa Torre home build starting Dec 15, 2014
NE Ohio

Finished basement, no finished upstairs area.  We are having a local contractor add on a screened in porch.  We only have 10 feet left in the building envelope for the property but I'm hoping we can get a variance from the city to extend the porch out to 15 feet.


Footers and basement walls poured

I was told there is only two kinds of concrete: cracked and not cracked yet.  

I'm hoping the waterproofing will keep our finished basement dry for many years.
I need to verify  that all the mechanicals are tightly grouped together so I can wall them off into their own room.  This would maximize the floor space for increased living area in the basement.  The last thing I want is the sump pump to be off somewhere away from the HVAC and water heater!

Water proofing exterior sub grade walls

Neighborhood is filling up fast, so many sold signs!

Well, I turn my back for 2 days and the flooring and walls are up!

Exterior choices include Pebble Clay siding with black door and shutters.

Sadly, the cabinet doors don't come in a slab style for a more modern look.  Eventually we'll get around to replacing those.  This natural color (Wheat) flat panels with a Mission style fronts with stiles and rails that look odd matched with black granite. Definitely not the kind of modern Scandinavian look I was hoping for.  Home Depot quoted me $160 for (2) doors and (2) drawer fronts in the slab style I like.  Seems pricey for entry level veneer  cabinetry.

All of the appliances received good reviews, except the dishwasher...

it received OK marks as did all brands in this price range.  Sadly, this is due to govt interference via the EPA and it's energy restrictions. 

Entry level vinyl and carpet.  We can upgrade after we've decided on a color palate and some design elements.  Note, no sealed carpet pad was available at any price for you pet owners. 

Uba Tuba for the black granite tops