Things are moving fast

In the three weeks since the contractor has been able to progress on the project lots has happened.

Even as Rob finished up the home automation control panel and the outer island electrical wiring, the insulation was going in. We went with R38 in the ceiling and R19 in the external walls. In addition to the required ceiling and wall insulation we also had some internal walls insulated for sound dampening. Our master bedroom has insulation to quiet things between the master bath and also the laundry room. Downstairs we added insulation between the lower master and Rob's office/bedroom and in the hallway walls for his bedroom and the guest bedroom. A friend told us that an added benefit of internal wall insulation she found in her house was that less heating and cooling was needed as well.

While the insulation was being installed the sheetrock supplies were delivered. As soon as insulation was done, the sheetrockers went to work. Covering the walls makes a dramatic change. First you go from darker wood to bright white which lightens the rooms up. The enclosing of the walls also changes the feel of spaces in various ways. In the master shower, it actually feels bigger and more elegant now that the walls, seat and outer support beam are enclosed. Conversely, the lower master feels more intimate than it did when the walls were open.

The sheetrock was finished last week. To our surprise the next step of taping the sheetrock seams began last Sunday. A crew of several guys spent super bowl Sunday from 7:00 am until 5:00 pm getting the first pass of the whole house done. That dried for a few days and they came back on Wednesday for the next pass. Next will be the wall texture, but with the rain this weekend there will need to be more time for drying the taping so there will be a delay.

On the weekend we also designed the layout for our walk-in closets and the pantry. The contractor suggested we find unfinished drawer furniture that he could have his carpenters build into the closets. He's found this is a cheaper way of getting a custom closet. So we looked at unfinished furniture and a brand, Rocky Butte Mfg. that makes dovetailed drawers, full slide out extensions and simple exteriors that will work well built in. Wednesday I found a local dealer, "I Got Wood" that gave me a very good deal and worked on arranging for the shortest delivery time possible. So I placed the order yesterday for 4 pieces that should arrive by the end of February.

I've also found the look for the stucco texturing, rough and chunky, chosen the look for the internal wall texture, heavy, picked the wood and stain for the cabinets and the Zodiak countertop for the kitchen. Oh yeah we picked the doors too. Whew! Next is plumbing fixtures, internal wall colors.

My question is how soon will the house be done with things going this fast?