WEEK 30: Love the Smell of Paint!

This week marked the beginning of the last phase of the build process as most of the focus now is internal to the house. Yeah, Baby, we're gettin' to the good stuff!

As you'll see from there pictures, the walls now have the final texture and the first undercoat of paint. Trim is in and caulked, and electrical arrived today to begin putting in switches, outlets and outlet covers. Of course, I'm going to replace 15 of the kitchen and bathroom outlets with cool stuff we just bought that work better, so anyone need 15 outlets?

Kitchen Pantry Area

Bedroom #3

Wall Plates (really exciting stuff!)

Kitchen Area (once again)

We have noticed a number of areas where the caulking has dried but left an opening between the wall and trim, or the wall texture simply isn't right (makes me crazy!). But, we've been assured by our building super that they will make a number of passes through the house in the coming weeks and those issues will be corrected as part of their ongoing final inspections, along with paint. (Okay, now I feel better.)

This is why you have to visit the build site at least once a week to ensure that these items are addressed, or at least made visible to the building super.

Wall Flaw (Wine Cooler area)

Next up will be cabinets this coming week after paint. Once the cabinets are in, floors get installed, followed by countertops. So it appears we will see some forward movement in the next couple of weeks. 

Additionally, the pool guys are back on the job. Builders in Arizona are having a helluva time staying on schedule because of the trades shortage, or simply put, too much work for the number of available trades. Plumbers are a huge cog in the wheel these days, and unfortunately, you can't train one up in an afternoon. As a result, everything gets backed up as a consequence.

Our plumbers were out today digging trenches for gas line connections to the pool area, outdoor kitchen (BBQ) area, and the gas fire pit. In our case, we have 158 linear feet of gas line being installed. Of course, I get a call at 8:00am to say that they are recommending a "sheath" over the gas line because the Victory soil is so rocky something might puncture the flex gas line. (Sort of a pipe condom.) 

Cha ching! $5/foot times 158 feet and I've spent another $832 before I've had a decent cup of coffee! What happened to metal pipe gas lines?? Where did they disappear to?

Once they are done, the electricians can pull power, and installing rebar for the pool can begin. 

Trenching

Lastly, Jan has decided she wants the main living room wall rocked, instead of painted. (More cha ching!) So, another contractor had to be selected, and we have to wait until the house closes to have the wall done, since the builder doesn't want the liability of aftermarket (escrow) contractors in the house prior to close.

Sample

Well, that's it for this week. See y'all next post!