Starting our forever home in North Idaho... Finally!

[25Elmn8r]

Not a lot visually the last few weeks but progress is being made. Rough HVAC started this week and should wrap up early next week.

Biggest visual is the fireplace was installed yesterday. Yes it's a wood burner, this will be used as our majority source of heat.

We still have about 2" of ice in the garage so I closed it off with plastic and have a big heater in there trying to melt it off. Snow and Ice has kept us from backfilling the foundation and garage, hoping to get it done this 3 day weekend.

 

[rivermobster]

Buddies dad had a wood burning stove in his place in Colorado. It was so big, they had to build the house Around it!

Even with the snow outside, it kept the place nice and warm.

 

[25Elmn8r]

Ice in the garage ended up being about 8" thick in some parts. Heater wasn't putting a dent in it, so i had to break out the digging bar and shovel to get it out. Still need to back fill the garage and exterior foundation, IF we can get a break in the weather. Sure would be nice to pour the garage floor and start planning some of the flatwork and drainage.
More delays on top of delays but we have made progress. Rough plumbing and electrical are done and passed inspection! Just waiting on HVAC inspection before we move to the next step of insulation and drywall.

Cedar posts on the front porch were set last week.

Took the time to add blocking, run CAT6 for tv's and cameras, and insulate some of the interior walls for sound deadening.

Shooting for interior paint the first week of April.

 

[25Elmn8r]

Been a couple weeks of delays, didn't pass rough HVAC or Air Seal inspections. Then the county wasn't doing inspections for a week. Finally got the bugs worked out to pass inspection on Monday and get things moving again.
Wall and under floor Insulation complete:

Siding got started this week as well:

And of course my little helper in the skidsteer trying to get some backfill done. Unfortunately it's still either too wet or frozen...

 

[X Hoser]

Progress!

 

[25Elmn8r]

Siding complete! Now it's time for me to sling a bunch of caulk/paint prep.

Drywall delivered this week

And of course now that everything is starting to dry up, we're expecting more rain this weekend. At this rate the whole house will be done before we can even get the foundation backfilled. Frustrating to say the least.

 

[25Elmn8r]

Drywall is up, taping and mud is almost done. Just a bit more touch-up and then texture. Paint needs to be done by the 25th.

Finally able to level out the garage now that the dirt isn't frozen solid. Compaction, rock and more compaction so we can pour the floor.

Took today off and went to play in the snow

Busy week ahead!

 

[25Elmn8r]

Prime/sealer and paint are done, 70 gallons worth! Ready for the next stage.

Finally got the foundation backfilled and put down some temp rock so when it rains we're not traipsing in mud. Hoping to get the exterior paint done in the next couple weeks before our vacation/anniversary trip to Alaska.

Slab prep in the garage is done. Son pulled his KRX inside to rub it in to momma that he was the first to park in there. I thought the slab was being poured today, apparently not since no one showed up.

trailer with all of the finish materials was also delivered. Supposed to start installs tomorrow.

Feeling pretty good that we could possibly be in by month end.

 

[X Hoser]

We have been in ours for a couple months but just completed painting it also week. Beautiful job and a super nice guy. Works alone as he says he has control over the quality of the job that way. If you need a painter I can PM you his contact info. Not sure what his schedule is?

 

[25Elmn8r]

We have been in ours for a couple months but just completed painting it also week. Beautiful job and a super nice guy. Works alone as he says he has control over the quality of the job that way. If you need a painter I can PM you his contact info. Not sure what his schedule is?

Thanks Rick. I am handling the painting myself. We still need to get together for a drink or two!

 

[25Elmn8r]

Been a little bit since the last update.
Took a week off for a trip to Alaska. My dad has wanted to go for years, and with him getting up there in years we decided to make it a family trip, which most of the family made it. A quick drive over to Seattle to jump on the cruise ship and head on up to Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, and Ketchikan. It also happened to be my wife and I's 29th anniversary.

Anyways, on to the update, lots of progress inside and we're getting close to being able to get the occupancy cert. There's still a bunch that will need to completed after move in, but getting out of the 5th wheel will be a huge improvement!!!
Carpet is in! All the bedrooms have the cheesy little dome lights for now. Need to pick out fans when we get time.

Garage door finally made it!

Still need the mantle... should be delivered in the next couple weeks.

Electrician didn't do a very good job with aligning the pendants, they've crushed everything else. Need to change the outlets in the island to black.

Vent hood cover is in the works, and backsplash will be installed once the wife makes up her mind.

Master bath has a ways to go still, tub is on order, and shower will be done after we move in.

Lots of drywall/texture repairs ahead! Hoping to wrap up all of the trim painting this weekend as well.

 

[X Hoser]

Happy Anniversary! House is coming along nice.We couldn’t wait to get out of our 5th Wheel either. Wasn’t horrible, but didn’t have my “stuff” to tinker with.

 

[angiebaby]

Looking great!

 

[25Elmn8r]

We've got WATER!! Not a big deal to you city slickers, but it's been over 2 years since we got on the list to get a well drilled to today when the system was finally powered up.

This is what I believe to be the last thing we needed to get our certificate of occupancy from the county. Scheduling final inspections for this week, hoping to be able to move in next weekend! Still lots of work ahead, but getting in the house, and out of our 5th wheel will be amazing!

 

[rivermobster]

Just perfect.

 

[v6toy4x]

How deep did you have to go?

 

[25Elmn8r]

How deep did you have to go?

Just shy of 300' at 96GPM.

 

[v6toy4x]

Just shy of 300' at 96GPM.

I would call that a success, congrats, best part there is no meter

 

[25Elmn8r]

Wow a couple weeks since the last update again. We had an issue with our final plumbing inspection, which I knew was going to be a problem, but the builder(corporate) wouldn't budge on the issue. At least until it wouldn't pass inspection. They put the water heater on the floor of the garage, instead of on a pedestal. I told them it wouldn't pass but they didn't believe me. Of course the delay on getting the plumber back out and another inspection doesn't really bother them, but it sure does us! Got that squared away and on to the final inspection. And another couple issues that the builder didn't finish before the inspection, so another delay! Which brings us to today, Final Inspection round 2! Everything passed and we will be getting our certificate of occupancy in the next couple days. We're partially moved in but have a lot to finish. First night in the house will be tomorrow! We are so excited to finally get to this point, almost exactly 6 months later than we had planned and 2 years of living in the 5th wheel. It will be so nice to have some elbow room. Still lots of work ahead to finish some things I didn't want to pay the crazy upgrade fees to the builder for, but they are not a huge rush. We'll take a little breather and enjoy summer, then hit it hard again this fall. Pics to follow in the coming days.

 

[v6toy4x]

Wow a couple weeks since the last update again. We had an issue with our final plumbing inspection, which I knew was going to be a problem, but the builder(corporate) wouldn't budge on the issue. At least until it wouldn't pass inspection. They put the water heater on the floor of the garage, instead of on a pedestal. I told them it wouldn't pass but they didn't believe me. Of course the delay on getting the plumber back out and another inspection doesn't really bother them, but it sure does us! Got that squared away and on to the final inspection. And another couple issues that the builder didn't finish before the inspection, so another delay! Which brings us to today, Final Inspection round 2! Everything passed and we will be getting our certificate of occupancy in the next couple days. We're partially moved in but have a lot to finish. First night in the house will be tomorrow! We are so excited to finally get to this point, almost exactly 6 months later than we had planned and 2 years of living in the 5th wheel. It will be so nice to have some elbow room. Still lots of work ahead to finish some things I didn't want to pay the crazy upgrade fees to the builder for, but they are not a huge rush. We'll take a little breather and enjoy summer, then hit it hard again this fall. Pics to follow in the coming days.

CONGRATS!! that bed is gonna feel GOOD!!

 

[25Elmn8r]

Got the Starlink setup on the house and my desk in the office! It's sooooooo much better than the tiny space I had in our 5th wheel. I can no longer touch all 4 walls while sitting in my chair!

 

[v6toy4x]

I can no longer touch all 4 walls while sitting in my chair!
View attachment 1247677

You are going to have to take it easy on the cocktails then!!

 

[Cooter01]

Congrats on moving in! Keep the updates coming

 

[Markus]

Even on the third read, this is a great thread.

Any news?

 

[25Elmn8r]

Even on the third read, this is a great thread.

Any news?

Thanks!

I guess it's been a while. Took a bunch of time this summer off and out on the boat, a trip to Havasu, a couple So Cal trips for work. In addition our daughter and son-in-law bought a new house and we had to build them a hay barn (30x40 barn with a 12' lean-to) before winter. So all that kept us from getting too much done before winter.
Honestly as of late, it's been a lot of me hanging in my easy chair with a fire going watching the idiot box.

And a lot of time hanging with this little cutie.

Momma chose a tile for the kitchen backsplash and I got that done before move-in.

Finally got the hood cover done as well. The wood insert will need to be redone due to shrinkage.

Momma wanted black interior doors. Pretty much a pain in the ass, but it turned out great.

Exterior paint is done

Also needed to build a woodshed to keep all of it dry. You can see it in the last pic. Built to match the house, just needs paint. Hold 5 cords which we had to split and stack as well.

In the spring the plan is to get our drainage done, then get the flatwork done. Working on getting our covered patio drawn up now so we can get the foundation done as needed the same time we're pouring the flatwork. Then landscaping... and then... and then... it just keeps going. LOL

 

[DILLIGAF]

Congrats on getting all this done without getting a divorce....lol Many times this will strain a marriage to breakage. Well done

 

[25Elmn8r]

Congrats on getting all this done without getting a divorce....lol Many times this will strain a marriage to breakage. Well done

Thanks!
What's that saying, "Cheaper to keep her!" LOL We've been thru it all, but never to the point we even considered divorce. The last 6 months in the 5th wheel was definitely a challenge, but it was worth it in the end!

 

[rivermobster]

I'm so freaking envious...

Congrats!!!

 

[Boat211]

You guys did a really great job.

 

[X Hoser]

Nice Job! We’ve been in Tennessee since August and just got back. Nice mild winter so far, lovin’ it! We will be starting our landscaping in the Spring and building a 12x16 shed to get the garage cleaned out. Like you said, then and then and then……..