My "living the dream" build thread...

[greenraVR6]

^ you have some good points to consider. Running the power now for the future shop seems like a very smart idea, or at least get the conduit in the ground. Not sure about wiring and lighting though. We have a budget that we have to stay within or else the overall price of the house is gonna creep beyond our comfortable mortgage payment amount.

My wife has a december birthday also, so she's had the combined bday/christmas too.

[brad131a4]

Have you had any bids done for the electrical.

[Arsigi]

Ooh, neat - I love house and/or shop build threads. Congrats!

With copper prices being what they are these days, going up to 12 gauge wire throughout could really add up. But if I were building a house I would at least be picky about how the circuits are run, though, so that they make sense. Like, each room gets a dedicated circuit for lights, and one for outlets. One of the big pet peeves I have in my house is along the lines of "ok this breaker controls half the outlets in THIS room and two of the outlets in THAT room, as well as the light in the hall".

[greenraVR6]

Have you had any bids done for the electrical.

I think the plumbing and electrical is being handled by Vans Plumbing & Electric out of Lynden. Our contractor is handling pretty much everything as far as bids and what companies are doing what. We have input on what happens and goes into the house, but he likes to use people he's used before and knows do quality work.

[brad131a4]

Not a problem most builders do that. The thing I hate is that the builder will tack on 15 or 20 percent on the bid so you end up paying more than you should.
Good point about the wire prices. I just wouldn't cheap out on that as it will come back and kick you in the butt with electrical.
I've done a few side jobs on brand new houses were they had just the basic wiring done and then find out it won't support all the computer, printers, home theater,stereo exc,exc that seem to end up in the house once you've moved in.

[Boomdaddymack]

just saw this congrats on the new home and shop

[nubVR]

Man thats awesome Congrats

[brad131a4]

Just about ready to install the trusses. After that then the real fun begins.

[leftside]

lower it

[greenraVR6]

lower it

they were in the last pic with the truss truck

[leftside]

[vwmk42814]

Looks good cant wait to see it finished !

[FTMFW]

Probably one of the better build threads IMO. and I wish there was an emoticon for :jealous:

[greenraVR6]

Thanks again for all the positive comments. It's a trip that in 6 months or so we're gonna be living in a brand new house that is nearly double the size of our home we rent now. And will no longer have to deal with annoying neighbors living 15 feet away from us

[brad131a4]

No neighbors within 50 to 100 feet is about the best part of the American Dream you can strive for. Next is hopefully no Dbags move into the neighborhood either.
So when is the next pic update coming? Should be soon with the trusses going up next and the roofing going down.

[greenraVR6]

No neighbors within 50 to 100 feet is about the best part of the American Dream you can strive for. Next is hopefully no Dbags move into the neighborhood either.
So when is the next pic update coming? Should be soon with the trusses going up next and the roofing going down.

well so far the only other lot sold is the other small one right next to us and it's an older retired couple, the husband was Jake Locker's high school football coach at Ferndale apparently...and hopefully nobody too Dbagish can afford the other lots for sale at mid/upper $100K range.

I'm hoping with the great weather that there will be some good progress in the next couple days, so I'll have more pics soon. Was told the roofers will be there this coming Thursday to put on the shingles and whatnot so seems like things at this point are moving right along

[Arsigi]

Why did you delete the posts with pictures on this page?

Edit: Oh, I see you added them to the previous page.

[greenraVR6]

Why did you delete the posts with pictures on this page?

Edit: Oh, I see you added them to the previous page.

yeah just trying to keep it more organized. From here out I'm just gonna make my WEEK # post and add all the pics there instead of a couple pics every few posts during the week

[Uberhare]

Don't let them try and run 14 gauge wire. Number 12 for everything with 20 amp breakers. Have them run lighting and outlets separate. Nothing like having to turn off a breaker and the lights go out too. If you have a location where the shop is going to be have them run power for a sub panel. It will be easier and cost less if done now.
Sorry all the new houses come with arch fault breakers now. Biggest waste of money but when manufactures are writing the code well this is what you get.
If you can go with as much led lighting as possible. This is the way things are going that and they use a 10th of the power in some cases of incandescent lighting.
Oh yea congratulations on your baby girl. Same birthday as my wife's.
Just a heads up don't combine Christmas and Birthday as one gift. That is the biggest peeve my wife had growing up.

Stay away from LED lights. The LED industry is still pretty chaotic. LED switching is OK, but the dimming of LED loads is still hit and miss due to the huge inrush current of the LED drivers. Yes, they consume less power but there is a trade off......inrush current. You can typically wire fewer LED fixtures on a typical 15A or 20A branch circuit because of the inrush. The inrush current can be as much as 100x the rated operating current of the driver. This means you'll be tripping breakers left and right.

You'd be much better off using incandescent lamps on dimmers. There are dimming devices out there which have adjustable high end trim to help reduce energy consumption. Plus, I feel incandescent lamp light output is far more suitable to a residential application. Much better CRI meaning colors in the room appear more natural.

Ask any questions if you like...

I'm a EE and work as a light manufactur's rep. I'm also a lighting control expert.


If you are hellbent on using LED fixtures make sure you visit Lutron's LED website and use the selection tool. Lutron has worked with all of the fixture manufacturers to ensure the wallbox dimmer you want is compatible with the LED light engine. No flickering, drop out, or other issues.

http://www.lutron.com/Service-Suppor...merMatrix.aspx

[Arsigi]

You'd be much better off using incandescent lamps on dimmers.

...while they are still legal.

[Uberhare]

...while they are still legal.

It's still a ways away.....and there is talk within the lighting industry about getting the "law" repealed.

[brad131a4]

Uberhare. That is true in some aspect. It can be lessened with low voltage switchhing to a control panel. Which it looks like you would be able to recommend
I like incadescent also but I don't see them lasting more than another 30 years if that. Unless they can come up with a way to make them more efficient.
What do you expect from the industry. No national specifications to build to makes it a mess. That and the manufatures writing our NEC will make sure that LED lighting will go through.
I would agree with the lutron. I have installed a fair share of these and they make a nice product.
Just curious uber who do you rep for over in Spokane.
Keep up the good work vr just keep on top of the contractors if possible and make sure you get what you want not the other way around.

[greenraVR6]

WEEK 5

Monday


Tuesday



Wednesday




Friday (mid day)



We picked out all our appliances this week. Went with the same stuff our friends just bought for their remodel, Fridgidaire Gallery series in stainless steel finish. They're affordable and good quality from what I hear.

[brad131a4]

Nice pitch on the roof. Lots of storage room up there. Actually that would be a nice area for the mechanical room. Put all the electrical panels, low voltage patch boxes, hot water, Go with tankless if you have gas and furnace. Looking good.

[Arsigi]

Stay away from LED lights. The LED industry is still pretty chaotic. LED switching is OK, but the dimming of LED loads is still hit and miss due to the huge inrush current of the LED drivers. Yes, they consume less power but there is a trade off......inrush current. You can typically wire fewer LED fixtures on a typical 15A or 20A branch circuit because of the inrush. The inrush current can be as much as 100x the rated operating current of the driver. This means you'll be tripping breakers left and right.

You'd be much better off using incandescent lamps on dimmers. There are dimming devices out there which have adjustable high end trim to help reduce energy consumption. Plus, I feel incandescent lamp light output is far more suitable to a residential application. Much better CRI meaning colors in the room appear more natural.

Ask any questions if you like...

I'm a EE and work as a light manufactur's rep. I'm also a lighting control expert.


If you are hellbent on using LED fixtures make sure you visit Lutron's LED website and use the selection tool. Lutron has worked with all of the fixture manufacturers to ensure the wallbox dimmer you want is compatible with the LED light engine. No flickering, drop out, or other issues.

http://www.lutron.com/Service-Suppor...merMatrix.aspx

Hey Brian, just to clarify, the issues you're describing with current (no, not that kind of current) LED products are only relevant to those wishing to put them on dimmers? Ordinary on/off light circuits are fine?

[greenraVR6]

WEEK 6





this shot is from the NW corner of our lot (which we confirmed is actually 1.4 acres)


and baby came in for the first time to check out here future bedroom


We went out there this morning and met the plumber from Van's Plumbing and Electric. He had most of the plumbing roughed in for the laundry room, bathrooms and kitchen. And the main breaker panel was in and the roofers were finishing up the last bit of shingles. Stairs to the bonus room are up and I believe the framers only have maybe another day or so of work and they should be all wrapped up. The siding guy was also there and he is gonna be installing all the windows this week as well.

wednesday

[unimogken]

You'd be much better off using incandescent lamps on dimmers.

RadioRA 2 FTW!

[greenraVR6]

So at the end of week 6 the framers are 99% done and gone, the roofers are done and gone, all of the plumbing is roughed in, all the windows as well as the sliding patio door and garage man door are in. All in all the house is looking great and we are very pleased with how things are going so far. Huge props to Sam Rader and his guys for doing an awesome job on all the framing work

According to the schedule we got from our builder, week 7 should have the hvac and electrical being installed. The power and phone company should be out this week as well to bring the main feeds into the house. Comcast is supposed to send a tech out to take a look, but I'm not so sure they even have service in the area. There is nothing on the schedule for week 8 so that is when I'll probably install all the A/V wiring in the living room and zone 2 speaker wiring for the patio.

[greenraVR6]

WEEK 7:

Thursday-
nothing so far For some reason PSE is taking their time coming out and hooking the main power feed to the house. So there is no power on site, which means nobody can do any work apparently. The framing crew built the entire house using a generator, but I guess nobody else has one

Saturday-
The electrician from Van's came out and put up all the outlet/light switch boxes and most of the overhead light/can light fixtures. That's really about all that got done all week.

[greenraVR6]

WEEK 8:

Tuesday-
Yesterday we met the cabinet/countertop guy who is making all the cabinets from scratch at his shop and went over the general layout in the kitchen/baths/laundry room. He gave us a few color samples to choose from and about a million formica countertop chip samples to choose from.

We also met the electrician and added a few more can lights and power outlets to the house, and met the guy from Lynden Sheet Metal who was there installing the gas piping and heat ducting. Also went to the showroom at Mobile Floors to look at some carpet and vinyl options. Lots of stuff to decide on right now and it's a bit of a challenge trying to match everything using tiny sample pieces...

Also ordered the surround and rear ceiling mount speakers off Amazon. To stick with the same brand as the stuff I have now, I ordered 2 pairs of Energy EAS-6C speakers and I hope they sound decent cause I have no experience with in ceiling speakers...also ordered a volume control switch for the patio speakers I will be buying later this year. Gonna power them on the zone 2 part of my Onkyo receiver but I want to be able to turn the volume up and down from the patio door

[greenraVR6]

WEEK 9:

Monday
Electrical, plumbing, and heating rough in are done. Elect. inspection is done, plumbing inspection is this Tuesday and the insulation is scheduled to go in on Wednesday with drywall close behind that. Might finally be able to add a decent pic if the interior layout soon

And I believe the siding is supposed to start going on this week also

Tuesday
I got all my surround sound speaker wire run in the living room and patio speaker wiring run to the volume control box location and out to the patio. But then when I opened the box I got from Amazon, they sent me the wrong speakers so now I have to get a refund, send em back and buy them somewhere else cause apparently they don't really have the speakers I want

Thursday
All of the in wall/underfloor insulation is in Gives the house much more of a finished feel...

looking from the kitchen/dining area out towards the living room, master bedroom behind that


looking from the living room towards the kitchen area on the right, breakfast nook on the left, and the 2 bedrooms behind there


a little bit of concrete work got done

[Arsigi]

Good progress. Any more recent pics?

[greenraVR6]

Good progress. Any more recent pics?

everything looks pretty much the same as it has for a couple weeks now, just with wiring and plumbing in the walls. Once some siding goes on I should have some more pics...

[brad131a4]

Wow they passed the meter box being that high. Guess they have a different requirement up north.
Still looks good.

[greenraVR6]

The house is insulated so the rooms finally feel kinda "finished", not so wide open...