Finally we had our pre-construction meeting and boy did it last forrrrrever! lol It lasted a whopping 5 hrs, technically about 4.5 since we got started at about 12:30.
It went well! We have all our tentative dates! The PM we have is great and very experienced! He said that he has been running about 14 days ahead of schedule with the Courtland models.
I am so excited bout the entire process. I really don't have too many pics, but I will edit this post and add them later. We also found out that in our home model if you purchase the gourmet island we automatically get glass cabinets and crown molding on the cabinets! Woo hoo, I really wanted to have those cabinets, but didn't want to pay any additional. We definitely will not be having any balls in the house. Balls are for outside play only! Lol, especially since I learned about the sprinkler system and that it releases 60 gallons of water a minute!!!!!
Tentative Quick Schedule:
June 13 2011: Ground breaking :) Yaaaay!
June 17 2011: Concrete Poured
June 30 2011: Framing starts
July 11 2011: Frame Completed/ Under Roof/ Shingles Up
July 20 2011: Guardian Walk-through
July 21 2011: Pre-Dry Wall
Aug 8 2011: Tile/Cabinets/Etc installed
Aug 18 2011: Inspections
Aug 25 2011: Certificate of Occupancy
Aug 31 2011: Walk through
Sep 13 2011: Tentative closing
We were told that with the Cortland's they run about 14-15 days ahead of schedule and we may be able to close on August 30, 2011 which would be great to avoid all of those additional closing costs.
While at this meeting we added:
1. A Single Dedicated Circuit in our unfinished media area so in the future we do not have to cut through the basement walls and also allows us to have power in there or store an additional refrigerator.
2. A blower for the fireplace. We were told that the blower can heat up your entire first floor in the winter w/o it it's more of a decorative item unless your close up on it.
3. We should have added upgraded padding in the basement. I'm not sure if it is too late or not.
4. We added flood lights and we have a switch in our bedroom & morning room. The lights will be close enough to our bedroom to reach out the window to change the bulb.
5. Rope Lights in the crown molding in the bedroom. Without it, the crown molding looks silly and looks nothing like the model.
Other noted items:
1. Once Our roof is installed we need to contact Guardian to set-up our appointment so we have more scheduling time.
2. Dehumidifier: We should get one for the basement in the summer because with the energy star requirements it can get really damp/muggy.
3. Read over our Services & Maintenance book. Very helpful on home maintenance.
4. We need to get a serious sprinkler system so that once they stop maintaining the grass it wont burn up. Just suck up the water bill for two months, because to re sod the entire yard will be almost $5,000. We have seen "grass gone bad" already in our neighborhood unfortunately. I would rather just suck up the water bill in September and then fall will be upon us. :)
5. We should plan to lock in our rates on or about July 14.
6. The $1000.00 we receive as well as our friends will receive for referring us will be used in our out of pocket closing costs.
7. Screens DO come with the windows.
That was one Loooooooooooooong meeting! Good grief! lol
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to close early! =)
I wish I would have known about the referral program. I went on another local site for moms and really talked up our neighborhood and Ryan. I know one mom is buying in there and some others have looked. I could really use $1000 to go toward closing!
Holy Moly 4 and half hours that is insane! It only lasted an hour for me. Thats crazy. Looks like your PM is right on top of things on your schedule.
ReplyDeleteThat is pretty sweet of getting the glass cabinets and crown molding when you purchase the gourmet island wish it would apply to our model
:( You sure are one lucky ducky! Your house is gonna be so huge and beautiful!
Wow that's exciting! I should get a tentative schedule from our PM. He does keep in touch with us weekly, but the outlook of the whole process would be nice, too. One question: What do you mean about the additional closing costs if you close after August 30th? We are definitely closing after August 30th, so I'm just wondering if something is changing that would increase our closing costs? Thank you!!! :)
ReplyDeleteWow...that is crazy...4.5 hours...what took so long...we are building the Avalon(similar to the Courtland) with tons of standard and custom options and ours only took 2.5-3 hours...our PM was very very well prepared though...knew what questions we had and was prepared with answers plus he was totally familiar with all our custom options before the meeting.
ReplyDeletebtw...looks like you will have us by a couple of days for groundbreaking...they typically dig on Wednesdays here.
ReplyDeleteThat residential sprinkler system is awesome. If you ever are unfortunate enough to have a fire, it will likely contain it to the room of origin, seriously limit the fire damage, and possibly save your life.
ReplyDelete@Noey! Yes it was too darn long! I just kept thinking that we would be in there about 2 hours tops, based on the blogs...we got there at 12, started at 12:15 and left at 4:45....
ReplyDelete@ Stephanie Thanks! I can't wait to see everything! I was so shocked that SOMETHING that seemed like a bonus was included! lol
@ Newbie, the amount you pay I believe for taxes and things like that are more at the begining of the month than at the end, kind of like when you rent they only charge you for the days your there, so if you move in on the 25th of the month they only charge you for about 5 or 6 days opposed to the entire 30-31 days...I'm assuming things like the taxes for that month, and things like that...sorry to scare you, its no new laws or nothing :)
@ BD he was just super thorough, he had all of our options laid out and marked, he showed us our schedule on his laptop and went through it thouroughly. We talked about some of the things he reccommended, we went to our lot and went over things, we went into another courtland they were building and went over some stuff we talked about. I have no clue, he had everything together, our sales rep was there and she did completed change order number 6 while we having the meeting. It just was a very long process, he has been working for Ryan for like 20 years, he built a Savoy for hisself about 10 years ago and he told us about his home and some of the things he noticed, he went over a lot of the architectual elements he had to include because of Charles County's rules and guidelines, and just any and everything you can think of and of course we had a few questions. I was starving and ate an apple during the meeting, I felt bad because folks looked hungry. lol
Wow, I can't believe we are breaking ground during the same week! 2 days is not much! We will be posting similar pics, however your house may take a few additional days, because its bigger and you have a ton of options in your DREAM HOME :)
@ Ravenna, yes it surely will! "They don't build them like they used to!" And it seems like its a good thing! Energy efficient, sprinkler systems, and so many ammenities! :)