Choose the lot you want from the get-go. Do not choose a lot, decide you don't like the elevation of that lot, move two lots down, then choose a lot that you finally end up settling on. Not only does this cause a problem because your builder has to now get permits, but your price and your wife's blood pressure may rise. It's going to be lovely though...
Decide what finishes you want BEFORE you go to your meetings. This is the place where Grant and I really don't have an issue and here's why; We both go for the "Rustic-Pottery Barn on a Target Budget" look. However, when you sit down at those meetings you better have those Pinterest pins ready lady. The amount of fixtures and finishes you need to choose are absolutely overwhelming. Who knew there were so many shades of beige? Then once you pick that beige tile backsplash, how big do you want that tile? How do you want the tile laid? Do you want it diagonal, subway, horizontal? What kind of grout? I'm telling you, it's overwhelming and this was the easy part for us because we have similar taste. Not one disagreement.
Let's just call this next point the "Listen to Your Wife" point. When your wife says not to put the house on the market 5 months before the house is supposed to be done, listen to her. Our house sold the day the pictures went up on the internet. I can't make this up. When your wife says you should rent a U-Haul, rent the U-Haul. Making approximately seven trips back and forthwith a small trailer to store all of our belongings is not a good time. When your wife asks you to communicate about what is going on, communicate about what is going on. If she isn't planning on moving everything in a day and you are, you may want to tell her. otherwise you'll be dealing with an unhappy wife=unhappy life.
Beg, borrow and steal boxes! Big thanks to our friends Kayla and Aaron who let us borrow a ton of big tubs, the copy room at school for letting me "borrow" the paper boxes and one of my students who moved in this fall and gave me all her big moving boxes. If you aren't as luck as we were, U=Haul has fantastic boxes for a reasonable price and anything you don't use can be returned for a full refund! Who knew?
Believe people when they say that building will take longer than your building manager says it will. Of course we don't have our "official" move in date, but I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that due to snowmageddon on top of the non breakaway speed of our workers I'm thinking our move in date will be about a month later than the original date they gave us.
Speaking of workers though, I'm not sure if it helps or not, but its a nice gesture to bring drinks and snacks out to your construction workers. Everett and I tried to visit the worksite every other day not only provide some entertainment for E Money (he loves to watch the tractors!!), but I hope it starts him towards making a habit of doing nice things for other people. Now here's a tip: Go out a visit the site at night. Look around on the ground. What kind of wrappers and cans do you see? I saw a lot of Wendy's and Coke, so that is what I bought. Boom.
Finally, take lots of pics of the progress. I'm sure we'll be happy we had them in the end.
Oh, and don't forget to dance...
