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2/25/2013 12:11:10 PM

Fingers crossed on the appraisal coming back late this week.....

2/25/2013 10:02:31 PM

woohoo my appraisal came in $27,000 above what we were expecting!!!

2/27/2013 2:56:12 PM

you should've thrown one of these in

3/3/2013 10:53:08 PM

I built a semi-custom home last year in Raleigh with Empire Contractors. (The Tryon crossings builders)

They owned the lot (my house is an in-fill), so obviously they built the house, but going that route means they paid for delays/interest costs/problems and allowed me the option to opt-out (This was big for us, since they had to work with me if I didn't like something or if the house didn't appraise).

I agree with a lot of what's been said, but I will point out that the energy star certification does give a permanent 5% credit on your power bill from Progress Energy, and will improve appraisals. So it is more than just a certificate. You should still think about other efficiency upgrades though, besides just the code specific ones.

Also, a good question to ask is what quality level do their homes appraise at. A good quality builder should build level 3 homes.

So you can still build a custom home even without having to separately buy land. We only paid a deposit on changes.

As far as customizations, we just had to start with one of their base floorplans. We made many but in addition to typical choices, we changed the kitchen layout, 2nd full kitchen sink, garage addition, bigger shower, and I have a huge BROG for man cave/kids playroom.

Definitely look at the details of what they call base packages. You don't want to have to pay later to get decent fixtures, trim, etc.

One recommendation for those getting granite counters would be to definitely check into remnants. You could get premium ones & save alot in the process. Or that can allow you to get different ones in different bathrooms.

3/4/2013 9:23:23 AM

^ keep in mind that the cost of the certification is pretty high. It takes a lot of $5 savings to even pay for it.

And my last two appraisals made no deductions for energy star vs non energy star

[Edited on March 4, 2013 at 2:26 PM. Reason : O]

3/4/2013 2:24:43 PM

Yes, the cert. process costs more, but it's definitely something you should consider if you're going to live there a long time. Also, the energy upgrades (at least in theory) should decrease HVAC maintenance.

The appraisal affect is lagging behind (like tax values) since is a new process. It also depends on location and what time frame you're look at. As it is now, in rural/mature areas, there is none. It only shows up in more cosmopolitan/growing areas.

But all other things being equal, of course the certified house will be chosen & the way society is trending, you would have to think it will become more & more important over time.

3/4/2013 3:36:58 PM

Energy things we are doing:

Structural Insulated Sheeting vice OSB/House Wrap - R5.5

2x6 vs 2x4 exterior walls with R-21 vice R-13 (minimum code)

15 SEER HVAC units with runs from the basement (too much efficiency lost with unit in attic)

Fresh air exchanger

R-50 in attic

Spray foam around sills, windows, penetrations (including attic and exterior walls for outlets and lights)

Thermostat Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Radiant Barrier Sheathing for the roof

tankless water heater

Energystar appliances/lights (using LED or CFLs)


I would rather pay for it now than later, especially given how our current house is.


I decided against geo thermal, solar panels, and a grey water system for now.....


for those who are saying 'waste of money'...its a personal choice and one I wanted to make.

plus we will have a small orchard, garden, and a few chickens...growing things organically (im turning into a yuppy hippy!)

3/4/2013 9:44:19 PM

I'd be inclined to say R-50 in the attic actually IS a waste of money but residential attic insulation is generally so shoddy that you might actually see some benefits.

3/5/2013 9:36:36 AM

Going to submitting for the erosion permit tomm!

3/7/2013 7:19:00 PM

Final site plan going to the county

3/8/2013 8:28:11 PM

The only things that stick out to me are vinyl siding and the anemic amount of light (small windows that are few and far between). Vinyl Siding is fucking awful. Nothing kills an otherwise beautiful home like vinyl siding.

A minor suggestion, you may want to reconsider having the master bath having the only entrance to your walkin closets. Yes you will give up a short wall to add the direct bedroom access, but this is a pretty common thing (mistake?) people make.

Having your closet only accessible through the bathroom is going to expose your clothing to a LOT more moisture, temperature swings, and more inconvenience. If someone is dropping a smelly duece in the bathroom, its REALLY nice being able to get to the closet the other way around.

The main floor plan is really pretty awesome though. Reasonably good flow, centered kitchen with a pretty open floorplan, nice to have a downstairs bedroom isolated from the living area.

[Edited on March 9, 2013 at 9:36 PM. Reason : ..]

3/9/2013 9:35:38 PM

^ They have a crappin closet, aka a toliet in a room with a door.

3/11/2013 10:45:28 AM

Correct, seperate water closet....

3/12/2013 8:47:37 PM

The only thing I dislike about my house is the lack of a pooping closet. Might add one when we renovate the master bath, and until then the downstairs half bath is for pooping.

3/15/2013 3:37:57 PM

Everyones gotta have a poop bathroom...it's un-American not to

3/15/2013 5:33:35 PM

Quote :

"Vinyl Siding is fucking awful. Nothing kills an otherwise beautiful home like vinyl siding."

When I moved to NoVA I found that even the nicest houses around here, similar to the one in the thread have vinyl siding. I can't figure out why it's tolerated on such nice houses.

As far as the backer board you chose instead of OSB, you might want to look into something like this:
http://www.insulation4less.com/
I used it on my house as it offers a higher R value than SIS in addition to noise reduction and radiant barrier properties. It's also WAY cheaper per square foot to do this + OSB. Your labor costs for stapling it up will vary.

Finally, if energy savings are a big motivator to you, a metal roof or very light colored vinyl shingles with a radiant barrier under will do a lot more than R50 in the attic. If/when I ever move back to raleigh, a metal roof will complete the renovation I started and cataloged in my thread

[Edited on March 16, 2013 at 6:43 PM. Reason : .]

3/16/2013 6:31:56 PM

^ that looks very interesting....will have to consider it but it may be too late as some material orders are placed....def will look into it for the chicken coop and small barn

3/16/2013 8:40:19 PM

here's the thread http://www.thewolfweb.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=627568 with pics

3/17/2013 11:30:04 AM

woohoo Erosion bond in hand! time to cut trees this week!!

3/18/2013 3:21:30 PM

weather has been killing us in getting started this week...now more rain/snow tomm-tuesday

hoping to cut by thursday

all soil work has been done, no shrink/swell!!! submitted for health permit, and hopefully next week for building permit!

3/23/2013 4:33:44 PM

wooohoo got our health permit today! submitting for building permit tomm

3/25/2013 9:53:45 PM

Started clearing trees today!!






[Edited on April 3, 2013 at 11:23 PM. Reason : ]

4/3/2013 11:22:24 PM

some good looking lumber. save on material costs and just use that for your houses's lumber

4/4/2013 9:06:17 AM

^ Hah I wish....selling it to a local lumber mill (some for pulp and some for building timber). It will help offset some of the cost of clearing.

Today we submitted for the final building permit, so in 10-15 days we dig the foundation!



this is about 125ft down the driveway to be

4/5/2013 9:09:06 PM

Got the main part of the driveway cleared today to now start clearing the main yard/house area:






Area the house will be in....if you look carefully to the center right, the tree with the green and pink ribbon is the front right corner of the house

4/8/2013 10:18:21 PM

weather permitting we pour our footers on 29 April!!!

4/17/2013 10:39:33 PM

how much land do you have?

while I don't care for tall trees (especially pine) around/near my house, I am jealous thus far. But I would certainly be clearing an area at least 1.5x the fall radius of the max expected height of the trees.

4/17/2013 10:44:47 PM

It's nice to see someone not completely raze the lot before putting a house on it.

4/18/2013 9:59:57 PM

We have 6.5 acres, clearing about 1.5 acres for the house, septic field and gardens.

Will clear more over time as appropriate, but want to enjoy the woods.

We should have clearance such that any tree that could fall WONT hit the house!

4/18/2013 11:21:54 PM

today's progress on the main clearing:



my oldest found a deer skeleton today was moved it to a 'safe' place for playing with later! hah!

4/18/2013 11:24:47 PM

FINALLY got our building permit from the county....we have been held hostage .....at one point the reviewer sat on it for 2 weeks and didn't look at it...he admited this to me

5/22/2013 11:01:08 PM

raleigh has a certified plan review stamp that the engineer can place on the plans (they charge $100 to do it). had my permits in 4 days

hopefully it will go quick for you now.

5/24/2013 8:55:45 PM

wake county took 3 months to approve my septic permit. there are issues with this.

5/24/2013 9:11:27 PM

Make sure you get the houseplan permitted before June 1st, there are new wall bracing requirements going into effect that day, and most permitting departments won't know what the fuck they are looking at and will reject the plans until they get a grasp on the new requirements

If you ever run into city inspector framing issues with the house shoot me a pm

5/24/2013 9:48:18 PM

We pour our footers on Thursday or Friday....find out on Tuesday when we meet with the concrete guys on their schedule....the rain has also put them behind schedule......

[Edited on May 26, 2013 at 10:13 AM. Reason : typo]

5/26/2013 10:12:48 AM

erosion inspection today, footers on friday

5/29/2013 10:34:27 AM

I am enjoying this thread. Thanks for keeping it going panthersny.

6/4/2013 5:13:21 PM

Thanks! More pictures to come

6/4/2013 11:20:55 PM

walls









[Edited on June 6, 2013 at 10:35 AM. Reason : ]

6/6/2013 10:35:32 AM

Water proofing today and weeping tile before the rains!

6/6/2013 5:02:48 PM

looking good

6/6/2013 5:35:55 PM

If the weather cooperates next week we will get all the grading work done, and basement plumbing, pour the slab, and be framing by Tuesday June 18[b]

6/7/2013 2:54:17 PM

Nice progress! I am sure the weather the past two days has made things a mess...

6/7/2013 6:03:06 PM

Yeah...the rain held off here until late yesterday.....I'm going out Tomm to pump water or dig drainage trenches

6/7/2013 8:10:33 PM

Rain rain go away

6/10/2013 6:53:54 PM

the rain is destroying my work schedule as well... but better wet than a drought I say

6/11/2013 7:16:06 PM

Ground dried enough to start plumbing for the basement Tommy before more storms

6/11/2013 11:54:07 PM

woohoo passed my Plumbing Groundworks inspection yesterday! a few more days to framing...have our initial framing inspection scheduled for tuesday for sill plates.

6/14/2013 6:22:44 AM

Looks like an exciting process and it has to be a great feeling to see something go from concept to finished and to be involved with every step of the process. I don't see myself ever doing so because I'm so interested in historic preservation that my dream is to bring a neglected old house back to its former glory, but it really has to be nice to be able to tailor the entire design to your exact needs. I'd kill for a 3-car garage, for example. One bay for the family transporter, one for the wife's car, and one for workspace/project cars.

6/14/2013 10:58:04 AM