New Land, New Home Build

[greedylittle]

Are you enjoying the Insteon lighting control? How elaborate is your system?

 

[extrakt0r]

Are you enjoying the Insteon lighting control? How elaborate is your system?

Every light in the house is Insteon controlled, and several 110v outlets. All hooked up to an Elk system for complete home automation.

I love the insteon system, very reliable, easy to program (with ISY) integrates nicely with the Elk. Only thing (and this isnt specific to insteon) is that you really cant use CFL's if you have dimmers. I knew this but didnt put 2+2 together until I started to play with programming. So I ripped them all out and put in LED's everywhere...

 

[EddieWalker]

Good job, especially at $115 a sq ft!!!!

Eddie

 

[extrakt0r]

The $115 a foot was for the house only, if you add in the land (10ac) is was about $125 a foot. The majority of the savings was from not paying a GC their 10% fee, plus all the fees they add in on top of everything else. And doing most of the finish work ourselves. I have no idea what it would have cost to pay someone to do everything, but honestly we probably wouldnt have wanted to afford it...

Working 8 hr days at work, and working 8 more on the house at night every night since last April has taken its tole, and I am happy to have some R&R time again...

 

[scoutcub]

Got any pics of those small doors? :laughing:
Hey, real nice job, thats' a LOT of effort you put into it, and now you can enjoy the fruits of your labors. I see a lot of custom work in there, very impressive from what I can see. I've never seen those custom bar stools, pretty interesting.....must be braced to some solid structure in the cabinet? Love the arches, and all the molding.
Sorry the thread went the way it did, it seems if you put it out there as a thread, you are inviting numerous comments/criticism.....some worthwhile, some not. I see your point of thats what I want, please just "let it go".......:laughing:
Bottom line, you got what you wanted, have the proud title of owner/builder, and built up some serious sweat equity. You shared some great pics and useful info. Well done!

 

[extrakt0r]

So, whats funny is no door in the house is less than 3/0 except the one going into my daughters room, and the pocket doors which are 2/6 I believe.

I am surprised no one else had commented on the kitchen stools. They are made by Seating Innovations (Seating Innovations - Seating in the Right Place - Suspended Bar Stool Seating) and are easily one of the coolest things in the house.

They are fully independent of the cabinets and counter top. They are rated for about #600 from what I remember. They take up no space, go back in when no one is sitting on them and free up all the floor space traditional stools would take.

You basically create a false back for your cabinets, bolt them to the floor, then install the cabinet back. Once that is done you built a step over the part that mounts to the subfloor and apply a finish over it, tile in my case.

My cabinet guy had never seen them before when I told him when I needed 4" of dead space behind his cabinets, he looked at me cross eyed.

They are the hit at parties, and get fought over when ever we eat. We never use our kitchen table...

Few pics of the process.

 

[extrakt0r]

Few more pics this morning...

 

[EddieWalker]

The seats are impressive. Thanks for the detail pics showing how you installed them. I was wondering about the step under them, but thought that was for your feet to rest on while sitting there.

Eddie

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Congratulations on purchase. The old farm boy retired in 97 and returned to the "land". Purchased an old farm and built barn and house. Was own general contractor. Live about 50 miles from KC, down I-70, so if I can be of any help please let me know. One suggestion (but this may apply to those who may plan on living in same house for rest of days), have all inside doors, except closets, at least 36 inches. May need for wheel chair access later in life. And build in anchor 2xs inside wall by bathroom stool so if need to install assist bar later it will have a firm anchor. Another tip is install a drawer UNDER the dishwasher, thus the washer will be at a height where it is easily loaded from a standing position. (Bottom of washer is about 18 inches off the floor.) My wife loves that.
Regards, Gil

I know this was posted over a year ago but it made me want to respond. These items are not just for elderly people (I know you didn't necessarily imply that). I broke my back when I was 29 years old. I was fortunate that the house I had just bought was already set up with handicap shower and grab bars in the shower, outside the shower and by the toilet. It took me a few months before I could do most everything without needing to use them but it was nice being able to take a shower without fear of falling as it is a large shower with low step and a seat which are all things I needed as a 29 year old. At that point in time I realized the value in planning ahead. Even if you don't install the items then try to plan it so it will be a simple change in the future if needed.

 

[Dr Dave]

Very nice home, I love all the custom cabinets and trim. The bar stools are cool also.

I like the garage floor finish and your fridges. Do the three windows veiw living space?

What will you do in all your free time now?