This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure for more information.
Groovy Ranch is moving along. Here’s the latest news.
Lighting
Terry’s electrician, Skeet, is almost done with the rough-in work. Here’s a picture of the recessed lights in the living area.
So You Want to Be Your Own GC (General Contractor)?
Check out this photo of these sliding glass doors. Do you see anything wrong with them? Me either. But upon inspection, Terry found a crack in them. He also found that the doors were assembled incorrectly. He ordered another set and these are going back to the distributor.
In doing my research on “how to build a home,” I often came across articles claiming that a lot of money could be saved by being your own GC. I guess that would work for some. Our friends over at Farmhouse Finance, for instance, have general contractors and trades people in their family to assist them. Mrs. Groovy and I, however, aren’t so fortunate. We have no one to save us from our ignorance. And that ignorance would have been on full display regarding the sliding glass doors. There’s no way we would have known they were damaged.
Roof Update
The roofing on the main part of the house is done. We went with asphalt shingles rather than standing seam metal. Standing seam metal is roughly three times more costly than asphalt shingles. In other words, it was too damn expensive for our wallet. We are going with standing seam metal on the porch roof, though.
Fire Place Is In!
The fire place has been installed. We won’t have a picture of it until the next update, though. That’s because it’s currently behind the damaged sliders (see picture of the sliders above).
Garage Is Going Up
The walls are up on the garage. We’re going with trusses for the roof to save a little money, and they should be delivered by next week. [Mrs. Groovy here. Terry’s covering the garage roof with metal, which will tie-in nicely with the porch roof.]
Final Thoughts
Things have been moving very quickly with Groovy Ranch. But once the exterior work is completed, things will start to slow down. The interior work takes time and is accompanied by many construction-delaying inspections. We don’t know exactly when the septic system and well will go in, but they’re on Terry’s radar. Terry, in fact, recently heard that our neighbors had an easy time finding water. Since their well is at the back of their property, near the property line between us, Terry suggested we put ours close to theirs. Sounds good to me.
Okay, groovy freedomist, that’s all I got. Hope you enjoyed the update. Peace.
We can’t be experts in everything, which is why it’s very smart that you have a GC to handle all of this. I think the metal shingles on the porch and garage will give it a nice accent look. It’s all coming together beautifully, but I have to say the expected delays on the interior side would try my patience.
Gary @ Super Saving Tips recently posted…Are You an Early Bird or a Night Owl? Why It Matters
I hear ya, my friend. Witnessing a week or so of little progress is going to painful.
YAY!!! It’s more house-like with each update.
The sh*t’s getting real. Mrs. Groovy and I picked out the tile for the bathrooms yesterday.
Looks awesome, Mr and Mrs. G! Y’all are moving right along…quickly!
Thanks, BB. Our goal was to be in by Christmas. Now I think we have a good shot of being in by Thanksgiving.
Looking good! Thanks for the mention. We are very lucky to have a general contractor in the family. I have no idea how people manage projects themselves!
Thanks, Mrs. FF. Agreed. There are so many moving parts when it comes to building a house, you really need someone with expertise to manage it. Hey, when’s your next building update? I loved the foundation. Now I’m dying to see the framing.
I know, I know! I’m so behind with my updates, but the next one should be out soon!
Looking awesome!
Thanks, Jaime. It should be a really fun house.
I love the house! Looks like it’s not too big but not too small either 🙂
You got a keen and perceptive eye, Gwen. 1,528 square feet. More than enough for two people. Yet tiny compared to today’s McMansions.
P.S. I don’t know what you guys are drinking, but you and J are killing it on your podcast. Really great stuff lately. Loved the French digital nomad today.
Good move with the roof. Going with the standard is the easiest option. You can find people to work on it when needed. I think being your own GC is okay for smaller projects. I wouldn’t trust myself when it comes to a big project like this.
The house looks good so far. It’s cute.
“You can find people to work on it when needed.”
Thank you! You’re a wise man, my friend.
Looks great! It does seem likes its moving fast, but as you said the interior work will slow progress down a bit. Terry seems like he’s on his game, and he’s been a right choice.
Brian recently posted…Should You Buy a House With Student Loan Debt?
So true, my friend. Nothing really going on at Groovy Ranch this week. The trusses for the garage have been delivered. So maybe the garage framing will get done over the next couple of days.
Looking good. While being your own GC could save a lot of money, you could end up with a terrible home that could cost you a lot of money and time. So forget that noise. Stick with the experts. A home is too costly to build it without the appropriate knowledge.
“A home is too costly to build it without the appropriate knowledge.”
That says it all, DDD. The one thing Mrs. G and I have going for us is that we’re well aware of our limitations. Peace, my friend.
Lookin’ fantastic! You’re right – things will slow way down once the interior systems and finishing work begins.
How about a pic next time that shows us where the garage is in relation to the house?
In my experience working with GCs on two home builds they earn their money.
Thanks, Brian. Good idea! We’ll get a photo of that today!
Great suggestion, Brian. Check out tomorrow’s Talking Trash.
oh, now i have garage envy. i’ve been scraping ice off my windshield 4 months a year my whole life. some day we’ll have a garage. looking good!
freddy smidlap recently posted…Good Eats for Cheap #4 – Grilled Pork and Sweet Corn
Hey, Freddy. I’m excited too. At first I thought 24×28 was going to be too small. But now that I see the garage with the walls up, I’m pumped.