Its been a long journey, but it is almost finished

[mrbandit]

Hey everyone, I'm sure most of your thought I was kidnapped by aliens.  If I had to give one piece of advice to anyone....don't build a house during the pandemic.  It has been incredibly time consuming, aggravating, and time consuming....did I say it took a long time.  With the help of family I've been able to handle the plumbing, trim, painting, flooring, and most everything a GC isn't required, or prefers not to do anymore.  The endless do overs I have had to ask for, because it was done poorly or incorrectly is ridiculous.  Don't even get me started on the contractors who said they would be here on Monday, but forgot to mention it was for the first week of the next month.  Still the house should be done by the end of the month God willing. You can see the camper we've been living in since LAST NOVEMBER in one of the shots....

My Wife wanted a white farmhouse

[mrbandit]

I forgot to mention that I no longer have the 79 firebird, as of a month or so ago.  I had bought my son an 01' TA with a 6spd about 5 yrs ago.  He started NC State this year, and had to buy something dependable and practical.  He didn't want to sell the TA, but didn't drive it anymore and needed the cash.  I didn't want to see it go, and didn't have the cash to buy it again...that just doesn't sound right, but I did buy it the first time.  LOL  Anyhow, it was going to be a long time before the 79 made it on the road, and I know he would regret selling it when he was older.  I've had my fair share of birds, so I figured it would help us both out.  I know I wish I still had my 78 marty 4spd.  This way I can drive something now and he could have a chance to have it again later when he's in a better financial position.

[nas t eh]

 Very nice looking farm house, I’m familiar with the renovation game, we spent 8yrs and $125,000 in mostly materials (as 90% was our own time/labor) going from one end of our house to the other renovating everything both inside and out including extensive landscaping. We finished up last Summer and have been enjoying it for a year.

I’m confused car wise, I think your saying you kept the 01, you get to drive for now, it but it’s your sons even though you paid for it in the first place?

[Jack]

Congrats, very nice house and I can't imagine how you managed in that trailer with a good size family. Few years ago I've done the same thing and doubled my house in size, with the exception of the structure I did everything myself and we stayed in the house throughout construction. I will never do it again but I've designed the house so that I'll never have to relocate.

[5th T/A]

Mrbandit,

Congrats on the new house! I really like the architecture.

[roadking77]

Beautiful home Mike. I know you and your family will have a huge weight off of your shoulders once you make the final move in. As a reputable contractor, I do hate to hear horror stories that people have. Sorry things didnt work out as planned but it does look like things worked out. Congrats!!

[NOT A TA]

Nice looking home, hope you enjoy it for many years!

[rkellerjr]

Wow, beautiful place Mike, congratulations!

[kentucky yeti]

Wow!  That home is stunning!  Congrats on the finish line being in sight.  I know y’all are ready to get away from “camping.”  It looks like HOME from here!

[tajoe]

Looks like it was worth the wait Mike. We've always favored the farmhouse style, and ours is about 100 yrs old. Not as big, and as nice as yours. Hope you post a "virtual" tour on line for us to enjoy. I'm curious to ask this, and probably don't wanna know, but are your kitchen cabinets "white"? I'm doing our kitchen over, and redoing the cabinets, and when looking on line, practically "all" now-a-days make-overs are white. Me, personally, not a fan. Maybe cause my hands are always dirty from wrenching.
Anyway, another congrats at your end.

[jonathonar89]

Chateau de bandit. 

Very nice!  Looking good and I'm happy for you.  I love real estate. 

[Raven]

Looking good from here sir! Sorry to hear about all the nonsense you've had to deal with. Glad to know you had a "good excuse" for being away! 

[firebirdparts]

That's fabulous!  I'm glad to hear you are nearing completion.  I figured it had been a madhouse in that camper, ha ha.

[ryeguy2006a]

Good to hear from you Mike! What an amazing home you have built, really love the layout.

Also, what a great dad. Those cars aren't going to go down in value either, so I'd say that's a great investment.

[mrbandit]

Sorry about the delay tajoe, but I've been waiting for the countertops to get installed before sharing a pic.  Then I had to finish installing the appliances.  It is mostly white with the exception of he barnwood accent wall my wife did.  Since we are doing all of the trim, flooring, painting, etc... we wanted everything to be the same color.  Yes, it is a little washed out, but to us white is such a crisp color and makes the space look bigger.  The subway tile stove backsplash was done today, so here is a pic.

[mrbandit]

I will share some more pics in the next week, once we finish staining the exterior doors to match the garage door.  We are on week 40+ waiting for the tub fillers to the claw foot tubs.  I'm not a fan, but my wife loves them.  We had one in our last house that was fiberglass, but these are cast iron.  I never want to take one up a flight of stairs again.  The tile guy finished our showers today, and I was able to install my first bi-fold doors Thursday.  The first set isn't perfect, but I am happy with the results.  Speaking of stairs, I did finish installing the skirt boards and step treads.  I only three boards, so I thank the lord I got them right the first time.  I've never done stairs before either, but the mitered edges aren't too bad.  I've already started cleaning them up and I should have them done and painted next week.

I'll tell you all about my faux tile wall kit experience later, and why I ended up tiling them instead.

[kentucky yeti]

It looks great!

[Updated71]

Very nice!  Congrats on the milestone.

[Jack]

Great work Mike.

[tajoe]

Man, you've been a busy beaver Mike. It'll be worth the effort. I can't imagine how much dough you've saved by doing it yourself. I think you, (or others) have told me they can't find any contractors to do work, so the home-owner ends up with it. I guess it's a double edge sword. It may take extra time for you to continue the job, but at least it's getting done.

Your kitchen looks extremely roomy. almost as big as my entire house. And the claw tubs? I've had mine for over 25 years, and will never go back to plastic. Had one (tub/shower combo) split at my feet while showering one day. it was in the house when we moved in. Patched the crack for a year, as water continued to leak into the cellar. It was on the 1st floor. Then made a new bath up-stairs. And you're right, the original claw tubs are heavy, but hey, We were all younger back then. 

Anyway, great job so far. What kind of banister/railing system will you have on your stairway?

[hakitup]

Great looking place

Tom H

[5th T/A]

Mike,

House looks fantastic. Looks like lots of hard work went into it.

Looking at your place and some of the other beautiful homes built by TAC members I am beginning to think having construction, electrical, plumbing and finish carpentry skills is almost a prerequisite for being a member.

Enjoy!

[mrbandit]

That is funny you should mention that, because there are members here with a lot of skills across the board.  I appreciate the compliments, as it helps me push thru.  As for the large kitchen...Our last house was 3ksqft with 7 bedrooms to accommodate our large family.  Now our oldest is married and living all the way on the other side of the state in Boone, our next three kids are all in college, and only come home on weekends.  This house is 3200, with five bedrooms, and  a homeschool\guest room.  Our living room, kitchen, and den are joined together in an open space that is about 1200-1400 sqft.  Before if we had everyone over for the holidays they were split between the living room and kitchen that were on separate corners of the house.  Now our family communal space is open and we could easily have 30 people over in the same space, which is the size of our immediate family. 

[tajoe]

we could easily have 30 people over in the same space, which is the size of our immediate family.

Alrighty then! Party at Mikes house this week-end. Bring your pipe wrench and paint brush, so we can put a conclusion to this thread, and marvel at all his acquisitions, and accomplishments.

[LeighP]

Mike, sorry I’m late to the party......I missed this.
I love your house, that’s the perfect American farm house.......the sort of place you can settle for generations.
It looks fantastic.

[tajoe]

So Leigh, we see your red 1st gen, and am wondering. RH drive, or left hand? Can't see the wheel.

[kentmurphy]

Mike - House looks fantastic but it's missing one thing ...

[mrbandit]

Yes, Kent.  That would look very nice in my new garage.  I have a pic of that car in my wallet.  The littlest guy in that pic is Luke.  I have his 01' TA now.  Time really flies by.  He is 6'3" 190lbs now.

[Jack]

Garage? Is that a separate structure?

[kentucky yeti]

I will share some more pics in the next week, once we finish staining the exterior doors to match the garage door.  We are on week 40+ waiting for the tub fillers to the claw foot tubs.  I'm not a fan, but my wife loves them.  We had one in our last house that was fiberglass, but these are cast iron.  I never want to take one up a flight of stairs again.  The tile guy finished our showers today, and I was able to install my first bi-fold doors Thursday.  The first set isn't perfect, but I am happy with the results.  Speaking of stairs, I did finish installing the skirt boards and step treads.  I only three boards, so I thank the lord I got them right the first time.  I've never done stairs before either, but the mitered edges aren't too bad.  I've already started cleaning them up and I should have them done and painted next week.

I love the design of the landing and steps!  I don't want anything that aggressive at my age, but I can admire quality work at your house.

[mrbandit]

I am 47 now and I am getting where I can tell it around 11p everday.  We had a straight staircase in our last house and I wanted one where I could rest half way up.  LOL  The ironworks guy came on Sunday and installed the rails, and the flooring guy is coming to sand and stain them today.

[mrbandit]

We passed our CO inspection just now, so now there is a lot of caulking and painting to do on the trim.  Here are some pics until the carpet comes in and I can give a virtual tour.

[mrbandit]

Oh yeah, here is the garage.  It is not your typical square garage since the prep kitchen area protrudes into the space.  It started out 25x25, but now the left bay is 17x10 and the right is 25x15.  A fourth gen is 16ft long, so it'll be close for me.  My wife has a 2017 NV3500 van, so she gets the big space.

[rkellerjr]

Looks like there might be enough space to have a TransAm Country party

[kentucky yeti]

Your new home is awesome!

[Jack]

Congrats for passing inspection, always a big deal and step forward. Everything else looks great.

[tajoe]

The end is near, Mike. Thanks for posting, and letting us enjoy it too. (even if only visual)  Thumbs up.

[kentmurphy]

Lol.  Time does fly.  What year is that pic from?  And .. thanks for sharing!

Yes, Kent.  That would look very nice in my new garage.  I have a pic of that car in my wallet.  The littlest guy in that pic is Luke.  I have his 01' TA now.  Time really flies by.  He is 6'3" 190lbs now.

[kentmurphy]

Mike - Just fantastic all the way around ... The iron rails, the kitchen, the bathroom, and the awesome garage doors!

[mrbandit]

Kent, Luke looks to be 4 in that pic, so I'd guess it is 2004-2005.