Finally Broke Ground For My New House

ChuckG · 07-29-2007, 07:26 AM

Yep, they finally started on our new house in Pine Ridge. Cleared the lot in the area where the house will be placed about 3 weeks ago. Brought in some fill and graded everything.

They just started laying the plumbing and electrical conduits, getting ready to pour the slab.

They do things "strangely" in Florida.

The builder INSISTED that we choose all exterior and interior colors....even before a shovel had been placed in the ground. We had to choose cabinets and counter tops.

We also had to choose all the plumbing fixtures.

We're going back down in September to choose electrical fixtures and talk to the pool contractor.

Strange, as the house won't be completed till May of 2008.

Anyhow, we're psyched to get rolling on this project.

Chuck

Shadow · 07-29-2007, 08:49 AM

Sounds great Chuck

Crystal River is a beautiful area. I used to do a lot of work up there and used to look forward to it. I don't understand why they had you choose everything up front like that? Who knows what will be available when they're ready to install cabinets and such? Can you change your mind?

Let us know when you guys are coming in September and maybe we can throw something together for you for a meet and greet

BTW, looking at that list of rides...wow!!!

Take care and stay in touch

Gordon

ChuckG · 07-29-2007, 09:56 AM

I guess that different areas of the county have different customs.

Maybe the builder wants everything lined up and ready to go??

Would like to get together if possible, but our trip in September is going to be a "quickie" 3 day jaunt.

Flying into Tampa...driving to Crystal River. Appts. with the electrical suppliers. Then there's a special "fan guy" we need to see.

We also have to meet with the pool contractor, and then the builder, all over a 3 day period.

Chuck

Qman · 07-29-2007, 10:26 AM

Welcome to florida. do you have a corvette? There is a harley davidson dealer close to your new home if you get the bug.

ChuckG · 07-29-2007, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qman

Welcome to florida. do you have a corvette? There is a harley davidson dealer close to your new home if you get the bug.

I'm down to 2 Corvettes.

Sold my 54 to a fellow from Coral Gables earlier this year.

Have a 63FI convertible and a 69 big block convertible. Had a 2000, a 92, an 88 and a 72 in the past.

After selling the 54, I bought a 56 Chevy 150 hot rod.

Been a Corvette owner continuously for 40 years.

Never got into Harleys, although I've seen the dealership.

Chuck

Rich427 · 07-29-2007, 10:01 PM

Hey Chuck,

Glad to see that things are FINALLY moving! As we talked about before, had to go through the same thing with my builder in Ft. Myers. Different than building in Maryland.

Just to give you an update, I think you were aware that Joyce retired on July 2nd, but I decided to go ahead and pull the trigger and I retired last Friday the 27th. We packed up the Tahoe and headed south for the month of August. We just got here this afternoon and we are just going to chill out for a few weeks.

We will probably be back in Maryland in September and will bounce back and forth between Fallston and Ft. Myers until our house sells. Let's get together after your September trip and we can compare notes.

Good luck on the house!

Rich

ChuckG · 07-30-2007, 05:32 AM

Hi Rich.

You made it!!

Hope your house sells soon. It's a lousy market as you know.

Hopefully our place will be done in the Spring of 08.

Chuck

vett boy · 07-30-2007, 04:38 PM

Party at Chucks place in 08 !

Coastal · 07-30-2007, 08:15 PM

I had everything picked out at the beginning too. Only it took them a year to start and another 10 months to finish it. I didn't mind at all, my price was locked in. I'm just glad I signed before all the big gains, now with a little correction, I'm still ahead of the game. If you've never built before, you're in for a real experience. If you have built before only not in Florida, you're still in for an experience. I hope you're not in a hurry. Who's your builder?

Good luck to you

ChuckG · 07-30-2007, 08:32 PM

We've built 2 previous homes, and "designed" (for lack of a better term) a condo at the beach. That being said, the house where we now live we built 30 years ago.

Mitch Underwood is the builder in Florida.

He's build houses for several friends in the area.

NICE guy, pleasant to deal with.

He flat out told me that it takes 12-14 months to build a house down there.

I'm not in a hurry.....Spring/Summer of 08 is fine with me.

Chuck