They have installed rebar and forms for this
Concrete Poured 8/7/2003

We received Arkansas Red.  This brick is much darker than the brick we chose. Another picture.

This could prove to be fun.  An ACME sales representative (Brent)  reports that Arkansas Red is the same as Arkansas Rose just marketed under a different name.  A quick check of Residential Brick on ACME's currently hacked web site reveals that they don't even list an Arkansas Red, only an Arkansas Rose (and it is the same one we selected). Screen Shots of the website Here  The path to the actual images on ACME's site is here

Notes from Sticker on back of Brick Sample:
From Plant: 630
Product Code: 121215817
Blend Name: BL 121 ARKANSAS ROSE WKS
Submitted by: Dallas Sales
Date: 9/23/02
Notes from Stamp on back:
Standard ACME Brick
SEP 26 2002
Prepared By TH
Key or DUP <blank>
Approved by DN

Update:  8/4/2003
Brent (from ACME) came by Legacy office and informed Debbie that he was mistaken about the same brick under different name, he was thinking about a different brick than Rose.
He stated that Arkansas Rose is made in a plant in Arkansas , imagine that :), and that he would try to see if it was available, if so he would ship it to us.  The brick needs to be available in the next four weeks or so, or else we will need to choose another brick.

Update:  8/5/2003
Brent called and informed us that ACME will deliver the Arkansas Rose brick within two weeks. YAY!! we get the brick we wanted.

Update:  8/22/2003
First load of Correct brick delivered

The lumber company didn't ship the right roof decking and I didn't get to the site until they already has about 90% of the roof done.  The builder advised that trying to remove the existing decking would probably mess up (rack) the rafters, can see that that would be a possibility as they had put about a zillion nails in the decking.
His suggestion is to use a spray on material on the inside of roof instead and it has a higher R value anyway and is an upgrade over the TechShield.  He is going to get me documentation on this product.  I am still researching this option.

Found a note in the TechShield Brochure stating it "may interfere with attic-mounted antenna reception."  This might work out to my advantage after all, as I plan on installing an attic-mount antenna for HDTV.
I need to make sure they spray above garages as I would have had TechShield there.

 

Update:  8/6/2003
The product Jeff wants to use is http://www.radiancecomfort.com/Products/ab.htm Low-E latex paint that is applied to the rafters and decking.  This product boasts a 50% block in heat transfer from surfaces treated with it.  TechShield boasts a 97% block of heat transfer.  This is MUCH less efficient. Their website also states that their Low-E paint is priced comparable to normal latex paint. This is not an upgrade in my opinion.  Also nowhere on the site is the R value of the product, which makes me wonder if the product might not have a measurable R rating.
I am going to discuss this with the builder as I don't see this product costing as much as the TechShield ($2370)

Update:  8/8/2003
Spoke with Jeff, the pricing that the insulation company is charging ($1800) is very close to the cost of the Tech Shield.  He mentioned that he didn't read the pamphlet before he gave it to me so he wasn't aware that it is 1/2 as good.  He did state the polyurethane foam is about three times more expensive.

We have decided to get the Radiance Barrier anyway as it's paid for and I would like to at least have something in the attic.

Update:  9/5/2003
Radiance barrier installed (garages were sprayed)

Happened to catch plumber onsite, he asked us if everything was fine, he moved water for fridge to correct place. Still need follow up to make sure cabinets are done correctly.
Builder reminded of this change on 8/11/2003 as electrical begins 8/13.

Update:  8/17/2003
Electrical for ovens correct.
On a side note, plumber also put utility sink where we actually said to put it, not where the notes provided by the builder indicated to put it.

Builder first informed 8/6

Update:  8/8/2003
Discussed with builder and looked at plans, apparently some had seats, some didn't, our didn't. He is going to have the framer put one in for us.

Update:  8/9/2003
Seat has been framed

Update:  8/11/2003
Looked at another house with a seat and noticed that theirs is at 21", ours is at 28", requested builder lower ours.

Update:  8/22/2003
Seat framed at 21"

The plans do specify that the window be framed at that height

Update:  8/6/2003
Requested lower window 12". Current framing will result in the top of the window will being even with the eaves of the house, this is way too high and will look strange.

Update:  8/11/2003
Measured a model of our house and the base of the window is at 50".  Informed builder of this.

Update:  8/22/2003
Window frame lowered ~10"

The plans do specify that the window be framed at that height

Update:  8/6/2003
Jeff stated it might not be able to be lowered due to backsplash but he would check.
Update:  8/10/2003
Measured opening, window might be able to come down about 2" in the window frame

Update:  8/10/2003
Measured another house in our style, base of window can come down to 50 1/2" and still not interfere with backsplash. Informed builder of this.

Update:  8/22/2003
Window frame lowered

Builder informed 8/6
Reminded 8/12
Discussed 8/29

Update: 9/3/2003 Door re-framed

Update:  9/2/2003
Light over desk moved.

Update:  9/5/2003
Light over pantry not moved, light over pantry was changed to desired circuit.
House sheetrocked, it is now too late to do this.

Not sure why as we are supposed to have a ceiling fan fixture in there (same as every other room in the house).
New fixture actually stronger.

Update:  8/25/2003
Back plugs installed inorrectly, Front plugs installed in eaves instead of ground level. Builder informed 8/25/2003

Update:  9/2/2003
Additional Lower plugs added to side near front. (2 free plugs)

Update:  9/2/2003
Extra plug installed in 2 car garage.

We are missing one cabinet and have 2 that are wrong.  This layout doesn't work as we moved the fridge/oven so that it is easier to get into oven, now oven is opposite the south kitchen cabinets

The plans show the following from Left To right
24"        Drawer        \  
30"        Knee space   Desk
24"        Drawer        /
18"        Cabinet (upper and lower)
30"        Oven Cabinet
41 1/2"  Refrigerator space
48"        Cabinet (upper and lower)

This is what we have
18"        Drawer        \  
36"        Knee space   Desk
18"        Drawer        /
33"        Oven Cabinet
38 1/2"  Refrigerator space
36"        Cabinet (upper and lower)
36"        Cabinet (upper and lower)

The right side cabinets are 24" too long
And the 18" cabinet is missing.

We aren't sure what plan they are using for these cabinets as we checked other models of our house and all 4 of them are different and none are what is on the plans.
Builder informed 9/13/2003

Update:  9/25/2003
Jeff met with the cabinet sub-contractor. They are going to install a 15" upper/lower cabinet between the desk and the oven cabinet.  Then remove the left 36" upper/lower cabinet combo and replace it with a 22" upper/lower.  This will pretty much get us where we want to be. 

This should be what we will wind up with
18"        Drawer        \  
36"        Knee space   Desk
18"        Drawer        /
15"        Cabinet (upper and lower)  <-- NEW
33"        Oven Cabinet
38 1/2"  Refrigerator space
22"        Cabinet (upper and lower)  <-- Changed
36"        Cabinet (upper and lower)

Update:  10/16/2003
New Cabinets installed
By Oven
By Fridge
We get to keep the Old Cabinets

The upper and lower cabinet doors on the south wall are not consistently mounted
the doors should open the same way on the upper and lower cabinets, the lower cabinets are incorrect.
Note in the images below where the doors are hinged, the upper cabinets are correct.
In this image the 2nd cabinet door from the left is incorrect (should mount on right side) The 3rd door is also incorrect (should mount on left side) East
In this image the 3rd door from the right is incorrect (should mount on right side) West

Update:  11/7/2003
Doors moved

Update:  9/29/2003
Now also tiled with cabinet incorrectly positioned.

Update:  10/16/2003
Cabinet re-positioned and attached correctly

Update:  11/7/2003
Doors moved

Builder feels that the water is due to water rising in the sewer lines. The lines are currently blocked to the city system so the water is rain water not raw sewage.

Update:  9/30/2003
Resolving this as it hasn't happened in a few weeks.

Update:  9/17/2003
Vents trimmed out. There shouldn't be any new leaks.

Update:  9/30/2003
Builder feels that as long as sheetrock was dry when painted we shouldn't have any stains bleeding through the paint. Resolved

Update: 9/26/2003
Rounded ends of stair (starter step) have been cut off and stair rails have been built. Sales manager informed us that the rounded stair is an upgrade.  We had a heated discussion over what is standard and what is an "upgrade."  The stairs are complete so it is probably too late to remove and install a different stair.  Sales manager is going to try to find something to add to the home to make this up to us.

Update:  9/29/2003
Sales manager is going to have the rounded stair installed.

Update:  10/10/2003
Rounded starter step installed

Update:  10/10/2003
Mirror gap extended

Update:  10/10/2003
Mirror gap extended

Update:  10/30/2003
Keystones over garages installed. Builder reminded that other keystone goes just above front door.
Fixed post closing

Update:  10/9/2003
Spoke with Jeff, Painting subcontractor told Jeff he did paint the house New Hope.
I informed Jeff that Heather and I were at the house the day they were prepping to paint and the buckets we saw were labeled Coconut (that's how we know what color it is painted).  Jeff is going to ask the painter to come out and paint a spot New Hope to compare to the existing color.
Update:  10/14/2003
Builder has confirmed that interior is painted wrong color.

Update:  10/14/2003
Interior Repainted

It appears that the tile guys got the bathrooms switched as the tile for the Jack 'n' Jill bath is now installed in the Guest Bathroom

Update:  10/7/2003
Tile now grouted :-(

Update:  10/9/2003
Spoke with Jeff this morning and he is very aware of this problem.
The insanity continues.  Thursday evening the tile guys tiled the Jack 'n' Jill bath with tile that is supposed to be in the Guest bath

Update:  10/13/2003
We have decided we don't like the tile we chose for the Jack 'n' Jill bath.  We are going to have the builder leave the incorrect Beige tile in the JnJ bath and remove the JnJ (Blue & Slate) tile from the guest bath and install the correct one the correct Beige tile in the Guest bath.

Update:  10/21/2003
The beige tile that was supposed to be installed in the Guest bathroom has been discontinued.  We are going to the design center on 10/22 to choose another tile.

Update:  10/23/2003
Correct tile installed

Update:  10/10/2003
Right side now has frame

Post framed too close to edge of foundation and was bricked with brick on ground instead of on edge of patio.
Update:  10/13/2003
Complete

Handle needs to be moved.

Update:  11/7/2003
I'll live with this

May not be able to install due to slope on West side of house.

Update:  10/27/2003
Salesman agrees they will be unable to install the gate due to the slope. Refunded for gate

Update:  10/30/2003
Gate installed on west side (oops)

ALL Phone/TV wiring to done by Ranger American. Other drops need to be sheetrocked over
Master bedroom, extra phone jack
Media room, extra phone jack
Guest bedroom, extra coax drop
Gameroom, extra coax drop
Family room, extra coax drop
Speaker drop, outside above french door not trimmed out 
Bedroom #3 (Northeast) missing phone jack

Update:  10/27/2003
Left message with builder to discuss

Update:  10/30/2003
Discussed with builder on 10/28, he grudgingly agreed to cover old plates.  His suggestion was to just put blank plates over the holes.  On 10/30 I marked the incorrect drops (the list above).  Called builder informed him where incorrect drops were and that they were marked.

Update:  11/5/2003
Extra drops covered, bedroom 3 trimmed out, speaker still not trimmed out.
This one took some serious griping on the phone to get fixed correctly and 2 visits by Ranger American to get completely fixed