With color selections and materials chosen, the final piece of the puzzle prior to construction is to have a final meeting with the builder and go over all of the structural changes in the initial contract and give the builder 3.5% to start construction.
Let’s Make It Official!
Every last detail is accounted for in the final contract. Our builder wants to look at the contract and know exactly what materials, upgrades or floor plan changes will occur without going back to us with questions. So, one evening we sat down with the building supervisor and went item by item through our contract.
We started by reviewing the upgraded exterior components which includes the stone and carriage garage doors. Then, we went room-by-room through the house and verified any changes from the original house blueprints. The spec home shows stairs to the basement being open in a decorative way including a cool light fixture over the staircase, an art shelf on the landing down the stairs, and a rectangular window behind the light fixture. The spec home has this, but it is not standard on the blueprints. It is very important to ask your builder, especially if you see a spec home already built, if the way it is shown is the standard feature. It would be quite a surprise to have a door and wall around the basement stairs on our main floor! It completely changes the open floor plan we love so much!
Details, Details…
You name it; it is covered. Even very small details like moving the dining room chandelier out 6 inches further to the hallway to accommodate our furniture better, and adding an additional electrical outlet in the closet of one of the bedrooms for hiding internet/wifi connection.
Of course, if we have any other changes after this point, there is a fee with the builder to add them, and structural changes are especially expensive to change late in the game. So, we are confident about everything and we pay the building deposit. Now, is the exciting part…
If you’re looking for more great ideas for your home check out House Plans and More on Pinterest for tons of inspiration!