FINAL-ly: We Passed!

In an almost anti-climactic finish, we passed the City's Final Inspection of our project without any delay or issues whatsoever. Have I mentioned what an amazing, exemplary job our contractor has done? No problems, no worries, everything looks great, works great, and we're done. Hooray!!

Now there's nothing left but the punch list. Which is fairly short and full of fairly minor items, most of which our guy is well aware and in the process of fixing. I'm sure a few more things will be added as we assemble, test, move in, etc., but it's not worrisome.

Have I mentioned lately how completely gorgeous it all is? My husband and I are so very pleased with the result. It took all of our resources, but we essentially have a new, beautiful home custom-made for our family.

I am a bit overwhelmed at all the moving back, unpacking, etc. but I'm lining up help and making a plan. Once we're back in, I'll get the place gussied up and "staged" a bit and take some final final photos.

More "After" Photos

Final Inspection Tomorrow

It's hard to believe that we're just about ready for our final inspection. Today, all sorts of last minute things were installed and a cleaning crew came and cleaned up the place. There's still a lot of little things to do and the punch list is about a mile long, but overall everything looks fabulous and works very very well.

The enormity of the task of moving back into the space and actually living well in it is weighing on me a bit.

Check out our "new" place.

6, 5, 4...

Four days to go and the pace has picked up again, if that's even possible. Fortunately, I was at work most of the day (except for the part where I was getting my hair done in anticipation of the photo shoot for the web site ... rough duty!). The floors are done, and except for a few craters filled with not yet clear finish, they're dry and they're stunning. Baseboards went in today, more lights were installed today, glass on cabinets and glass shower doors were installed. Even the elusive skin and missing top cabinet were installed.

My computer has been returned to me. It took about 5 days total, which amazes me. Until I got in the mail the class action notice and the class consists of people who had exactly the computer problem I had. Did a class action suit actually benefit me? Stranger things have happened. The computer seems to work now (witness the photos finally posted) and I seem to have lost no data in the process, a small miracle, but it definitely feels messed around with. Worth the price of getting it fixed for free under the warranty. Just wish I hadn't paid for the new battery and ac adapter that turned out not to be necessary, but a small price really. I'm just glad to have my trusty friend back in my possession. I'm sure the kids will enjoy playing the new Lego Star Wars game over the weekend, too.

10, 9, 8, 7 ...

We're exactly a week away from completion! I can hardly believe it.

Right now, we're almost completely displaced, however, as the floor people finish the floors. So far they have installed and stained it. They may have put one coat of sealer on. Or maybe it's two coats today. In any event, the rain storm slowed drying time a tad due to high humidity. Since we're not planning on staying in the house tonight, though, they'll be able to finish. Finish the finish, that is.

I'm at the public library right now, since I can't be in the house. I've been dashing back to feed the dogs, and grab extra changes of clothes and other necessities. To say that I have a renewed appreciation for the homeless is putting it mildly. After all, I have money to throw at this problem and have been able to stay in hotels every night (even if the so-called three star hotel we stayed in the past two night didn't bother to have maid service -- they mis-recorded which room we were in). It still is very very hard to get the kids to school every morning clean, dressed in uniform, with homework done. I can only imagine how impossible it would be if one were in living in a car and had no money.

The floors look great. They're a bit darker than I thought, but I think any change of that magnitude is a bit shocking. I felt the same way about the paint initially.

Our contractor remains confident that cleaning people will be in next Thursday and the final inspection will go off without a hitch next Friday. Sounds great to me!