Getting started on the build

 After we closed on the property the first week of October 2020, we finalized the order for the house kit. This required us to request any modifications to the plans. We opted remove the small wall in the foyer and change the master bathroom to remove the tub and replace the small shower with a 60 inch shower and add a small closet, we also added the 9 foot porch on the back of the house. This process was very easy, we just indicated on the original plans what changes and scan them to email them back. They made the modifications to the plans and mailed them back to us. This included the changes to all the plumbing and electrical (which we didn't follow most of the electrical blueprints). They had also sent the instruction book for all of the steps.

The ship date was almost 2 months out which gave us time to get the pad prepped which is Phase 1 of the book. As part of our purchase we also elected to purchase the Liftoff package which does the pad orientation, setting of the corner posts, porch posts, assembly of the trusses and put them in place. We did not want to risk getting the house out of square and did not want to attempt to lift the trusses into place. 

Finding contractors to excavate and do concrete work in the area around our property proved to be a chore. Turns out my neighbor has a skidsteer and is a equipment operator, he helped us cut the pad and get the rock put on the pad for the concrete later on. The building directions shows the concrete being poured for the foundation before the joists are put us, it was not necessary as it could be done later in the build.   

Floor plan for the house.




Finding a spot on the property to build on was a chore due to the slope of the land. They had to remove a lot of dirt, and then find some clay to build up on the other side to make a level spot that would accommodate the almost 50 foot wide pad for the house and porches.

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