Moved in!

It has been a long journey, but we were finally able to move in. There are still some small things to do but those can be done as we have time. The kitchen cabinets still do not have knobs/handles, and the washer and dryer are still in the log cabin. It sure felt good to get to sleep in a house with central heat and air again. 

Other things still needed to complete - 

Install the whole house generator

Pour the front porch concete

Put up the fence for the dogs

 

Summary:

 All in all this house kit was a bargain in my opinion. I would highly recommend Budget Home Kits for a DIY home. Some of the things I would change if I were to do it again (at 60 years old that is unlikely):

Anywhere that cabinets will be hung, move to wood studs with 16 inch centers or at least put bracing between the metal studs for support.

Make sure of your stud locations for a shower. The shower kit we purchased has recessed shelves and it was set up for 16 inch studs. The shelf ended up right on a stud. Luck for us these studs do not bear weight so I was able to cut the stud back where the shelves would recess into the wall. This is a step I didn't even think of until I went to put on the back shower panel. 

Ensure you put additional bracing if you will be hanging a TV on the wall. I actually did do this step in the Man Cave/Gun room. That 60 inch plasma TV is HEAVY.

Figure out how to brace all electrical outlets and switch boxes. With the metal studs they are not very sturdy. 

As you work through your blueprints, ensure you have a space for electric panels, hot water heaters, etc... We got lucky on the water heater and was able to use a tankless and it worked out without any issues. We had to put the electric panel in the Master Bedroom walk in closet. That actually worked out very well for where we had to bring the electric in from the meter. 

Patio's - Make sure to pour the concrete for the patios BEFORE you put up the walls. We did not do this and when we did pour the back patio it was very difficult to get it level due to the ribs on the walls, we have some low spots that we have to deal with. It would have been very easy to do before the walls were put up. The front porch still has to be done sometime in 2022 when the weather gets warmer. 

 

Feel free to leave comments I and will try and respond when I can if there are questions. 

Thanks for sharing our journey in this house build. 

oldweatherman@gmail.com

 

Starting to move more furniture and decorations in.
Entertainment center finally moved in. TV is still in the log cabin.
My US Navy wall - the wife wanted it displayed as you enter the house.
Living room
Living room
Living room
Kitchen mostly done
The kitchen island, I used the ceiling wood for the backside. It turned out nice.
Dining room
Dining room
Dining room
Kitchen island




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