Most Americans can't handle a $500 surprise bill | Page 2 | Emergency Preparedness | Forums

Oh I know...been there before when I did my first house years ago...and that was 'easier', it was a modular ranch.  so this is clearly a bigger deal with greater opportunity to have things add up quick...We'll get through it.  After all, things cost what they cost, just need to be wise about it.

...Would like to be able to move in by April of 2017.  That would be about 12 months from once we start the footers.  I won't be able to get much time off work, so this will be almost all weekends and a number of nights after work.  I don't want to move in until the inside is done and complete, the outside will be wrapped up summer of 2017. A lot depends on how quickly things go. We expect to be closed in by early August of this year.  All framing and rough plumbing will be done at that time and the electric service should be in.  So at that point we would have to wire the house, cover the walls and ceilings, final plumbing fixtures will be set by plumber, and I plan on building kitchen cabinets.  That is a very 'big picture plan, obviously there are many other details.  I also want to make sure that we stay on budget the best we can.  We have a plan, we have the right support people, we have the right suppliers...but Murphy is always close by.  I think it's possible we could get in by Christmas 2016, I just don't want to kill myself or the Mrs trying to make a dead line like that.  Want this to be enjoyable and keep the f-bombs to a minimum.  One of the big things is that I want to enjoy the companionship of friends that are pitching in on this.  Hey, it's my last house, I plan to die there, I just don't want to die while building it.

I want everything fast, cheap and quality...can't really have all three at the same time...I get how it feels...this will be a change of pace for me...and if we are ready to move in sooner it will be a nice bonus.  One thing for me will be:  even if we are not moved in, I vow to have a Christmas tree set up in the house even if we are not living there.