Arsenic

The water analysis report came back today showing the arsenic levels in our new well are a bit higher than what's allowed.  The current limit is .01 p/b and we're at .026.  Several years ago this wouldn't have been an issue because the limit was .05.  But they reduced it not too long ago, so here we are. 

Our options are to 1) Do a 4 hour pump test and re-test the water at the end, hoping the levels would be less, or 2) Hire a water engineer to design a filtration system.  

I talked it over with our builder and have opted for the water filtration system.  It means a bit more expense up front,  but it's a guaranteed fix.  It means our water will be filtered, so no arsenic, hard water, or any other water quality issues down the road.  Our water will be perfect.  Also, if we sell someday, having the filtration systems means no matter how they adjust legal limits for things, our house will be compliant.  No re-sale issues.  

Luckily our builder just went through this with another family,  so he knows who to contact and what to do.  He's reaching out to a water engineer to get started on the design.  Hoping they can get it ready before our July 16th deadline.  If not, we'll submit everything else and ask for a little time to wrap up the filtration plan.

Drainage Resubmittal

We've officially resubmitted our drainage plan with all the extra engineering requested by the reviewer.  It's a few thousand dollars worth of engineering, and it includes our $10 planting plan.  Fingers crossed he's satisfied and signs off.  Or at least he doesn't come up with extra requirements to make things more difficult.

Planting Plan

Satan (AKA our drainage reviewer) is demanding a Planting Plan.  It's a technical document showing how we plan to re-plant the well road.  There is a specific list of native plants we're allowed to use.  There are three types (trees, shrubs, groundcovers).  We have to use at least two species within each plant type.  There is a spacing schedule.  For example, a 1 gallon Vine Maple covers 4' on center.  Every square foot of the well road has to be coveres by a plant radius. 

We learned this week that planting plans cost about 2K, and the guy that can do it is out next week, when we planned to re-submit.  So...I bought $10 landscape design software and told the civil engineer we want to tey to create it ourselves.  He agreed to try it!  So Jeremy spent a lot of time today designing our plan.   Fingers crossed it works!!!!

Spec Sheet Review

We had a 2 hour long phone call with the builder today to go over our spec sheet notes.  There was a lot to cover.

We've tabled some decisions for now.  Some choices are cost neutral so they can wait.  Some he'll bid both ways and we can make a decision after reviewing the bids.  Some he's going to budget for the more expensive option, and if we decide to go with the less expensive option then we'll just save money.  Some things we need to research and get back to him with our thoughts.

Here's an example of some pending decisions:

For the covered porches, do we want visible black brackets, or no brackets?

For the roofing, we requested metal but it will be much more expensive.  He'll bid it both ways so we can see what the cost is to upgrade to metal.  I had my heart set on a metal roof again (they last forever, branches and debris slide right off, and it sounds so pretty when it rains) but we'll have a tough decision to make I imagine.

(Bad) Luck of the Draw

Our drainage review has been assigned to the worst of the worst at the county.  He's notorious for being difficult to work with and making up rules above and beyond what is required by the county.  He's unhappy with the well road, unhappy with the culvert, unhappy with the current engineering and wants more.  My stomach was in knots when I read the email from the civil engineer with this news.  We'll see how awful he's going to be during this process.

Mason's Shower

Spec Sheet is Killing Me

It feels like I've been working on this spec sheet for ages.  There's so much to research and figure out.  We aren't able to go to stores or showrooms to look at things.  I'm on Houzz and Pinterest daily, gathering photos.  I know we aren't making final selections with this document, but the closer we get the more accurate the budget will be and the less hassle down the road with the bank.  Sometimes this process is fun, and sometimes it's a struggle.  But we're slowly getting through it.

In the meantime, the kids have built some fixtures and furniture for the house....with legos.

Fireplace and couch in Family Room

Front Door

Bathtub (notice the hot and cold faucets)

Dining table, kitchen island and cooktop, computer in the office nook, and stairs.

Washer Dryer in the Utility Room, cars in the garage, and a mouse trap baited with cheese.