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The GarageDominium is coming together slowly, but there is some progress each week.  We are getting close but there is a tremendous amount of work remaining. 

We have power!  As of December 1, the GarageDominium  has electricity.  However, there are plenty of issues.  For example, there is no power in the master bathroom.  Two thirds of the garage lights and some of the garage outlets do not work.  There are other switches and outlets that do not work.  Electricians still need to install some light fixtures and a ceiling fan.  They will be doing a “hot punch list” to identify and remedy the issues.  However, this is a major milestone that enables other work.

Since the time we first had water connected, I noticed that we had lots of pressure.  That’s a good thing.  So I decided to test the water pressure and connected a gauge to one of the outside hydrants.  I measured 110 psi of water pressure.  That is a lot.  Normally it should be 40 to 75 psi. The pressure at the house we are currently renting is 62 psi.  At 110 psi water pressure could damage some of fixtures.  After this discovery, plumbers installed a pressure reducing valve (PRV).  Accordingly, the water pressure is now 80 psi.  We can use the PRV to reduce the pressure down to about 65 psi which will provide plenty of pressure and keep fixtures from being over pressured.

A few days ago, I found a leak between the main water shut off valve and the new PRV.  So now the water is off until the plumbers correct this problem.

The septic system is complete except for connecting the power.  The septic system contractor installed the aeration equipment and the irrigation lines.  Our aerobic septic system will spray clean water onto the yard and under trees at the back of the property.

Many other miscellaneous items are complete.  We have a shower door.  Some of the mirrors are in place.  Contractors have done more site work.  The carpenter installed the exterior shop door.

The garage door saga continues.  Many of the garage door panels have been damaged.  I don’t know if the damage was from shipping or done during installation.  In any case the garage door contractor must replace these panels.  When ready, the painter will paint the steel garage doors to resemble wooden panels. Obviously, the damaged panels are delaying the paint work.

Turnkey Builders has a lot of work left.  Here is a summary:

• Roofing – Some flashing details are yet to be finished including a ridge vent on the shed.  Gutters are the next major roofing task.
• Exterior walls – Some stone mortar joints must be fixed.
• Site work and landscaping – Lots of work is needed to clear site of rock and dirt that will not be used in the landscaping.  Some grading is still needed.  None of the exterior flatwork (concrete) such as driveway has started yet.  Landscaping including retaining walls, plants, sod and rock areas has not started.
• Plumbing  –  Some minor repairs are needed.  They need to install the hot water circulation pump controller.  They also need to install the water softener and reverse osmosis unit.
• HVAC – the condenser needs to be installed along with the controls.  They will also do an air balance
• Electrical – There are many issues to trouble shoot.  We are missing the generator connection, RV connection, some light fixtures, and a ceiling fan.
• Interior trim and cabinets – Some cabinets have not been installed and none of the doors and drawers are in place.  The carpenter has many small jobs to do including finishing up crown molding and installing closet shelf braces.  They also need to install all the barn style doors (2 in the house and 2 in the garage) along with some other door hardware.
• Sheetrock and Paint – The painter has his work cut out for him fixing all the damaged sheet rock and touching up paint.  He must work on both interior and exterior paint.
• Low voltage – The low voltage contractor has not started on his part of the installation.  There is audio equipment, video equipment, networking equipment, and the security system to install.
• Appliances – None of the kitchen appliances, except for the garbage disposal, have been installed.

We are getting excited about moving in and starting to make those plans.  Some new furniture is on the way and some the old stuff has got to go.  My Live Home 3D floor plan has been very useful as we try to figure out where everything will go in the GarageDominium.  I’ve purchased some new tools for the shop and have dreams of what can be done in the garage . . . Maybe something like this from Factory Five Racing . . .

Or maybe this version of the same kit . . .

Which version do you like, the bold hot rod look or the classy restomod look?