YES! You can be there as our intrepid couple investigates the WEIRD SPACE DOME! Cringe as they battle the ROCK THAT WOULDN'T DIE! Shriek with fear as the TERRIFYING SNOW BLOB mercilessly devours their building site! And follow them down the eerie road to TOTAL FINANCIAL RUIN as they build the home that they dream of but can't afford!
Construction Animations |
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This house was built for two EXTREMELY satisfied customers by Ray Holmes, owner of R.B. Holmes Custom Builders, Incorporated (formerly Great Bay Timberframes) in Greenland, NH. If you're planning on building a house in the New England area, I can't recommend this contractor enough.
2002
March 1- Said goodbye to the condo Hope its new owner loves it as much as we did. It was a great place.
April 5- Closed on a piece of land. There's a geodesic dome residing on it at the moment. Unfortunately that has to go because it's in a choice spot, and we rather thought it would be a nice place to put the house. It's a cool thing, though. Check out the dome.
May 2- We got the initial layout sketches today. Considering the amount of information we threw at the poor designer, she did a phenomenal job with the concept. You can look at the designs here.
May 13- Revised layout sketches and designs. Some things still have to be resolved, but we're just about there.
June 1- Final plans. Please forgive the quality. They were too big to scan, so I had to photograph them.
July 1- No updates in a while. Not much going on besides trying to get our budget figured out. One minor diversion, though. Mom discovered this contest in our town's local newsletter. Kinda funny.
July 28- Time ran out on the dome, so we had a bunch of friends help us take it down.
September 14- Okay, we can't decide on the siding color. We're down to two concepts. Thought we'd throw open the choices to our friends and see what everyone ELSE likes. Please give us your feedback. It might give us some perspective.
October 10- Found a surprise when we started excavating. Anybody want to buy a rock?
November 20- Starting the foundation. We've finally stopped just moving the landscape around, and have actually begun to build something.
2003
January 7- So, it's a new year and there's a foot and a half of snow on the ground. It's nasty, but are we letting mere weather delay us? Hell yes!
January 28- Still nothing at the site. Just more snow. Take a look at our neighbor's site.
February 13- We've started! Framing began Wednesday. Watch for updates on a somewhat more regular basis now. Don't worry, all you delay fans--we'll have those too.
February 23- We've got walls. That's right. Walls.
February 25- Hey! Look who got a facelift.
February 27- Well, now I know what those beams are for.
March 10- Second floor construction begins. Look! Peaks!
March 15- Most of the second floor is done. Took the dogs over for a tour of the house.
March 17- Mom Nature decided to be merciful and warmed things up for us a bit. Now the danger of frostbite is gone, but it's been replaced with the hazard of sinking axle deep into the mud when you arrive at the site.
March 18- Our house is still sucking up wood at an alarming rate. Despite a couple of mechanical problems, another shipment made it safely to the worksite.
March 25- No particular update--we're actually getting used to the intense speed in which the framing is taking place. So, here are some random photos of the progress.
April 3- The framing is nearly done. I did a quick study of the different ceilings to show some of the neat shapes of the upstairs rooms.
April 4- Okay, this is just wrong.
April 9- Just another day of death-defying stunts for our amazing work crew.
April 10- Oh boy! Windows went in today.Good thing too--we can use all the waterproofing we can get!
April 21- We have another neighbor building down the street from us. It's like some kind of cruel jest.
April 23- I always mention it, but I never got around to showing it. Check out the view.
April 29- Siding began today. All of you who voted for the warm colors, rejoice.
May 7- Ductwork has been installed for the heating system. It's just everywhere!
May 16- Somebody has been drilling holes, and there are some strange objects in the billiards room.
May 27- The garage now has a floor that isn't made of snow. Oh, happy day.
May 29- You know what happens when you get a mailbox? You receive mail.
June 10- This week they're working on the wiring. Three cheers for electricity.
June 16- The last two sets of stairs went in today, opening up a whole new world of subterranean adventure.
June 18- The insulation crew has begun work. The house is becoming pink, warm, and fuzzy. (With microscopic shards of glass...)
June 27- This week we began sheetrocking the walls. We might even finish if the heat wave breaks.
July 11- The walls are now being primed and finished. Soon I can attack them with color. Craig seems unconcerned about this stage, so a vote shouldn't be necessary this time.
July 15- Words of encouragement from a friend.
July 16- Nothing specific today. Just a few bits and pieces.
July 17- All kinds of updates this week! The excavator is back, and what did he find? That's right. More ledge.
July 31- Last update until after Pennsic. Look what's happening in the kitchen!
August 1- Okay, so I lied. One more. But I mean it this time!
August 20- We're back, and much has happened at the house in our absence.
August 22- They're finally here. Time to dig the well. Let's hope we get lucky.
August 26- Now that we have a well, the guys can get back to work on the geothermal system.
September 2- Awfully noisy at the old homestead today.
September 9- Work on the master bathroom tile began. Now all we need is running water and a tub.
September 13- We've got some spiffy new floors. (And some not-so-spiffy backaches.)
September 16- Some more new arrivals. Fridges and washers and stoves, oh my!
September 19- Gizmos and gadgets abound at our new home. Here are a few.
September 21- We don't even live in the house yet, and already we have guests. Very intriguing.
September 23- Here's a novel idea. We can put the plumbing inside!
September 28- More flooring news. Now we have carpets.
September 30- Found a use for all those rocks.
October 1- It's moving day. Well, sort of.
October 3- He said, "Let there be light." And there IS light.
October 6- We've hit a wall--for the moment.
October 7- Building steps and meeting a neighbor.
October 10- Water water everywhere! Everywhere that it belongs, anyway. No leaks!
October 11- Heavy duty yardwork on a beautiful fall day.
October 13- The day started badly, but recovered nicely.
October 14- How many Enslins does it take to change a lightbulb? (Two, apparently. One to change the bulb and one to take the photo.)
October 16- We...are...IN!
2004
May 8- Had to do one final update. Welcome to our housewarming party.