October 20, 2018 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Are you a new subscriber? You've become part of the family at a very special time. Keep reading.

Old-friend subscriber? You're not going to believe what's about to happen.

One never knows what lays ahead. That's part of the magic we get to enjoy with each new day.

Months ago, Kathy and I discovered that our oldest daughter Meghan and her husband Brent were moving back to the East Coast.

They had been in California for the past four years with Brent working for a technology startup that a year ago was purchased by Western Digital. Brent was able to negotiate a work-from-anywhere clause in his new agreement.

Why is this important to you?

Meghan and Brent just broke ground last week on a new home on Mt. Desert Island in Downeast Maine. You may know the area by another name - Bar Harbor, or as the locals say, "Bah Haabaah".

Their new house is going to be behind that logging skidder.

A Real-Time Journal

Beginning this issue of the newsletter, I'm going to do my best to take you on a journey through the entire building process from start to finish.

Kathy and I are driving up to see Meghan and Brent on Monday. I'll be helping to site the house and take some all-important readings with my builders level.

The first step in this process happened last January. A realtor they were working with told them about the lot. I went by myself to look at it to give a full report to Meghan and Brent back in California.

CLICK HERE to have a feel for what I was thinking about as I walked through the lot.

This is a photo I took while walking their lot. Yes, that's a white rabbit at the base of the pine tree. I took that as a very good omen.

Fortunately, the early snow that covered the land was eaten up by a January thaw. You want to look at land like this in the winter or early spring when there are minimal leaves on the trees.

The extra advantage I had is that any wet spots on the land were small patches of ice. You want to identify wet spots or if the lot has drainage challenges.

It really makes a difference what time of year you look at lots unless you're in areas where the weather is similar for most of the year.

Each Week A New Chapter

I'm going to share news about the build each week. I'll be sharing new pages at my website filled with photos. I plan to take thousands of photos for you. Yes, I'll be shooting lots of video too.

The issue with video is that it requires so much work with both pre- and post-production not to mention the need for a videographer.

I'll be installing all the plumbing, radiant heating and all the electric in the new home.

The entire house is being built in a local factory and the parts are going to be assembled on the site. Wait until you see the videos of that!

Here's a very basic front elevation of the house. It's going to have a stunning cedar shake product as the siding.

Open Each Newsletter

I'm going to do my best to make it worth your while to open each newsletter.

You're going to see lots of photos and I'll be linking to RELEVANT columns you should scan in the event a new home is in your future.

I hope you're ready for the journey!

My New Haas Garage Doors

About a month ago, I got two new garage doors. My old doors were horrible. I have no clue what the previous owner of this house was thinking when he selected them.

CLICK HERE to see my review and WATCH THE VIDEO.

That's enough for a weekend. I hope you're as excited about the new home project as I am!

I guarantee you it's going to be one heck of an adventure.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com
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​​​​​​​Do It Right, Not Over!