The Socal To AZ Garage Build - Input Appreciated

We closed on the lot August of 2020. Went into escrow in April- did an extended escrow. During that time our architect had already started designing the house. Figure why pay for it if it’s just going to sit there- so I think we did a 4 or 5 month escrow. By the time we closed the plans were complete.

We submitted to city and had all approvals except for one signature on some stupid retaining wall in March. That final signature didn’t come till November of 21!! Idiots at the city. Broke ground November 9th of 2021. As of today, entire lower level is framed. Upper level starting in a few weeks. Lots of steel going I .

 

Steel reinforcement. In order to get a thin profile on the house, we used a lot of steel. Otherwise the profile gets super bulky which I didn’t want.

 

We have laws as well. Every floorplan, every rendering must be approved. Engineers need to sign off on retaining walls, on window spans, on you air conditioning load, on every aspect of the house you need sign offs. You can’t just go build. For us it was almost a year of waiting for approvals and sign offs to get the process started.

Every step of the way building inspectors must come and sign off on your slab, your plumbing, your framing, your electrical. Every single step must be signed off and approved.

 

Totally agree. Some of these building inspectors become very difficult to deal with. Huge ego cause they know their decisions can literally cost you thousands. Good news is my builder has a good relationship with most of them. Other than the delays from the city getting the initial approval, luckily no huge issues.

 

While the property is over 2 acres, much of it we can't disturb. we dont really have much of a yard by choice. Ive had homes where we had mass acreage and huge lawns and pools and thousands a month in maintaince and gardening fees. We eliminated all that for several reasons.

We dont have kids at home that need a huge yard. We also plan on traveling in the future to our vacation home and so I dont want to be gone a couple of months and have to worry about maintaining a huge yard. We are actually not putting in a pool- again- having had a pool in our last 4 homes it was used maybe 3 times. We are plumbing for the pool, we have a space where we can put the future pool but for now we are not doing a pool.

We do have a large patio area where we can sit and hang out. Yes its hot in the summers but likely we are out of town during that time. Anyways- here are some additional renderings- what you see is what you get with regards to the outdoor areas. No real grass- we are doing fake grass which is very popular and common here in AZ.

Where you see the pool will just be a patio.

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In the pictures above you see a main floor patio/balcony. The main floor has the master bedroom and kitchen and living room. You also have a lower level patio- 3 bedrooms on the lower level. Again- the pool is gone but we will use that space for a patio.

 

I calculated my cost per swim in the last pool we built. It was like $2300/swim. Pool is gone. Can always add it later but for now, buh bye.

 

We just aren’t big pool people. I know many are and they can have a pool in their own house. Lol

 

You are going to think Ive lost my mind, maybe I have....but.....in the process of designing a house in Sedona. Planning on breaking ground summer 2024. .

 

We are just at the floorplan phase. Seeing renderings next week. No rush on that. Need to get this first one done.

 

Yeah beautiful hikes, lots of nature. We got a lot outside of town, near the enchantment resort. Will be a great get away.