We have a contractor!

Karin and I just returned from 5 days in ABQ. The bids from our contractor candidates were due on Friday, March 25. It turned out that we only had two bids, but that was fine because they were both good candidates. After clarifying a few issues with the candidates, we made our selection...Kayeman Custom Homes. Kaye Marshall is the contractor (a civil engineer with architectural training) and her husband Mike Cecchini runs the business side. They have built more homes certified through Build Green New Mexico (kind of like LEED, but only for NM) than anyone else and have the only Emerald (highest level) certified home. This is important to us for a couple of reasons. First, we are interested in the tax credits that come with BGNM certification (could total about $24K!!) But moreover we want our home (and our actions) to tread lightly in terms of both our carbon and water footprint. An Emerald certification will help us accomplish this. Also, we just really like Kaye. We are very much looking forward to working with her.

Unfortunately the bid was higher than hoped...about 20%. So we increased our budget 10% and reduced the spend 10% through a combination of cuts and "sweat equity". Kaye was very open to Karin Lynn (and perhaps Kristin too!) coming out to NM and helping with the build in areas like painting, assembling our IKEA cabinets and laying brick. So our plan is to move Karin Lynn out to stay in  our Airstream trailer set up at the Coronado Campground (NM) in July so she can build our "sweat equity" in the house until it is complete in October or November. My job will be to pack us up and move whenever our house sells (no offers yet). I'd say it is a pretty fair split. :)

Another exciting new member of our team is Bard Edrington, a permeaculture landscaper. He will be designing and installing our rainwater catchment system (including a 1300 gallon cistern!), gray water system and laying out the "dish" gardens which will be "flood irrigated" by rains and the acequia. We hope to use very little city water for our gardens which is very exciting to us.

So "Team KP3" which now includes Bard, our architect Leslie, contractor Kaye, and Kris, Karin and me...will be working feverishly over the next few weeks to finalize construction drawings, contracts and get permits pulled so problem tree (thirsty rogue elm trees) removal and ground-breaking can happen by end of April or early May! It is all very exciting!! :)

Bid packages are out!

The bid packages for the contractors were distributed last week! We expect them back on March 25, the same day Karin Lynn and I fly into ABQ. We will spend several days there to review the bids and hopefully select our contractor before we head home on March 30. Very exciting!

Unfortunately we have not yet heard back on our HVAC computer modeling review. Hopefully we will this week. This report should help us determine the most efficient config for our heating and cooling mechanics.

Oh...and one more bit of very exciting news! Our dear friends Al and Bettina expect to close on a .25 acre lot a long stone's throw from ours!! We are still incredulous that they are actually buying/building a place in ABQ and are absolutely thrilled that we'll have them as neighbors although it may be a couple of years before they break ground. 

Front wall and gate--first draft

Hi all: while this will likely change, I thought you might enjoy seeing the first draft of the front garden wall and gate. It will give us a semi-private sitting space in the front and room for nice gardens. We think we will want it to look a bit softer and more organic, but we like the initial concept! One more update....our architect sent off designs to some engineers who will test them with their computer modeling software to determine its energy efficiency and what H/VAC systems will be most cost-effective...so stay tuned!

We've got windows!!

Just in! House designs with windows! Most windows are casement or awning...very few double hungs because they aren't as efficient. It looks like a real house now...what do you think?

and now the north side/back of the house.

New timeline...slight delay

Hi all:

We now have a new timeline for Casa de KP3, as follows:

• Issue bid packages by end of February to our prospective contractors
• Bidding and selection of contractor by end of March
• Contract negotiation and permitting in April
• Break ground in May!

So when will we move in? Hard to say but we're guessing the build will take about 5 months which puts us moving at the end of Sept. But we'll know more once the bids are in.

3D entry + casita first floor

Again, although not final, this shows the main entry which leads to the common utility room (see W/D stacked through window in door). To the right is the first floor of the casita. You'll notice we are using pocket doors where ever we can to save space. Up the stairs in the casita will be Kris' bedroom and bath, plus awesome sleeping porch (lucky, lucky girl!). We'll share this as soon as we can.

In addition to the washer/dryer, the utility room will have a mechanical room (for hot water tank), utility sink, space for sewing machine, cabinets, and secret kitty litter box location with cat door directly through wall into the casita (so no one has to look at or smell kitty litter boxes!) In fact, here is a photo of the view from the kitty litter box into the casita kitchen (our architect has quite a sense of humor!)

Main house "Commons" in 3D

Hi all! While this may not be final, attached are two views of the Main House Commons area. We consider the Commons to be the kitchen, dining and living areas on the first floor of the "big" house. We plan to use IKEA cabinets because (a) we really like them and (b) it will save us a bundle over custom cabinets (and we can apply the savings to photo-voltaic panels!). Countertops will be concrete and done by a very talented ABQ man named Joseph. Floors will be stained concrete also because of the economy as well as to provide mass to collect and store the solar energy gained through the south windows. We like how Leslie (architect) has lowered the kitchen ceiling somewhat to give a cozier and more intimate feel. We also really like the way she sunk the stove and range hood in a little recessed arch in the kitchen. And the open stairs really appeal to us too.


We are using Google SketchUp to view these designs. It's a free application from Google and allows you to move around in 3D looking at every nook and cranny. Very cool! And so helpful when you are designing a home from a distance.

We should have 3D designs for the first floor of the Casita soon. Stay tuned!