Custom home building is not for sissies! Especially during these trying times. Lumber prices are sky-high (they are actually beginning to fall a tiny bit). Building materials and large appliances are on backorder.

Plus, there’s a shortage of helpers (at least in my area) because they had rather stay home and receive that stimulus check. There, I said it. Moving right along . . .

Building A New House Can Be Stressful

Building a new house can be stressful enough. When you’re building during a pandemic, it can add even more stress.

It’s a good thing I’ve learned to give it all to God – all the cares, all the thoughts, all of it. Sometimes I find myself trying to take it back, that’s when I whisper the words, “All is Well!” (2 Kings 4:26)

My favorite Bible verses that remind me to give all the anxiety to the Lord are 1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

And Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Building A New House Is Not For Sissies

A few days ago I added the hashtag #BuildingANewHouseIsNotForSissies over on my Instagram page. If you’re not following My Modern White Farmhouse Instagram account, you can follow me now! I share all about the new build over there.

I posted right after the framing contractor and I had a “moment.” I finally had to hold my hand up and tell him I needed a minute. And I just walked away, leaving the contractor and my husband staring at me like, for real? She just walked away?

I needed a minute to catch my breath. I needed to do some casting my cares upon the Lord and I needed a come to Jesus moment.

Sometimes we need to just walk away and clear our heads.

Why Was I Upset?

Have you ever heard the saying, “The straw that broke the camel’s back?”

Everything seemed to be going wrong that day. The bricklayer was a no-show, etc. etc. etc.

When we decided to go with a crawlspace foundation instead of the usual slab foundation, I didn’t realize that it would be raising the house up so high that I’d have to add rails to my porches. (I still wonder why the general contractor didn’t mention it. Hmmm.)

When the framing contractor started talking about adding all these extra columns to support the rails, I about lost it. Sometimes, I don’t feel like they think about the aesthetics at all.

The columns would look weird. They would block my lanterns on either side of the front door.

I refused to back down. I’m not having extra columns in places there shouldn’t be columns.

After I had my walk-away moment, I was able to calmly let the contractor know that I was not going to have extra columns and we’d have to come up with a better way.

After we left, my husband told me how proud he was of me sticking to my guns. (I thought I had embarrassed him!)

Bottom Line: If something’s important to you, refuse to give up on it.

My General Contractor Is Not My Bestie

The contractors are great. They are easy to work with. We get along fine. But hear me well. I’m not trying to become besties. This is, first and foremost, a business deal.

The contractor works for me. I’m paying him. And when he tries to put builder-grade material in my custom home, I refuse to allow it.

I do strive to remain calm and walk in the love of God, but I refuse to be a pushover.

Bathtub Dilemma

When the plumber set the bathtub in place upstairs (he picked it out on his own and I almost had a cow and a conniption) I noticed that it was several inches (standard size tub) shy of reaching the wall. When I asked about it, he said they’d have to build a dummy wall.

A what????

I don’t want a dummy wall. I think it looks strange.

So, we found a longer tub that fits in the space without having to add a fake wall. He acted like that was the norm, but I just couldn’t see it happening in my upstairs bathroom.

Shout out to the plumber’s wife for helping track down the correct sized tub! She went over and beyond and even sent me photos to make sure I liked it.

Issues Will Arise When Building A New Home – Count On It

I’m actually very easy to get along with and I will give in when it’s not that big of a deal. Throughout the process, I’ve learned to pick my battles.

Issues will arise. It’s how we handle them that counts. Always stay calm, even if you have to walk away and take a deep breath. Like I did!

I do have to say that way more things have gone right than gone wrong!

Three of my kitchen appliances have not arrived yet. It’s been six months since I ordered them. Of course, that has nothing to do with my contractors.

Having said all that . . .

Latest Update On Our New Build

Remember the huge bedroom window that arrived cracked? The replacement window finally came in and was installed yesterday. Shout out to Anderson windows for putting a rush on things!

Also, the brick lanai steps are finished and the bricklayer started on the front porch steps. After those are done, he will build the brick laundry room porch steps and the garage steps. Yay!

The insulation is almost done. Some of the insulation is still on backorder.

What I’m Working On Now

I’m working on a product page – a “shop my home” page – to add to this site. I’ll link the products I’m using to decorate my home, plus my paint colors, etc.

Once it’s published, I’ll keep adding things as I purchase them. That way, if you see something you like, you can click on the link and order the product.

Join Me Over On My Cooking Site

Also, in case you didn’t know, I have a recipe site. An Alli Event is my recipe blog. I started sharing my party tips and recipes at the end of 2012. Many of my recipes have been passed down from my mama and my grandma.

And Lastly . . .

I’m still looking for the perfect dining room and stairwell chandelier. It’s tough!

P.S. – I still love the building process and I get excited about everything building-related. But, as I said earlier, custom home building is not for sissies.

P.P.S. – As I write this, I’ve noticed (trail cams) that I have not received any photos of anyone arriving to work today at the house. It’s 9:30. Just one photo of a fox. I wonder if he can use a hammer?

Luke 12:25 –  And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?

All Is well!!