#1 question we’ve been asked lately…”so have you broke ground yet?” Our answer has been “we’re getting so close, we should be hearing back on the building permit soon!”

Well, we crossed a huge item off our to-do list today! We received our building permit from Summit County! Happy Dance!!!!

Kelsey has been working so hard to create all the the elevation drawings, interior floor plans, windows, garage, grading, site maps, foundation drawings, etc., etc., etc. to meet all of the requirements for the County.

I knew there was a lot involved in prepping for construction, but the amount of drawings and items they need is pretty staggering. With all the versions of the plans printed on 11x17, 18x24, and 24x36 size paper (thanks Copy Copy in Frisco), the boys have lots of paper for drawing and for making really big paper airplanes that we’ve been launching off the deck.

We submitted the initial documentation on August 10, so we are very pleased to have approval in fairly short order. Of course, everyday we waited felt long for us, but just over a month is pretty good! The folks at the building department have been very helpful overall. They all seem genuinely excited for us and helpful whenever questions have popped up.

So next steps…

We need to get a Right of Way permit to install a culvert (there is a ditch on a property). Then, once that is approved (fingers crossed that is a quick thing!), we’ll be able to get going on installing the culvert and then ultimately the driveway. We will be doing both of these things ourselves and the boys are beyond excited rent the mini excavator! Once the driveway is in place, we can start digging for the foundation.

We’ve also submitted all of our application materials to the bank for our construction loan, which of course is another big hurdle to cross. We’re anxiously awaiting their response. We’ll do a post later to include some tips on drafting a construction budget and negotiating with the bank. We’ve learned a ton already!

One final note for tonight, we can’t say thank you enough to my parents, Neil and Cindy, for graciously allowing us to bunk in at their condo. Without a rent-free place to stay, we’d never be able to make this mountain dream possible. Thanks Mom & Dad for letting your 36 year old daughter + hubby + kids to move back in. You are the best!