Kohler Whole Home Backup Generator

Well, they say timing is everything...I got my generator up and running a week ago and had my first power outage last night...this thing works as advertised!

In the middle of the night we heard a crack of thunder that shook the house, and my internal organs, and then i saw my iphone screen come on and it wasn't charging...a few seconds later power indicator came right back on, AC kept running, house operated per usual. Woke up this morning with line power and the generator off. Pretty stoked on this setup!

The Kohler Power website is a little tough to navigate, so here is direct link to the residential section:

https://kohlerpower.com/en/residential/generators/

I went with the 20kW whole home gen with Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) and OnCue monitoring.

The ATS is key because that is the 'automatic' part of this whole thing. Without, you are going out in the storm to go start your generator manually - no thank you.

The OnCue I didn't talk about in the video because the cable is on back order at the moment, but this allows me to connect the generator to the internet and monitor all sorts of usage stats from my phone. Once that is hooked up I'll do another video on that and my updated thoughts on this unit.

Here is another helpful link if you wanna get an idea of cost...the Kohler generator sizer on their website asks you a bunch of questions and then based on your answers lets you know what size gen you need...

https://kohlerpower.com/en/residential/generators/generator-selector#your-home

Techo-Bloc Paver Patios

Anytime you're doing something for the first time you really want to make sure you are hiring the right crew to do it, and these guys were awesome. I learned a ton, and I could not be happier with the Techo-Bloc pavers.

My choices:

Light Grey Cobblestone: Champlain Grey Villagio
https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/pavers/villagio/

Dark Grey Cobblestone: Onyx Black Villagio
https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/pavers/villagio/

Large Format: Blu Grande Smooth
https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/slabs/blu-grande-smooth/

Fire Pit Kit: Valencia, wood burning
https://www.techo-bloc.com/shop/fire-pits/valencia/

New Windows & Doors!

I used them on the Firehouse Project, and have been living with them in my home for almost 2 years now, so going with Renewal by Andersen again for my windows and doors was an absolute no brainer!

Huge THANK YOU to the RbA of Eastern NY crew who did the install, and if you're in the area - they are running a massive deal right now: no payments / no interest for 2 years! crazy.

You can see both of my projects with RbA here:
https://www.renewalbyandersen.com/get-inspired/get-inspired-with-anthony

#TheBuildTV #LoveTheProcess #Windows #StoneHouse #Construction #Design #Renovation #HomeRenovation #RenovationProject #InteriorDesign #Contractor #Builder #Designer #Catskills #catskillsmountains #mountainlife #mountainhideaway

Install & Thoughts on COREtec Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring

This was the first floating floor install I have ever installed; both for straight plank and herringbone, and I'm super impressed with the install and the look!

Note: if you're a beginner DIY'er I would confidently recommend installing the straight plank. The Herringbone takes a bit more skill and preparation with the layout.

Luxury Vinyl Plank is a composite floor that is comprised of a cork bottom, a proprietary waterproof core structure, and a vinyl top. The technology has gotten so good that each piece has different/natural wood graining, and the floors are also micro-textured for a more natural feel.

Some of the major benefits to these floors:

  • 100% waterproof (you can install them in bathrooms without a worry)

  • Extremely scratch resistant = great for pets and high traffic homes

  • No underlayment required for install (thanks to the cork base its built in)

More Info on my flooring selection: https://coretecfloors.com

Straight Plank: Reserve Oak, COREtec Plus Premium 7”
https://coretecfloors.com/en-us/products/coretec-plus-premium-7/reserve-oak-vv458-02701

Herringbone: Rome Oak, all pieces are 26x4 and come with an 'A' and 'B' floor to allow the herringbone pattern to work flawlessly
https://coretecfloors.com/en-us/products/coretec-plus-enhanced-herringbone-(1)/rome-oak-vv497-00793

Sheetrock & Priming

The day has finally come! Sheetrock is the catalyst point in the project where you shift from rough work to finish work, and that shift happens fast. We sheetrocked the entire house in less than a week. Tape / Spackle / Sand takes considerably longer (3 weeks-ish), and then we got primer up on the walls. Using Benjamin Moore throughout; I love the quality of their paint, they have incredible color science, and the coverage is fantastic.
Pro Tip: Getting primer on the walls and ceilings before floors saves a lot of time...more in the vlog.

Info on the products I mentioned...

Paint: Benjamin Moore Aura

Wood Stove: Vermont Castings Defiant

Gloves: https://firmgrip.com

How Much Space Do You Need Around a Dining Table? ANSWERED.

Different kind of vlog today...lemme know if this is helpful, or if you have any additional questions.

Dining Table: General rule is you want to leave a minimum of 2' of width per person/chair at the table, and you want to have at least 3' clear behind the chair. The rest of it is dependent on your floor plan and flow...

Documents: This is the first time I have used these document sleeves, but I will tell you THIS is the way to do it! I love my job binder, but its just not as efficient as having all the cut sheets and plans screwed to the wall in each room right where the guys need them - all the subs loved this method too - seriously cut down on questions (including 'where's the job binder?')

Direct link to the sleeves I bought on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2OQYNyJ

Let There Be Heat!

If there is one MAJOR difference between the #firehouse and the #stonehouse builds, it’s that I'm doing this one through the #winter...in the mountains. Brutal. So I was very keen to get my Trane units fired up and get some heat into these walls! And having lost power at least 6 times since the start of this renovation, I am very pumped to get my Kohler 20kW whole home backup generator on site and ready for install!!!

More Info on the above:

Trane: https://www.trane.com/residential/en/

What I used:
Furnace:
https://www.trane.com/residential/en/products/gas-furnaces/s9v2-vs/
Condensor/Heat Pump:
https://www.trane.com/residential/en/products/heat-pumps/xv20i/
Air Filter:
https://www.trane.com/residential/en/products/indoor-air-quality/cleaneffects/

Kohler Generator I chose:
http://www.kohlerpower.com/home/home-generators/products?prodNum=20RCAL

Generator selector - you want your Electritian or an electrical engineer to size this for you based on the loads in your home:
http://www.kohlerpower.com/home/home-generators/selector#your-home

Product Spec: Countertops by Neolith

Countertops are always one of the most asked about items in a kitchen renovation; durability, aesthetic, staining...what's the best combination of features. Well, we are getting to the point where you really don't need to compromise anymore...and Neolith is the perfect example of that.

https://www.neolith.com/en/

https://www.instagram.com/neolithnorthamerica/

Product Spec: Tile Selection

Tile can be one of the most difficult selections of the job simply due to the sheer number of options you have; sometimes too many options gives you that 'deer in headlights' kinda feel where you can't move, can't decide. That is precisely where a good supplier comes in, and that is exactly why I work with Garden State Tile. These guys sell and distribute massive amounts of tile, and the folks that work in their showrooms not only know their product inside and out, but are designers themselves, so utilize their design skills and product knowledge to your benefit...and as you'll see here, the more you work with the same person, the easier it gets!

For more info on Garden State Tile:
https://gstile.com
https://www.instagram.com/gardenstatetile/

Product Spec: DCS Outdoor Appliances

Site Work, Day 01

There is nothing quite like having heavy machinery show up to your property, along with some seriously skilled operators, to watch them make quick work of transforming your backyard from what is...to what you designed. 🤙🏼

If you're interested to learn more about any of the products I mentioned, here are their links:

Shipping Container Swimming Pools: https://tanglepools.com
Pavers: https://www.techo-bloc.com
Outdoor Kitchen Cabinets: https://www.urbanbonfire.com
Outdoor Furniture: https://www.polywood.com
16' Wide Double Slider: https://www.renewalbyandersen.com

The Stone House Begins!

Planning, Contractor Walk-Through & Demolition

So pumped to get the first vlog for The Stone House Project LIVE! And just like that we start all over again...back to the planning phase of it all - if you get this right, if you nail all the little details, execution will be that much easier 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

So much more to come, I hope you join me for this awesome build!


The Stone House Project Update & Plan Sets

So, along with the vlogs this season I am going to attempt to do some blogging as well. My hope is to share some additional information that will be helpful for your renovation, but might not make the vlog, or I can’t figure out how to get it in the vlog…

GPTempDownload.JPG

So that’s the goal. If you have things you’d like to see here, or have any questions for me. Hit the comments and I’ll get you answers.

The first vlog goes live tomorrow: Planning & Demolition.

With that in mind, I wanted to share my plan sets, scope of work (SOW), and schedule with you guys, so you can see how much detail I put on the drawings and exactly what I send out to my contractors in order to get a bid. For clarity, these are the exact docs I sent them with some redactions added on various contact information. And as I’ve said in the past: please take my SOW and use it as a starting point if you find it helpful.

I also want to answer one questions preemptively: No, you do not need to be able to draw architectural plans in order to convey all the detail you want your contractors to be aware of…here are some other options:

  • get additional copies of your plans from your architect and draw on them directly. This is super labor intensive as nothing is digital - it works, but I would steer away from this option.

  • put all of your detail on the scope of work broken down room by room - this is a great option, and if you don’t have anything where you need to convey a super specific location to your contractors this will work for you.

  • get a PDF set of plans from your architect and use an app like Morpholio Trace on your iPad to digitally draw over the top of your plans - I love this option because 1) you can get a month-by-month subscription to Trace so you don’t need to pay for a full year, although I would because you will wind up using it throughout your project anytime you need to convey something on a drawing to your GC. 2) it allows you to export the full PDF with your notes laid over top so you can email the drawing set to as many people as need be, and print it.

  • and if you are interested in learning how to draw your own plans I recommend looking at Chief Architect - I absolutely love it; it has a bit of a learning curve, but their online video tutorials are fantastic, and once you get the basics of it you start to learn new things exponentially faster. - if you have an affinity for design and layouts, and you think you will be doing more and more projects it is worth investing your time here because once you learn this software you don’t have to wait on anyone to make design and planning progress.

Ok, so here are my documents:

  1. Scope of Work
    this is what I writeup to accompany my plan set when I send them out for bid. It adds all the detail that is not reflected in the drawings. For example, what material I will supply and what I expect the contractors to supply

  2. Preliminary Schedule
    Gantt chart schedule of the entire job as I see it. This will chop and change once you hire your GC and confirm their start date, but 1) it helps me wrap my head around the project timeline, and 2) it shows your GC that you are organized and will be pushing the job forward. Keep in mind that you need to go over the schedule directly with your GC and they need to confirm or alter the dates you have set - the schedule is a guide, a moving target; construction projects change daily based on myriad factors. If you’re curious what that conversation sounds like with your GC you can watch this vlog from the Firehouse Project.

  3. Construction Plan Set

  4. Tile Specific Plan Set

  5. Outdoor Patio Specific Plan Set

this is what a structural beam looks like…now I have an 18’ opening

this is what a structural beam looks like…now I have an 18’ opening

The last thing I want to share with you guys are the engineering calculations. These are areas of the home that I want to make larger openings, so a structural piece of lumber is required in order the support the load above and allow me to accomplish my overall space plan. Please note these calculations are also required when you want to vault a ceiling; in order to remove all the existing trusses, which currently support the roofs in my living room and master bedroom.

Engineering Calculations

When you are in a rural environment a lot of times the municipality will allow you to draw your own plans, so long as they are accompanied by a set of calculations like these from a licensed structural engineer, so that is exactly what I did, and by doing so I saved at least $6,000 on architectural costs.

That covers it for the time being. Happy to answer any questions you might have.

Much Love -A

Virtual Tour of The Barn

Well, if have been wanting to visit my barn…this Matterport 3D model is as close as you can get until it goes live on Airbnb later this year :-)

I dropped in a bunch of tags on the various items I used throughout the build with links on where to get them in case anyone is looking to use the same or similar products.

Enjoy the tour! Much Love -A

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Wallpaper on the Ceiling & The Coolest Wine Rack Ever!

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When you're hangin' wallpaper you know the end is near! I love getting all the finishing touches in place; seeing my initial vision come together at the end of projects is one of the most rewarding aspects of this work.

Wallpaper by JuJu Papers: https://jujupapers.com

Exact paper I choose:
https://jujupapers.com/collections/wallpaper/products/jujupapers-a-view-of-the-woods-grey-and-mink-on-cream-roll

Wine Rack by WineHive: https://www.winehive.com

I used the 18 bottle kit:
https://www.winehive.com/collections/cell-kits/products/winehive-cell-18-bottle-kit-black-satin

#TheBuildTV #LoveTheProcess