Some of you may have noticed that I have not posted a blog for a while. Let me explain: I am building a “totally custom” house. In case some of you have never had the opportunity to build a totally custom house, let me give you a sample of details required.
The process starts with understanding a totally custom house has no specifications, no blueprint, and since it’s in the country no building codes. Because all this is true how does a builder know what a person wants? The owner generates a rough floor plan on graph paper and provides it to the builder.
Since this is the only visual document, it is imperative to obtain a knowledgeable builder who is very experienced. I was blessed enough to hire the most talented one in my area (a true house artist). But, then the decisions began … and they were required for a long time.
Let me give you some examples so you can understand the concept.
The crawl space: How many blocks should show above the ground? Where should the vents go? Where should the entrance from the outside be? Want a sump pump? Want lights? Want it heated? Want it insulated?
The framing: How high are the ceilings? Any vaulted ceilings? Any attic space with flooring? Any lights or electcity in the attic? If so, where? How many electrical outlets. Where? How high are the outlets above the floor? What type of lights? How many? Where? Where are the light switches? Any dimmable light requirements? Where are the sinks to be, the stools, the tubs?
The interior: What type of windows: double hung, casement, picture? Where are they to go? Manufacturer? What flooring? Where? Type of cabinets? Where? Type of counter tops? Sink? Where? Style and color of cabinet hardware? Of the faucets?
The exterior: What kind of roofing? Color? What kind of siding? Color? Slope of the roof? Type of porch? Color? How many outdoor lights? Where? Where will their switches be? How many switches are needed?
These examples are only about 10% of the decisions I needed to make. Needless to say, it takes a lot of intellectual and visualization thought. And even though quite rewarding because one creates the house really desired, it is a very time-consuming process. Hence, no time for blogs.
Now construction is nearing completion. The only pressing decisions to be made are the length, width, and slope of the garage apron. Because of that, let me provide some thoughts.
The last house I bought which was already constructed, I knew nothing about the owners. So I knew nothing about their faith. Consequently, wanting God to be a part of that house, I asked my Pastor to join me in the house to ask for God’s blessing. He and I went room to room touching the walls, desks, chairs, etc., offering prayers to the Lord for His presence in those rooms and asking Him to be active in what those rooms were designed for.
I will not do that for this newly constructed house. The reason is God set up an incredible set of circumstances resulting in the construction of this house on the property it is located. Some would call it coincidence, but I know better. God wanted me to help Him design this house. But, this house is His house. He is providing it to be my home, but it will always be His house.
One of the reasons I know it is His house, is because He will be living in it. Yes … because He lives in me and I will living in this house, He will be living in this house.
Let me add, many people call churches “Houses of God”, but that is totally incorrect. They are merely buildings where “Houses of God” periodically meet to worship the Lord. Paul states it perfectly in 1 Corinthians 6: 19, 20.
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”