What Changed Since Field Visit 21 🎉
Visit 22 marks the breakthrough moment: after a three-week interval spanning the holidays, the kitchen cabinetry has been delivered and substantially installed. The critical path bottleneck is resolved. This visit captures not just cabinet installation but the constellation of finishing work that accelerates once cabinets are in place—from custom closet systems to exterior landscaping establishment.
Kitchen Cabinets: The Breakthrough Installation
The complete Omega kitchen cabinet package is now installed throughout the expansive kitchen and adjacent spaces. These elegant white shaker-style cabinets feature clean lines, quality construction, and thoughtful details throughout. Upper cabinets display glass-front doors in select locations, allowing display of dishware while maintaining the clean aesthetic. The custom range hood commands attention as a centerpiece—featuring decorative corbels, detailed millwork, and a professional ventilation system integrated within a furniture-quality enclosure. Base cabinets reveal sophisticated internal organization: full-extension drawer systems with dovetail joinery, pull-out waste bins, and roll-out shelving that maximizes accessibility. The pantry system showcases multiple pull-out shelves on heavy-duty slides, transforming a tall cabinet into highly functional storage with every inch accessible. Cabinet installation required precise leveling, shimming, and scribing to walls and ceiling—all the detailed work that explains why installation spans multiple days even after delivery. The blue painter's tape protecting cabinet edges will remain until countertop installation to prevent damage during subsequent work.
Custom Walk-In Closet Completion
A walk-in closet system that was previously missing has now been installed, featuring white finish to match the home's trim aesthetic. The system includes upper shelving with support brackets, a lower platform for folded items or bins, and a complete closet organization structure. The orange spray-painted marking "Double Shelf" on the concrete floor reveals the installation crew's planning process—indicating the specific configuration required for this space. This type of custom closet system, installed post-drywall and post-paint, represents one of the many "punch list" items that accumulate during construction and are addressed as the project nears completion. The timing is strategic: installed after all messy trades are complete but before final flooring, allowing the system to be integrated cleanly while still accessible for any adjustments.
Exposed Wood Beams: Protection and Character
The kitchen's dramatic exposed wood beam system—visible crossing the vaulted ceiling—has been carefully protected with blue painter's tape along all edges. These substantial beams, likely Douglas fir or similar hardwood, add architectural character and visual interest to the kitchen space while serving structural purposes in the ceiling framing system. The beams' natural wood tone contrasts beautifully with the white cabinetry and painted ceiling, creating a contemporary farmhouse aesthetic. Protecting the beams during countertop installation and final finishing work prevents scratches, dings, or staining that could mar their appearance. The careful wrapping of each beam demonstrates the attention to detail as the project enters its final phase where protecting completed work becomes as important as completing new work.
Front Porch Stone Laid with Precision Pattern
The front covered porch now displays its finished stone surface—a carefully laid pattern of rectangular bluestone or similar material creating an elegant entry experience. The stones are laid in a running bond pattern with consistent grout joints, professional execution evident in the tight spacing and level surface. This natural stone surface integrates with the home's stone veneer foundation and columns, creating a cohesive material palette that grounds the structure in its site. The substantial covered porch, supported by the classical columns installed at Visit 21, creates a protected entry sequence and outdoor living space. The completed porch flooring represents one of the final exterior finishing touches, executed with the same quality as the interior work.
Landscaping Establishment: Seeding, Hay, and Sodding
The exterior site shows active landscaping establishment with straw covering newly seeded areas to protect germinating grass. The rear and side yards visible in photos display the characteristic golden color of straw mulch laid over seed—a standard practice that retains moisture, moderates soil temperature, and protects seeds from birds and erosion. Some areas may have received sod for immediate establishment, though most of the extensive graded areas show seeding with straw cover. The driveway edges and approach areas display established grass already greening up despite winter dormancy, indicating these areas were seeded earlier in the process. The January timing for seeding is not ideal—most grass species germinate poorly in cold weather—suggesting this is either late-season cleanup work or preparation for spring establishment when temperatures rise. The comprehensive straw coverage indicates professional application, essential for successful seed establishment.
Basement Spaces Ready for Final Finishes
The basement recreation room and wet bar areas photographed at Visit 21 remain ready for flooring installation, though no new basement finish work is visible in this visit's photos. The clean concrete floors, painted walls, and installed millwork in these below-grade spaces await only flooring and final fixtures to reach completion. The stained wood support columns add architectural interest to the large open basement, their finish quality indicating they're designed as exposed features rather than temporary construction supports. The basement's completion state suggests flooring installation there could proceed in parallel with upper-level work, potentially accelerating the overall schedule if crews are available.
Three-Week Interval: Holiday Impact and Production Pace
The three-week gap between Visits 21 (December 13) and 22 (January 10) encompasses the Christmas and New Year's holiday period when construction traditionally slows or stops. That the cabinet delivery and installation occurred immediately in early January suggests good builder coordination—the Omega manufacturing delay that dominated December was resolved, and installation crews were scheduled to start the first working week of the new year. This timing is strategic: getting cabinets in place early January enables countertop template by mid-month, fabrication through late January, and installation by early February. The rapid progress visible in this single three-week period (complete cabinet installation plus closet system plus exterior landscaping start) indicates the builder is now pushing hard toward completion, likely with multiple trades working simultaneously.
Critical Path: Clear Road to Completion
With kitchen cabinets installed, the critical path is now straightforward and predictable. The remaining work follows a well-defined sequence with minimal interdependencies. Based on current status and typical trade lead times, completion is achievable in 4-6 weeks.
Immediate Next Steps (Week of January 13-17)
- Countertop template THIS WEEK — With cabinets in place as of January 10, fabricator should template by end of this week; Friday January 17 is realistic target; every day matters for fabrication schedule (CRITICAL—must happen this week).
- Cabinet hardware and final adjustments — Door and drawer pulls, any needed hinge adjustments, final leveling checks; installer may return for punch list items; 1-2 days concurrent with other work.
- Plumbing rough-in verification — Plumber verifies all sink locations, appliance connections, confirms rough-ins match final cabinet/countertop layout before fabrication begins.
- Electrical final in non-kitchen areas — Outlets, switches, fixtures in bathrooms, bedrooms, basement can all be completed while countertops are in fabrication; maximize parallel work.
Fabrication Period (January 20 - February 3)
- Countertop fabrication: 10-14 business days — Assuming template by January 17, fabrication occupies most of late January; typical timeline is 12 business days without delays; shop may have January backlog from holiday-delayed projects but should be clearing now.
- Kitchen island stone: fabricated concurrently — Island slab selected at quarry in December; fabricates as part of same order; install occurs same day as main countertops.
- Parallel work maximization window — This 2-week fabrication period is THE opportunity to complete all non-countertop work: bathroom fixtures, basement flooring, interior door hardware, closet accessories, light fixtures, final paint touch-ups, appliance staging.
Installation Sprint (February 3-14)
- Countertop installation: February 3-4 — Full day for templated countertops plus island; requires plumber immediately available for sink hookups; once installed, kitchen reaches 90% completion.
- Kitchen backsplash tile: February 5-6 — If tile backsplash is specified (not visible in photos); 1-2 days for installation, grout, seal; often occurs day after countertops.
- Kitchen flooring: February 7-10 — Hardwood installation in kitchen and connecting areas; 3-4 days including acclimation; likely matches rest of house; can occur immediately after countertops as stone mess is contained.
- Kitchen appliance installation: February 11-12 — Range, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave installation and hookup; electrician and plumber coordinate; gas line connection for range if applicable; requires all adjacent work complete.
- Final plumbing fixtures: February 12-13 — Bathroom faucets, shower trim, toilet accessories, any remaining hookups; 1-2 days for complete home.
- Final electrical and hardware: February 13-14 — Remaining switch plates, outlet covers, door hardware, closet accessories, any punch list items from earlier electrical work.
Inspection and Closeout (February 17-21)
- Punch list walk-through: February 17 — Builder walks entire home with checklist; identifies touch-ups, adjustments, missing items; creates final task list.
- Punch list execution: February 18-19 — Painters for touch-ups, trim carpenters for adjustments, any outstanding minor items; thorough cleaning.
- Final inspections scheduled: February 19 — Request all finals: building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, gas (if applicable); Loudoun County requires 3-5 days lead time minimum.
- Final inspections occur: February 20-21 — All inspectors visit; any deficiencies identified and corrected immediately; re-inspection if needed adds 2-3 days.
- Certificate of Occupancy: February 24-25 — Issued once all inspections pass; legal authorization to occupy; project complete.
Issues & Watchlist
- CRITICAL: Countertop template must occur this week (by Jan 17) — Template date determines everything else; with cabinets done Friday Jan 10, fabricator should be scheduled for Friday Jan 17 at latest; confirm template appointment by Monday Jan 13 (HIGHEST PRIORITY).
- Fabrication shop lead time in January — Shops may still have backlog from holiday-delayed projects; verify 10-12 day fabrication timeline; if fabricator quotes 14-16 days, pushes completion to late February (verify immediately).
- Flooring coordination critical — Hardwood installer must be pre-booked for early February (week of Feb 7); don't wait until countertops are in to schedule; flooring is often 2-3 week lead time in winter (book now).
- Appliance delivery confirmation — Verify all appliances are in stock at local distributor or builder's warehouse; do NOT rely on "available to order"; February shipping can be slow; arrange for pickup if necessary (confirm this week).
- Inspection scheduling proactive booking — Contact Loudoun County building department by February 10 to understand current inspection backlog and schedule finals for February 20-21 target; February can be slow due to weather impacts on construction (plan ahead).
- Parallel work execution NOW — With countertops in fabrication late January, all non-kitchen work should be completed: bathroom fixtures, basement flooring, electrical finals, hardware, accessories; this is the window (urgent coordination).
- Weather impacts on exterior work minimal — Remaining exterior items (final landscaping, mailbox, house numbers, any touch-ups) are non-critical to CO; can be completed after move-in if needed (lower priority).
- Generator installation separate timeline — Gas generator installation noted in permits is separate contract, separate inspector, not required for CO; likely occurs after occupancy (no impact on completion).
Completion Forecast
| Scenario | Estimated Completion | Key Assumptions | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimistic | February 24-26, 2026 (~Feb 25) |
Template Fri Jan 17; fabrication 10 days completing Feb 3; install Feb 4; kitchen flooring Feb 7-9; all appliances/fixtures Feb 10-13; punch list Feb 17-18; inspections Feb 20-21 all pass first attempt; CO Feb 24-25; assumes perfect execution with no delays or re-inspections | 75th percentile |
| Baseline | Late Feb to Early March (~Feb 28) |
Template Jan 17; fabrication 12 days completing Feb 5; install Feb 6-7; flooring Feb 10-12; appliances/fixtures Feb 13-17; punch list Feb 18-20; inspections Feb 21-24 with one minor re-inspection; CO Feb 27-28; typical execution with small coordination lags and one inspection issue | 50th percentile ⭐ MOST LIKELY |
| Conservative | Early-to-Mid March (~Mar 7) |
Template delayed to Jan 20-21; fabrication 14 days with backlog completing Feb 10; install Feb 12-13; flooring installer unavailable until Feb 17; flooring Feb 17-19; appliance delivery delayed; fixtures Feb 20-24; punch list reveals multiple items Feb 25-27; inspection scheduling lag to early March; one re-inspection required; CO Mar 7-10 | 25th percentile |
Critical path sequence from today (Jan 10): Countertop template (1 day, must occur by Jan 17) → fabrication (10-14 business days, Jan 20-Feb 3) → installation (1-2 days, Feb 3-6) → kitchen flooring (3-4 days, Feb 7-12) → appliances (2-3 days, Feb 11-14) → final fixtures (2-3 days, Feb 12-17) → punch list (2-3 days, Feb 17-20) → final inspections (2-4 days with scheduling, Feb 20-24) → CO (Feb 24-28). Total: 25-38 days from today, depending on execution quality and inspection scheduling.
Monte Carlo methodology: 10,000-iteration simulation modeling fabrication lead time variability (10-16 days), January backlog probability (30% of shops still clearing December delays), flooring contractor availability (2-3 week scheduling in winter), appliance delivery timing (in-stock vs. ordered), inspection scheduling lag (Loudoun County Feb-March typical 4-6 day lead time), re-inspection probability (15-20% for first-time CO), and punch list completion time (2-5 days depending on scope). Optimistic (75th percentile) assumes template this week, fast fabricator (10 days), pre-booked trades, and clean inspections. Baseline (50th percentile) incorporates typical 12-day fabrication, minor coordination lags adding 3-4 days total, and one inspection re-visit. Conservative (25th percentile) models template delay, fabrication backlog (14-16 days), February trade scheduling conflicts, and inspection complications. Probability-weighted completion average: February 28, 2026 (±6 days).