I don't know how these drywall guys stand it...but they have done a great job despite all the mud and mess.

When this 2,000 sq ft garage was first visualized, the intention was to keep it unfinished so that all plumbing and electrical pathways would be accessible. Well, the Blount County Board of Supervisors changed all that this year when it decided a garage space like this had to be at least partially drywalled and fireproofed.

What happened is that several local homeowners died in fires directly related to modern-date vehicles that suddenly burst into flames while parked in a residential garage.

According to this new code, our garage ceilings and foyer walls thus had to be fireproofed since vehicles were going to be parked in the adjacent garage space. This is to add fire protection to the living spaces which, of course, makes sense especially if you drive one of these modern day hot rods (which we don't).

In one fell swoop Blount Co seriously upped the anti for new homeowners.

At any rate, once all the ceilings are drywalled in, why stop there? That was our thinking. Hence, all the garage walls were drywalled in for esthetics if nothing else. Do count your pennies because this costs A LOT. Indeed, you might want to rethink your garage plans.

This is a classic example of the COST-PLUS quote system that befalls new home construction. No one really calls it that, especially the general contractor. (It's another one of those unspeakables, Dr. Ellen says). This kind of quote system is typically used in government contracts, where the government absorbs over-run costs associated with a firm's research and development. In other words, the government pays their bid cost as well as all R&D over-run costs.

The homeower, however, pays for every iteration to the original bid from their general contractor. The homeowner not only absorbs all research and development, but they also asborb the mistakes that subcontractors make all along the way.

So expect interations galore, and then some. You will also have days, like us, when your contractor laughs and suggests you just write him a blank check and be done with it! (Cough)

You should be so lucky, Bob.

Building a house, you see, is not just about building a house. We're talking about LIFE here. The important stuff! The reasons why some of us go to our graves earlier than others, hmmmm?

But who would know? Luckily we have a comprehensive photographic record of the house's internal systems.

Care to paint, anyone?

However...how lucky we were to make those 12-ft high ceilings to begin with! All that ceiling work has seriously compromised this otherwise gorgeous garage space.

Dr. Ellen wonders about that, and actually doesn't agree...not in a house like this with such expansive ceilings. Wait until you see HER room...are you also a chocolate lover?

About those white specs: The camera lens inadvertantly focuses on DUST particles floating in the air, mostly from all the drywall work in these enclosed spaces. And this is after numerous aggressive sessions with a vacuum!