I certainly sympathize with your predicament - I would be the same way. But maybe think of it like buying a spec house that you caught before the finishes were chosen? You get to pick out carpet, flooring, counters but have to leave everything else up to the builder. Our neighbors were in a similar situation except they were building while in Germany!

And waiting to build and moving twice.....ugh, I would be happier doing it the way you are than moving twice.

And sometimes in life, you just gotta do what you gotta do. Best of luck!

You're close than we are at 12 hours from the home we're undertaking..I envy you!

Edit to add: Why at 5 hours tho will you only be able to visit once or twice? Would seem to me I'd be up there every weekend...or every other weekend easy. Its not an uncomfortable drive distance necessarily.

This post was edited by niteshadepromises on Sat, Feb 23, 13 at 1:14

I agree with niteshade. At least one of you should be there every weekend to check on things, hopefully without the kids to distract you. Also, the building site is not a safe place for young children.

Anne

A long distance build is easier if you are a visual person. Having a great builder is another plus, but if you are not happy with the layout or some quirk when it's done, it may be too late to change.

We built a large summer home in the CO mountains long distance from AL. Wasn't easy, and several trips were made during the build to see in person. With the internet and cell phones, you can certainly get pictures easily and often. But nothing beats being there in person.

Only 5 hours away, one of you could go more often.

Have you seen a finished model of the plan you have chosen? If no, then you would probably want to visit more often. Just by walking through while the framing is being completed will give you flow. Before the mechanicals start, you can reroute plumbing and electrical should you decide to change a wall, a door location or make a closet larger.

Once the mechanicals are done, I think it was on the kitchen forum that they suggested you take pictures of all the mechanicals in the walls before the sheet rock goes up. You'll know where everything is located. You can also remind them to use blocking for the areas of the bathrooms where you want to hang towel racks.

How many of his houses have you seen? Someone who knows you'll be visiting will probably be more diligent. It's the old adage, people do what you inspect, not what you expect.

My parents built in FL while still in the Northeast, but they had a very good friend in the new neighborhood who checked every day. He found plenty of issues that needed immediate calls and photos to my parents. At 5 hours away I would be there at least every other weekend.

I was just thinking with today's modern conveniences you could set up a "skype" conference with your builder now then. Good communication is key so it should be fine!

Good Luck!