That staircase is definitely not wide enough and putting the proper width stairs makes it look finished. Everyone agrees that those tiny steps don't look proportional. Everything else looks really great.
As much as I loved seeing your shop and all the creativity there, I am SO happy to hear you happy and singing on a beautiful day. Continue to follow your dreams and we're happy to go along vicariously! Thank you for sharing.
Yeah, definitely need to go with the longer boards on the stairs! It’s a gorgeous house and he has done a great job but those small stairs look kind of silly and they’re definitely not practical
Yes! Need those full stairs, and I hope those aren't the final plans for the back stairs to the deck. Like you, I feel that shouldn't be the final plans for them. I LOVE this property! Surprises, beautiful land and surroundings, amazing house! I'm just so darn excited for you! Couldn't be happening for better people!
Cistern for capturing runoff? The stairs are dinky. Your example is absolutely right. Steps should fill the space between the house & 1st porch post. The stairs installed look like something in a trailer park. Are they even underpinned by concrete pads or piers? If not they'll sink in the mud next spring thaw season. Cutting corners at the end of a project is very tempting for ppl who have the next job underway.
LOL! Yeah - you totally get the feeling of "I WANT OUTTA HERE, NOW!" I though the same thing. And about the cement footings, too. i would actually make cement stairs with that weather. The light wells for the basement windows are weird, too. They remind me of animal troughs cut in half. Won't they fill up with snow? Can they drain?
@@celieneohara521 My parents have window wells also. There are translucent covers made for them and usually a French drain around the outside of the foundation for draining water. It works well as long as the property is not subject to flooding.
Alex, I agree about the steps needing to be longer with a more grand entrance. I would take a photo of what you did for your step idea and show it to your contractor. That way he can see what you are wanting, and can occommodate you.
Great update video Brother Alexander!! The mystery of the hole in the yard. Great work on Your grass seeding. Thanks for sharing Your Adventures 😀 👍 ♥️ 🇨🇦🇺🇸🌎🎉🎉🎉🎉👏👏👏👏🎉🎉🎉🎉💯💯💯💯
As to the steps... Consider continuous steps completely around both porch/deck structures, even if you have hand rails at the porch's edge. That would allow a ton of creativity for potted plants,, and as a visual foundation to hanging baskets.
Absolutely agree with you on this. Was thinking the same about the back deck on continuous steps. I can picture potted shrubs, flowers, places for people to sit and enjoy being outside. Walking back up from a stroll, swim, will have great look also, better balance.
Everything is looking good but Alex, I'm with you about the main entry steps, I also thought they must be temporary. Good call Alex. Oh yeah, loved the little song. 👍🏻
I think I would put a pool tent over the pool. Like a big greenhouse, so it keeps it clean and it will be warmer in there in the cold weather. Another underground bunker for Alex! To bad it wasn't an old bunker, with an old cot and things. I agree about the steps. They should start all the way over to edge of the porch by the door and all the way to the post. They should also be deeper steps. You've got this fancy house with a nice porch, you need nice steps with matching railings. The way you have the boards down on the steps is what I think looks right too. Another day of adventures and fun! Thank you!
Yes, Alex, on your plan for the stairs. You want a grand entry stairway there, or it degrades the beauty of your new home. Also, your back steps need to be that wide, too. You will have people running up and down to go to the pool, play in the backyard, etc., so you need wider access and egress from your back (and front) door entries.
Or build a Pool House with an outdoor kitchen, outdoor shower, a changing room, and even a bathroom so you don't have to go all the way to the house if nature calls. It looks like there is plenty of room for a decent sized Pool House along with a Pool deck addition so you could have a shaded cover area next or attached to the Pool house. It could be next spring/summers project :). I didn't catch how many acres their property is but it looks to be at least 5 acres, probably more. In a few years, they should have a few grandchildren that would love to go over to the Grandparents house to play in the pool and also play in the huge yard.
Lol, I planted a huge area for the bees and butterflies and sad to say hardly any of it came up. I had mixes for butterflies, bees, and hummers. It was intended to be a wild flowering area specifically for them and all pollinators. It represented a whole lot of work for not very much bang for the buck. I’d say I got less than 25% germination.
It's a old septic tank or cistern. Yes, steps looked wimpy. They should look grand. Lastly, PUT STRAW OVER THE GRASS SEED!!! It will make a world of difference!
I hate to be the one to tell you but most people know that when you put just dry grass seed down and the rain comes it will just wash it away. Plus the birds love to eat like you put down a banquet for them 😅❗ I mean I'm just sayin.
Those stairs are obviously way too small for such a beautiful huge house. An obvious big mistake. Alex's idea makes more sense (smart). Alex has an eye for everything, congrats.
Great video as usual Alexander! I really don't understand why they have to build the small steps first knowing that's NOT what you want plus you're so right about them being way to small! At least you didn't find any bones or skeletons underground. Plus I so loved seeing you singing again! Have an awesome week love you bunches!!!
When you showed us the steps, I too thought they were temporarily, at least I hoped so because they certainly weren’t adequate for this type of house! Very cheap and sketchy looking. I’m surprised Drupad would ok something like that! And yes, the example you put up are 1,000% better. I’m surprised there isn’t some kind of solid base/foundation to build the stairs on tho.
Definitely agree with you on the front steps. Moreover, as a future project, consider going with Kentucky Bluestone. I believe This Old House has an episode showing how they used Kentucky Bluestone for front steps.
What a beautiful estate, love the family energy and their many blessings. This channel has always given me a sense of normalcy which is sorely lacking elsewhere.
Your right it looks better with the bigger steps. You deserve everything you have. Your such a beautiful family and you all have helped so many people. Thank you. God blesses those who bless others. May everything turn out the way you plan.
Okay so you need to do a podcast or record an album or something-what a beautiful voice! Maybe a series of RUclips shows of you exploring small Canadian towns, learning about their history, seeing if they have old abandoned buildings to explore or folks who want to sell their collected stuff. You kinda do that already on some episodes
The builder’s steps define “builder’s grade,” meaning the lowest possible grade you can get away with. Funny, I had thought his builder cared about quality, but I no longer do.
I know it would cost WAY more, but you need nice hard scape steps! Pennsylvania blue stone. Wide, and sturdy. Make them end down on a blue stone landing leading to a sidewalk that connects to the asphalt driveway!
Loved the video. So many priceless moments. Singing, the reveal of a secret septic tank, sowing grass seed, and yes, the steps should be proportional to the front entrance. Great job and fun to watch.
Another idea: a rock staircase that flows down the front porch built with rocks that match your other exterior rock. But I can't wait to see what you come up with. Oh, another idea is another 'flowing" rock stair case that puddles into your back yard from the outside deck would look stunning.
Grass seed is always tricky. When I was trained to sell it, I had to remind customers to water their lawn after application, regardless if rain was coming in a few days or not. Doing a quick hose down of the raw lawn before the rain comes should help its growing process speed up even quicker, especially with all that sun you're getting.
It gets more awesome and amazing every day! Super jelly for the pool & hot tub. Going to be a lot of hard work, but my goodness what a home to be proud of!
You have a great singing voice! And you two look so happy. So glad you Re-engineered your life to be simpler and you have time for your family AND yourself!
It would be expensive, but I was thinking of steps veneered in the same stone as the front of the garage. Since they were unable to have part stone porch posts, stone steps would tie the two elements together. Just my thoughts, but I am not the one paying the bills.
Yes, wood gets slippery in snow, can be gouged easily when shoveling or chopping snow and ice and it just doesn’t hold up well to a lot of traffic. Let it weather, it just looks old and worn, paint it and the paint chips. Concrete is the only way to go.
Have you considered having a clover lawn as oppossed to all that grass or wild flower meadows with a smaller grass area. Lawn is so expensive ecologically, environmentally and money wise as well.
Melissa needs her butterfly/bee wildflower area 💗- my neighbor did his front yard in clover (specifically bred seed to replace grass) - few flowers, grows about 3-4 inches high so only has to cut 2-3 times during season instead of every 7-10 days - erosion control, adds nutrients to the soil (less fertilizer needs) stays green even during hot summers here in Michigan - a win/win
I love you bursting into song every now and then. You absolutely have the voice for it, and I'm always feeling better when you sing :D I suppose you do too. 🎶
You kinda sounded like Sinatra for a moment. I like how the bag said "Overseeding helps crowd out weeds." It's almost like they're begging you to keep buying seed whether you need it or not.
Wider for people and maybe some potted plants as well. Put in some more supports underneath you won’t regret it. The place looks like it will be the warm, welcoming and fun home for you all for many years!
I think the front stairs are part of the surprise so I would just wait 😀 because Dhrupad has done a Fantatic job so far... Also try and get someone to pressure wash the slabs around the pool, you've probably thought of that!
Definately bigger stairs on the front! Maybe ask for full length stairs on the back deck as well. Builder should have asked you before building stairs, if they weren't in the plans. Loved the singing!!
The wider steps are definitely better. Feels more welcoming too.
Totally agree. Those steps are very disproportionate to the entrance.
That staircase is definitely not wide enough and putting the proper width stairs makes it look finished. Everyone agrees that those tiny steps don't look proportional. Everything else looks really great.
And hopefully around the back as well
Looks more appealing to eyes with wider steps room for flowers and dogs cats
“Allow” you Alex? It’s your home, your money. Ultimately your decision.
As much as I loved seeing your shop and all the creativity there, I am SO happy to hear you happy and singing on a beautiful day. Continue to follow your dreams and we're happy to go along vicariously! Thank you for sharing.
Yeah, definitely need to go with the longer boards on the stairs! It’s a gorgeous house and he has done a great job but those small stairs look kind of silly and they’re definitely not practical
What a treat for you to sing to us!
Glad Melissa has some bulbs to plant. It's just in our soul to plant & nurture. ♡
Yes! Need those full stairs, and I hope those aren't the final plans for the back stairs to the deck. Like you, I feel that shouldn't be the final plans for them. I LOVE this property! Surprises, beautiful land and surroundings, amazing house! I'm just so darn excited for you! Couldn't be happening for better people!
They do look like a temporary set - I was amazed when he said they’re the final ones.
Yes, longer steps needed out back also.
So much fun and many adventures. I agree with the steps. The larger ones add so much class.
Cistern for capturing runoff? The stairs are dinky. Your example is absolutely right. Steps should fill the space between the house & 1st porch post. The stairs installed look like something in a trailer park. Are they even underpinned by concrete pads or piers? If not they'll sink in the mud next spring thaw season. Cutting corners at the end of a project is very tempting for ppl who have the next job underway.
LOL! Yeah - you totally get the feeling of "I WANT OUTTA HERE, NOW!" I though the same thing. And about the cement footings, too. i would actually make cement stairs with that weather. The light wells for the basement windows are weird, too. They remind me of animal troughs cut in half. Won't they fill up with snow? Can they drain?
@@celieneohara521 My parents have window wells also. There are translucent covers made for them and usually a French drain around the outside of the foundation for draining water. It works well as long as the property is not subject to flooding.
Yea those things around the basement windows look weird
They are common in the Rockies.
@@marygale740 common in Minnesota too. And I seem to recall seeing them a lot in Michigan.
That looks like an old cystern to collect rain water! Very cool folks
Stairs will look way better once redone. Good idea!
I really enjoyed your song this morning I hope you have a beautiful lawn after all the hard work you are putting in on it
What a lovely place you have 👍 a nice place for a nice family, God bless!
Totally agree with you about the steps! Much better wider.
I agree about the stairs.
I also love the song!! What a multi-talented guy you are Alexander!
Alex,
I agree about the steps needing to be longer with a more grand entrance. I would take a photo of what you did for your step idea and show it to your contractor. That way he can see what you are wanting, and can occommodate you.
I agree with you about the front steps, and I think the back deck would look nice with steps that wrap all the way around.
Great update video Brother Alexander!! The mystery of the hole in the yard. Great work on Your grass seeding. Thanks for sharing Your Adventures 😀 👍 ♥️ 🇨🇦🇺🇸🌎🎉🎉🎉🎉👏👏👏👏🎉🎉🎉🎉💯💯💯💯
Your property is just stunning.. The view.. Love it!
As to the steps...
Consider continuous steps completely around both porch/deck structures, even if you have hand rails at the porch's edge. That would allow a ton of creativity for potted plants,, and as a visual foundation to hanging baskets.
Absolutely agree with you on this. Was thinking the same about the back deck on continuous steps. I can picture potted shrubs, flowers, places for people to sit and enjoy being outside. Walking back up from a stroll, swim, will have great look also, better balance.
That’s totally what I thought too!
You are correct in your assessment of the narrow steps. They MUST be wider.
Everything is looking good but Alex, I'm with you about the main entry steps, I also thought they must be temporary. Good call Alex.
Oh yeah, loved the little song. 👍🏻
The back steps also need to be longer!
I think I would put a pool tent over the pool. Like a big greenhouse, so it keeps it clean and it will be warmer in there in the cold weather. Another underground bunker for Alex! To bad it wasn't an old bunker, with an old cot and things. I agree about the steps. They should start all the way over to edge of the porch by the door and all the way to the post. They should also be deeper steps. You've got this fancy house with a nice porch, you need nice steps with matching railings. The way you have the boards down on the steps is what I think looks right too. Another day of adventures and fun! Thank you!
Always good to see you and Melissa, and then you sang a little bit of a love song! Very apropos!!!
Yes, Alex, on your plan for the stairs. You want a grand entry stairway there, or it degrades the beauty of your new home. Also, your back steps need to be that wide, too. You will have people running up and down to go to the pool, play in the backyard, etc., so you need wider access and egress from your back (and front) door entries.
Nice short walk to the kitchen from the pool Alex? Wow, you need to install a Zip-Line between them.
Great idea 👌 He just might do it!!!
I was thinking in terms of a Toonerville Trolley. LOL.
Or build a Pool House with an outdoor kitchen, outdoor shower, a changing room, and even a bathroom so you don't have to go all the way to the house if nature calls. It looks like there is plenty of room for a decent sized Pool House along with a Pool deck addition so you could have a shaded cover area next or attached to the Pool house.
It could be next spring/summers project :).
I didn't catch how many acres their property is but it looks to be at least 5 acres, probably more.
In a few years, they should have a few grandchildren that would love to go over to the Grandparents house to play in the pool and also play in the huge yard.
Looks like quite a long walk to the pool.
For the front steps I would make the steps out of granite steps. This would make the front look fantastic.
Looking good but I agree with you the wider planks look much better x
Great video kids!
Absolutely correct on the steps. The others were way too small. You did it exactly like I would want. To me it clear they should have been bigger.
Yes, you are definitely right. The ten foot boards are the way to go.
You do it the way you like . It's you and your wife house. Love your channel keep up the good work.
Lol, I planted a huge area for the bees and butterflies and sad to say hardly any of it came up. I had mixes for butterflies, bees, and hummers. It was intended to be a wild flowering area specifically for them and all pollinators. It represented a whole lot of work for not very much bang for the buck. I’d say I got less than 25% germination.
It's a good thing that you are able to be on hand for the build. Your call was spot on about the steps.
I couldn’t agree more about the steps. The blue exterior colour definitely was a good decision. So far, so good!
Your sacrifice and hard work have paid off. How exciting!
Hi Alex you have amazing voice.
Your beautiful singing voice, gives me chills! Incredible. The house is spectacular!
Property looks great, steps definitely looked way too small, I thought they were temporary too. You’ll make it look nice Alex ♥️
You're so right about the steps.
It's a old septic tank or cistern. Yes, steps looked wimpy. They should look grand. Lastly, PUT STRAW OVER THE GRASS SEED!!! It will make a world of difference!
.... peat moss, lightly over the seed ... It will help alot !!!
I hate to be the one to tell you but most people know that when you put just dry grass seed down and the rain comes it will just wash it away. Plus the birds love to eat like you put down a banquet for them 😅❗ I mean I'm just sayin.
You were right about the steps!! You both have a good eye for detail.
Those stairs are obviously way too small for such a beautiful huge house. An obvious big mistake. Alex's idea makes more sense (smart). Alex has an eye for everything, congrats.
Great video as usual Alexander! I really don't understand why they have to build the small steps first knowing that's NOT what you want plus you're so right about them being way to small! At least you didn't find any bones or skeletons underground. Plus I so loved seeing you singing again! Have an awesome week love you bunches!!!
@@justmeiniowa Oh ok thank you for your reply I can understand now but that's to bad. I'm sure it'll look great after it's all done.
You know maybe they didn't really build the steps. they kind of look like pre-made "trailer/mobile home" steps.
When you showed us the steps, I too thought they were temporarily, at least I hoped so because they certainly weren’t adequate for this type of house! Very cheap and sketchy looking. I’m surprised Drupad would ok something like that! And yes, the example you put up are 1,000% better. I’m surprised there isn’t some kind of solid base/foundation to build the stairs on tho.
Wow! So much happiness!! Have a great day Alex! I think a curve to the steps would look nice!
You are so right about those steps. Your contractor should have asked you before going ahead with the steps.
Your whole lives are an adventure. Sure is fun and exciting to watch lately ,well ,always actually.
Definitely agree with you on the front steps. Moreover, as a future project, consider going with Kentucky Bluestone.
I believe This Old House has an episode showing how they used Kentucky Bluestone for front steps.
That sounds right to grace the house.
Or stone that matches the front of the garage.
The house is beautiful. Fantastic backyard with pool and hot tub.
What a beautiful estate, love the family energy and their many blessings. This channel has always given me a sense of normalcy which is sorely lacking elsewhere.
Way, way better. Needs a rail around porch and on the stairs too. No use cutting corners now ... at the end.
Another hatch in your yard? Omg. I could not rest till I uncovered this mystery!
Yes, loved the little song😊😊😊
Much better with the wider steps.
Yup, you are right about the steps. Your home is beautiful. Enjoy!
You definitely need to improve the stairs for both the front & back yard!
I thought the back deck should be centered an wider too
Beautiful glass mosaic on the front door
I think the steps you have in mind will be perfect. Xx
Alex - Love the singing!...🎶
I agree the front stairs need to be wider to look and function better.
Your right it looks better with the bigger steps. You deserve everything you have. Your such a beautiful family and you all have helped so many people. Thank you. God blesses those who bless others. May everything turn out the way you plan.
Okay so you need to do a podcast or record an album or something-what a beautiful voice! Maybe a series of RUclips shows of you exploring small Canadian towns, learning about their history, seeing if they have old abandoned buildings to explore or folks who want to sell their collected stuff. You kinda do that already on some episodes
Stairs have to be bigger!!! Love your house and property! I am so excited for you all!!!
Totally agree with the front steps Alexander! You got so much done on the property... Can't wait to see the final reveal💖
The builder’s steps define “builder’s grade,” meaning the lowest possible grade you can get away with.
Funny, I had thought his builder cared about quality, but I no longer do.
👏🏼👏🏼Lovely to hear you singing again!!😁
I think you are right with the staps. These are much too small! It will probably be fine,in the end..🙏🏻🥰
See you soon in your new house!
I know it would cost WAY more, but you need nice hard scape steps! Pennsylvania blue stone. Wide, and sturdy. Make them end down on a blue stone landing leading to a sidewalk that connects to the asphalt driveway!
Good to hear you sounding a lot more cheerful! The changes to your work / life balance are right for you
The wider “steps” look wonderful…….absolutely needed. The house looks wonderful!
You are correct, your width for the steps is right and it needs changed.
Wow! Almost as exciting as watching the opening of Al Capone's vault with Geraldo! Your new home is beautiful, love it!
Yes the bigger steps are sooo much better
Loved the video. So many priceless moments. Singing, the reveal of a secret septic tank, sowing grass seed, and yes, the steps should be proportional to the front entrance. Great job and fun to watch.
Another idea: a rock staircase that flows down the front porch built with rocks that match your other exterior rock. But I can't wait to see what you come up with. Oh, another idea is another 'flowing" rock stair case that puddles into your back yard from the outside deck would look stunning.
Agree, wider steps, front and back. Looking forward to the big reveal, as I know you are. Really enjoy your adventures.
Grass seed is always tricky. When I was trained to sell it, I had to remind customers to water their lawn after application, regardless if rain was coming in a few days or not. Doing a quick hose down of the raw lawn before the rain comes should help its growing process speed up even quicker, especially with all that sun you're getting.
we watered twice a day .You are supposed to keep it wet. Straw over the seed would be great also
It gets more awesome and amazing every day! Super jelly for the pool & hot tub. Going to be a lot of hard work, but my goodness what a home to be proud of!
You need a good wide set of concrete stairs so they can be scraped and shoveled in winter. Wood will just get slippery and dinged up.
Concrete is definitely the best choice.
You have a great singing voice! And you two look so happy. So glad you Re-engineered your life to be simpler and you have time for your family AND yourself!
You should consider having cement steps for the front.
It would be expensive, but I was thinking of steps veneered in the same stone as the front of the garage. Since they were unable to have part stone porch posts, stone steps would tie the two elements together. Just my thoughts, but I am not the one paying the bills.
@@danielulz1640 I totally agree. Having the stone on just the right side of the house, with nothing on the left to balance it out, looks odd.
Yes, wood gets slippery in snow, can be gouged easily when shoveling or chopping snow and ice and it just doesn’t hold up well to a lot of traffic. Let it weather, it just looks old and worn, paint it and the paint chips. Concrete is the only way to go.
Great idea Alex the wider steps look so much more balanced out more attractive to the look of the house 🏠
Have you considered having a clover lawn as oppossed to all that grass or wild flower meadows with a smaller grass area. Lawn is so expensive ecologically, environmentally and money wise as well.
Melissa needs her butterfly/bee wildflower area 💗- my neighbor did his front yard in clover (specifically bred seed to replace grass) - few flowers, grows about 3-4 inches high so only has to cut 2-3 times during season instead of every 7-10 days - erosion control, adds nutrients to the soil (less fertilizer needs) stays green even during hot summers here in Michigan - a win/win
Birds will love the grass seed buffet you've laid out for them!
18:00 - I was expecting *stone* steps!
Thank you, Alex. I have enjoyed this episode very much.
I love you bursting into song every now and then. You absolutely have the voice for it, and I'm always feeling better when you sing :D I suppose you do too. 🎶
Such a gorgeous piece of property! The last video I watched was garage colors. OMG. The progress! Congratulations. Enjoy!!
You kinda sounded like Sinatra for a moment. I like how the bag said "Overseeding helps crowd out weeds." It's almost like they're begging you to keep buying seed whether you need it or not.
I, too, thought those steps were temporary. I’m glad you got that addressed.
Wow! You are truly a crooner. You need to sing more often.
you are 100% correct about the steps
So beautiful! As I watch you in Grande Prairie,Ab it’s -2 and there is snow sitting on our ground…..again.🙁
My fav fam. Yes, the stairs need to be as you want them. They will look 100% better. Love you
So right about your steps, definitely needs to have it look the way you want, not just functional but beautiful as the house.
Wider for people and maybe some potted plants as well. Put in some more supports underneath you won’t regret it. The place looks like it will be the warm, welcoming and fun home for you all for many years!
I think the front stairs are part of the surprise so I would just wait 😀 because Dhrupad has done a Fantatic job so far...
Also try and get someone to pressure wash the slabs around the pool, you've probably thought of that!
Came for the power washing the concrete around the pool a area comment.
Fyi, that would be Mr. Dhrupad Shah of DPAD Homes, Edmonton. Your guess was close! ;)
@@babawali3021 thank you, have corrected the spelling in my comment 😀
@@weemarie1137 Thanks for your thank you! 👍
They looked like temporary steps! Thank goodness your changing it!!!!
You deserve any special items you have worked so hard at to furnish for your wonderful family and it makes me smile to see all your progress .
Yes your idea of steps is definately much better it does look more grand and fits the outside entrance better
Definately bigger stairs on the front! Maybe ask for full length stairs on the back deck as well. Builder should have asked you before building stairs, if they weren't in the plans. Loved the singing!!
Your idea on the steps makes the entrance look more inviting!