The dream location in the archipelago in Kristinehamn
The beautiful scenery, forest, lake and beach were truly breathtaking and it was love at first sight! Out in the archipelago in Kristinehamn we found our little oasis in the middle of Sweden after a visit here on our holiday. There were several plots for sale and we could choose from many different ones – we chose a corner plot that was over 2,600 sqm large and only a minute from the lake and the beach.
A few years later we were told that all plots had been sold and that our plot was especially sought after so we are glad we were first 
The plot is perfectly located so that we have sun on the back yard almost all day. In addition, there is a wonderful wildlife all around with lots of trees and animals.
Choice of housing developer
Before we found our dream plot, we had talked for a long time about buying land and building a house. That is why we were at Hem & Villamässan long before and had already met a number of suppliers there. We had best connection with Myresjöhus and really fell in love with some of their houses.
Building permit and choice of house
We got help from Myresjöhus with a new construction map and drawings including a sauna house and carport, which we thought was very flexible. When we sent in the building permit application, I thought it would take a very long time as we also had to supplement with more info about the carport. Luckily it did not take too long and within 8 weeks we got an approved building permit.
We had a very hard time deciding on a house style – there were so many nice ones! Sloping house, 1.5-storey villa, New England, manor house style, etc. In the end, we fell for a mix between Milton and Båstad with a ridge roof. We wanted to get a lot of west coast feeling but at the same time a house that fit into the area. Once we had chosen a house, we still wanted to make changes so we started redrawing, changing, undoing, etc. This process was both really fun and difficult!
Other planning for the site
Once the house planning was complete, we could start sketching the plot planning. We wanted a small lawn but at the same time keep as much forest plot as possible so that it would feel like a real natural plot. At the end of the plot facing the lake, there was a wood-fired sauna house of 15 sqm with relaxation room and large windows.
Behind the house we planned for the garden with a small lawn and a large wooden deck where we wanted to be able to fit with relaxation furniture, barbecue and wood-fired hot tub. At the entrance we planned a small wooden deck where we can sit and enjoy the morning sun.
To the left of the house we sketched in a double carport with storage. Later on we are also planning for a small house that has a gym for me and a music studio for my husband 😊
Interior Options
There were really a lot of choices we needed to make and down to the smallest detail, quite difficult when you do not see the whole in front of you. The part where we invested the most was the kitchen and it eventually became a rustic kitchen with a lot of work space. We had a very good kitchen architect at HTH Jönköping so it felt very safe and good.
In the large bathroom we chose dark furniture and a free standing bath where we thought we would have many candles. We also chose a dark floor and a background wall in dark stone with a lot of structure in marble.
In the toilet / shower we chose white polished stones on the floor and a white facade for the tile where we decorated with white furniture.
The ground begins to be prepared and construction begins
At the beginning of April 2016, the ground began to be prepared. Myresjö hus took care of all the work when it came to the house, but we also did a lot of work ourselves, such as the foundation for the sauna house and carport, construction of the sauna house and carport, garden facility and construction of wooden decks and fences.
Inspection
Now it is starting to move in and about 2 weeks before the final inspection we had a control inspection. All rooms and bathrooms were ok except for a few small things. However, we had a problem with the boiler in the laundry room, someone had made a mistake and pipes were pulled a little tight, which caused the tiler to have to make a small heel around, which meant that the boiler did not fit. They removed some of the tiles on the wall to penetrate it, which did not go well and there was a remark on it. They presented different solutions to fix this and nothing felt great but we hope they can solve it in a nice and safe way anyway.
Other parts of the house will be inspected at the final inspection. Tiles were still missing in the hall, some moldings, installation of white goods and such things, but it would be in place in time for the final inspection.
Final inspection
The faults that remained from the inspection were rectified and what was left now to inspect was the laundry room, the kitchen and the hall.
The inspection went well and there were only a few remarks on the heat pump and some parts that were not in place yet, such as the fan and cornices. We felt that the inspection went a little too fast and we did not have time to look through properly before we went on.
After the final inspection, we were given keys to the house and we started walking around and looking in peace and quiet. The most important thing for us in the whole house was and is the kitchen and the living room. We have put most focus on these and had expected a really nice kitchen. It was nice if you did not look closely. If you looked a little closer, you quickly noticed that the carpentry was completely missing! There was so much carelessness and mess. Some examples are countertops that slipped at windows, too little joint, gaps between floor and plinth, scratched tiles around the fan, black plastic that was left behind the fan, carpets and side parts were missing in all drawers. It all looked damn good! When we pointed out all the faults to our carpenters five minutes after the inspection, we got the answer that it had already been inspected when we were there and now they are ready. I got so angry!
There were lots of other small flaws like holes, moldings, poorly cleaned, unwillingness to adjust exterior doors, etc. The same was true of several craftsmen on site who spat on the floor of the house next to us owners and complained that they were paid less to work with our house. How can you even behave like that in front of a customer?
Other experiences
But we also have positive experiences from other people who have worked with our house construction, such as tilers, painters, electricians, plumbers and ground contractors. We have nothing to complain about at all – they did exactly what we agreed on and immediately asked if there was anything. I will gladly work with these again in the future!
Unfortunately, I experienced that Myresjöhus did not listen to us when we had problems. You could not get support and any solution when you heard from them and needed help.
Our best tip for others planning to build a new house
You have to be with as much as you can! You have the right to talk to knowledgeable people and do not feel that you are too picky or fussy, it is your money and your house! Had we done this trip again and known more from the beginning, we would have opted out of the turnkey contract, which did not turn out as we expected. The promised service delivery from Myresjöhus also failed.
How are you doing today?
We really love the house which is amazingly nice and exactly what we wanted! However, we did not love the process and the level of service from Myresjöhus was far from being the best on the market as they themselves claim. But you forget quickly and we now enjoy our nice home with a cozy atmosphere, our dogs and our small children.
