We have shared problems.

I met with my architect Tuesday of this week to rebuild the existing three car 900 sf garage to a three story 8 car garage with one floor being below grade gameroom, wine cellar, and bomb shelter. Middle floor at grade is for trucks, motorcycles and bicycles, top floor pinballs and an ADU for future skilled nurse (if we live long enough, I will want this to avoid long term care outsourced at all costs), with the basement having a full spread of pinballs. Elevator with standby generator is also planned.

Typical Arizona building materials of two by fours, chicken wire, Styrofoam and stucco are replaced with 12-inch thick reinforced concrete.... bunker style. No, not Archie Bunker...... Never moving again!!!

Have you contacted El Chapo Excavation. I think they are out of Cross Plains, but they started south of there. LOL.

What is your feedback on the waterproof vinyl planks? advantages/disavantages?

In Arizona and elsewhere, Developers make their money by dividing up the given amount of land in to as many lots as possible, thereby increasing number of sales and profit margin. Lots get small in footprint as a result. For a home to offer more living space, the builders are forced to build vertical, thereby building bigger, and at more cost/profit.

No basements in Arizona. They claim hard dig, but they really don't make a profit with a basement vs slab slapped on grade, so they don't do it, unless you spec it.

That's really nice RD. Where are the dogs? Looks like a Sound of Music landscape..... Sweet, with pinballs playing in the far distance instead of the nuns singing Maria.....