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Our Home Addition Diaries
A behind-the-scenes look at the professionals doing their own reno.

Update 1: Mud, mayhem, and mild dog confusion

We kicked things off by clearing the front corner—trees and landscaping out, paver path carefully pulled up and stacked like giant Legos for later.

All the outdoor furniture migrated to new temporary homes so lumber could roll in, and the first pieces of the temporary fence went up. (We’re calling this fence Phase 1: Rustic Chaos.)

Inside and out:

  • Form boards went up for the slab
  • Plumbing got roughed in
  • Sprinklers were capped and confused

And then… the rain came. Imagine a river of mud gently cascading across the pool deck like it’s auditioning for a nature documentary. We did not enjoy this part.

Inside, we started building the new fireplace wall between the living and dining rooms.

Shockingly, the dogs handled it well, despite Annie being old, deaf, blind, and unbothered, and Moira Rose being… Moira Rose.

Stylish white modern home exterior with a landscaped backyard, potted plants, a small tree, decorative mushroom sculpture, and a cozy sitting area, reflecting quality craftsmanship by John Merrill Homes.
New construction home foundation preparation with dirt work in progress, white house siding, and landscaping underway at a residential property.
1. Corner of a house with outdoor construction site, dirt ground, and orange safety fencing, with lush green trees and clear blue sky in the background.
Newly prepared backyard space for landscaping or outdoor living improvement at a John Merrill Homes construction site.
1. An interior view of a dining area under renovation with exposed wooden framing, a black chandelier, and view into the living room with large windows.
1. Unfinished wooden wall frame inside a modern living room during home construction or renovation.
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@JohnMerrillHomes

Our Home Addition Diaries – Week 1 & 2

We thought about moving… but we love our neighborhood, schools, and house too much. So we’re expanding instead!

The plan:

🛠️ Dedicated office with natural light
🛠️ Guest room + private bath
🛠️ Redesigned living spaces for better flow
🛠️ Fireplace wall & cozy zones

Here are the latest updates:

Trees gone, pavers stacked, furniture moved, first temporary fence went up.
Rainstorm = muddy pool river.
Fireplace wall started.
Temp fence upgraded, pool pavers cleaned, furniture shuffled (pray for the kids).
Cold showers for everyone.
Dining table refinished, chairs consigned, and Christmas decor snuck in.

Dogs? Surprisingly chill.

Follow weekly for behind-the-scenes updates, messy moments, and the journey of turning our house into the perfect family home.

#OurHomeAdditionDiaries #HomeRenovation #FamilyHome #WeeklyUpdate #BeforeAndAfter #RenovationJourney #CustomHomeAddition

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18047602748456368
Our Home Addition Diaries – Week 1 & 2 We thought about moving… but we love our neighborhood, schools, and house too much. So we’re expanding instead! The plan: 🛠️ Dedicated office with natural light 🛠️ Guest room + private bath 🛠️ Redesigned living spaces for better flow 🛠️ Fireplace wall & cozy zones Here are the latest updates: Trees gone, pavers stacked, furniture moved, first temporary fence went up. Rainstorm = muddy pool river. Fireplace wall started. Temp fence upgraded, pool pavers cleaned, furniture shuffled (pray for the kids). Cold showers for everyone. Dining table refinished, chairs consigned, and Christmas decor snuck in. Dogs? Surprisingly chill. Follow weekly for behind-the-scenes updates, messy moments, and the journey of turning our house into the perfect family home. #OurHomeAdditionDiaries #HomeRenovation #FamilyHome #WeeklyUpdate #BeforeAndAfter #RenovationJourney #CustomHomeAddition
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Even builders outgrow their homes.

When we realized our family needed more space, we asked ourselves the same question many of our clients face:

➡️ Do we move… or improve?

We looked at the market.
We explored new land.
But we kept coming back to one thing: we love where we live.

So we’re doing what we help our clients do—creating a home addition that lets us stay in the place that feels like us, with a design that works for the way we live now.

Follow along as the walls go up, ideas take shape, and this space becomes part of our story.

💛 The Merrills

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18542874805004299
Even builders outgrow their homes. When we realized our family needed more space, we asked ourselves the same question many of our clients face: ➡️ Do we move… or improve? We looked at the market. We explored new land. But we kept coming back to one thing: we love where we live. So we’re doing what we help our clients do—creating a home addition that lets us stay in the place that feels like us, with a design that works for the way we live now. Follow along as the walls go up, ideas take shape, and this space becomes part of our story. 💛 The Merrills
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Wake up to waterfront views...

Imagine coffee on your deck, kayaking at sunrise, or walking straight onto the sand from your backyard. That’s the lifestyle of Northeast Florida’s waterfront homes.

Thinking of building, renovating, or investing? We can help you make it happen.

#JohnMerrillHomes #WaterfrontLiving #PonteVedra #JacksonvilleBeach #VilanoBeach #WatermanBluff #CustomHomes #DreamHome #FloridaLifestyle

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18087664373507982
Wake up to waterfront views... Imagine coffee on your deck, kayaking at sunrise, or walking straight onto the sand from your backyard. That’s the lifestyle of Northeast Florida’s waterfront homes. Thinking of building, renovating, or investing? We can help you make it happen. #JohnMerrillHomes #WaterfrontLiving #PonteVedra #JacksonvilleBeach #VilanoBeach #WatermanBluff #CustomHomes #DreamHome #FloridaLifestyle
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Where small-town charm meets big-city convenience:

Welcome to St. Johns, one of Northeast Florida’s most desirable places to live — and one of its fastest-growing.

From top-rated schools and family-friendly neighborhoods to river trails, beaches, and boutique shopping, St. Johns truly has it all.

Dreaming of your forever home here?

Whether you’re building new or renovating, John Merrill Homes can help you create your ideal space in the heart of St. Johns.

#JohnMerrillHomes #StJohnsFL #FloridaLiving #CustomHomeBuilder #JacksonvilleHomes #PonteVedra #NortheastFlorida #HomeDesign #DreamHome #DesignBuild

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18080798081084985
Where small-town charm meets big-city convenience: Welcome to St. Johns, one of Northeast Florida’s most desirable places to live — and one of its fastest-growing. From top-rated schools and family-friendly neighborhoods to river trails, beaches, and boutique shopping, St. Johns truly has it all. Dreaming of your forever home here? Whether you’re building new or renovating, John Merrill Homes can help you create your ideal space in the heart of St. Johns. #JohnMerrillHomes #StJohnsFL #FloridaLiving #CustomHomeBuilder #JacksonvilleHomes #PonteVedra #NortheastFlorida #HomeDesign #DreamHome #DesignBuild
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Out of space at home? You’ve got options.

Your home is perfect… except for the cramped kitchen, the toys in the living room, or the lack of a home office.

Sound familiar?

A home addition can give you the space you need without the stress of moving.

In Jacksonville, most additions fall between $175–$450+ per sq. ft.

Ready to explore what’s possible for your home and budget?

We`d love to hear from you!

#HomeAdditions #CustomHomeAddition #DesignAndBuild #CustomHome #HomeExpansion

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18100590592631745
Out of space at home? You’ve got options. Your home is perfect… except for the cramped kitchen, the toys in the living room, or the lack of a home office. Sound familiar? A home addition can give you the space you need without the stress of moving. In Jacksonville, most additions fall between $175–$450+ per sq. ft. Ready to explore what’s possible for your home and budget? We'd love to hear from you! #HomeAdditions #CustomHomeAddition #DesignAndBuild #CustomHome #HomeExpansion
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Make your home truly yours.

Your home should fit your family, not the other way around. A

At John Merrill Homes, we combine clever design and practical functionality to create spaces that are as unique as the people who live in them.

#FamilyHomes #CustomDesign #FunctionalLiving #JohnMerrillHomes #HomeDesign #CustomHome #CustomHomeDesign

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 18036978266493443
Make your home truly yours. Your home should fit your family, not the other way around. A At John Merrill Homes, we combine clever design and practical functionality to create spaces that are as unique as the people who live in them. #FamilyHomes #CustomDesign #FunctionalLiving #JohnMerrillHomes #HomeDesign #CustomHome #CustomHomeDesign
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Shea Karssing · 10 days ago
Remodeling in Florida? Do you really need a permit?

The answer isn’t always obvious—so here’s a quick guide.

✅ Projects that usually need a permit:
• Adding/moving walls
• Converting a garage
• Moving plumbing or wiring
• Replacing HVAC systems
• Adding decks, pools, or new windows

❌ Projects that usually don’t need one:
• Painting or wallpapering
• New flooring or carpet
• Replacing cabinets (same layout)
• Small drywall fixes
• Swapping appliances (no rewiring)

⚡ Pro tip: If it’s structural or behind the walls, permits are a safe bet.

At John Merrill Homes, we design + build with every detail—and permit—handled for you.

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 17878592832404998
Shea Karssing · 10 days ago Remodeling in Florida? Do you really need a permit? The answer isn’t always obvious—so here’s a quick guide. ✅ Projects that usually need a permit: • Adding/moving walls • Converting a garage • Moving plumbing or wiring • Replacing HVAC systems • Adding decks, pools, or new windows ❌ Projects that usually don’t need one: • Painting or wallpapering • New flooring or carpet • Replacing cabinets (same layout) • Small drywall fixes • Swapping appliances (no rewiring) ⚡ Pro tip: If it’s structural or behind the walls, permits are a safe bet. At John Merrill Homes, we design + build with every detail—and permit—handled for you.
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The 2025 Jacksonville housing market: 4 things you should know

1️⃣ Older homes needing $100K+ in updates aren’t selling at top dollar.

2️⃣ Well-priced, move-in ready homes still move quickly.

3️⃣ Renovations are about to boom, with more buyers choosing to remodel than build new.

4️⃣ New construction costs aren’t dropping, as materials still rise yearly, regardless of resale trends.

If you’re considering a custom build, a renovation, or trying to sell in this market, our advice is simple: work with professionals who can guide you with real numbers and a steady hand.

That’s what we’re here for, so don’t hesitate to get in touch.

#JacksonvilleRealEstate #HousingMarket #HomeBuilding #RenovationTrends #CustomHomes #HomeDesign #CustomHomeDesign #CustomBuild #DesignAndBuild #CustomHomeBuilders #FloridaCustomHome #CustomBuiltHomes

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Open post by johnmerrillhomes with ID 17934026558964179
The 2025 Jacksonville housing market: 4 things you should know 1️⃣ Older homes needing $100K+ in updates aren’t selling at top dollar. 2️⃣ Well-priced, move-in ready homes still move quickly. 3️⃣ Renovations are about to boom, with more buyers choosing to remodel than build new. 4️⃣ New construction costs aren’t dropping, as materials still rise yearly, regardless of resale trends. If you’re considering a custom build, a renovation, or trying to sell in this market, our advice is simple: work with professionals who can guide you with real numbers and a steady hand. That’s what we’re here for, so don’t hesitate to get in touch. #JacksonvilleRealEstate #HousingMarket #HomeBuilding #RenovationTrends #CustomHomes #HomeDesign #CustomHomeDesign #CustomBuild #DesignAndBuild #CustomHomeBuilders #FloridaCustomHome #CustomBuiltHomes
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