The last 2 days have seen a lot of activity. A lot of the basement framing has been constructed. We have a well that is 350' deep and produces 40 gpm. We had watched the well driller most of yesterday only to have it "come in" about a half hour after we left.
Today they poured the garage floor and have enough of the basement studded that the floor joists can be installed on Monday. The septic drain field was "capped" with topsoil today and a lot of rough grading was done on the left side of the lot.
We were on our way home when we saw a red Austin Healy 3000 approaching. Knowing it was Wally we found a place to make a U turn and met them at the lot.
Click for today's pictures and here for yesterday's pictures.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
A bee hive of activity
It wasn't supposed to rain until after noon today. Just can't believe the weather guessers. We decided to go to the lot just to see what was going on and give Casey Adams Construction their next draw. When we arrived there were 2 cement trucks there as well as Charles Tinker, our cabinet maker. Charles wanted to know when he could take measurements to start on the kitchen cabinets. He also talked to Casey about the vanity tops so he could start on them.
One of the cement trucks was just finished and the other had just started to pour their load for the cellar slab. We thought that was going to happen on Thursday. The cement contractor decided to risk the light showers and get the cellar floor in. He wanted to let it cure some before tomorrow's forecast sun. So it goes.
While we were there a large tractor trailer arrived with the roof trusses. That wasn't expected either. So Ben moved the big shovel and the driver moved the dump that were in the way of off loading the trusses. That big rig backed down the drive with no problem and deposited the trusses on the ground where they would be handy for the crane to lift.
Terri arrived and we reviewed the window plan with her so she could make that order today.
By 11:30 the well driller hadn't arrived. They were delayed with tire problems. Maybe later today or tomorrow. So we went for mail and lunch. After lunch we went to Essex and stopped in at State Farm to check on our construction risk policy. That policy will be effective tomorrow.
Framing should start tomorrow.
Today's pix.
One of the cement trucks was just finished and the other had just started to pour their load for the cellar slab. We thought that was going to happen on Thursday. The cement contractor decided to risk the light showers and get the cellar floor in. He wanted to let it cure some before tomorrow's forecast sun. So it goes.
While we were there a large tractor trailer arrived with the roof trusses. That wasn't expected either. So Ben moved the big shovel and the driver moved the dump that were in the way of off loading the trusses. That big rig backed down the drive with no problem and deposited the trusses on the ground where they would be handy for the crane to lift.
Terri arrived and we reviewed the window plan with her so she could make that order today.
By 11:30 the well driller hadn't arrived. They were delayed with tire problems. Maybe later today or tomorrow. So we went for mail and lunch. After lunch we went to Essex and stopped in at State Farm to check on our construction risk policy. That policy will be effective tomorrow.
Framing should start tomorrow.
Today's pix.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Another day of progress
Today the septic system installation was completed and inspected. Also the insulation was installed along with the pex for the radiant slab in the basement.
The well driller should start tomorrow, they may have arrived after we left today.
The slab should be poured on Thursday.
On Monday night we played bingo again and won about $20 which covered most of our expenses. We had an enjoyable evening.
Pictures here.
The well driller should start tomorrow, they may have arrived after we left today.
The slab should be poured on Thursday.
On Monday night we played bingo again and won about $20 which covered most of our expenses. We had an enjoyable evening.
Pictures here.
Monday, August 24, 2009
An update
Saturday we went to Mo'ville to see Henry, aka Jerry, at the store and wish him a happy B'day. We then decided to go to Green River to check out the boat launch and just get the lay of the land. While we were there watching some kayaker's return from their day's paddle we got a "hi what are you doing here?" from Sherry our Hairdresser. She was camping with family near by. After a short visit with Sherry and her cousins we headed for home.
That night was a Taco dinner at the resort and also a Halloween costume contest. We won the Adult title dressed as tourists looking for our cruise ship. Oh, we were the only adults, other than staff, that were dressed up.
Sunday was just a down day but we did get the laundry done and the dog washed.
Today was shopping and back to watch more of the build. The stone was placed in the cellar hole to get ready for the insulation, radiant heating piping and cement on Wed. The power and phone conduit was installed and the septic tanks arrived and they were also installed.
See pix here and watch the stop action movie.
That night was a Taco dinner at the resort and also a Halloween costume contest. We won the Adult title dressed as tourists looking for our cruise ship. Oh, we were the only adults, other than staff, that were dressed up.
Sunday was just a down day but we did get the laundry done and the dog washed.
Today was shopping and back to watch more of the build. The stone was placed in the cellar hole to get ready for the insulation, radiant heating piping and cement on Wed. The power and phone conduit was installed and the septic tanks arrived and they were also installed.
See pix here and watch the stop action movie.
Friday, August 21, 2009
More progress
The forms have been removed, foundation sealed, plumbing rough-in, backfill nearly completed.
Next week should see the drain filed completed and the well should be drilled. The garage and basement floor should also be poured. The basement will have radiant heat so the pex will go down before the pour.
Stay tuned and follow pictures here.
Next week should see the drain filed completed and the well should be drilled. The garage and basement floor should also be poured. The basement will have radiant heat so the pex will go down before the pour.
Stay tuned and follow pictures here.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Foundation poured
We missed the cement trucks by a couple of hours. We had some appointments to take care of and got to the site about 2:15 and found the forms were full of cement.
The next site visit will be Thursday.
It looks like we will get a few passing T'storms as the cold front goes thru. We saw 91 on the car thermometer.
Follow the construction here.
The next site visit will be Thursday.
It looks like we will get a few passing T'storms as the cold front goes thru. We saw 91 on the car thermometer.
Follow the construction here.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Oh the frustration
June and July were mostly wet. Mostly it was a time of great frustration with building a house. Basically nothing significant happened other than changing the design, restaking the foundation, then finally getting a quote we didn't want to afford. So we told the contractor we were DONE. We contacted a Realtor to consider selling the lot and purchasing a house. Our new Realtor, Diane, found us some potential properties and also suggested we consider a different builder. That was an excellent suggestion. We met with the builder recommended and after a lot of discussion decided to build. So now there is progress.
The house has been sited. Foundation dug, footers poured and the foundation forms are up. We decided not to use ICF's, integrated concret forms, or spray foam insulation becasue they are to costly. So it will be standard 2x6 construction with the basement walls studded and insulated.
You can follow along looking at our web album.
The house has been sited. Foundation dug, footers poured and the foundation forms are up. We decided not to use ICF's, integrated concret forms, or spray foam insulation becasue they are to costly. So it will be standard 2x6 construction with the basement walls studded and insulated.
You can follow along looking at our web album.
Reflections on Belle Isle
I've been slacking for a couple of months now so it is time to get things up to date.
We had spent nearly 2 months at Belle Isle State Park in Virginia working as camp hosts. This assignment was a quite a bit different from what we had done at Lake Anna and Smith Mountain Lake state parks. At Belle Isle the main task was to man the camp store on Thursday afternoons and all day Saturday and Sunday. We had limited responsibilities in the campground. We divided the work so that Suzette handled the campground and I manned the store. Since it was early season most of the time in the store was major boring. Since much of the store work involved web applications, Reserve America and VA Fish and Game, there was a large frustration factor with the internet. They used Hughes Net with a repeater from the Visitors Center to the Camp Store. Even though there was clear line of sight the internet connection was frequently dropped. Major frustration.
We did get in some kayaking and did get to see some baby eagles. We did not get to see them fledge but they were fun to watch.
We also made a side trip to Tangier Island which was quite interesting.
There are photos on our web album. Look for the one labeled BelleIsle.
We had spent nearly 2 months at Belle Isle State Park in Virginia working as camp hosts. This assignment was a quite a bit different from what we had done at Lake Anna and Smith Mountain Lake state parks. At Belle Isle the main task was to man the camp store on Thursday afternoons and all day Saturday and Sunday. We had limited responsibilities in the campground. We divided the work so that Suzette handled the campground and I manned the store. Since it was early season most of the time in the store was major boring. Since much of the store work involved web applications, Reserve America and VA Fish and Game, there was a large frustration factor with the internet. They used Hughes Net with a repeater from the Visitors Center to the Camp Store. Even though there was clear line of sight the internet connection was frequently dropped. Major frustration.
We did get in some kayaking and did get to see some baby eagles. We did not get to see them fledge but they were fun to watch.
We also made a side trip to Tangier Island which was quite interesting.
There are photos on our web album. Look for the one labeled BelleIsle.
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