Even though it was Christmas week, the crews were busy. All the exterior framing is done - all that's left to do is to sheet the roof. All the doors and windows were installed, except for the 8' sliding windows which got delayed because of the mixup with the pillar in the 16' opening.
The project manager is starting to bug us for commitments as to where things like appliances will be installed, so we're getting close to the next stage of the build!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Renovation - Week 10
Not a lot happened this week. They have started framing in the roof for the addition. The also opened up the existing walls so that the new windows can be installed next week.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Renovation - Week 9
It was an exciting week. The builder's answered Christine's Christmas wish and gave her walls. They also cut the new man door into the garage, opened up the front of the house for the new front door, and poured the front steps.
It was also the week for the first serious problem of the renovation. The idea the designer pitched to us has a 16' window looking into the back yard. When they drew it up, however, the plans showed two 8' windows with a pillar between them. We pointed this out the the designer, and over all our objections she assured us this was a "minor issue" that could be dealt with during the build.
When the wall went up, surprise, surprise, there was a pillar between the two windows. Thankfully, the designer owned up to the miscommunication and they'll make it right, but now we have to go right back to engineering get a new beam designed that can span a 16' window, then the wall has to be torn apart and rebuilt. So needless to say, there's going to be a bit of a delay because of this - we just don't know how long the delay will be yet.
It was also the week for the first serious problem of the renovation. The idea the designer pitched to us has a 16' window looking into the back yard. When they drew it up, however, the plans showed two 8' windows with a pillar between them. We pointed this out the the designer, and over all our objections she assured us this was a "minor issue" that could be dealt with during the build.
When the wall went up, surprise, surprise, there was a pillar between the two windows. Thankfully, the designer owned up to the miscommunication and they'll make it right, but now we have to go right back to engineering get a new beam designed that can span a 16' window, then the wall has to be torn apart and rebuilt. So needless to say, there's going to be a bit of a delay because of this - we just don't know how long the delay will be yet.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Renovation - Week 8
Two months in, and we've only just got the concrete poured. Stupid city and its permitting process.
This week was all about foundations. The piping for the radiant heat for Christine's craftroom was installed and then the concrete was poured on Wednesday. I figured that form would take a lot of concrete, and I was right - it took around a truck and a half to fill it. The top layer of the concrete is dyed charcoal grey, which should make it a little more interesting as a patio.
Emma was very keen on seeing the concrete being poured. Conveniently, they were pouring at 8 a.m., so Emma and I went to watch for half an hour or so before school. She's become quite keen on watching the construction, and asks if she can see the men working pretty much every day. She's also decided that she wants to be a builder (doing woodwork, not concrete) when she grows up.
In the front yard, they demolished the old front steps and have started work on the new ones. They have to take the foundation for the stairs down to undisturbed soil, which means they had to go at least as deep as the basement footings. From watching the guys in the hole - I'm guessing that they had to go down about 10 feet. Emma wouldn't believe me when I told her they were building her new bedroom.
This week was all about foundations. The piping for the radiant heat for Christine's craftroom was installed and then the concrete was poured on Wednesday. I figured that form would take a lot of concrete, and I was right - it took around a truck and a half to fill it. The top layer of the concrete is dyed charcoal grey, which should make it a little more interesting as a patio.
Emma was very keen on seeing the concrete being poured. Conveniently, they were pouring at 8 a.m., so Emma and I went to watch for half an hour or so before school. She's become quite keen on watching the construction, and asks if she can see the men working pretty much every day. She's also decided that she wants to be a builder (doing woodwork, not concrete) when she grows up.
In the front yard, they demolished the old front steps and have started work on the new ones. They have to take the foundation for the stairs down to undisturbed soil, which means they had to go at least as deep as the basement footings. From watching the guys in the hole - I'm guessing that they had to go down about 10 feet. Emma wouldn't believe me when I told her they were building her new bedroom.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
'Tis the Chrismas Season
We are cozy in our condo for the Christmas season. Here's some of our going's on.
We are using the tomato-stand tree I usually use for my collection of pewter ornaments. We bought some decorations and tarted it up on Sunday. It is very pretty twinkling in the corner.
Smudge has taken to sleeping in the bottom of it.
She is flexible though. She also likes to cozy up in bed. Sometimes she even leaves some room for me.
Leo is just being himself. He likes to survey the street.
Santa is apparently getting all the credit for filling the Advent calendar this year. (sheesh) No matter who filled it, it is the first thing Emma does every morning. It is making it much easier to get her out of bed!
We went to the kid's Christmas party at the sailing club on the weekend. Emma was front and center for the stories.
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| Our tree is small but pretty. |
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| Leo can't find me now! |
Smudge has taken to sleeping in the bottom of it.
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| All cozy |
She is flexible though. She also likes to cozy up in bed. Sometimes she even leaves some room for me.
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| Surveying his kingdom |
Leo is just being himself. He likes to survey the street.
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| Thanks again Grandma! |
Santa is apparently getting all the credit for filling the Advent calendar this year. (sheesh) No matter who filled it, it is the first thing Emma does every morning. It is making it much easier to get her out of bed!
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| Listening to The Grinch |
We went to the kid's Christmas party at the sailing club on the weekend. Emma was front and center for the stories.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Renovation - Week 7
Woohoo! Construction has really started!
They've been getting ready to pour the floor for Christine's craft room and the patio. The original plan was to pour on Friday, but we got a cold snap, so they've decided to hold off to Tuesday when its supposed to be warmer.
Inside the house they've been framing. The new beam for the main room is built and is roughly in place. They've also closed in the holes where the old stairs used to be, and around the opening for the new stairs.
The best bit is that the new floor for the kitchen and dining room is done. I must say that I'm impressed with the framer. I was expecting the floor to be made from 2x8 lumber on 16" centers (that's what the current house has) and wouldn't have been surpised to find 2x8s on 24" centers. When I looked under the floor, I had to get the tape measure to confirm what my eyes were telling me - the floor is made from 2x12 lumber on 12" centers! This is going to be one very solid floor.
They've been getting ready to pour the floor for Christine's craft room and the patio. The original plan was to pour on Friday, but we got a cold snap, so they've decided to hold off to Tuesday when its supposed to be warmer.
Inside the house they've been framing. The new beam for the main room is built and is roughly in place. They've also closed in the holes where the old stairs used to be, and around the opening for the new stairs.
The best bit is that the new floor for the kitchen and dining room is done. I must say that I'm impressed with the framer. I was expecting the floor to be made from 2x8 lumber on 16" centers (that's what the current house has) and wouldn't have been surpised to find 2x8s on 24" centers. When I looked under the floor, I had to get the tape measure to confirm what my eyes were telling me - the floor is made from 2x12 lumber on 12" centers! This is going to be one very solid floor.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Renovation - Week 6
Now that we've got the building permit, we were hoping things would start speeding up. Unfortunately, the delays in getting the permit have caused some scheduling problems with the tradesmen. So this week we didn't get as much done as we had been hoping. However the foundation for my workshop got poured, so the week wasn't a complete waste.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Renovation - Week 5
We finally got our building permit! So now things can get going again.
The Technometal posts (or helical pilings) were installed this week. The next big job is to pour the concrete. That will hopefully happen next week.
Some extra demolition was also done inside the house. We have to change HVAC suppliers and the new subcontractor is planning to run things differently so now the laundry room and the downstairs bath room have been opened up (we'd expected those rooms to be left alone - oh well). They also started taking out the existing stairs to the basement.
The Technometal posts (or helical pilings) were installed this week. The next big job is to pour the concrete. That will hopefully happen next week.
Some extra demolition was also done inside the house. We have to change HVAC suppliers and the new subcontractor is planning to run things differently so now the laundry room and the downstairs bath room have been opened up (we'd expected those rooms to be left alone - oh well). They also started taking out the existing stairs to the basement.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Renovation - Week 4
This week was all about the outside as they started to prepare the foundations for the addition and my workshop. There wasn't enough room to get the Bobcat through the sides of our yard, so the builders took the direct route - they knocked the back wall out of our garage.
Unfortunately, there have been hold-ups on our building permit. They can't pour the concrete without the permit so we're in a bit of a holding pattern now. Hopefully things get resolved quickly.
In the mean time, Christine's been beavering away with some design software, figuring out how she wants the kitchen to look. We also spent a good portion of Saturday looking at stair railings, flooring, and refrigerators.
Unfortunately, there have been hold-ups on our building permit. They can't pour the concrete without the permit so we're in a bit of a holding pattern now. Hopefully things get resolved quickly.
In the mean time, Christine's been beavering away with some design software, figuring out how she wants the kitchen to look. We also spent a good portion of Saturday looking at stair railings, flooring, and refrigerators.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Party days
Emma was invited to a birthday party recently held at a cooking school. The kids had fun chopping the toppings for their pizza ...
and decorating their own cupcakes...
There was also a fellow who did amazing balloon hats...
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Condo living: Unexpected TMI
Previously, the cats' litter box was in the basement bathroom and their business transactions were relatively private. Now we are all sharing the bathroom.
I had no idea how much scratching goes on when they are finishing their business. Seriously, the box isn't getting any bigger. And at 3 am it is really LOUD.
I had no idea how much scratching goes on when they are finishing their business. Seriously, the box isn't getting any bigger. And at 3 am it is really LOUD.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Renovation - Week 3
The house survived the remnants of hurricane Sandy with no problems. This week they continued with the interior work. Most noticeably, the ceiling of the living room has been opened up so that the new beam can be built, and the floor has been opened up in preparation for the new stairway to the basement.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Renovation - Week 2
This week, demolition continued and some construction started.
The week started with some temporary walls appearing in the house to support the ceiling as the load bearing walls were removed. Then most of the walls in the kitchen and living room were removed and then they opened up the back wall! Of course, just after they open up the wall, the weatherman predicts that we are going to get clocked by the remnants of hurricane Sandy (50-100 mm of rain, 90+ km/h winds) early next week - hopefully the blue tarp survives.
Once the back wall was down, work continued inside with the framing of the exterior walls so that they can be insulated. (Warm walls - what a concept!)
Our photos from the week:
The construction team took some pictures of the back wall and chimney coming down:
The week started with some temporary walls appearing in the house to support the ceiling as the load bearing walls were removed. Then most of the walls in the kitchen and living room were removed and then they opened up the back wall! Of course, just after they open up the wall, the weatherman predicts that we are going to get clocked by the remnants of hurricane Sandy (50-100 mm of rain, 90+ km/h winds) early next week - hopefully the blue tarp survives.
Once the back wall was down, work continued inside with the framing of the exterior walls so that they can be insulated. (Warm walls - what a concept!)
Our photos from the week:
The construction team took some pictures of the back wall and chimney coming down:
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Renovation - The Goal
Of course, the big question everyone asks is "What will it look like?" Our designer did a 3D rendering of the design a while back, so you can see what the goal is.
A few things have changed since these pictures were created:
- The addition will have siding, not brick veneer.
- The lower patio will be patterned concrete, not wood.
- There will be no balls in front of the new porch. (That was artistic licence on the part of the guy doing the rendering.)
Monday, October 22, 2012
Renovation - Week 1
We're through the first week. This week was about site preparation and the demolition of everything that wasn't structural. The heavy duty plaster/cement structure of our interior walls resulted in a lot of cracking, so the contractors pulled down a lot more of the walls than expected.
Getting Ready for the Renovation
Have we mentioned how much packing sucks? Fortunately we gave ourselves an extra week, because we seriously underestimated how much stuff we had. First, we thought an 8x8x16 POD would be enough...then we added a 7x7x8 POD for overflow...then we added a 8x10 storage locker...and things just barely fit.
The PODS system is neat - they drop off the storage bin on your driveway (using a totally cool, remote controlled dolly), you fill it up and then they haul it away. All the convenience of a moving van, without the rush. Of course, filling the PODS is like playing a 3D version of Tetris where none of the pieces match. Still, I think I did a reasonable job.
Christine and I finished packing late Sunday, she took Emma home and then I was at the house until 1 am Monday saving the bits of the house (flooring, lights, and such) that we didn't want thrown into the dumpster. The crew was in, knocking down walls, before 8 am Monday.
Christine found us a 1 bedroom condo to stay in while the house is renovated. We were worried about it being a bit small, but so far things are working out OK. (Check back in a couple months to see if we still feel the same way ;-) The biggest challenge was sleeping arrangements. Fortunately, Ikea sells high beds that are intended to go over a desk or something. Turns out they'll straddle a futon too.
The PODS system is neat - they drop off the storage bin on your driveway (using a totally cool, remote controlled dolly), you fill it up and then they haul it away. All the convenience of a moving van, without the rush. Of course, filling the PODS is like playing a 3D version of Tetris where none of the pieces match. Still, I think I did a reasonable job.
Christine and I finished packing late Sunday, she took Emma home and then I was at the house until 1 am Monday saving the bits of the house (flooring, lights, and such) that we didn't want thrown into the dumpster. The crew was in, knocking down walls, before 8 am Monday.
Christine found us a 1 bedroom condo to stay in while the house is renovated. We were worried about it being a bit small, but so far things are working out OK. (Check back in a couple months to see if we still feel the same way ;-) The biggest challenge was sleeping arrangements. Fortunately, Ikea sells high beds that are intended to go over a desk or something. Turns out they'll straddle a futon too.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving
Sorry for the belated post. We've been pre-occupied with moving and preparations for the BIG RENO.
Here's a Thanksgiving picture from Emma.
Here's a Thanksgiving picture from Emma.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
It's Shiny!
Emma got her first two-wheeled bike for her birthday. Much to our surprise she picked blue mermaid over purple fairies (good thing 'cause purple was out of stock). She is quite impressed with how shiny it is, especially the training wheels -- a point she is quick to tell everyone and anyone. When she is ready to lose the training wheels I expect we will need to add some bike bling just to keep up the shine. It is just crying out for handlebar tassels!
Last night she helped her dad put the bike together and we went for a ride up and down the block (she rode we walked). Today she was ready for the big time: riding to daycare.
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| Off to daycare! |
Friday, July 27, 2012
Fishy Tales
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| Her first fish (ok I think 2nd but just as proud!) |
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| Cousins chillin' on the dock. |
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Round and Round
Emma shares my love of carousels. This one was at Chuck-E-Cheese, where we went for her friend's birthday party.
An Amusing Time
Borrowed Wings
Sometimes its nice to use someone else's wings for a change. Good thing all little girls seem to have a pair handy.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
We're still here!!!
Don't give up on me. We're still here. Just not in the blogging mood apparently.
We've had a mild winter. Today was just glorious. 12C in mid-March. Unheard of!
I suggested to Emma we go to the zoo. She countered with taking the 'green and white train'. We've been promising to take her on the commuter train for months and today seemed like the perfect day for it. We took the subway down to the terminal, got on the train to a town about 20 minutes out. Went for a walk along the waterfront then headed back home.
Emma fell asleep on the subway. She insisted that she wasn't tired, and she fought valiantly to stay awake but alas it was a lost cause.
When she woke up at the other end she insisted that she wasn't asleep, she had just had a long blink. (about 30 minutes long!)
We've had a mild winter. Today was just glorious. 12C in mid-March. Unheard of!
I suggested to Emma we go to the zoo. She countered with taking the 'green and white train'. We've been promising to take her on the commuter train for months and today seemed like the perfect day for it. We took the subway down to the terminal, got on the train to a town about 20 minutes out. Went for a walk along the waterfront then headed back home.
Emma fell asleep on the subway. She insisted that she wasn't tired, and she fought valiantly to stay awake but alas it was a lost cause.
When she woke up at the other end she insisted that she wasn't asleep, she had just had a long blink. (about 30 minutes long!)
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