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.
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