These Aren't Microsoft Windows

Master Bath Window 1 2008-02-02
Originally uploaded by lander_quill

We've got windows! The framers are done, we've got tarpaper on the roof, the windows are in and the plumber is pretty much finished roughing in. We've taken some pictures of some of these things and posted them on our Flickr site.
We are really excited for how good our window looks in the master bathroom. (As seen here.)

That looks like a house

Framing 2008-01-26 14
Originally uploaded by lander_quill

Now that they've started framing the roof, it's really starting to look like a house now. We were really suprised at how large the bonus room looks since the other rooms looked so small. We might just be getting better at feeling room size.
I put up a few more pictures today on Flickr.

Second Floor Well Underway

Framing 2008-01-23 2
Originally uploaded by lander_quill

Looks like the second floor is about done. They have both bedrooms, the bathroom and the loft area framed and are beginning to frame the bonus room above the garage.
Up until now we have been looking at the house and saying "it looks so small." Even now, when we are standing inside each of the rooms, they feel small. After talking with friends that built we learned that they felt the same way. Apparently the size of the rooms doesn't really hit until the drywall is up.
Another thing we've noticed is how big the window holes seem. I know that once the windows are in they won't be nearly as large but I found it an interesting paradox.

1st Floor Walls

Framing 2008-01-11 1
Originally uploaded by lander_quill

As of Sunday, January 13th the 1st floor walls were up. They had the basement sealed up and several propane heaters had been put down there to thaw and dry the dirt underneath so that they can pour the basement floor.
We met our builder's partner, Tom, on Sunday. Seems like a really nice guy. He said that the framing company will have all their guys on site and they expect to have the second floor and roof framed by Friday. We have our fingers crossed.

Subfloor Complete

Framing 2008-01-05 2
Originally uploaded by lander_quill

Saturday we went out to see how far the framers had gotten. We were excited to see that the subfloor was complete but selfishly, we had wanted to see some walls up. We plan on making a trip out over lunch today to see what the progress is. I know that there is now a pallet of framing lumber on the lot so there should be some progress on the walls. I hope.
I'd like to be able to get out to the lot on a daily basis but it's far enough from my work that it would take my entire lunch with the drive time of the round trip. By the time I pick up our daughter from school and get out to the site, it's pretty dark. I'm sure that as the building progresses the days will get longer and we'll be able to see more later in the day.

We've Got Wood!

Framing 2007-01-03 1
Originally uploaded by lander_quill

The framer's equipment showed up on the lot Friday, December 28th and the steel beams arrived Monday, December 31st. Today we drove by and saw that the wood had arrived and the framers were already making progress. This last week has been really cold, the average high temperature has been below 20 F. We're really excited because this Sunday the high is supposed to be 50 and the rest of the week it's supposed to be in the 40s. Hopefully they will take advantage of the nice weather and make a lot of progress.

I've posted some pictures of the Framing, Waterproofing and what the land looks like with the Backfill. Enjoy.

Two Weeks

The foundation has to sit for two weeks before the framers can start. In the mean time we're reviewing some things that we've been talking about with Dave and beginning to make some decisions on finishes.
Some things that we're going to do:
Add permanent escape ladders to one of the 2nd floor bedrooms and the bonus room.
Add a gravitational hot water loop so that we will have hot water as soon as we turn on the faucet, even on the 2nd floor.
Add network cabling to most of the rooms in the house, including the garage.
Place under-cabinet outlet strips in the kitchen so there are no outlets on the walls.
We're also trying to decide what the hearth room wall with the fireplace will look like.
And finally, we've decided to go with a geothermal "ground-to-air" heat pump for heating and cooling. As a side benefit, there is an adapter to push excess heat into the water heater to reduce the cost of heating that as well.

Foundation

Foundation 5
Originally uploaded by lander_quill

Not only did they put the forms up on Wednesday, they also poured the foundation on Wednesday as well. I'm not sure how long the foundation has to set before we can move on to the next stage but Dave told us that as soon as the foundation is poured he's going to have us start making some decisions. I can't wait!

Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow

It snowed 4 inches Thursday and it's going to snow about the same amount tonight. It's was also about 10 degrees out this morning. Dave said that the plan is to put the foundation forms up on Wednesday and pour on Thursday. In order to offset the longer set time in the cold, they will add calcium chloride to the mix. I've done a little reading on this just to see what the effects of adding this are. Apparently the concrete has the same strength with this as without, it just sets faster.
Let's hope that the weather holds out after tonight so that they can do the work needed later in the week.

My, What Big Feet You Have

Footings 3
Originally uploaded by lander_quill

The footings were dug and poured yesterday. It's kinda neat to see their placement as it compares to the houseplan. All those squares and circles are starting to make sense now.
They covered the footings with hay, I'm guessing to help keep them warm until they dry.
To add to the fun, it snowed about 4 inches today. I have no idea what this will mean for the foundation guys as I havn't talked to Dave to ask him.
More pictures on Flicker that you can link to from the right.

Compacted Soil

Compaction 2
Originally uploaded by lander_quill

Went out to the lot today and watched them compact the new dry soil. The engineers have been measuring the compaction rates and are very pleased with the results. They want a measurement of 90 and are consistently getting over 105.
I have no idea what that is but they are very happy with it.
It was 36 degrees when I was out there at Noon. Hopefully the weather holds out so that the footings can be poured this week.

That's What She Said

The diggers scooped out 4 feet of wet goop from the already existing hole and found that the earth was hard underneath. This is excellent because it means that we will be starting with a solid base on which to lay the dry soil on. As they lay the soil and compact it, an engineer will do a compaction test at each foot to make sure all is as it should be. Once this is complete, a final analysis will be done to determine if there is still a need for spread footings and additional tile work. If not, the overall improvement costs will not be as high as first estimated.
Tomorrow they should be done with filling and the foundation guy can begin the work of pouring the footings and then the foundation.

Happy Thanksgiving

What a great way to go into the Thanksgiving holiday! The new engineering firm finished their research on our lot and said that they could find no plausible cause for the water other than the pond. They said that this area of the development was a "cut" or high area (as opposed to a low area that was filled.) The development company has authorized them to reconstruct the pond with an impermeable liner in the spring.
There will need to be a few things done to improve the excavation so that it can be built on. Part of this is replacement and compaction of dry soil. Another part is to use a spread footing and a more extensive tile system as insurance.

We have asked our builder to find out what assurances we will have, preferably in writing, that if we have water problems in the future that the developer will take care of them.

As long as the answer to this is acceptable, work will begin on the foundation on Monday.

Yea!

Engineers Galore

Our builder had a meeting with the land development company on Wednesday. They are going to hire another geotech engineering firm to do a comprehensive study of the lot and determine definitively if it is the pond that is causing the wetness. If it is, they will either fix the pond or they will fill it in. They have also offered to pay half of what the cost of what the additional waterproofing will be on the house.
As I stated before, if it turns out that it's not the pond and it's a water table or natural spring, we'll have to locate another lot.
Sigh.

Wait...Some More

Well, we still have nothing more than a hole in the ground. And one section of it is still damp. Our builder, Dave, is in the process of working with the land development company to see what help they are going to provide.
I'm hoping that we hear back today about stuff but I'm not holding my breath. I just hope that we get something resolved this week.
If we stick with this lot (that's right, there's a possibility of moving to a 3rd lot) we'll have to do quite a bit of work to make sure that some time in the future we don't get water in the basement or have settlling problems with the foundation. The engineers say that they can engineer around this and make sure the house is ok but it will just cost money.
The biggest thing that I'm concerned with is that if we have to fork over more money for waterproofing we won't be able to do the Geothermal (or ground-to-air heat pump as it's called).
As Dave has told me, "A week won't make us but it could certainly break us." Meaning that taking a week longer up front to do thing right won't hurt us but if we don't take the time now, we may end up paying for it in the long run.