This blog is solely about the start-to-finish construction of a house.
It is recommended to start at the earliest post and proceed chronologically.


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June 19, 2015

OK to Occupy!

We passed our final inspections today!

Though we still have LOTS of work left to complete (some exterior siding, landscaping, a driveway, street trees, etc.), the items the City deems necessary for occupation have been met (Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Envelope, Erosion, etc.)

We celebrated by moving over some furniture right away.  The rest follows this weekend, and we'll be living here by the end of the following week.



Entry Steps

We have completed the rest of the steps to the front door.  In a couple of days we will peel off the formwork.

Mirror Moves


The mirror in the upstairs guest bathroom has always been an unknown for us.  We discussed various design ideas for that sink area, but decided to wait for a final decision.

Handrail Completion

Just in time for the final inspections, I completed the handrail on the stair.

June 15, 2015

Overheard on the Jobsite

"This concrete is NOT warrantied against chicken prints"

Said the concrete contractor as the neighbor's hen wandered ever closer to the freshly troweled steps.

Beginning to Move In

We plan to start inhabiting the house next week, even though it is not completely finished.

Lisa started carrying some belongings over.  And of course she starts with the things most dear to her...

Shoes.

June 13, 2015

Garage Doors Installed

Managed to get these doors in place, so now the garage can be secured.

Tools are migrating from the house, allowing us to prepare for move-in.

Now if we could just choose the second siding material, I can cover these doors and remaining bits of wall on the house and garage.

Bee Swarm


Not sure how well you can see it, but thousands of bees are swarming in a cloud above the south fence.

June 09, 2015

Cooktop Installed, Tile Backsplash

The cooktop is now installed, and hooked up to the gas line.

The tile backsplash, started last week, was completed today.  The wood strips are temporary spacers for shelves that i still need to get to.

One of the lights we refurbished is installed now in the foreground over the island.

The countertops are not blue - that is temporary protection.

Garage Door Progress

Built the framing for the sliding door of the garage.

Lap joints, screws, and plenty of construction adhesive should keep this dimensionally stable for the future.

Concrete Subtraction

Here the concrete guys remove some of their new work.

The steps to the kitchen were pretty wonky, and the paving in front of the Dining Room door didn't slope enough to drain (puddle).

Luckily, they agreed to 'make it right'.


Completed Lower Landing

Somewhere under the protective cardboard is the completed run of stairs.

Well...almost complete.
The fir flooring on the landing needs another sanding and coat of finish.
And then I can install the missing riser board (can you see it?) 

And then, of course, another coat of finish on the whole thing.