Framing

It is amazing what people can do when they work together. I went over to the site at lunch time last Thursday and in a matter of a few minutes I saw so much of the framing go up. It was all hands on deck but it was still business as usual. There were two or three people on the ground passing up the supplies and many more on the roof and ladders doing the nailing. I came back later that evening and they were completely finished with the second floor exterior wall and roof sheathing. Fast forward to Saturday evening, we went back and the entire first and second floor interior walls had been framed. There were a few pieces of wood that were used for the studs that we didn't like so we talked to the project manager and he did not have a problem with getting those replaced. They weren't load-bearing walls or anything but that doesn't mean it should be ignored. Some progress pics are below.

First Floor Exterior Wall

This post is about a week late but the first floor exterior wall is up. It took two days however upon inspection there was a header on the patio that was cracked and had to be replaced so this delayed thing by a day or so. After one of the construction workers pointed it out to me I looked for it but couldn't see anything wrong but I'm glad the project manager or whoever noticed it still showed integrity and went ahead and marked it for replacement. Unfortunately this meant delaying the next step by one day. Well one day turned into a few and one of the other houses that started the same time as ours ended up getting framed and roofed almost completely before ours had begun because they had to redo a step. All in all I don't mind because I know the house will be structurally sound and I also know that they will make up the time lost later on.

I took some pics both as the block was going up and once it was done. After the header was replaced I actually went inside and took pics from the inside also. At first glance the layout looked much smaller than I imagined but after talking with the PM he explained that it is normal for it to look small at this stage and then once the framing goes up it will look much larger and after drywall small again until paint.

Back patio

Materials for framing phase

Front Porch

Concrete Slab Down and Block Ready to Install

We were quite surprised when we visited the site on Saturday that the concrete slab was poured yesterday. It is still visibly wet but we are excited that it is at least down and we can get a better idea of the size of the first floor. Oddly enough - it looks much smaller than it should be. I had to do a double-take and check over the floor plan to make sure everything will fit - you know, bathrooms, a kitchen, etc.

I went back again on Tuesday to see how much the concrete had dried and if they were ready to start putting up the block exterior walls and what do you know? The block had been delivered and should probably start going up tomorrow. I cannot wait to see the house start taking form. Seems like they are moving along pretty quickly and should have the exterior build done within the next few weeks. We also got an update from the PM:

We poured the slab on Friday.  The next step is blocking for first floor exterior walls, then we inspect, then we will begin framing.  Once framing is complete, we will inspect the exterior sheathing and begin with the first steps of plumbing, HVAC and electric.  In addition, we will begin to install the roof and install windows.
These items will most likely take approximately three weeks.

  

Plumbing Approved!

So as usual, I am still trolling the permitting site and I see that the plumbing permit was finally approved which means they can now start preparing to pour the foundation and then shortly thereafter walls will go up. I cannot wait to see the progress. Although it has only been about 2 weeks so far (just over one week since the official start of construction) I feel like it has been ages. I plan on driving by today or tomorrow to get some updated pics.

Underground Plumbing - APPROVED!!

Waiting on Permits

I've been checking the City's permitting site tirelessly waiting to see if/when the needed permits have been issued and if the inspections have been scheduled so we can keep the process moving along. The lot next door seems to be moving along a little faster as far as the actual construction goes. Their underground plumbing was completed first and preparations for slab foundation was completed prior to our underground plumbing permit even being issued. Then I checked today and saw that the underground plumbing permit inspection was APPROVED and slab was SCHEDULED for the lot next door and ours was still not yet issued. Needless to say, I will be refreshing the permit site throughout the day and will be providing updates.

1:50 PM - No plumbing permit issued for our lot

4:00 PM - Slab approved for lot next door (we still don't have a plumbing permit yet)