FINALLY!

We have a basement. I wasn't really expecting it to be done this morning when I drove by so I was not prepared with the camera but I will try to get by there again this week and take a few photos.

The basement was supposed to be poured a couple of weeks ago but the plumber had a leak in one of the pipes which delayed things. Then we had some issues with the City last week because they lost our approved set of plans! So instead of calling and telling us that they just kept rejecting our inspection, with no reason marked on the slip. So finally the builder went to the City to figure out what was going on. Once they admitted they lost the plans we were able ot forge ahead, of course we had to provide them a copy of the approved set that we have. A little frustrating, but at least we are moving ahead now! Hopefully we will see some walls soon!

Basement is backfilled

Ron and Trevor on the excavator, yeehaw!

Facing the back of the house looking to the left. We finally decided the layout of the basement will be the kitchen against the very farthest wall and the bathroom will be in the "nook" area.

Facing the back of the house looking to the right.

Another shot of facing the back of the house. Kind of gives you an idea of the backyard (or lack thereof).

This weekend Ron worked at the lot all day Saturday and got the majority of the material needed to the lot that we need for backfilling the basement. Then on Sunday Ron, Trevor and I all headed to the lot to bale the material into the basement and level it all out. Luckily we had the excavator there and used that for the most of it and that way could avoid having to use a wheelborrow for the whole thing. So Ron ran the excavator and Trevor and I got to shovel and rake to get the material to the edge of the walls. Next Monday the plumber will be out to start installing the pipes that will be under the basement floor and then the floor will be poured and hopefully some walls will start to go up!

Yards are in!

Standing to the left of the house looking across the "front lawn".

Standing to the left of the house again (same location as above picture) but looking down at the "side lawn". I think this is going to be the general location of Trevor and I's vegetable garden. He has been requesting a veggie garden since we bought the lot, so I figure I better follow through on it.

Standing on Cherry Rd (upper rd) looking at the "front lawn"/front of the house. The fill here is a little deceptive because it almost looks like you can drive into the garage, well you could but you would need the excavator to lift your car out! =)

Here I am standing to the left of the house looking into the basement, which yes has some water in it. The drains are capped at the moment as to not fill them with backfill (no worries). Also you can see about 1/2 of the "back yard" in front of the excavator.

Okay you really have to use some imagination. I imagine I will be using that line frequently throughout this process so bear with me. Ron drove truck and we hired another truck to haul in drain rock for the footing drains and downspouts and we also had another one of the guys from work running the dozer and excavator. There were able to get all of the backfilling done on the outside of the foundation (for the most part). The garage and basement still need to be backfilled but Ron is hoping to get the basement done this weekend. The garage isn't a huge hurry since it doesn't get poured until after the construction is already underway. The native material was/is still pretty wet but after a couple weeks of some nice sunny weather it will be as hard as a rock, a great base for the topsoil, driveway, etc.

Walls done!

Standing on the lower road (Willow) looking up at the house.

Standing on the upper road (Cherry) looking down and to the right of the house. This closest corner is the bedroom that Trevor has claimed as his.

This is the giant support column for the front porch.

The garage. Obviously needs A LOT of fill!

The walls are done! Hopefully this week they will spray them with waterproofing stuff, put in the footing drains and downspouts. Then this weekend Ron will be backfilling. Then they will pour the basement floor and then hopefully they will start with the actually building.

Oh yeah, that is snow that you are seeing on the ground! Yep, snow on April 2nd, great b-day present huh?

The Fortress

I hadn't visited the lot at all this week due to Trevor being sick and then me being sick. Anyway, Ron stopped by tonight and insisted that I go out there also. So we all climbed in the truck and off we went. To say the least I was a little suprised to see all the forms up and how high they are! Granted that the foundation doesn't necessarily go to the top of the forms but it was still overwhelming. We also got a really really good shot of our view from the "main" floor. In case any of you are wondering the red thing that Trevor is pointing at is a rebar cutter / bender. I didn't know what it was and had to ask Ron. I took a bunch of pictures so I apologize in advance!

Concrete footings almost done

I dropped by the lot today expecting to see just the forms for the concrete footings done but I was pleasantly suprised! They have almost all of the footings done already. there is a small section that is not done yet, not sure why but I don't care they are farther along than I expected! YIPPEEE! At least you can get a better idea of what the house is going to be shaped like. Stay tunes for more at this rate these guys might be done with the entire foundation by the end of next week!

ground work for foundation footings done

Ron and Doug were able to get the foundation all dug out and the groond for the footings all ready to go for the foundation crew tomorrow! YEAH! We rented a compactor to make sure that our compaction tests will pass tomorrow. Yes, I ran it briefly and ron had to get a picture of me just to prove that I do actually work sometimes! HEHE!