The house next door...or how to NOT build a house

[jdurand]

Still not much going on in The Pit house. A couple of plumbers occasionally come by for a few hours. Some sort of inspector was there the other day. The contractor himself and one or two guys were there for a few hours. The tarps are ripping free of the roof. Overall it's ALMOST abandoned. No idea what the delay is.

As for our new house, aside from pauses for heavy rain and one day they got almost record snow (100mm), they're moving right along. A week or two and we should have a roof.

Front of the main part


Back of the main part


Front of shop

[jdurand]

Activity in The Pit!!!

It's ALIVE!!!

I guess I missed when they poured the foundation for the garage, I see they can't pour that without issues.

Shouldn't they pour the floor before putting up all the walls? Seems easier. Also, might want to run some reinforcing in the garage floor.

A big window facing our driveway? Is that so we can look at their big, fancy SUVs?

Pictures:

[jdurand]

A bit more progress on The Pit

That garage looks awfully sturdy for a 1 story hollow shell. Since it has a flat roof with a parapet like the main building, maybe that's to hold up all the water when the drain clogs?

[Frank S]

I wonder if the owners have thrown enough money in the pit that they are beginning to rethink their decisions

[jdurand]

I wonder if the owners have thrown enough money in the pit that they are beginning to rethink their decisions

The contractor and workers are cheery. The contractor still wants to buy our place to tear down and build. We haven't seen the owners recently, but when they come by it's often for a short walk-through.

Our new house is working through a glitch, seems nobody told the roofer that the workshop has a skylight. Oops. They're having a meeting today to adjust the framing as required, at least the roof isn't skinned yet. Also to make sure the two skylights are in the plans for the roof over the 2 story section.

To head off potential problems I gave them a drawing of how we want the work area in front of the workshop roofed (after the house is done). I figured I should get that in before someone builds something in the way of the work area cover. It's going to be nice having a 3 x 5 meter flat work area with a high current welding outlet and regular power. At our California house it's hard to find level ground, the driveway is very sloped and can be used but not well.

[Frank S]

The contractor and workers are cheery. The contractor still wants to buy our place to tear down and build. We haven't seen the owners recently, but when they come by it's often for a short walk-through.

Our new house is working through a glitch, seems nobody told the roofer that the workshop has a skylight. Oops. They're having a meeting today to adjust the framing as required, at least the roof isn't skinned yet. Also to make sure the two skylights are in the plans for the roof over the 2 story section.

To head off potential problems I gave them a drawing of how we want the work area in front of the workshop roofed (after the house is done). I figured I should get that in before someone builds something in the way of the work area cover. It's going to be nice having a 3 x 5 meter flat work area with a high current welding outlet and regular power. At our California house it's hard to find level ground, the driveway is very sloped and can be used but not well.

Having a covered level work area can be extremely useful being able to install a roll down canvas or vinyl wind tarp on a couple sides such as those sun setter awning enclosures when needed is even more so

[jdurand]

Having a covered level work area can be extremely useful being able to install a roll down canvas or vinyl wind tarp on a couple sides such as those sun setter awning enclosures when needed is even more so

Two sides are the main house and front of the shop. The third side is the covered driveway, you can back up to the shop porch and the railing will swing open to make a loading dock. The 4th is open but can have a tarp. You can see the work area in this photo



Anyway, PIT photos.

Skinned the garage


and put in a rather rustic driveway

[IntheGroove]

How much beer was needed to keep that place square...

[jdurand]

How much beer was needed to keep that place square...

My contractor informs me they were restricted to 10 barrels.

[jdurand]

In The Pit we can now see what that engine hoist piece of steel is for. As it's only connected with 4 bolts at the house side, it doesn't strike me as all that strong. But, not my roof.