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Two Months of Construction
If someone had told me last May that we would be building a new house this spring, I would have laughed at the very idea. But I celebrated the two-month mark of the project by compiling a slide show for my family. After all that effort, I thought I might as well share it here, as well.
We first viewed this acre of land on November 11. After driving around two small towns, we realized we weren't ready for city living and called the realtor the next morning. The SOLD sign didn't go up until mid-December.
At our first meeting with the builder, they told us that if everything went well we could hope for a March 1 start date. Everything did not go well, but we got our building permit on February 22nd.
This will some day be our front yard, but on February 28 it didn't look all that promising. If you look closely, though, you can see survey stakes indicating where the house is going to be built.
March 1 and the excavator has moved onto the property--as scheduled.
He began work on March 2nd and a day later we got a call saying they had hit blue clay. I dropped in after work to take a look and was suprised at how blue it was. According to the builder, blue clay is the absolute worst thing we could have found. I still shudder to think of what it cost to remediate the situation, but there was no turning back.
Despite significant water problems, the framing for the footings was in place by March 15. Seeing the shape of our dream home lying at the bottom of our very expensive hole was incredibly exciting.
The concrete was poured on March 18. Water was still seeping in near the top of the hole and draining out through a gaping hole they had cut into the bank of our steep slope.
Two days later and they started building the forms for the basement walls.
I was so excited that I stopped in again on my way home from work.
March 24 and the floor joists are being put into place.
The next day my husband was able to stand on top of our "overturned box."
It rained most of March. On the 29th I didn't even bother to go onto the yard, but shot this from the driveway.
Then I walked along the edge of the road to the other corner of the property and took this shot.
March 30 and I get t stand at my kitchen window for the first time! We sited the house as close to the slope as permissable. All of the trees behind our house are protected by a covenant because of the steepness of the slope that leads to a creek below. We like to say we bought a big yard and a small bird sanctuary.
March ends with the first two rafters in place.
April 1: Although I'm excited to see the rafters, it's the dormer roofs that I'm really waiting for.
Depending on your point of view, this is either the side or the back of the house. The architect's drawings call it the back, but we think of it as the side.
April 2nd and there are still no dormer roofs.
April 3rd and the most compelling feature of our house becomes evident. It was the interesting roof lines and the large windows that drew us to this house plan in the first place.
April 5: It's starting to really look like a house.
The next day one of the workers casually mentioned to my husband that "tomorrow" would be a good day to paint the fascia boards.
Since we were attending a family wedding the next day, we just stopped by so I could have an up-to-date photo in my camera to show anyone who expressed just the least bit of interest.
My husband skipped church the day after the wedding and I came afterwards. By late afternoon we had painted all the fascia boards.
Needless to say, it was not I who did the high parts. I hate ladders and with all the uneven ground, I was truly uncomfortable and unhappy most of the afternoon.
The windows arrived ad were installed by April 13.
The stairs went in the next day and I was able to get this shot from the open landing. With the help of two steeply-pitched (12:12) roofs, we have a 21' vaulted ceiling inside our front door.
I chose this tree as another marker for framing the view from the southeast.
While the plumber and electrician worked inside, we began painting trim boards for the exterior. There seem to be an awful lot of them, but we were assured that no extras were ordered.
Although there were no locks on the door by April 22nd, this was the first time Lloyd had to actually open the door to get inside the house.
Basement stairs are generally not very exciting, but given the extra costs involved in getting our foundation and basement up to code these provide access to the most expensive part of our house!
And here's proof that I do more than just take pictures when I'm at the house.
By April 29th the chimney for our wood stove had been installed and the electricity connected. The insulation was also put in that week.
April 30: I drove out after work specifically to document the two-month mark. Many people have commented on how quickly the work has been progressing.
After all the excitement of the first six weeks, things seem to have slowed down. But I still drive out there after work each shift (3 or 4 times per week) just to see what's happening.
Thanks for taking time to share my excitement.
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Wowzer Judy, what an amazingly exciting project, looking forward to seeing how it progresses - and am waiting patiently for my invite to the house warming party
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Hey Ian! I'm still checking for typing mistakes! Thanks for stopping by.
judypw
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Another wow! what a wonderful house, and the builders have't hung about either. I'm looking forward to seeing the furnishings and the yard. When's the house warming
Delia
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Great blog and great pictures, what a good idea to record the construction work. It is not often that you get to see a vacant plot transformed into a home and I have to say it looks fantastic, I wish you all a long and happy life in your new home.
Tez
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what a great idea for a blog.
hope we get to see the progress to the finishing line.
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Great & original blog. They do things a lot quicker in Canada from the looks of it. In the UK it can take a fortnight to change a leaky tap washer.
Only four more years before I retire...
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Wow, Judy, you have been busy, no wonder I haven't seen you around on Fuji much of late. How exciting for you and how wonderful to photo document the progress and write down the journal of events etc. It's amazing to see the house grow from laying the foundations to the almost finished building. Looks like you won't be knocking on the neighbours door for a cup of sugar as I can't see any dwellings around you. Just the birds and nature. (I'd miss the supermarket almost on my doorstep...LOL!!) Looks like your dream home and I wish you all the best in it Judy. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks, everyone for your encouragement. I'm not a geologist, but the excavator says that the blue clay turns into a "milkshake" when it gets wet. It's very unstable and eventually the house would drift with it. From our standpoint, it was the $$$$ that made it really bad. As for the speed, the company we chose to build for us prides itself on building quality homes quickly and methodically--in about half the time that most companies would take. After living 15 kms from town, this will be 4. I guess I'm still in denial about the neighbours, because I cropped them off--and there is still one vacant lot beside us, owned by a lovely couple who plan to build this summer.
I promise there will be more--in due time.
judypw
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Brilliant idea for a blog, and the photos and narrative really did it justice. The house itself looks amazing, and it'll be great to look back when it's finished and see all the work that went into it. Well done, I'm looking forward to seeing the next instalement now when it's all done. Thanks for sharing.
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I am soo envious, i would love to be able to build our own house. We watch lots of programmes about self builders and yours is great. I wait for the next instalment.
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Hi Judy, well now we now what you've been up to! Great blog, when you scroll down fast you can see the house go up, just like in one of those time-lapse films, cool! All the best to you, catch you later, toodloo! PS tks for comment on my entry.
Joce
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Hello Judy, what a great blog. Seeing it go up before our very eyes, terrific.
I wish you all the very very best in your new home and look forward to seeing some more photos when you are settled in.
Thanks. XXX
Steve
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looks like a pretty setting for your new house. good idea for a blog well thought out lots of info about what is happening
good luck for the future in your new home
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Wow! What a fantastic blog, I was absolutely gripped all the way and quite disappointed on getting to the end and not seeing the finished house!! Not that they haven't been brilliant, those builders cos they have!! So much done is so little time, absolutely amazing.
I can't wait to see the next episode in your adventures, I hope this is going to be a regular thing now. What a beautiful building too, I love it.
So the next Fuji meet is a housewarming in Canada eh, I could go with that!!
Thank you so much for sharing, and come back soon..........please!
Viv
Oh and lots of love and happiness in your new home!!
photogirl
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Hi Judy,
I did a photo album as my first house was built. Its great to look back on later and a great idea for a blog. I hope it turns out to be a very happy home.
I trust you will do an update in the weeks to come.
Well Done.
ps we're up for the Housewarming Party too !!
Jim
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Wow, Judy! What an exciting time for you and your husband! Sorry I missed your blog when you first posted it. I can see how stressed you would be from deciding on the building lot, to picking out the house plan, deciding on the colours and fixtures, to the final stage - your brand new home! An amazing time in your life! Can't wait to see your completed home! Thank you for your kind comments on my gallery. I haven't thought about posting photos on Canadian Geographic - will have to look into that! Good luck with your newest project...
Eleanor
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