Excavation

1/16/08 We finally got the city to issue our permits by agreeing to install the fire hydrant or add a sprinkler fire suppression system to our home. We had to post an $8,000 bond (the amount it would cost the city to do the job at prevailing wage) although we have a bids of 5,000-$6,000.

Today Logan started the excavation for our foundation. It was pretty cold, 26F-30F all day, and the warmer ground steamed as it was exposed. The weather gal says we are set for 7-10 days of good weather with only a chance of showers on Saturday 1/19/08. Hopefully, this dry window will let us get past the foundation pour & into framing before it gets wet again.

The port-a-potty we ordered will be delivered tomorrow morning & our neighbor, John is set to start on the footings & foundation Thursday or Friday.

Yesterday, we found a Jotul gas stove for the master bedroom. It was a used, trade in but in new condition so the 1/2 price was a good deal.

Monday, we drove to Albany where Lynna met with a kitchen designer to plan our kitchen, meanwhile, I wandered around the store & saw a large stack of 4 panel, interior doors. They were solid fir and nicely finished but had been returned from a custom home build. The only flaw I found was a latch cut-out that was routed slightly off center(about 1/16 inch). I chatted them up & the doors were offered at $40 each if I bought several.

Tuesday we came back and I found 20 that would fit in our home. My big score was finding 3 heavy, exterior doors they let me have at the same $40 bargain price.

For an additional $250.00, I also got a set of French doors complete with all the Brass hardware & sliding screen door. They were flawless save for a removable grid that had been broken. We wanted full glass French doors without a grid, so it works for us. I could only post a 3" video of the beginning of excavation & stay within the 1.1 megabyte limit.