After looking around . . . did you know that professional tree service will charge you $3000 to move a tree this size? Wow. We ended up hiring a couple arborists that one of our worker guys knew. The came over and knocked out the landing hole across our yard in 2 hours. You may not be able to tell from the photo, but that is a huge hole, 2 guys with sharp shovels, 2 hours.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Mini Remodel Saga #1
The Japanese Maple: The front stairs will come down right into our very old and very large Japanese Lace Leaf Maple tree. We call him Snuffleupagus because he closely resembles Big Bird's mysterious friend from Sesame Street.
Anyway . . . we discussed this early on, "hey that tree is going to be in the way, you should figure out what you want to do with it", but we didn't really rush out to make a decision. Then one day Bo said "hey did you figure out what you are doing with the tree? It's going to be in the way .. . . Like . . .. tomorrow".
In the past people have mentioned that these trees, this size (6+ feet tall, and around 10 feet across) are very popular and worth around $5000. We listed him on Craigslist, but not takers. So we decided to keep him.
*** I should also mention that in this picture you can see that the big giant window which spent so much time leaning against the dumpster in the driverway has now made it up to the balcony in front of it's future final resting place. My nervousness about the big window finally inspired the crew to get it up there. Thanks Bo!
Friday, July 25, 2008
A closer view of the front porch framing
Pretty soon the sub-floor will go up and we can get that big giant window out of the driveway.
After a lot of tearing stuff off the house there is adding going on!!!
The framing for the new front porch/stairs started. The roof will extend out over the large porch in front of the front door to provide a rain free entry/exit.
VK's back porch!
It is almost done, just missing a little trim on the bottom step. She loves it, we love it. Thanks Bo!
Landed safely in it's spot
Now we just have to deal with the electrician, get some water and chemicals in that puppy, a nice glass of wine and sit back and enjoy the view.
The Hot tub project
While not explicitly a part of our home remodel project, the hot tub is a part of our whole life improvement plan and is happening in conjunction with the house remodel.
What better time to bring a bunch of vehicles, a giant crane and lift a hot tub up in the sky than when you already have a bunch of rigs in front of your house, a giant dumpster, a port-a-potty,and regular visits by a lumber truck with a forklift.
We blocked the street in front of our house and lifted this sucker skyward, but only after blocking the street in front of the previous owners house and lifting it up in the sky there. Transporting the whole operation the .5 miles to our house and causing neighborhood mayhem! :)
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Previously the studio had 2 bare bulbs hanging from the ceiling . . .
now I have 8 can lights on a dimmer. :)
The new studio wall.
This will ultimately be painted and trimmed out to look like the other garage door.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
New windows in the studio.
2 single pane aluminum windows (only one opened) turn into 3 properly installed and opening vinyl windows.
The roof demo has begun.
The roof will be demo'd on the end and extended to the north edge of the patio. We will then get a new roof surface.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
2 of the three windows have been replaced . . .
in support of the new slider and back porch that will go in the middle bedroom upstairs.
New windows in the basement
Smaller, but better insulation and security. The previous windows were just up against the concrete. We end up with properly framed windows. We will still get some light, and ventilation but we didn't really rely much on these windows anyway.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Where there was once a garage door . . .
there will be a wall. Much to my surprise I walked into the garage (expecting to be able to exit to the street) and found a wall. Here they had it open temporarily to load in the windows.
The slider for the back yard.
This door will be added to one of the upstairs bedrooms for essential mid-house entry into the back yard.
We have only been able to get to the yard from the north end and that makes us under utilize the whole back yard which is really quite nice. The hot tub will be installed down the yard to the left.
The Windows are here!!!
That is our big window for the living room. It will replace a GIANT single pane of glass. That window in the picture weighs 270 pounds and will take at least 4 guys to get into place upstairs.
We are excited, even tough it is hard to beat the viewing properties through the current giant pane'o glass, the new window will give us important insulating properties for sound and climate, as well as the ability to pen it and get a breeze in the living room in the spring and summer.
This window . . .
is to my office/temporary studio. The stairs were right in front of the window and you could only open the casements a couple inches because the stairs were in the way. We will now be able to have a better view and ventilation in there.
No front stairs . . .
The support poles (steel rebar surrounded by rickety cosmetic tubing . . . classy!!) are going to be cut out.
Snuffleupagus the Japanese Maple has to go . . .
the new front stairs will be coming down very near where he lives. Look for him on Craigslist.
The front demo begins
The tear-off of the front stairs and demo of the balcony begins. Most of the existing joists are in good shape.
Bo, the Thinker
Bo our site manager, foreman, jack of all trades and all around great guy keeping things in order.
reverse window trimming
Noe uses a hammer and a chisel to properly size the window openings in the concrete wall.
More headroom
I get 3 - 4" of new headroom in the studio! Also the AC piping, and electrical conduit will be tucked nicely up inside the ceiling.
All new joists
Brand new pressure treated lumber, perfectly graded to provide adequate "runoff" of water. Key step in the waterproofing of the new patio.
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