Slow progress

Front stoop completed in July

The front entrance was built about a month ago and nothing was done to protect it from the numerous contractors who made continuous trips in and out of the house sometimes dragging equipment across the steps with little regard for their condition.  Ronnie just this week asked our mason, Jack Haas, who built them for a resolution to this problem.  I have to say he was as disappointed with the disregard for them as we were.  He had in fact covered them with plywood upon completing their construction but it was removed.  Who knows why?  So, the same day Ronnie asked, he covered them again and we'll see how long it will last this time. Thank you Jack Haas!

Stoop today

Building report cards.

 We have passed the electrical, plumbing and framing inspections.  The stickers of success are posted at the

entrance of the house.

Custom made for the building inspector.

  It is also noted that we have a temporary staircase built because the building inspector would not climb a ladder to inspect the second floor.  How do these guys get these jobs? 

Gas stove insert similar to what we plan.

The fireplace is being built.  We will have a gas stove( http://www.heatnglo.com/en/Products/Tiara-II-Gas-Stove.aspx )  installed which will be placed in the fireplace like the example above, from one of the builder's previous homes.

Jack Haas built firebox

It will be a lot more energy efficient than a wood burning fireplace.  I had my fill of that in our Yankee Barn. 

The room below, the largest of the bedrooms, and will be a grandkids room with access to the cupola and a pass through to another bedroom.

We thought we might save some $$ in the second floor of the house by keeping the old oak floors. However the floor contractor is less optimistic.  Staples from the carpets are still in the floors and the floors' unprotected exposure to the elements for the past 5 months has beaten them up pretty badly.   Removing the staples and resurfacing the floors may cost as much as laying new floors.

Largest of the 3 2nd floor bedrooms.

 Not sure what to expect in the coming week.  Insulation and sheetrock needs to get installed but they want the siding on first.  The siding contractor is the same contractor that did the roof and his bill came in at  twice the builder's estimate so some new siding contractors are being considered. Basically the house is enclosed except for the front door.  We had planned a custom made 3-1/2 ' wood front door made out of fir.  We learned the door maker won't warranty a fir door without at least a 4' overhang. Guess who doesn't have a 4'overhang?  Guess who is now waiting for a price on a custom made mahogany door?