10/10/2013: Day 96 - Milestone Day

A big milestone in the project was reached today.........Final power is at the house.  We've had temp power for months now.......60 amps for the house and the trailer.  Finally National Grid got their act together for the final hook up to the house.  We were told it was at least a week long process as three crews were involved.  Apparently there is a demo crew, a line crew and a meter crew.  Also very difficult if they don't have a number for one of their own meters. Seems like Tim bent the ear of the meter guy who could sympathize with our situation and the ridiculousness of their process.  And, low and behold a single crew showed up unannounced yesterday and did all of the work.  So, we are on final power and all that remains for the electrician is to button up the temp tie-ins and change order work to remediate any existing wiring issues.

Tim got the master exhaust fan vent connected so we are free to use the shower.  Also the attic furnace has been started now that final power is here and is fully operational. Second floor is now heated although we still need to connect the downstairs thermostat. Stair tread finishing is completed and installation should commence later next week after several days to allow for a good cure on the finish.  Tim intends to begin

the dining room / living room wood floor weaving today after being occupied with the electrical service and the mechanical start-ups. 

Also completed were replacement of the rusted duct in the furnace room where the old in operable humidifier was.  Plumber has cut & capped the supply line for the humidifer as well as the water and gas for the old washer and dryer in the basement. 

The downstairs interior door painting is completed with only the kids bedroom closets left. Eight more windows need their final coat of paint. once these are done the window/door/trim paint will be complete. Next up on the list is to paint office and basement stair walls and ceilings and install the porch deck boards and prep the front sidewalk for concrete.

NGrid hooking up permanent service

Final Service connected. Temp power pole to be removed.

Temp electrical to camper has now been removed

Stair treads completed and curing

washer and dryer ready to connect

Heat upstairs!

Existing W/D gas and cut & capped above ceiling in basement

Rusted ductwork removed and replaced in furnace room

Old humidifing unit removed.  Pretty scary that this was in the ductwork.

sample of the carpet of dirt/dust/debris on bottom of return.

Goodbye Maid-O-Mist

10/8/2013: Day 94 - Baseboard, Baseboard, Baseboard

Since the baseboard arrived Saturday, I was only able to paint 4 boards at a time as they were in 16' lengths.  After talking with Tim, he decided to cut them to length and label so I would be able to handle them.  After some thought, I was able to arrange the pieces throughout the house, primarily in the office for the shorter pieces and the living room, dining room, and kitchen for the longer pieces, in such a way that allowed me to paint all of them without stacking to dry. So, on a mission I started around 7pm and finished around 11:30pm and was able to finish one coating all pieces, nearly a hundred of them. 

Russ and his guys finished the wood floors upstairs today and they look great.  The plumber finished up odds and ends like the T-stat upstairs, the return grill.  Tim is working on the dryer vent and the kids bedroom doors are ready to be hung.  Tim has been staining and finishing the oak treads for the stair and it looks like he's getting close to having them ready to go.  His plan for 10/9/13 was to work on weaving the LR/DR existing wood floors.  Once that's done, those floors will be ready for scuffing/refinishing. 

We're not in yet but we can see the finish line and certainly have a good kick going.  

The painter (and author) in the groove.

2nd Floor hall floors.

Wood, tile and baseboard and door casing making everything look finished

Kid's bath. Finishes started to make it feel like a home

Second floor return air grill

Baseboard painted - in Dining Room and kitchen

Painted baseboard and stair trim in living room

Painted baseboard, stair trim and risers in office

dryer and bath vent sundries

yep, the master bed!

Well, can't say it was fun, but it sure wasn't bad. Definitely did the job.

Stair/foyer nosing

10/6/2013: Day 92 - What's Behind the White Door?

It's been another long week and weekend with alot of painting going on. Upstairs doors are now completion with the exception of the kid's closet bi-fold doors which are not yet hung.  Window sash and trim paint continued with a little more to wrap up.  Family Room slider got it's final coats of paint as well. Tim cleaned up Friday and moved out most of the tools in preparation for the last of the finish work including the 1st floor wood floors, the stair and baseboard trim. Baseboard and front porch mahogany arrived on site on Saturday. 

Tim removed the dust screen between the kitchen and dining room on Friday so the place has really opened up. Tim also hung the front door and installed the hardware so we have a locking front door for the first time in 3 months.  Upstairs wood floor install scheduled to start on Monday 10/4/13.

We got the washer and dryer upstairs on Saturday thanks to our good neighbor Dan and his hand stair climbing dolly.  Saved alot of agony and was much appreciated.

Kitchen from Dining Room

New baseboard arrived

Washer up the stairs

Washer and newly painted doors

Dryer in it's final resting spot

Hardwood floor stocked in Norah's Room ready for install 10/7/13

Kid's Bath

Flooring in Master ready to go

Master Bath

Dining Room and Family Room from Kitchen.

Rod crashed on camper sofa while mom and dad work in house.

10/1/2013: Day 87 - Inspections Are Coming, Inspections Are Coming

I'm told that final inspections for mechanical, electrical and plumbing are scheduled for this week.  The water is now on and we can wash our hands and flush. Though, we've not started using the house.  I also noticed that the portable toilet left the site today.  Tim patched the plaster below the sink in the half bath and finished the grout in the foyer, half bath and coat closet.  Heating registers were installed in the second floor rooms.  The owners installed the shower rod and curtain in the master bath and we're starting to look finished upstairs.

Shauna prepped the kitchen for paint a few days ago and today, the primer went on.  Color looks pretty good with the existing cabinets, countertops and backsplash tile.  Big debates going on regarding front sidewalks which is next big item by us.  Thankfully a concensus/compromise was achieved and layout will continue.  That will be the next big item after paint is complete.

Kitchen gets some color (even with tinted primer only)

Foyer grouting complete

Plaster patching at Office.

Foyer grout

Plaster patch at half bath sink piping adjustements

Master Bath shower curtain is in! how's that for excitement.

Heating register and exhaust fan at Master Bath

Foyer tile grouted, from stair.

Half bath sink removed for plaster patching. faucet is temporary until selected unit arrives.

9/26/2013: Day 82 - Finish Fixtures

Finish plumbing fixtures are well in progress now.  The kids bathroom appears to be completed, with the vanity, sinks, sink faucets, shower trim, and water closet in place.  The master bathroom is not far behind.  Sink and water closet are in the half bath downstairs.  Tile work continues with cut tiles installed in upstairs bathrooms. Cut tiles are ready to be installed in half bath and foyer downstairs.

Furnace is now connected in attic and looks to be almost ready for start up. Ductwork in attic is also in place.  

All interior window and door trim is finally sanded and ready for caulk and paint. First floor spaces are prepped and ready to receive primer and or paint.  Looking for a big production from the painting subcontractor, MacSchweitzer Painting.

Roddie is very excited and telling anyone who will listen about "his" new light switch in his bedroom.  Norah gave Jack, the neighbor boy, a tour of her bedroom yesterday.  I don't think I'm very excited about that one.  

Foyer cut tiles prepped and ready for install.

New furnace in attic serving new second floor spaces.

New furnace and ductwork.

Kid's Bathroom with faucets installed.

Kid's Potty.

Kid's shower/bath trim.

Foyer lighting installed.

Master bath shower/bath trim.

Master bath vanity