Minor Remodel...They did a great job...

You probably saw the pictures of our new paver deck on the front of the house. Today the team finished their work by building a stairway from the street to our back yard...or should I say Hotub?

These guys waste no time getting the job done...

Starting at the top they worked their way down, one step at a time...

That little Bobcat sure came in handy.

By the days end, so was the job...They did a great job.

And finally, the planting beds I put together for Kerry are now full of new, rich soil, ready for the first planting...coming soon...

Minor Remodel...It's A Patio

Last night while the workers (and me) slept, the local deer population decided to stop by and check out the quality of the work being done.

First thing this morning our guys made short work of removing the foot prints before continuing on from where they left off.

One piece at a time...it all started coming together.

Man made clouds tried to hang around, but quickly disappeared..

Then it was done,,,

We now have a new front patio...less grass to mow...

Next we will be working on the side walkway from the street to our backyard...

Minor Remodel...Pavers

I know it has been awhile since my last posting. Not that we haven't been busy. Actually things have been moving along at a very quick pace. While our fabricated parts for the  new entrance is at powder coating we decided to get started with other outside projects (and a few inside ones as well).

It all starts here...

First thing...remove the grass out front and prep the area for pavers.

 Pavers delivered

At the same time we are creating a walkway from the street, up the side of the house, ending at the patio off of our bedroom.

Here is a "before digging started" picture followed by a few "after digging started" pictures...

Really cool walk-behind loader...I want one (not sure why, but I do)...

Back to the paver team...

Lunch time...

Measure twice, stack once...

 With all that work going on outside, we also replaced our water heater. The old one was working great, but it was installed in 1992. It is just a matter of time before it dies. So, instead of waking up one day with no hot water and a flooded garage, We decided to get a new water heater...technology has come a long way in just two decades.

 Working the final grade before paver placement.

More to come...as it happens.

Minor Remodel...Concrete Facts,,,

First thing this morning, while I slept deeply, Kerry woke me up saying, "You better get up. They'll be here soon." She was right. Before I could sip my first cup of decaf, a pickup truck pulled up to our place, then another and yet one more joined in as well. They all gathered and greeted each other as if they were long lost pals. 

Within five minutes the beep beep beep sound could be heard as the STAR of the show slowly backed up our street and into place. The pumper guy was making his final set up arrangements as the two of them became one, sort of.

Let the games begin...

All of the forms were put in place last night before the crew left so this morning it was basically a matter of starting the concrete flow and working the cement into place.

Kerry and I had a blast watching.

Everyone had a job to do, including me...my job was to stay out of the way. And I did.

 
Yahoo, we are going to finally have steps that reach our front door.

I had to open the front door and take a closer look. I don't think anyone noticed me.

Slowly they made their way down to the driveway level.

Within 20 to 30 minutes the pumping was complete. All of the concrete was in place and now it simply had to be worked, by hand...the artists can now show off their skills.

The cement truck, the pumper and laborer have all gone by now. This is the time for the detailing to be done. Too many cooks spoil the broth, uh I mean finish,

All that is left to do now is expose the aggregate, That will be all for today. Within a couple of days they will come back to remove the last of the forms. That will be the end (finally) of the cement portion of this minor remodel.

We are being told that due to the cooler weather, we should wait between 3 to 5 days before we start the carpentry portion. Good Idea!

Minor Remodel...It's About Time...

Finally we are getting our Minor Remodel done. The past couple of days we have been doing prep work, getting ready for the cement pour (while the weather is in our favor).

My last post was on November 14th and on the 15th, Kerry and I headed out of town. During our time away, the side stone structure (columns) were completed. I installed the light fixtures a few weeks ago and we love the look. Now, we are ready to do the main entrance portion of the project. First, our new cement guy will do the pour, followed by the carpenter who will erect the structure. Once that is done, the mason returns to do his finishing touches.

Speaking of cement guys, did I tell you that this one is our third? The first one quit after destroying our steps. After the demo he decided he was too busy to do our job. Then we hired a new guy who did the footing work for one of the columns, but went MIA while we were out of town. Our third and final guy stayed with the job and we are now almost done with the cement portion. All of the other trades are patiently waiting in the wings for their turn at bat.

It was decided that the first thing that needed to be done was to remove ALL of the gravel that the first cement guy placed. Apparently there was a ton of debris buried beneath the gravel, which could affect the integrity of the slab.

There was a lot of gravel that needed to be removed (sifted)...

This large trailer was filled to the rim with junk we found buried...

Finally, the space is cleaned out and ready for the correct product to be conveyed in.

 This guy has the coolest job...and perfect aim.

Not one scratch on our front door...

Once the space was full, it was time to build the forms...

And double check the plans...

Once the steel (rebar) was in place, I called for our first inspection...scheduled for Friday morning.

We should be good to go...