Hardwood, Tile, and Carpet - August 30, 2008

We spent some time this week at flooring stores. We spent HOURS this week looking at flooring and Countertop tile. We had a good Idea of what we liked, and did not have any trouble deciding on the tile or carpet. The hardwood floor would have been easy if we didn't have this thing called a "budget." We think that we've found a hardwood that will work. Our builder uses ProSource. ; and while we shopped around they have provide us withthe best pricing and great service. Stephanie has been our sales representative. She has great product knowledge and worke with us to find good products that meet our budget.

All Walls are framed - August 29, 2008

As the sun began to set tonight all of our walls have been framed. We even have stairs now! We were getting tired of climbing up the wall and crawling through the window. We have only a couple of small adjustments to make. Our builder noticed that our original design on the pantry wall needs to be shifted about 6 inches, and we had to make a change to the bedroom wall height so that we could accommodate the 12 foot ceiling in the living room. All in all the process has gone very smooth. It has been less than 40 days since we broke ground and should be in the dry before to long. Hurricane Gustav should make landfall by Monday morning, so we could be receiving a lot of rain as the week progresses.

Framing the Garage - August 27, 2008

The Framing is moving along quickly. There's not much to explain here, but I thought It was good to see the progression.

We Have A Slab - August 25, 2008

Finally the rain has subsided long enough to pour the slab. The concrete truck came early this morning. Framing on the 2nd half of the house could start as early as tomorrow. The framers are still hard at work on roof of the 1st half of the house.

Framing Continues, Rain Delays Slab - August 23, 2008

According to the National Weather Service, we have had almost 3 inches of rain in Maumelle in the last week. It seems more like a foot. The off and on rain has delayed the pouring of the garage slab, so the framers have been working on the half of the house that is not over the slab. It really looks strange. Most of the rooms now have the walls framed and the ceiling rafters above them, so we are able to get a real feel for the size of the rooms. As I write this the forcast is mixed, and the remnents of hurricane Faye are still over Florida, threatening to come our way. Hopefully we will have enough dry weather to get the slab in this week.

Termite Treatment - August 18, 2008

If the weather holds out we'll be pouring the slab. Keith Robinson with Optimal Pest Control Optimal Pest Control came out today and treated for termites where the slab will be poured. He sprayed a hundred gallons of liquid that sends the bugs to termite heaven or termite hell, I'm not sure what happens to termites when they die - never thought about it until just now - either way, their death is on Keith's conscience not mine, I wasn't the one who poisoned them.

He did do a great job and is a very friendly gentleman, not to mention he has a cool truck with scary black widow spider on the side.

Framing in process - August 14, 2008

Our framers have been working just over a week and it is starting to look like a house. The high heat as broken, but we have had some rain but progress is moving along at a very fast pace. It's amazing how quick this process happens. Just a day before this picture was taken, only the small wall shown on the lower right hand part of the picture above had been erected.

Foundation is Complete - August 8, 2008

Laying the blocks for the foundation took less than 3 days. The heat has been above 100 degrees, and when the blocks were moved to make way for the footings they were put at the far end of the lot. This made for some hard work for our block team, but they got the work done. The framing is next.

The footings are Poured - August 1, 2008

The lot clearing went very fast, and we were excited to see the foundation materials arrive just a couple of days later.

Unfortunately, the foundation materials were delivered before the footings had been poured and the delivery guy put them right in the middle of the house - where the footings had to be poured. It was a simple mistake, but by the time it was discovered, the materials were moved, and the footings guy had a chance to get back, we lost about a week. (see lesson 1 from Spring '08 posting.)

Finally the footings are poured and we are ready for the foundation to be built.