Framing Has Begun!

When the framing got going, it really got going! Take a look at these and you can see just how fast things have started to shape up. We've been spending evenings measuring and visualizing what the space will finally look like (hope you can see it also).

This is what happens when you frame with warped lumber -or maybe what a panoramic view looks like when you don't keep your focus on lining up the shots!

A view from the second floor (same lumber and photographer)!


Now here is a clean shot. This is a view from the back yard looking at where the French Doors will be installed.

And a view from the garden looking back at the house.

Here's a view from inside, standing in the kitchen doorway looking across the new space.

The Lumber is On-site

Well it's a few days later, although I've not been keeping up with day-after postings, but the lumber has arrived for framing the First & Second floor.

I've always wondered what it would be like to have a home stick-built. Well, here are the sticks and I'm glad the professionals at UBuildIT and the framing contrator are on-site.

As you can see the lumber was placed on the lower part of the yard just along the sidewalk. The framing crew worked to move it up onto the lawn and stage items so that the first floor was first and the second, well - second.

Another view of the sidewalk.

A small pile on the front lawn.

An a smaller one.

The Boom

I've got some video of the construction project. This is just a sample. If all goes well, I'll get the others posted soon. Click the 'link' to enjoy "The Boom".

Link

The Basement has been Poured!

The crew arrived early and completed the pour without any problems. The pumper truck was much bigger and as you can see they parked in front of the driveway and extended the boom over the house from there. Here's a few pictures (remember you can click them to make them bigger).

UBuildIt has been great! They've been with us every step of the project. I can't think of a better way to complete a home addition.
The rigs are set-up and the crew took care to protect the road as well. It's great when a plan comes together so well.


Here's a couple of shots of the 3-man crew working the concrete as it was being pumped over the house.

Another view. If you were wondering the basement is 18'x32' with a small 9'x5' extension along the side of the house (which will support the 1st floor mud room and extension of the small bedroom on the 2nd floor).

A front view of the pumper truck getting set-up. The boom is fully extended up and over and pointed back at the truck (you can see it hovering over the street).


The boom is up & over the house.

Another view of the extended boom.

A panoramic view of the cement mixer and the pumper truck line-up.

The 3-man crew made quick work of it. You can see one here starting to level things out.

Ready to Pour the Basement Slab!

The basement walls are up & the inspection passed. Take a look at these panoramic views and you'll see that we are ready. (You can click the pics to make them bigger.)

A view from above.

Straight across the back yard.

From the corner.

From the opposite corner.

And across from the other side.

A view of the whole house, from the back.

A view from the back looking into the basement.

The Basement Walls are UP

Yes, the walls are up and the slab prep is complete. All that's need is for the County to inspect and give the go ahead to pour (actually pump over the house) the concrete slab.

I've got pictures ready to post, so come back soon...

The Basement #3

The waterproofing and drainage system has been added to the outside of the foundation. You can see that the windows openings are complete. The next step is to prepare the slab.

A view of the outside of the long wall.

A panoramic of the basement from above.

A panoramic from the side.

The Basement #2

The basement walls are really taking shape. You can see the window openings and how things are progressing.

A view from above.

You can see there was some rain, but not to worry the drainage will be handled before the slab is poured.

A close-up of the egress window.

And a side window.

A panoramic of the new basement.

The Basement is Taking Shape

The masonry crew worked two long days and nearly completed the basement walls. I did a quick count and found 65 blocks per layer and there are 7 layers. They have a bit more to do, but things are taking shape very well.

Here's a view form the driveway.

And a view from the street.

You can see most of three walls.

A view from one corner.

Here's a view from the back corner.

Another view of the work area.

A view across the far left wall.

Supplies for Basement Walls

The footer foundation has been poured and cured. The crew is ready to begin forming the basement with cement blocks. This work, from delivery to placing the bricks has all been completed by hand. The crew did a great job.

Just some of the supplies that were delivered.

The driveway was made into a cement mixing area so that the blocks could be stacked in the basement and mortared together.

Another view of the work area.

The blocks are beginning to look like basement walls.

The supplies are stacked and ready for use.

The brick points are crucial to making sure the walls are within the set backs required by the county.

Another brick point.

The corner is in place.

Another view of the blocks before they became the basement walls.

Pouring Cement for the Footers

The cement was coming fast and furious through the tube. The two-man crew in the new basement area worked great together and made quick work at getting the footers poured and leveled.

One man focused the delivery while the other worked in the cement.

They make it look easy, but it's not.

They're just about halfway through pouring.

A little finishing work in the corner.

Almost two-thirds complete.

You can see the tube from the pumper trunk dangling in the middle of the work area.

The pouring is complete and the cement is drying.

A view from the other side.

The corner footer.

More Pictures of the Big Rigs

The boom has been raised and the pouring will begin soon. The crew is getting in place and I'll take a few more shots of the rigs before they get started.

The boom was literally over the house (corner-to-corner) and the cement was dumped from the mixer to the pumper, then through a set of tubes over the house.

Things are set!

Final checks and we're about to start pumping!

You can see that the pumper was bigger then the driveway, but they worked it into place with extreme care. That front wheel was lifted off the ground to stabilize the rig.

The Cement Rigs Arrive on Site

The cement mixer and the pumper trunks arrive in the neighborhood to pour the cement for the footers. Took a little time getting set-up and then it was pouring time. I should note that both trunks were HUGE! Everyone has seen a cement trunk before, but until you have one in front of your house you don't realize just how big they are. And the pumper trunk was even more massive.

Here's the cement trunk parked in the street.

And the pumper trunk arrives. I'll be a job getting it into place.

The cement mixer trunk will feed the back end of the pumper trunk and the cement will rise up & over the house to the backyard.

The boom has been extended and soon the cement will flow.

Here's a view of the pumper in the driveway.

Digging Day #5

The footer framing is in place and awaiting the concrete to be poured. You can see the re-bar in some of these pictures. Looks like a very solid foundation. Next up-concrete!

The rebar work is complete!

Just waiting for concrete.
Another view of the re-bar.