November 2009

The following is a purge of all the thoughts and processes that have kept us occupied over the past several weeks.  We have finally crossed the threshold into a full-blown remodel!  Our attention has shifted more towards the Kitchen Remodel, but there are some Basement items that need to be completed simultaneously (plumbing, electrical, sheetrock).  There is no turning back now--just a strict schedule to get things completed by then end of January!  At times, it seems crazy to take on such a project when we are just months away from Millie's arrival.  This is the best time to get it done because neither one of us can imagine tackling this while also taking care of a baby.  In fact, we are so preoccupied with the house, that we have to take a step back sometimes to reflect on the fact that we are going to have our own family very soon!  Glazing over all the dust, noise, and overall disruption, I am looking forward to the final transformation.  The spaces are starting to feel like a home, a machine designed especially for the way we live.  We are excited to raise a family in the newly remodeled home!

There is a lot of value in hiring a contractor to manage your remodel. . . to keep things going consistently, on time, and within budget.  I have taken on that contracting role because I have the time/energy/desire to take on the task.  I am enjoying all the coordinating, accounting, etc.  It is stimulating to wear all the hats:  the architect, the contractor, the homeowner, photographer, and when Matt is home from work--the assistant laborer. . . though, I am quickly cutting back on the physical work to maintain a healthy pregnancy.

One of my favorite, simple pleasures in this contracting role has been working with local suppliers to acquire the construction materials needed for the job.  If we never needed last-minute items late in the evenings or on weekends, I would totally avoid Lowes and Home Depot. . . but their hours are a definite market advantage.  The following local, specialized suppliers have the knowledgeable staff and customer service that are making this process worthwhile for me!  Plus, I find that many of them have a better selection in their specialized areas.

For windows, we used Butterfield Millworks in Johnson.  They had the widest selection of standard sizes in quality windows--JeldWen.  Plus, they honored an Architect's discount for me.  For framing & general construction materials, we are using Meeks. . . I set up an account for contractors pricing, place my orders over the phone with a seasoned construction specialist and they deliver!

In the plumbing department, I have to recommend Service Supply Company in Fayetteville and Winnelson in Springdale.  Service Supply does not sell the pex piping and fittings, but they recommended Winnelson (thank goodness!) for these items.  Both warehouses are great!  No more stumbling around Lowes having a hard time finding the right parts!  No, No.  At these warehouses, I go up to the counter and place my order. . . just like ordering a beer at the bar. . . with a knowledgeable staff person who has years of plumbing experience to make sure I purchase the right thing.  Then, they go gather everything for me.  I can get all the parts we need while sitting on a barstool. . . it is great!  At Winnelson, they not only set me up with contractor pricing, but they loaned me the crimping tools we need to make the pex pipe attach to the fittings. . . saving us hundreds of dollars in tools!  What this place lacks in curb appeal, it gains in customer service.  To give a visual, here are some pictures from Winnelson.  The main entry and view from the counter:

Love that taxidermy!

So, here is a summary of the work completed since the last post.  And, as promised, a photo of the exterior step lights at night!

We had to relocate all the original sewage piping to make room for the basement walls and ductwork, so it was opportunity to modernize the piping.  And, good thing we did!  There was severe clogging in the old cast iron. . . amazing that these pipes even drained at all!

 Yuck!Totally Clogged!

And, the ancient pre-P-trap assembly from our shower had a cracked reservoir that was leaking shower sewage in the crawlspace:

  See the crack?!

Then, we spent two long nights installing our basement window and door as soon as they were delivered. . .just in time for the appraisal that week!  Sigh of relief!

Then, we had a big work weekend (Wall Framing in the Basement and Demo in the Kitchen) when Matt's Uncle Don came to town with his framing know-how and tools.  Susan, John, Jay, Steve, and Mom all offered to help out, too.

Kitchen demo continued on Veteran's Day:

 So long old cabinets!

And, the temporary kitchen has not been too bad.  I can tolerate anything (chemotherapy, braces, pregnancy, demolished house) knowing that it is short-term and leads to something healthier, improved, and more beautiful.   We can still use the kitchen sink, dishwasher, stove and oven (moved to the island countertop.)  The refrigerator and work tables are set up in the dining room.  Overall, it is functioning fairly well.

Last weekend, Matt took out the floor of the old breakfast room (a porch in its former life) in order to re-build a level, sturdy floor flush with the rest of the kitchen floor. . .   I was NOT sad to see that derelict linoleum go away!  Since we took out a wall to make the kitchen a larger, open space, this little project was an important step for acheiving a kitchen floor that will be consistent across the whole space.  We are salvaging all the old pine flooring from under the linoleum to use again as the finished floor in the new kitchen.

See the original floor joists? They were undersized for the long span and sloped from being a porch.

 See the new floor joists!  Thanks, Jeremy, for lending a hand.

Setting the joists in the joist hangers.

And, the final subfloor.

Thomas Murie with Comfort Control has successfully moved our furnace to the basement and had it all working again in time for this cold spell!  Excellent job, Thomas!

And, in the following photo, you can see how the basement spaces are arranged.  This photo is taken from the new exterior doorway.  To the right, the laundry.  Straight ahead, the short hallway back to Matt's shop/Utility Room.  Parallel to the short hall on the left (where the 2x10's lay) will be the stair to the kitchen.  Boxley is standing in the basement bathroom.  And, the space to the far left will be my office and guest bedroom.

Thanks to our friend Barrett, and my mom's insistence to have someone help us complete the demo, the kitchen demo continues!  Thank goodness!

Next on the To-Do List:  Replacing the kitchen windows & back door, framing the new kitchen ceiling and adding beams where walls once stood, adding the interior stair to the basement, continuing ductwork, plumbing & electrical. . . oh, the electrical!  It turns out that most of the existing electrical is active nob-and-tube. . . not safe!  So, we will have to re-wire most of the house in addition to the wiring required by the kitchen remodel and basement.  This hazard makes me anxious to get it done.  We are just waiting on the quotes.  Stay tuned!