Just in case you're wondering, I love reading your comments.
I still haven't figured out how to respond short of writing a new post like this one, but I'm going to have my technical advisor (aka Will) check on that today.
Today is full of noise (grinding on the front step, pounding and sawing in the kitchen) and dust (mortar and drywall).
Anyone want to go out for lunch—that is, assuming I can find a way out of this place?
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
The vent about the vent
Here's an update to the previous "ARGH" post:
We're getting a new furnace and a new water heater. The good news: the new flue can go away entirely. That includes the hideous, large silver vent sticking out of the new roof. The bad news: $$$$$, time, and mess.
Our front step is now being totally rebuilt—it needed quite a bit more work than they originally thought. That means for the next couple of days, we can only go in and out through the back door, which will be tricky when the kitchen is full of sheetrock and workers.
And due to a mis-communication on our part, the electricians have to come back and move the dining room light switch before the sheetrock can go up.
But we're healthy, it's spring, and all of this work needed to happen sooner or later. And despite all the frustrations, I'm determined to remember how lucky we are that this is really happening.
That's all for tonight. Thanks for letting me vent.
We're getting a new furnace and a new water heater. The good news: the new flue can go away entirely. That includes the hideous, large silver vent sticking out of the new roof. The bad news: $$$$$, time, and mess.
Our front step is now being totally rebuilt—it needed quite a bit more work than they originally thought. That means for the next couple of days, we can only go in and out through the back door, which will be tricky when the kitchen is full of sheetrock and workers.
And due to a mis-communication on our part, the electricians have to come back and move the dining room light switch before the sheetrock can go up.
But we're healthy, it's spring, and all of this work needed to happen sooner or later. And despite all the frustrations, I'm determined to remember how lucky we are that this is really happening.
That's all for tonight. Thanks for letting me vent.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Totally my fault
Minutes after I posted the previous "wonder what other surprises are out there" entry, I learned that we need a new furnace. They discovered a cracked heat exchanger when redoing the venting. The furnace is old enough that it doesn't make sense to try to repair it; it just needs to be replaced.
ARGH!
ARGH!
Flue season
The giant flue is gone, courtesy of this morning's crew, and the new, smaller one is on its way in as I write.
So far, that flue has been the biggest surprise of this whole project. We didn't know it was there until we moved some walls—it had been hidden in the old wall near the stair landing.
This little added project is anything but cheap, but it's worth it to me to not lose half of a floor-to-ceiling cupboard. That's a lot of room to give up.
This got me started thinking about everything we've added to this project since we started:
1. We made the back bumpout 8' wide instead of 5.5'. No regrets there.
2. We added coffers to the kitchen ceiling. If they look as beautiful as I anticipate, this will have been another good addition.
3. We changed the roof flashing to copper. This was a wash financially. The roofing budget included new sheathing wherever it was needed, and we didn't need any.
4. We resided the dormer and moved the window. I'm so glad we did this, and I love the new window location centered on the upper step of the landing.
5. We're likely adding heat under the back entry tile to make that north-facing space cozier and help shoes and boots dry faster. Anyone have experience with heated tile floors?
6. We're having the front step re-built this week. The same mason who did such a great job on the new foundations will be rebuilding it using the old brick. Nelson knows the best subcontractors—it's such a comfort to know that whatever our house needs in years to come, we can count on him to recommend someone who'll do a wonderful job.
7. Thanks to Ringo's carpet demolition, we're either refinishing the living room floor or getting new carpet. This isn't really related to the kitchen project, except that he's been confined to the living room instead of the kitchen during this process.
I think that's all for now. But I'm guessing there are at least a few more additions lurking.
So far, that flue has been the biggest surprise of this whole project. We didn't know it was there until we moved some walls—it had been hidden in the old wall near the stair landing.
This little added project is anything but cheap, but it's worth it to me to not lose half of a floor-to-ceiling cupboard. That's a lot of room to give up.
This got me started thinking about everything we've added to this project since we started:
1. We made the back bumpout 8' wide instead of 5.5'. No regrets there.
2. We added coffers to the kitchen ceiling. If they look as beautiful as I anticipate, this will have been another good addition.
3. We changed the roof flashing to copper. This was a wash financially. The roofing budget included new sheathing wherever it was needed, and we didn't need any.
4. We resided the dormer and moved the window. I'm so glad we did this, and I love the new window location centered on the upper step of the landing.
5. We're likely adding heat under the back entry tile to make that north-facing space cozier and help shoes and boots dry faster. Anyone have experience with heated tile floors?
6. We're having the front step re-built this week. The same mason who did such a great job on the new foundations will be rebuilding it using the old brick. Nelson knows the best subcontractors—it's such a comfort to know that whatever our house needs in years to come, we can count on him to recommend someone who'll do a wonderful job.
7. Thanks to Ringo's carpet demolition, we're either refinishing the living room floor or getting new carpet. This isn't really related to the kitchen project, except that he's been confined to the living room instead of the kitchen during this process.
I think that's all for now. But I'm guessing there are at least a few more additions lurking.
Friday, March 26, 2010
What to expect when you're remodeling
On September 14, 2009, I ended my first blog entry with the words, "I just hope it doesn't take nine months."
On March 14, our kitchen remodel entered its third trimester.
To be fair, the project includes two additions and a complete roof replacement. Nevertheless, I can understand why friends, neighbors or observers might feel it's taking forever.
There is good news, though, and lots of it.
First, we're completely happy with the work so far, and have truly enjoyed Nelson and all his workers and subs. That's far more important to me than getting it done quickly.
Second, the basement kitchen is a godsend. Although we are not eating elaborate meals (it's hard to get too complicated when working with 18" of counter space on either side of the sink), I love being able to make a pork roast or bake cookies in the oven, or just steam vegetables in the microwave. Every time we sit down for dinner, I appreciate eating off real plates with real silverware, instead of endless paper and plastic.
Finally, we're at a point where I believe the progress will be more visible to all of us. The insulation went in today (I was impressed by the guy's stilt-walking ability), the vent pipe will be removed and the new one installed on Monday, and the drywallers will start Tuesday.
I've been warned that the space will temporarily look much smaller with drywall in place—has anyone else had that experience?
When the drywall is finished, Nelson will measure and begin building the cabinets—base cabinets first. The granite fabricators will need to measure them before turning the slab into counters, a process that takes about three weeks.
Our best estimate for completion (aka due date) is sometime late May to mid-June.
Maybe when we see the new kitchen, we'll even say some of the same things we said upon meeting Will and Anna as newborns: Look how big you are! You look just like I pictured you! Look at all that hair!
Well, maybe not that last one.
On March 14, our kitchen remodel entered its third trimester.
To be fair, the project includes two additions and a complete roof replacement. Nevertheless, I can understand why friends, neighbors or observers might feel it's taking forever.
There is good news, though, and lots of it.
First, we're completely happy with the work so far, and have truly enjoyed Nelson and all his workers and subs. That's far more important to me than getting it done quickly.
Second, the basement kitchen is a godsend. Although we are not eating elaborate meals (it's hard to get too complicated when working with 18" of counter space on either side of the sink), I love being able to make a pork roast or bake cookies in the oven, or just steam vegetables in the microwave. Every time we sit down for dinner, I appreciate eating off real plates with real silverware, instead of endless paper and plastic.
Finally, we're at a point where I believe the progress will be more visible to all of us. The insulation went in today (I was impressed by the guy's stilt-walking ability), the vent pipe will be removed and the new one installed on Monday, and the drywallers will start Tuesday.
I've been warned that the space will temporarily look much smaller with drywall in place—has anyone else had that experience?
When the drywall is finished, Nelson will measure and begin building the cabinets—base cabinets first. The granite fabricators will need to measure them before turning the slab into counters, a process that takes about three weeks.
Our best estimate for completion (aka due date) is sometime late May to mid-June.
Maybe when we see the new kitchen, we'll even say some of the same things we said upon meeting Will and Anna as newborns: Look how big you are! You look just like I pictured you! Look at all that hair!
Well, maybe not that last one.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
That was easy
Nelson just stopped by for an update, and said he thinks handles would work better than knobs on the big drawers.
He also said everyone who has worked on the house has said how much they like it. The word "cute" seems to come up a lot, along with "cottagey." That makes me smile.
After a successful heating and cooling inspection today (despite an over-excited Ringo christening the inspector's shoes), we have a general inspection scheduled for tomorrow. Then within a day or two, the insulators should arrive, followed by the sheetrockers.
Is it just me, or does it sound like a name for a band: Ringo and the Sheetrockers?
He also said everyone who has worked on the house has said how much they like it. The word "cute" seems to come up a lot, along with "cottagey." That makes me smile.
After a successful heating and cooling inspection today (despite an over-excited Ringo christening the inspector's shoes), we have a general inspection scheduled for tomorrow. Then within a day or two, the insulators should arrive, followed by the sheetrockers.
Is it just me, or does it sound like a name for a band: Ringo and the Sheetrockers?
Knobs versus handles
We don't have any drywall, the new floor, cabinets or countertops ... but for some reason I am thinking about hardware today.
I love the idea of glass knobs, and found some at Restoration Hardware in Kansas City that feel good in your hand.
But I'm wondering whether the two oversized drawers along the bottom of the island should have knobs as well, or glass pulls instead. The other drawers are standard width, and I think they'd be fine with just one knob.
I know it's all right to have a mixture—I'm just not sure if I'd prefer that or two knobs on the larger drawers.
Thoughts? Advice? Anyone? Bueller?
I love the idea of glass knobs, and found some at Restoration Hardware in Kansas City that feel good in your hand.
But I'm wondering whether the two oversized drawers along the bottom of the island should have knobs as well, or glass pulls instead. The other drawers are standard width, and I think they'd be fine with just one knob.
I know it's all right to have a mixture—I'm just not sure if I'd prefer that or two knobs on the larger drawers.
Thoughts? Advice? Anyone? Bueller?
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