As you know dear Reader, we are adding an addition to our house. It will be a first floor bedroom, a deck off the bedroom and an expanded bathroom. We hoped to start in April but rain, rain and more rain, plus contractor's schedules got in the way and we did not officially begin till June 19th.
June 19, 2024, 8am
Since then, things have been going fairly well. The hole for the crawl space was dug, the foundation poured and a ton of supplies arrived, including a Porto-Potty for the workers. A giant dumpster was delivered which essentially cut us off from the garage so we had to park our cars in the front yard. We were reduced to one entry into the house (the front) and we were completely cut off from the basement. Then the 4th of July, four day weekend began and all work paused. On July 8, framing began and in 2 weeks we had real progress.
As of July 19th
We were pretty excited. There were a few minor issues and a decision to add a set of stairs to the deck, which up till now would only have had entry from a ramp. An added expense but we felt worthwhile. We had a surprise when we checked out the windows that were installed. We had ordered awning windows and that is what was in the final estimate, but the windows that were installed had awning on the bottom and, surprise, casement on the top. We thought that was pretty good and I will make sure the contractor pays the up-charge on that.
View from the inside
But yesterday things got bad. We had some heavy rain overnight and because we have no gutters right now, a previously weak spot in our foundation really showed its failures. In the past, we have had water in the basement in that area but this was WATER in the basement. The construction guys ran a pump most of the day and then set up fans overnight. This morning the head contractor showed up and discussed the problem.
Okay,okay,okay! We know its not OK. We know it's a problem that isn't going to get better but it just wasn't a conversation I wanted to have. But we did. We had two choices, do a "band-aid" that would maybe solve the problem in the short term or tear out the whole area, pour a small foundation wall and replace the rotten window for the added cost of ..."Oh, $3000-$4000," he said. That probably means $5000. But we decided to go with the better fix. Damn! that's vacation money. Heck, I'll find vacation money, don't you worry.
The rotting window
And so it goes. I'm sure something else will raise its ugly head. But for now we are about $7000. over budget. Less than I originally planned for and certainly cheaper than buying a new house with all its hidden secrets and problems. Stay tuned as we go forward.
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