Bits of progress

I've discovered that working a full-time job, raising two kids, volunteering, (trying) to maintain our household and building a house are kind of an interesting combination for expecting to write a blog post every day.  I just don't have enough time!  My new goal is to post here once a week. It's much more realistic!

These photos will help to document our bits of progress in the last week or so.

All elevations now have siding complete - the blue board will be covered in the spring when the ground thaws.  The material will match the roof and the windows. Note the bracing details on roof overhang.

Casey and I hung all of the recessed can lights over the weekend.  My neck still hurts from looking up.

 Last week our siding was completed, the concrete floors were sealed (although not polished as we had thought they would be) and we passed the Efficiency Vermont thermal break inspection.  We will be working over the next couple of weeks to get the HRV ducting installed as well as the remaining bits of electrical work.  It won't be long and we'll be getting drywall up!

Insulated

This week the insulation was blown into the walls.  On Monday Efficiency Vermont is meeting with us to make sure there are no thermal breaks and also to make sure we are still on track to earn the Energy Star rating.  Once they give our project their stamp of approval, we will be doing more electrical work (ceiling fixture rough in on first floor), installing the ducting for the ERV system and then once that is done, we can get the drywall up!

Looking through the mudroom wall into the kitchen

2nd floor master bathroom

drywall just waiting to go up on the walls!

The North elevation is completely sided. Ledger is in place for a future porch

Bulkhead is sided



West elevation nearly complete

We'll be saying good-bye to the builder after they seal our concrete floors on Monday.  They've done a great job!



 

Ready to insulate!

After spending a few days last week getting the electrical roughed in, today I tackled the remaining portions of the project that were holding us back from insulating the exterior walls. I am happy to say that on the first and second floor, the electrical has been roughed in! *insert applause here*

Yours truly adding wire to one of the boxes that will power our under-cabinet lighting

At the end of the day - I got it done! (Kitchen view from dining)

I still need to run 3 wires in our bulkhead, but it shouldn't be a big deal to squeeze that in this week.

So close but yet so far.....

Over the holiday break I was on vacation for several days and spent a lot of time with the kids. Casey has been very busy on a side project since Thanksgiving week (working 18 hour days) and I've felt a bit like a single parent. I'm very thankful that the side project is complete and now we can focus on getting our house more habitable. The holidays feel like a blur to me and I am ready to focus on the New Year!

I have been squeezing in some work days as I'm responsible for the electrical rough in.  I'm working under a licensed electrician who checks my work weekly and does all the major stuff.  Each time that he comes to look at the progress, he assigns more tasks for me. He and I have been friends for over 12 years, we worked together when I first moved to Burlington years ago. It is so nice of him to support me in this way so that I am able to do the majority of the electrical work myself, saving a ton of money.

At this point all of the plumbing has been roughed in.  About 75% of the exterior walls have the electrical rough in complete.  The plan is to do the dense packed cellulose wall insulation on Monday so I'll be finishing things up this weekend. We've got an appointment lined up for Efficiency Vermont to come and do the first inspection to ensure we are meeting the Energy Star Program standards.  Once we've passed the inspection the drywall can start going up.

Here are a few photos, which are quite dated when I think about how much has been done in the last two weeks.  I just haven't remembered to bring my camera to the job-site when I've been working.

I must also add that we finally got our water heater installed and it is up and running.  Having water in the house feels like a huge step, as does having heat!  Our radiant tubing is flowing with hot water and heating the place nicely.  Once the walls are insulated there will be no stopping us!

My office is just about done



The kitchen plumbing is roughed in and the electrical in the kitchen is also completed since date of photo



The second floor interior walls prior electrical