Tuesday - August 30, 2011 -- Siding to the Front of the Original House

Eric Busa and his group started taking off the cedar shingles off the front of the original house to put new siding that matches the addition.  As you can see from the pics below, the whole thing is really starting to come together. 

A view from our street:

A direct view of the front of our original house: 

A view from our neighbor's yard:  This shows the original blue ("Turbulent Sea") with the new pre-primed siding:

A view from across the street capturing the "whole thing."

Eric sent this picture showing the group taking the siding off.  One good thing from all this is being able to put insulation around the existing windows.  There was nothing there!

Monday, August 29, 2011 -- Bobcat Day!

Eric had a bobcat brought in on Monday, August 29th, and he (and I -- as you can see later) had some fun with it (err, did some work with it).  Also, Eric DeSilva and Derrick did some interior carpentry (put up strappings?) and prepped the shower area. 

Here are some pics and some explanation:

The backyard -- gravel placed where the new deck will go.  Also, some grading done to make any ground water flow away from the house.

 

Another view of the area for the deck.  There used to be a ditch going around the foundation of our house as the ground compacted with the various rains and after the hurricane.  Eric Busa and Anthony filled it in.

 

Some grading and ground prep work done around the new garage:

The area around the bulkhead was filled in with dirt and gravel. 

A view of the side yard:

The following pics are how we got there. 



Eric Busa using the bobcat to pick up gravel:

Eric dumping the gravel for Anthony to place:

Eric telling me how to drive the bobcat:

I'm moving dirt from one pile to another while making sure that I'm nowhere near the addition or people.

Real people working:  Eric DeSilva and Derrick putting up strapping? in the master bedroom:

 

Eric and Derrick admiring their work:

 

Also, a sad story to tell you.  Eric DeSilva and Derrick went to the Sacco River in Maine this past weekend, and unfortunately, Eric's canoe flipped in the water.  Lost to the river was Lucy, the work radio, and Eric's speedo?

Here is a memorial pic of Lucy: 

Monday, August 29, 2011 -- Hurricane Irene

Sorry for the delay in posts, but I've been trying to get work done for my staycation at home.  I will put up a new post for each day.

We survived Hurricane (or Tropical Storm) Irene.  Eric did have the hurricane ties installed prior to the storm just to be safe.  I guess that's what saved the addition :)  It's hard to imagine that these ties make any real difference.  However, apparently, it's code and it does work.  And, considering my house did great -- no issues -- from all the rain and wind, I guess I did.  I guess there is nothing like a real-world hurricane to test whether the construction is solid.  Well it is.  No flying shingles, no broken windows, no siding falling off.  Also, thanks to Eric for coming by during the hurricane to double check the job site.  He was kind enough to call me and let me know he looked around. 

Here are some pics so you can see for yourself on the hurricane ties (the metal things attached to certain joints):

Thursday, August 25, 2011 -- More Siding, Preparing for the Front Porch, Etc

Another busy day at Fairway Drive.

Eric Busa designed, primed and put together some decorative trim to decorate the siding on the backside of the fireplace.  Also, the crew did tons of additional siding work in the part of the addition that includes the kitchen, upstairs bedroom, laundry and walk-in closet.  I also saw Anthony working hard preparing the ground for the front porch and grading the area where the current compressor sits.  Much of this is to also help prepare for hurricane Irene that is expected to arrive this weekend.  Eric also mentioned that he was having Anthony install some hurricane ties.  I came home too late to see with the limited lighting if it was done today.  I'll update with pics if they are in.

Here are some pics of the outside progress:

Anthony's hard work shown as the area for the front porch is prepared:

Backyard view of the progress on the siding in the rear part of the addition:

Another:

Decorative trim for the backyard of the fireplace designed and installed by Eric Busa:

Eric priming the decorative trim:

Wednesday, August 24

The earthquake yesterday didn't deter the guys.  They came back today and put in the skylights!

Also, Eric and his gang did more siding and is getting ready for the doors to be put in!  Sweet!

Check out the updates below:

It's starting to blend right in!:

The soffits are also installed.  I love the work around the garage doors.  That was Eric Busa's idea.  Some recessed lights to be installed later over the doors.

Another view:

The skylights!

Another view of the siding finished along the side of the house addition:

Derrick showing Eric DeSilva much love.  Not only is Derrick a builder, but he is a cobbler too!

Tuesday, August 23 -- Further Progress for Roofing and Siding

I've been away for a few days, but that doesn't mean that progress hasn't been made on the addition.  From Thursday of last week to today, Eric and his crew (and roofing sub) continued to work on the siding and the roofing is pretty much done.  I've also learned a bit from Eric about priming.

Also, today, it appears the guys did alot of clean up around the worksite.  I think they are getting ready for the garage floors to be put down?
 

Here are some pics:

A view of the addition and the siding/roofing now largely all installed!

Here is a pic of Eric spraying some primer on the ends and cuts in the pre-primed siding.  Eric said that it's important to apply the additional priming to the cut ends because, even though the siding comes pre-primed, any cuts to the siding lacks the primer.  Our siding is cedar.  These cuts without the primer will, over time, attract moisture etc, which could cause swelling.  He said that most contractors are not that detail-oriented, and in fact, most new construction contractors skip that part!

    

An additional example of Eric's additional primer application:

Eric Busa further applying primer, and Eric DeSilva putting in the siding.  Derrick, not pictured, was doing the cutting.

The roofers working under the hot sun.

A view of the siding started to be put in place near the garage.  Roof all done!

Another view:

View from the backyard:

A view of the cut-outs for the sunroof over the breakfast area:

A view of the master bathroom from the front of the house:

A view of Eric meeting with the HVAC people (Frankie) to discuss placement of all the vents, returns, etc for the HVAC system.  This and rough electric and plumbing to start soon.

Thursday, August 18 -- Roofing Starts and Siding Begins

Another great day of progress.  To summarize, Eric started the roofing.  The roofing crew came in this AM, and worked till late today.  Check out the pics below.  They matched the roof tiles with the current roof.  Also, Eric's crew started working on the trim to the siding and the siding itself.  Eric is using pre-primed clapboard.  He started it in the front of the house addition.

A pic taken from the the other side of the street showing the addition and the original house:

The nice folks at National Lumber taking back some excess lumber.  I thought it was going to fall, but he managed to keep it together.

As promised, a pic of the new guy, Corey.  Eric tells me that Corey has a contract with a professional basketball team in Israel.  Good luck Corey!

The many ladders going to the roof of the addition as the roofers began their work:

The roofers starting in the middle of the house.  They are first putting up the icing/water protectors at the joints.

End of the day pic of the front middle of the addition showing the roofing tiles:

A pic taken from the street side which shows the siding and the roofing work today:

A view from the backyard showing the trim work done by Eric, Eric and Derrick to prepare for further siding work:

Another shot:

A view from the street side that shows the garage and the roofing work done today near the dormers:

Another pic from the garage side:

A view focusing on the siding:

We also met with the cabinet people.  This is a topic for a long post on a different day.