Thursday, September 28, 2006

"The Heat Is On." - Pointer Sisters - 48 Hours

Robert Clearwater let me know today that the furnace is up and running.

Mother Nature of course has decided to turn up her thermostat now too, at least through the weekend.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

House is powered up!

Scott from Bright Lights Electric powered on the house yesterday. It was slightly harder then just putting in the breakers and wiring a few outlets, because we needed to preserve the 100 amp service to the barn. Now the furnace, pumps and bathroom circuits are live.

No more running extension cords from the outside power pedestal throughout the house. We can keep the doors and windows closed!

Johnny's Plumbing also hooked the gas up to the furnace and once Robert Clearwater get the furnace lit we will have heat in the house. He is going to try and go up tomorrow to do that.

Looks like the kitchen will go in beginning October 16, so working the timeline for the items that follow, e.g. finish electric/plumbing we will probably not make the October 23 date for a CO inspection.

We will start filling the cistern this weekend and finish the outside items. Dave Jones will also be hanging interior doors.

We are also looking forward to see what Jim Custy has done on the stone veneer.

Sunday, September 24, 2006

At the build this weekend...for 30 minutes.

My Dad was in town this weekend and being the "city-boy" that he is we thought we would show him how the build is progressing, but not spent much more time then that at the site, as he would be completely out of his element.

Also he is 87 year old so he probably wasn't going to do a lot of trucking around at 8700', when he is use to the 1000' of Minneapolis.

The last time he was here was when we were poring the slab back in May. Today we was here to see the new outside slab that was poured last week, namely the patio and driveway.

And yes that is snow in the background.

We went for a organically shaped patio with few straight lines. We also had the concrete colored to match the predominant rock color in the area.

It turned out great.

This is colored concrete vs. stained, that way the color goes completely through the slab. I will end up staining the concrete in the garage that extends outside of the garage doors to match.

The garage doors look good, but I think we will paint them the Essex Green of the trim. Right now they are the same color as the window frames.

The slab was poured last Wednesday and still had the fiberglas fuzzies. It will take a wash and scrub to clean it up.

Here is Marlys in the hot tub, or where it will be located.

As promised, now that I have decent pictures, let me give you an update on the interior. First, last week when we left the inside was sweep-up and everything was put away.

A sure sign that no work was going on.

This week the tile and maple floor started to go in so there is quite the clutter of activity. The tile colors really look great, Marlys did an excellent job of picking them out. The kitchen floor is in and we could be more pleased.

For those of you that participated in the floor choice selection back a few months, thank you for your "advice", but we went with the 5" Maple planks with a distressed Santa Fe finish. The kitchen is done so far and it is looking great.


Hopefully, the floors and tile will be done by Thursday. Marlys and I will be going up for a three day weekend to kick tail on the pine ceiling line sanding and finishing and the interior doors.

Thursday, September 21, 2006

A rare mid-week update.

The driveway and patio went in yesterday. Good thing because it is snowing in the mountains today and more is expected tonight and tomorrow.

The garage doors are in.

The power is going to get turned on in the house Sunday, so that the furnace can be lit next week and the well pump can start filling the cistern.

The floor layer and tile setter called this morning and they were on there way up to start there work.

I had to pull another plumbing permit yesterday for the shower pan since it will be tile and needs an inspection before it can be tiled. Only problem is that the State Plumbing Inspector for our area only goes up there on Wednesdays.

Jim Custy the masonry contractor will start installing the stone facade on Monday.

We are going to buy the kitchen appliances this weekend so that they are available for the kitchen install.

Sunday, September 17, 2006

As we get closer, the "to do list" gets longer.

I spent four days on site the end of last week. I had a number of things on the list that needed to be accomplished before the interior finishing could begin and there was going to be "some"outside work. I "thought" I could watch the propane tank placement, water system and final grade work while doing what needed to be done inside.

Wrong.

Thursday started with a botany lesson courtesy of Tim Longsdon. You may remember Tim from posts back in April. Tim is the excavator.

I had noticed that many of the Ponderosa Pines were getting some yellow needles. This is sometimes an indication of pine beetles and the tree will soon completely yellow and die. I brought this up to Tim as we were going through the Thursday gameplan. He looked at me and asked "Pat you been up here in the Fall before?" I said no. He the explained that Pines need to prepare for Winter and the yellow needles are from a "anti-freeze" like chemical entering the tree. Some of the needles yellow and die. So nothing to worry about it was the cycle of life.

The major task for Thursday was to dig holes for the propane tank and water cistern. All-Star Gas was going to deliver and place the 1000 gallon tank at 10:30. The cistern was already on site and Rick's Pump Service was going to hook up the water system to the well and house on Friday.

Tim got started by exposing a side of the well to a depth of 5' so that a "pitless adapter" could be installed. The PA allow the water to come out of the well 5' below ground level so that it won't freeze during the Winter. At that depth the ground stays at roughly 55 degrees year round.


We decided to dig a long trench in which both tanks could be places. There would be two smaller trenches to take the gas line to the back of the house, and the water line to the wing wall by the garage, where the water hook-ups were located. Once this was complete Tim built a ramp for the Gas Guys to use in placing the LP tank.
Ever wonder why they call this the Rockies? These boulders will we used along the road up to the house.

Tim brought up a concern that the water lines from the cistern may be too close to the wing wall and they may freeze up. We decided that I would go to Sonny's and pick up some "blue foam board" to build an insulated tunnel around the lines where they were close to the wall. This became a major digging job "by hand" since we didn't want to chance hitting the lines or the electric service entry cable. By the time it was completed a R-40 tunnel had been built about 12' long around the lines.

During the course of the tank placement I asked Jeremy about how we would know when the tank needed refilling. He showed me the tank gauge, but said that if I forgot the tank has a chemical additive in it that sits at the ~20% level that when reached will give off a smell. He said that if we smell rotten eggs I should hustle out and check the gauge, then give them a call to refill the tank.

When all was said and done, they filled the tank and gave me our first gas bill...$1248.

Once they were out of the way, we set the water cistern. Tim covered up most of the trench, leaving only one end of the cistern open for the next days activities. By this time Laurence the flooring dealer showed up to take final measurements for the work that will start tomorrow (Monday), the installation of the hardwood floors and the tiling in the bathrooms and utility room.
When all was said and done on Thursday the only item completed on my list was the garage door blocking for Monday's install.

BTW the insulation contractor also showed to complete the ceiling insulation blow-in. It was an active site.

Friday started much the way Thursday ended. Wes from Rick's Pump Services showed up and started the water system install.

I tried to accomplish one item from my list by starting the frame out of the fireplace stoop, so that it could be stoned week after next. I didn't get far though because I started watching how the water setup was installed and it became quickly obvious that I had no idea how this worked.

I thought that the well would pump water into the cistern, the cistern water would be pumped by a domestic pump into the pressure tank, then from there into wherever in the house it was needed. There would also be level limiters in the well and cistern so that the pumps would stop when the well was empty and not start at all if the cistern was full.

I noticed quickly, because I am observant, that when the pitless adapter and the well wire for power were installed that there didn't seem to be any water level sensor installation.

So I asked.

Wes explained that the controller, that would be in the utility room, would sense whether there was any water in the well by the power draw of the pump, e.g. when the well is empty the pump can turn more easily and thus does not draw as much power. This is how it would know when to turn the pump off. It would then wait between 4 minutes and 4 hours (I set the interval), then pump the well dry again. Unless the cistern is full, which would stop the cycle.

Again being observant I notice that Wes only took some control boxes and 80- gallon Fiberglas pressure tank into the utility room. I wondered about the pump needed to get the water from the cistern and into the pressure tank.

Again I asked.

Wes patiently explained to me that the pump would actually be in a dry well installed in the cistern. That way there would be no noise in the house from the pumps cycling and it will make servicing very easy. I explained that I had reserved him a whole wall in the utility room for the pumps, controls and pressure tank. He said I could have it back as everything was already in there. Once he had everything buttoned up, the top of the cistern has a screw on manhole cover and what looks like a second well head. The only thing it needs is power and the cistern will start to fill itself.

Did I mention that Bob from Fremont Concrete also showed up on Thursday. Guess I forgot. He came by to measure out the patio and get the concrete color selection for the pour on Wednesday. I picked out salmon because it will match the color of the gravel and rock in the area. I think this could be expensive.

Well Bob also showed up on Friday to dump roadbase that will be use to level the patio area.
The the trim lumber was delivered by BMC. We were close to a traffic lock-up with Tim and his backhoe filling in holes and putting the pre-final grade around the house.

I finally finished the fireplace stoop on Saturday. Marlys, who showed up along with Derek, on Friday evening, got a good start on the finishing the deck sealing. Derek installed the entry door handles and deadbolts and taped windows so that hopefully, we could complete the priming of most of the house interior.

Derek took off for Gunnison later on Saturday, Marlys kept at it with the deck and I had to go to two meeting in the area (Covenant committee, ACPOA Board of Directors). By the time we left at 3:30 on Sunday we were beat. Did I mention that Marlys also had/has a cold and it was cold up there today.

Enough for now.

Next time I will spend more time on the interior work as I hosed up the pictures from this weekend and a picture is worth a thousand works, or in the case of my words that times a thousand.

Monday, September 11, 2006

Fall is here.

Summer is ending here in the Rockies. On the way home yesterday we noticed that the clouds surrounding the top of Pikes Peak were dropping snow instead of rain. The Aspens are also starting to loose their green and there is a nip in the air.

I finally got around to taking the plastic off the windows, but then I put a layer on the inside.


Well its going to be a Martha Stewart house…at least in color. Most of the upper floor was primed this weekend and will be painted the end of the week. The painting of the interior is in preparation for the installation of the tile and hardwood floors which should start a week from today. Marlys spent the entire weekend working on her balcony sealing.

The house is taking on a much more finished look inside, once the drywall cleanup was done.

Last week we ordered all of the tile, hardwood and carpet for installation beginning in 10 days. The kitchen was also ordered, but that will take about 4-5 weeks for cabinet delivery and then the base cabinets are installed a template can be made for the countertop. The granite countertops will take another week to fabricate and install.

We need to get the appliances ordered and on-site by the time the cabinets show.

This next week will see most if not all of the excavation and underground work completed with the placement of the propane tank and water cistern.

There will then be a final grade put on the area around the house and the work on the patio can begin. Right now the patio will be poured a week from Wednesday.

Not much laying around the site any longer.

Once the patio is in the mason will apply the stone veneer to the lower three feet of the walkout starting a week from Friday. We are going to go with a dry stack on the stone vs. a visible mortar joint.

The garage doors will also go in on Tuesday and with that I will install all the exterior door hardware and secure the house. I started yesterday with some of the upstairs entry locksets and deadbolt. I also noted that we have 5 of the entry sets back ordered.

I am going to be on site for the later half of this week so that I can get some of the priority items completed before the flooring starts, e.g. interior painting. I also need to begin the fabrication of the stairway opening railings. The railing will be made with cedar top and bottom rails support antique nickel balusters.

Marlys has ordered all of the exterior light fixtures and those needed for the kitchen and great room. After shopping around we ended up buying them all off of the web.

Friday will also be the day that all of the trim lumber will be delivered, the flooring folks are going to do a walk through and the mason will do a final measure.

It will be a pretty busy place for the next couple of weeks. I will need to get some of the outlets powered up next week and the furnace lit.

Monday, September 04, 2006

A couple of items that it would be hard to do without.

Here are a couple of items I that would be difficult to do without during the build.

The ATV is the mule of the mountains. We use it to visit neighbors, take out the garbage (to the bear enclosure or should it be ex-closure), haul trees out to the sawmill and even for what I call dirt road surfing (pulling Derek on a mountain board).

The drill has a longer history in that we have had it for as long as we have been married, yes we actually received it as a wedding present from Tom and Sharon McCauley over twenty years ago. What a forward thinking gift. It is in need of a new cord, but is still going strong.

"Certificate of Occupancy" Target: October 23, 2006

Even though we didn't work on the house this weekend, we did work on the house or the planning of the work on the house.

As we look a head at the schedule we are at a point that we can actually start to identify a completion date...at least as defined by receiving a "Certificate of Occupancy" from the county.

The CO is important for a couple of things; it allows us to live in the house, but it also allows us to move from construction to long term financing with a lower interest rate.

This does not necessarily mean everything will be done, it probably won't. For example, the house interior doesn't need to be painted or the base/case trim installed, although we hope we are completed with those be for calling for the CO inspection.

The planning of the work for Marlys and I each weekend becomes more critical as we get to this crunch time, as the sequencing becomes critical and we don't want to be the hold up. For example; the tiling and hardwood flooring is scheduled to start a week from today, but if I don't have the upstairs walls/ceiling primed by then it can't.

Some items we have been working, e.g. exterior trim painting, may need to slip on the schedule because they are not in the critical path at this point.

As you look at the list you may also notice that it is starting to take on the feel of a "punch list" or the individual items that need to be completed vs. a project orientation. This is a result of where we are at in the process more then anything else.


  1. Seal deck posts and railings
  2. Sheetrock & Taping
  3. Frame Fireplace seat
  4. Prime Upstairs
  5. Power Hook-up to furnace and two outlets
  6. Tile, Hardwood Flooring & Carpet
  7. Build Stair Rail
  8. Garage Door Installation
  9. Trench for tanks and pitless adapter
  10. Cistern install
  11. Install Propane Tank
  12. Final Grade Site
  13. Furnace Hook-up
  14. Buy Appliances
  15. Bury Telephone Wire
  16. Sand and finish interior doors
  17. Finish Fireplace-Heat n glo Pier & Built in vacuum
  18. Finish Trim and Ceiling Liner
  19. Finish Carpentry Start
  20. Pour Patio
  21. Stone Veneer & Fireplace
  22. Rear Door Deck
  23. Appliances on site
  24. Kitchen cabinets deliver, install starts
  25. Road Work
  26. Prime Downstairs
  27. Countertops templated
  28. Purchase Light Fixtures
  29. Master Bath Mirror
  30. Finish Electric, Plumbing, Heating
  31. CO Inspection
  32. Paint Fascia

Although these are somewhat in order, the words on this page do not reflect the amount of work that is needed to complete the task. I have already also thought of a couple of items that need to be added, e.g. buy/install shower doors. I guess what I am saying is that the list will shrink and grow at the same time.