House

[RobS]

Re: House, Chimney Construction

Wow, things should really fly for you in the next few days. The framing is always the most fun, things happen fast and your dreams begin to take shape. Nice I-joists!

We had a good meeting with our builder last night. Good in several respects; they have kids our kids ages so they can all play together and not bother us adults, we're coming in under bid in a few recent areas and she let us know the framers will be back today to frame the porch roof. Can't wait for that as it will really set off the look of the house for us. I'll post some more pictures tonight /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[MDNY]

Re: House, Chimney Construction

RobS,

I know what you mean. They finished the I Joists today (Silent Floor System) and began the decking. I think they got a few pieces in today just so I would have a floor to walk onto. I am meeting the builder on Sunday to discuss open issues on some door changes and make sure I have all the key info ready.

We had to make an electrical change. The electrician was out there and commented that we are farther back than he thought. The amount of wire needed to run the power would need an upgraded cable and would be about the same as a transformer pad. So I had to call the power company request a change in my design. This now pulls me out of line, about a week or so to redesign and then they send me a bill for $1200-1400. Once I pay they will put back into the system for a job. It could be the end of August before we get power. One would think that they would have reviewed the whole job in person with me and made any suggestions necessary. Nope. Just figured I knew it all.

Any way here is my "silen floor" I joist.

 

[MDNY]

Re: House, Chimney Construction

This shot is the whole floor laid out with some decking. I like that they use the interlocking decking, with liquid nails then nailed down. This makes for a solid surface.

 

[RobS]

Re: House, Chimney Construction

Wow, and backfilled already! I really like those I-joists. I would have preferred them but we didn't need them for span and at the time they were more expensive than dimensional lumber. According to our builder, there is an import quota on lumber coming from Canada every year. If you are within the import quota timeframe (early in the year) the dimensional lumber is relatively cheap. Once the quota is hit, the dimensional lumber prices rise and the engineered products become more cost competitive. I still like the engineered products (it's the engineer in me), but I also like a lower overall bill if the quality is going to be the same.

So, are your framers running off generator power now? We had that for about a week of framing. Our builder said they'd put up with it but really don't like it if they don't have to. Are you going underground for electric? We ended up with our own transformer due to the distance off the road. Underground from the street with a short overhead to get across the street to the power lines. Underground under the street was incredibly expensive /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[RobS]

Re: House, porch roof framing started

Not a lot of photo worthy progress in the last couple of weeks. You know, one shingle pretty much looks like the next. We have had a lot of progress though, in fact they brought out the first load of drywall today and boomed it into the second floor. Well and septic are in, all the interior rough ins are done and the siding is scheduled to start a week from Monday. Here is a shot of the porch framing as of this evening. We're building the porch decking ourselves, starting on the fourth of July /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif We loved the porch we had on our old house and this one should be even better /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[MossRoad]

Re: House, porch roof framing started

Looks nice!

 

[MDNY]

Re: House, Chimney Construction

RobS,

Rough grading is done, the top soil from the driveway was stripped and piled, but we will need a few loads worth, not much to give us a nice top cover. The electric will be run my the local power conglomerate (Nimo) and we are doing all underground from the pole to the transformer pad to the house. I am looking into critical systems being run onto a second panel for power outages that we can put on generator power to make sure we are good.

If we don't get power until end of summer it will be a long few months on generators for the builder. This isn't something that I have any control over. Kind of upset that the power company didn't do their initial survey right. When has the power company skipped a chance to sell you more stuff. So I just received the last updated paperwork and now they have to add the transformer pad and invoice me like $1200-1400 for th work.

The silent floor system seems real nice. The I Joists are ll engineered lumber so are the main beams. All 2x6 construction and good insulation. My house is a bit smaller than yours and we are lacking the attic space you have, but all in all we are very pleased with the builder and the progress.

Hey I even have my new address. Yeah.

 

[tdenny]

Re: House, Chimney Construction

MDNY,

I have the same floor in my "new" house. I have a recommendation for you. Make sure you go around your floors very carefully and check for squeaks or anything even resembling a squeak, etc. If and when you find any make sure you bring out your drill/driver and screw those floor boards in. My floor was liquid nailed, nailed, etc. I even went around as much as possible - but unfortunately I was out of the country when they put in the carpeting so I didn't get to finish the task. My point is that the "Silent Floor" system is only as good as the screw/nail job that has been done on the plywood planking. I have had two new houses built in the last 5 years with the same system and you'll get squeaks if you aren't very careful.

Your place looks like it is going to be really nice. Best of luck throughout the whole process. Other than a couple of squeaks here and there (my pet peeve) having houses built has been a good experience. Each time I get a little smarter although I think I'll stay this time.

 

[MDNY]

Re: House, Chimney Construction

tdenny,

Thanks for the suggestion. I was out there tonight and the decking was all done and they are ready to start framing tomorrow. This will keep them busy for the rest of the week, lots of 2x6 to put up.

I didn't notice any squeaks, but I will check further laterin the week. Here is the finihsed floor.

 

[tdenny]

Re: House, Chimney Construction

Looks great,

Just make sure you check for those little squeaks until they put the carpet in. The weather seems to play havock on all of us during construction. Best of luck.