WOW!!!!

Today has been my favorite contractor story thus far, and it's almost the end so I guess it's about time. Merry Christmas Eve!! The guy came today to put in the railing. No one was here Monday or Tuesday and they pick Christmas Eve to come - and apparently they think people won't be home - who knows. But the guy wouldn't come in because he's afraid of the dog. Yes, lovable and cuddly Nittany.

So I took Nittany for a walk on the ice skating rink of Scotch Plains for almost 40 minutes. Now, I thought he would see me leave and take his chance to get all of his things inside and not worry about the dog. Apparently he's not the smartest because when I came home he was still sitting outside in his van. Then, he decides to come to the door - when I have the dog right there in my hand. So I of course call Jon to complain about the moron at our house and I see that he is STILL standing outside my front door. WTF???!!! So with Jon on the phone I had to go out and talk to this guy because I have NO CLUE what is going on.

Bottom line, the guy told me he will not come into the house unless the dog is locked up - (hhhmmm I am home all day - let's lock up my dog so he freaks out all day?? or let me spend $25 to bring him to camp so you can do your work??) - I think that's a big fat NO! Who in the world gives someone a job inside someones home that is afraid of animals?? Really?? And to tell someone they need to lock up their dog. Apparently he was worried about how Nittany would react to his tools - hmm he's had people in the house building a frame, putting on siding, tiling, putting in windows - but I don't know I think he might have attacked his first person ever because of his tools.

What a morning!!! Amazing!

Bathroom is Tiled!

Thursday and Friday they came to Tile the Bathroom. It looks awesome! Completely different from the full bath we have downstairs. I guess that's the difference between designing a bathroom in 2008 versus the 1950's. We are choosing a lot of neutral colors at this point to keep it easier and I suppose it has somewhat of a modern look too. I can't wait to see how it looks with the vanity and granite counter!

Doors, shelves and molding

So the past two days they have been here working on the molding and doorways. They even made our entry way to the stairs larger! so cool. They put up doors to every room and all the closets. They even put up shelves and poles for hanging in all the closets. It's so crazy to see how much space we have to hang things and put our sheets and towels!!! I wonder what I'll do with the empty closet downstairs??? Hhhhmmmm... I guess we'll have to wait and see!! As you can see I am VERY excited about my new closets - all 4 of them!!

Siding and Shutters!!

I'm guessing you can figure out the before and after. The first picture is before Jon even moved in and the second is from the day they finished the siding! The shutters are dark green, if you cared - it's just hard to see.

I can't believe it has been since Thanksgiving that I have updated anyone, but then again I can. The past two weeks have been totally insane and of course some major things have been happening on the house front. The siding and shutters are done!! And we have new gutters too! So exciting! It looks like a completely different house. We just went to buy some new numbers, a new mailbox, and a new outside light on Sunday. The old gold ones were not going to fly with the new colors - plus they were gold. The only thing that needs to happen on the outside is new posts to the entry way - at least I hope the replace the wood boards that are currently there. :)

Sheetrock

Well, this morning we woke up to knocking on the door at 7:19 because the Sheetrock Installers have arrived. Now of course last night we got home rather late because we went to my ten year high school reunion. We even boarded the dog so we could sleep - yeah apparently sleeping is way over rated. It sounds like there is an army of people banging and sawing away up there. Several times I have wondered if someone or something is going to come through the ceiling. Jon said he thought there were like 10 of them! Yay we will have real walls by the end of the day - but this is one of those construction sucks moments. :)

Back of the House - Before and After

Since the back of the house is fully sided I thought it might be fun to share the before and after pictures. What a difference!!

Chimney and Siding

This week they began convering the house with this foam like insulation something or other. Can you tell I know so much about the process?! They also began siding the house - the back is completed. The side by our driveway is almost completed. There are just a few edges around the windows to complete. It is beginning to really look like a house! The good news is we are very pleased with the color that we chose. And we will be different than all the other houses surrounding us - since most of them are white.

They also built this crazy contraption to get up to the chimney. Hopefully they asked our neighbor if it was ok - since the contraption is half on her property. But they raised the chimney yesterday too! Woohoo! We're not really sure what happened with the damper (that we had just replaced last year) since the chain is no longer hanging in the fireplace. Jon just wants to know when we can use it again - but it will probably be a little while for that.

Insulation

As of 9:30am we have insulation upstairs!! Yay!! The guy was here yesterday and came back this morning (on a Saturday!) to finish up. Now we just have to wait for inspection on that - then we might get some walls! We walked upstairs and it's amazing how much warmer insulation makes it. We never had insulation upstairs before - and this is some good, thick stuff! They even have insulation in the ceiling - didn't know they did that - but it makes sense. It's definitely warmer in the house now since all the holes are covered up! Woohoo!!

HVAC, Windows and Inspections

So the HVAC guys were here Monday and Tuesday and worked until 6:30 one night and 7:30 another night to be done in time for inspections! Good guys - very interesting people - funny too. The good news is we have heat upstairs! Yay! Can't wait to have insulation and walls too!

Today I came home and the new windows downstairs were installed! Woohoo! They are so clean, its amazing. I can flip them open to clean them - so I might actually try cleaning the windows some day now. Putting my hands near them I don't feel cold air coming in - craziness!

We also had a bunch of inspections from the town today and apparently we passed them all!! On to siding and insulation next week. :)

Electric and Plumbing

Sorry it's been so long since I've updated you all on the progress of our wonderful home. Not a whole lot that can be seen is going on recently. I've met Eddy the electrician and he has wired the whole house for smoke detectors, and put in A LOT of outlets and switches. Fun stuff! The plumbers have been here all week and some of last week obviously working on getting us water to our future bathroom. I've met Tommy the plumber, who seems very friendly and was here at the house today before Nittany and I got home from our morning walk. I think they might do the heating stuff to - but I'm not sure. The van parked in the driveway says they do both - so we'll see. The first week was very exciting to see the framing - now isn't so exciting - but it's all extremely important stuff! And some more plumbers just joined them!! Should be an exciting day off with Nittany barking at them all day!! Can't wait! :)

Inside Framing

So we are now allowed to go upstairs again. It was very cool to be able to go up there and check it out. Originally we were under the impression that they would keep it blocked off for a while - but I guess not. We got to see what it's really going to be like -just without the walls. It is so different! There are closets everywhere. There are two bedrooms at the front of the house and then our bedroom is toward the back. We have a good size walk-in closet. At least it's good size for us. :)

We're a little unsure about the size of the windows - because they are massive! But they seem to let in a lot of light and open it up a little more. We were measuring to see if a king size bed will fit or if we should go for a queen instead. I'm already thinking about blinds and furniture. I know I have a few months to go yet, but I can dream. :) Here are some photos of the inside framing.

Roof and Windows

So after a full week of construction - we have windows and a roof! Since we have a roof now we didn't need the tarp over the house - thankfully. And since it's raining today - it's a good thing we have a roof. It's really starting to look like a house. A much bigger house. Yay!

We have only had one neighbor complain so far - that we know of. Apparently one of the old ladies next door didn't want to look at the "johnny on the spot." Mind you I think in the 2 1/2 years that I have lived here - I think I saw her once. Oh well, what are you gonna do. We're starting to get excited though. :)

Framing

Yesterday (Tuesday), they finished the demolition on the house and began framing the perimeter. I came home around 5:00 and they were still working hard. Nittany and I were allowed in the house while they were working; however Nittany wasn't a big fan. He stayed by my side the whole time and it took him about 15 minutes until he would even take a bite of his dinner. The hammering was a little too much for him. Poor guy. I had the privilege of watching the workers put a tarp over the house on the extremely windy day. It was rather entertaining. However, Jon said he got the worst night of sleep because of the tarp blowing over the house - not the quitest activity.

Today, they continued the framing and put the posts up of the roof. They also began boarding around the outside. I had class so I'm not sure how much they got done past 3:45. By the time Jon came home the tarp was up. We're also finding that there is a little dust all over the house, even though the upstairs is boarded off from the rest of the house. It's not awful just a little dirty.

Demolition Begins

Our construction on the house began last week. They came on Thursday and tore out all of the walls upstairs so that all was left were beams. Kinda crazy looking. It looks so much smaller that way!! Once I can figure out how to post pictures (and I can be home) I will work on that.

Today they are supposed to be doing the demo on the roof and all that fun stuff. Maybe if we're lucky they will even start the framing. It will all be a big surprise when I drive by before my class this evening. We're not allowed to be in the house today so Nittany is at doggie camp and sleeping over at his favorite place away from home, Best Friends. Our friend Charles (who lives sssooo close to my job!) has offered us to stay at his house for tonight. Let's hope things are going well thus far! :)

Pre-Demolition

The house before construction begins