rock blasting

Clearing the rock

September 17, 2017 — Leave a comment

Journalizing the Build

Week of Sept 10 to 16, 2017

This week was spent  blasting and getting rid of the rock at the back of the lot and it appeared to go smoothly. We are about three weeks or so away from actually being out there and we are getting pretty excited. By the time we arrive we are expecting that the forms will be up and possibly the basement will be poured.

 

Sept 12, 2017 – Finishing the blasting on the lot.

 

 

Sept 14, 2017 – Grading and site prep.

 

 

Sept 15, 2017 – Foundation grades completed. 32 loads of fill removed! Next compacting the ground for a bearing inspection.  Monday surveyors will be pinning the house so the footings can be started.

 

Big Week!

September 4, 2017 — Leave a comment

Selling the House/Journalizing the Build

August 24 to September 2, 2017

This was a big week! A week of beginnings and a week of endings.

On Thursday August 25th (after a year or more of renos, packing and staging) we put the house on the market.  We had our first showing on Friday and an offer to purchase on Saturday which we accepted. By Sept 1, all the conditions were met, waived by the buyer and the sale finalized. We certainly did not expect to sell so quickly but are delighted that we did!

The house was purchased by a family with two boys under 6.  I’m so glad our home went to a young family who will hopefully bring with them as much love and happiness as we had during our time in the house on Maple Wood Crescent.

I understand the new family fell in love with the house. The couple’s mother who also visited the house was immediately drawn to my workroom upstairs. I guess she also has a small jewelry business. Apparently she and I met at one of the MacKenzie Art Gallery sales which we both attended as vendors. Small world!

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Excavation Begins!

Also on August 24th excavation began on the new house. Our builder has been sending us updates which I will try to share once a week.

There was a lot of fill on the property as it was being used as a dump site by other home builders in the subdivision. Our builder is very enterprising as he put the word out that free fill could be had to those who would be willing to pick it up. It worked! The fill was gone over a few days to other construction sites in the area. With little cost to us. Good job Dan!

 

Once the extra fill was removed the surveyors could come in and actual excavation for the house could begin. When we hit rock (a seam near the back of the lot) blasting techs were brought in to determine how much blasting will be required and of course the cost. The rock is quite shale like and they expect there will be no problems so here’s hoping!

The back wall in the small courtyard area will need a retaining wall but I am hoping that if there is enough natural rock there (and if it structurally sound) it can be used as a wall instead of using concrete. We’ll know more over the next week or so.

It’s all happening pretty fast. The next few weeks will be all about arranging for movers, packing and saying goodbye to the family home we’ve lived in for the past 25 years.