Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Framing


Last week work was halted while the electricity got disconnected. In spite of the delay we began to see some progress on framing. The process is complicated by the fact that the height of the one remaining concrete block wall must be heightened and reinforced with rebar. At this point the rebar has been added and a good part of the first floor framing done. The plan for the week is to add three new rows of concrete block on the east wall and bring in the rest of the materials needed for framing the second level. Due to one of the joist suppliers shutting down, there have been delays in getting these materials as well.

Friday, October 9, 2015

Walls come tumbling down

The week got off to a pretty good start. With the roof gone, work started on enlarging window openings. It was soon discovered that after cutting openings in the concrete block walls, very little block was left over and it hardly made sense to keep. So the decision was made to simple remove the majority of the concrete block.

This was the view on Monday.


And on Tuesday.


The framing work started. Unfortunately on Wednsday the City came by and issued a stop work order due to concerns about the electrical connection still being hooked up. 


Seems like our neighbor called in to complain and try to make things difficult. Its silly because when this same individual began his own construction project next door and destroyed half our driveway, I didn't complain at all. Some people are just ignorant. Oh well, we should be back on track next week hopefully.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Pop the Top

Today the roof got removed! Nice weather for it, clear and cool. Hopefully it doesn't rain for a while now.

Next we have to raise the level of the walls, which are made out of concrete block, pour a "bond beam" with concrete and rebar around the top perimeter, and enlarge openings for the new windows.

Evidently rebar is in short supply in Ottawa right now. Hopefully it won't cause too many delays because the block work and bond beam needs to be done before the framing for the second storey and new roof can start.

With the new foundation poured, the backfill in, and the roof off, it looks like things are finally starting to progress in the upwards direction on our renovation.


Financing a renovation

It can be a lot of fun to dream about renovating a house and come up with ideas.  But then comes the question of financing.  In the beginnin...