Three Days In Richmond

One of the most critical tasks of a GC is to keep the materials coming onto the jobsite.  That's always a bit of a chore, but all the moreso on an island.  You can't just make a quick run to the supply house for another bundle of insulation or box of nails.  Add to that all of those things that I usually leave to the owner to acquire, and the job of selecting, buying and transporting materials can take a lot of time. A real lot of time.

To that end, Carol and I went on a three day buying trip to Richmond last week to visit two architectural salvage places.  In particular we were looking for old doors as almost all of the doors in the house had been changed out to hollow core luans.  We also figured we'd look for door hardware, a bathroom sink, window sash, lighting fixtures, countertop, cabinetry, etc while we were there.  It turns out this can take an enormous amount of time, if for no other reason than the time you can spend looking at interesting things you don't need, like paintings, fireplace surrounds, clawfoot bathtubs, furniture, circular stairs...well, you get the picture.  We actually did a pretty good job of staying focused; we found all of the doors we wanted and a "ming green" pedestal sink  (I'll post a picture as soon as I get it out of the trailer.) 

And we spent hours and hours in Home Depot, Lowes and a Habitat recycle store.  We filled the truck and trailer and even then didn't find everything we were looking for, though we did get a great deal in Currituck on a 4' piece of granite for a section of countertop.  We spent so much money that Bank of America called to see if we were alright. And we are.

We're rollin' (w/pics...)

Well, it's been a while, and we've made some serious progress.  The most noticeable change is the cedar shingle roof, which is spectacular...we're so glad we did this, even though the cost was more than "asphalt" by almost 60%.  We made the decision to go with cedar, despite the price difference for two reasons - historical accuracy and aesthetics.   If money wasn't an issue, it would have been an easy decision.  In the end, we traded that added cost against a delay on re-shingling the north side (and least visible) roof, which will remain as is for a few years.

Inside, we are moving on the mechanicals:  electrical, HVAC and plumbing.  The electrical is underway and Don Bachman is doing a meticulously careful job.  We are completely re-wiring, even moving the meter box to the rear bedroom.  Normally we would install duct for the HVAC first, but we've planned well enough that we can avoid any conflict between the duct and the wiring. HVAC and plumbing is going out to bid under separate contracts.  HVAC, especially, is a trade which is quickly advancing both in terms of theory and technology - it is important to work with a contractor who is up to date in his knowledge and flexible enough to adapt that knowledge to a variety of circumstances.  There are many good professionals out there and I am happy to be getting to know some of them.

We also pounded through a bunch of miscellaneous carpentry jobs that had been left "for later".  These punchlist-type items can accumulate and we had a good spot in our work schedule to knock them off.  It will make everything else move more efficiently to have those items done.

Where we're headed is to be ready for sheetrock in about a week and a half...maybe two weeks.  February is a short month, but I'm hoping by the end of the month to be sheetrocked and at least primer coat, if not finish coats on the walls and ceilings.  Stairs re-built, some or all of the windows restored.... installing doors and cabinets/countertops...by the beginning of March.  Meanwhile, Jason and Johnny are back outside completing the siding...

Sound ambitious?  Oh yeah...

It's a beautiful thing...

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Gettin' 'er done...

WOW!

Lest we forget what cold really is...my granddaughters in VT

(note the Vermont siding on the addition..that's standard up there)