This is Our Beautiful House

Ready, Set, Set

There was some drama on the day of the set (22-Oct). From my perspective, the crane had a difficult time getting into position and wasn't in place to accept the first module until 2:20pm.

None the less, all four pieces of the puzzle were set before dark, barely.

I hadn't anticipated running out of light on the day of set. So, day one will show the first comprehensive pictures of the house.

Four companies (Method, Berrett Module Transport, Ness Crane, and the company that works the set) collaborated for a very successful day. Approximately four hours of crane time was needed to set modules.

We're grateful to everyone for their professional approach.

Module Transport

Anne and I met the module in Anacortes for the 7:40 am ferry on 22-Oct. The transport team arrived around 7:00 for their reserved spot on the ferry. Everything went as planned an I was able to get some good pictures of the transportation team in motion. See the new transport slide show to left for more pictures.

Staging the Spline

The architects referred to the connection hallway as the spine. So, Anne and I started to lovingly call it the spline (as in spline interpolation).

So, the spline made it's way to the island on Thursday and the other two modules will arrive tomorrow. The modules will overnight in Burlington, WA. Anne and I are on our way to meet them now. Wish us luck.

A few more pics were added to the site slides.

I kind of Miss the Orange

This will be the last time that we see the house in the factory. Actually, I do kind of miss the orange, but I'm sure our neighbors will appreciate the Eclipse color that we chose.

The floor and ceiling of the living room module are in as are the cabinets and countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms. Smith and Vallee did a beautiful job on the cabinets and the craftsmanship on the interior and exterior continues to be top notch.

In four short days, the modules will make their journey from Ferndale, WA to Orcas Island. I'll try to keep the slides updated with the site work during the week.

Weekly Update: Q&A

Patrick: Do we have a schedule for remaining work on the modules?
Mark Rylant: We are well into interior finishes with your cabinets installed (looking spectacular), tile half-way done (also looking great) hemlock t & g pre-stained and ready for install this week and final paint complete (minus touch up) also complete. On the exterior the siding is complete up to where we want it and should be getting preliminary paint coat this week. I’m happy with where we are at with the modules in the shop at this point. We’ll work as hard as possible over the next couple of weeks in order to ensure we have done all that we wanted to do prior delivery.

Patrick: Do we have a schedule for remaining work on the site?
- excavation?
Mark Rylant: The excavation is beginning again today. We are planning on back filling the main lower area with rock and gravel in order to install the slab for mechanical room later this week including the final layer of rock for the water tanks, which I want to wait on install so that we have a dry area during site finishing to work and stage material. One good point Ken Blair made was to install the tanks asap so that we may begin collecting October rain. We discussed installing at least one or two of the tanks so that the collection may begin.

So we should be working on excavation for a few days this week. This will get us ready for crane and modular delivery. Then, there will be one final return from Orcas Excavation for site clean up, shaping the drive/parking and final grading. At this time they may or may not be able to install septic...if not soon there after.

Patrick: - foundation?

Mark Rylant; The foundation is complete at this point with only the small mechanical slab needed to be completed. So that will hopefully happen this week. I am taking final measurements for steel fabrication today, which will be done by the end of this week, with steel and wood framing to begin on Monday the 18th...which should take a few days and be ready just before set.

Patrick: Are we still on target for 22-Oct? Mark Rylant: Yes.

Patrick: - what's the schedule for module transport?
Mark Rylant: I believe one module will be leaving as early as the 20th.

Patrick: - at what point will our neighbors be inconvenienced?
Mark Rylant: I’ve met most of the neighbors and from here on out they should only be inconvenienced on the day of set, minus a delivery truck of material here and there. Let me know if you have any ideas on that and the trimming of the trees up and down the drive that will need to be dealt with.

Factory Update

The factory update may appear subtle this week, but a great deal of preparation and detail work has been completed. The modules are ready to accept the hardy board siding. The interior walls are almost ready to accept paint.

The cabinet interiors have also been delivered and are ready for installation.

For more factory pictures, click on the slides to the right.

Ready, Set, Pour

At the site, prep work is nearly complete for the concrete pour on Monday. It's really starting to take shape. On the left is an example of one wall that is base of the columns on the front of the living room module.

Another inspection is scheduled for Monday before the pour.

For additional site pictures click on the slides to the right.