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.

Factory

The work in the factory is progressing to plan. The insulation has been installed to our specifications and much of the wall board is up. While there's much to be done, the progress continues to be amazing. See the updated slides to the right for more pictures.

Foundation

The foundation work has started. The re-bar is pinned to the bedrock to keep everything in place. See the updated slides to the right for more pictures.

Factory Work Is Humming Right Along

On 7-September, Anne and I inspected the framing for the modules in the factory. It was surreal to walk though the modules and image how difficult it would have been to build it on our lot. Both the progress and craftsmanship were impressive. We took the chance to nail down some nagging last minute decisions as well.

Stay tuned. See the slide show to the right on this blog, as well.

Ready, Set, Dig

Anne picked up our permits on 31-Aug, after about 10 weeks of waiting. The site work began on 8-September, which also happens to be our anniversary. Sadly, one large tree was in the way and needed to be cut down. We will incorporate parts of the tree in our home in various locations.

The excavation will be done soon and then the foundation work will begin.

Stay tuned. Also see the slideshow on the right side of this blog.