Construction Log#1 - Apirl 2018

We are in deep now.

Bamboo and subfloor up, trusses off and garage demoed—deep.

Kiddos, Wifey, and I crammed into a 26’ trailer during the weekdays—deep.

Nocturnal cat deciding to explore that trailer at 3AM—deep.

Which is, of course, why I’m writing this construction log in the wee hours.

Ever since Wifey and I moved into our little chalet in late 2007, we’ve dreamt of remodeling and adding on. We’ve been sketching ideas, clipping magazines, printing images, and comparing kitchen layouts for the past decade. So this is the year, 2018, that we finally do it. And, oh man, right now with the roof off our living room staring up into a sky that will soon harbor an ‘atmospheric river,’ it’s a bit terrifying.

The kids have been surprisingly accommodating during the whole process. Michael, our 8-year-old, seems particularly fond of demolition.

“How much is Dad paying you for taking down the hearth?” Wifey asks.

Michael’s smile is almost as big as his construction headphones and safety goggles, “$5 per hour.”

                “And how much do you earn if you get hurt?”

                “Nothing,” Michael nods earnestly and then goes back to swinging a hammer and prying faux rock loose with a flat bar.

                So far we have managed to avoid injuries, even with giant holes in the floor that Jane and Michael like to straddle as an ‘obstacle course.’

                “Don’t fall in a hole, Kids!” Wifey says on a daily basis.

                We basically have one rule: no running. Which is incredibly hard to do if you’re an 8 or 6-year-old, but after some minor knee scraps everyone is on board with the no-running-through-the-construction-minefield situation.

                Life condensed to 26 feet is pretty instructive too. I’ve always been opposed to the whole RV scene, but now that I’ve spent a week in one, the simplicity of it is eye-opening. Certain habits are pleasantly unavoidable: shoes off at the door, dishes washed immediately, toys at a minimum, play happens outside, etc… It’s kind of refreshing. 

Jane looks around our sparse kitchen with a puzzled look on her face and then asks, “Mommy, where’s the dishwasher?”

“You’re looking at her, Kid.”

There certainly are lots of challenges though. Wifey learned right away that the hot water tank in the trailer only lasts for about 4 minutes of showering. That was brutal. Shortly after the frigid wake up, Wifey had a further discover: hair-dryers aren’t compatible with trailer electrical capacities.

                “Mommy!” Jane screams. “You broke the trailer.”

                “I know,” Wifey shakes her wet hair everywhere. “Short showers and cold hair. I think I want to cry.”

                “I’ll find the breaker.” I say. “It’s all good…maybe?”

                For the next what I hope will only be 6 or so columns, I will write a ‘Construction Log’ as a way to chronicle our progress and various misadventures.

                At this point we’ve completed the majority of the demo and are getting ready for piers and foundations. Because our work is within the existing perimeter of our home, we can jumpstart the May 1st dig deadline, but need to be extra careful about dirt so that we keep it within the site and if possible within the building footprint itself. The Building Department at the City of South Lake Tahoe, I have to say, has been really great. It can be challenging to follow all of the required protocols, but the personnel at the city have been consistently available, knowledgeable, and responsive when it comes to interpreting those protocols. The other big thank you so far is to K&K services. Kenny’s crew vastly exceeded my expectations and timeline for the demolition portion of the work. 

                I decided to pull the permit for our project as an ‘Owner/Builder,’ which might be a mistake, as I generally know enough about each trade to be dangerous. But so far, I’ve managed to move a few electric lines and it only took me 3 trips to Scotty’s to reroute some copper pipe out of the way of the new piers going under my house, so I’ll take that as a success. Now, if I could only get Jane to watch where she steps when walking around our house.

                “Daddy, what is that thingy sticking up?” She asks after catching herself from falling.

                “It’s an old J-bolt that connected the concrete wall to a sole plate,” I respond.

                “Well it’s mean… and dumb… and ouchy.”

                “We’ll get rid of it soon.”

                “Good.”