Day 65

Closing Day (yes, it's a bit hokie!)
We are ending the year with the outlook that sometime next year we will be moving back into a newer and larger cottage.
Sobering to sign that many papers for a significant amount of money to get this done but the effort and angst will be rewarded.
Hard to believe that we first met with the architect in April and the closing date has slipped a bit from the early, mental schedule I had imagined, but not much.
As the new year begins we will meet with the contractor and start the process of dodging the weather to get the project moving forward.
The sad day will be the start of the destruction of the back (some call it the front) of the cottage but hope will out in the end with the enclosed new structure.

Day 59

Took a week but we now have a closing date; Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 11:00 am...

A Very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!!!!

We are planning to go to Eve's on Sunday and celebrate with the kids and grandkids, a rollicking good time, photos to follow...

Barb and I wish everyone a very Happy 2012!!!

Day 52

Red Letter Day...

Construction Permit in hand and other folks now working on setting closing date next week.

Now we can begin to get some excitement...the project seems to be taking off...or at least, ready for take off.

The electricity will be moved to a temp pole from the house and the plumbing will be cut off.

We now have to get serious about getting appliances and cabinets...setting a budget to stay within...

Oh, yes...and Christmas and New Years are coming, yikes!!!

Tuesday Barb and I were in Alexandria at the City Council meeting to hear the reading of the "Good Weather" proclamation for First Night Alexandria...Here's hoping that the edict will carry through the Winter to facilitate construction...

Day 50

Today (pardon the lengthy lack of postings) was cabinet and tile day. Day is spent in the Metro Washington DC area...

We went with Seth Ballard, the architect, to Montgomery Kitchen & Bath to begin the selection process for kitchen cabinets. Lots of discussions about the wants, needs, and preferences about the wide variety of styles and finishes. Arrived at a consensus on all of the above but now will wait for the "bottom line" on the cost, then back to negotiations.

We also looked at tile for the backsplash, laundry and powder room floor, and master bath...discussions ongoing with no final decision...

Oh yes, the permits...not in hand yet but expected any day now...that seems to be a well worn phrase that  can be used over and over...(stop it!!!)

Day 41

The old saying is "red skies at night, sailor's delight."

Sure came through today...pic at top is sunset last night from our friend and landlord Pat Derry's place...

Lower photo is the visible result of digging a new well, that little white thing sticking out of the ground...the other effect of the new well is the increase in water pressure...now we have to wait for six months or so to try out the new shower...there is justice somewhere...

Seems strange to know that there was really visible result of taking down a dozen trees but contrast that to digging a 300' well.

Next step is getting construction permits (I know this is a broken record now)...

Day 38

Water, water...

Yes, we now have water flowing from a 300' plus well that will be attached to the existing plumbing on Monday...no showers 'till then...(just kidding, we have a shower at Pat's house)...

At that point we will be ready to begin the addition...(permits coming, ???)

Everyone have a great weekend!!!

Day 37

It's well day today...

The well digging crew arrived and will be digging about a 340' deep well. Finish tomorrow...

Access to the driveway will be blocked for a couple of days but we don't expect any large crowds to be visiting over the weekend...

We have construction plans from the architect and will be getting the permits soon.

Have a feeling that the pace will be picking up soon.

ADD:

Here's the hole where the tank will go for the new well...figured everyone needs a deep hole next to their current pump house (which will be abandoned) and my workshop (with painting of cat and beagle)...

Out of sight is 240' of 4" PVC pipe at the ready...

Day 34

No photo today...too full of turkey...

Spent most of the weekend moving stuff out of the cottage and into the container...lots of walking and a big bunch of help from Judy and Paul Cyre...
Really both did a yeoman's job packing and toting the stuff...
Next biggie will be the well drilling on Thursday (photos from that event)...
Tying up the loose ends with the bank and will be getting the permits and then break ground...
Too bad had to miss this great weather we've been having but think the 60-70 degree days are about over until Spring....

Day 28

The Pod has landed.

In the rain the pod arrived and with a little encouragement and hydraulics the box landed on the ground, ready to accept the belonging from the cottage. The driver, Mike (no, I didn't make that up), was able to maneuver it onto a spot so we'll be able to clear the cottage over the weekend.

The architect is sending the construction drawings which the contractor will use to get the construction permits.

Next Thursday we will have a visit from the well drilling operation.

By then we hope be have permits, close with the bank, and "break ground."

Day 23

We've crossed a rubicon...

I say "a" rubicon because I feel that there will be a bunch of other crossings throughout this process...

Picked up the Health Dept. permit this morning and now will be able to get the construction permits, new well dug, and go to closing with the bank...

Really miserable day here on the NN...winds 18 knots, gusting to 27 knots with temp of 43° and rain...

The storage container will arrive on the 22nd and we'll begin filling it up with belongings from "the cottage."

Day 19

Yesterday the final stumps were ground up (or down, not sure which it is)...
Certainly doesn't take too long when you have this kind of grinder...We now have a piece of property that is much more wide open to the north sky light (good for photographers)...gonna look good.
Next will be the Health Dept. approval of the application and get the well done.

Day 16

Today was tree day one...
There are 12 trees to be taken down and this is the closest to the cottage, and is about 70-80 feet tall. The folks in the foreground have a rope tied to the top of the tree and pull it toward them to feel the top part of the tree harmlessly to the lawn.
So far there are five trees down, 2 half down, and five to be taken down, tomorrow...
Also waiting for a rep. from the County Health Dept. to act on the application for the septic system...

Day 14

Quiet day today but should ramp up by Wednesday.

Tree crew comes then to start taking out the 12 trees to make room for the addition, septic system and the new well...
Should also have a visit from the County Health Dept. to look over the proposed septic, get us a permit and then get the construction permits...
Still targeting closing on the 18th...the bank appraiser came to the "estate" last Thursday...
Will show some before and after photos on the tree removal later this week.

Certainly if anyone has any questions, don't hesitate to get them to me through the comments or email...

More later...

Day Eight

Went out yesterday with camera, monopod and remote to document the "estate" for the before status. Did 12 panoramas of the property. Will try to replicate the process after the completition of the project.  This would be the "before and after" photographs, I guess.
Bank employee came out yesterday to take some pix of the property for them.
Seems right now to be the calm before the storm. There are two events before closing; Tree removal and digging new well.

Day Five

Update on the closing...will be the 18th (unless it gets changed)
This was my best Paul Bunyan impression yesterday. I felled the tree exactly where it was suppose to go. Didn't hit the truck (off to the left) or the studio (vantage point for the camera) or "Paul Bunyan." A holly tree was occupying the space where the septic system will be located. This tree wasn't among the dozen that will be taken down.
Soil Evaluation Services has finished survey and will submit plans for septic for a county permit. When approved we will be able to get construction permits and, after closing, break ground.

Targeting getting the trees taken down early in the week of the 7th and then have the well dug, hopefully that same week.

Day Two

Bunch of stuff going on in the planning phase..

Trees will be the first in a long line of events now. Have marked the trees to be taken down. These three are within the 100' set back from the water and need special permission to be taken down. The Zoning Supervisor visited Tuesday and approved their removal and we will have to plant six trees for the three we remove within that 100' set back. There are about eight more to be taken down. Tree guy will come by this afternoon to finalize the price.
Met with the banker today and turned in paperwork (had to sign in 28 different places on the forms). Appraisal will be scheduled and we're targeting November 21st for closing.
By that time we'll have the trees gone, the new well dug, and all permitting in hand. (OK, stop laughing. We're gonna try).

Day ONE

This (hopefully) will begin the process of getting the construction underway.
To update;
Last week we had Soil Evaluation Services come by to scope out the layout for our "engineered" septic system. He will proceed with getting the necessary permits to allow construction to get underway. He said that we needed to get our new well installed before the county health dept. will issue the septic permit.
Got a reference for a well company and he will be coming by today to look over the property.
Will get the well installed next week.
Last week we also had several tree services come by to get an estimate for removing about seven trees. I will go to the county offices today to get a permit. Three of the trees are closer to the water than 100 feet and that requires a permit.
In a bit of retrospect I perhaps shouldn't be so precise in relating a timeline for individual events. I will begin at this level and come back if needed.
I am expecting the posts to now come on a more regular basis.
'Till later.

First Post, t minus ???

Here's the starting point. We've owned "the cottage" for just over 17 years and for the past year and a half it's been our primary residence. This image is from March after a hard winter. The plans call for a look like this;

The next step is for the bank to set our closing for the construction and then begin the process. Hope is for a "ground breaking" about the middle of November...we'll see.

Stay tuned...