Floor Plans

Window drawings

Our House Addition 2006

 

Week 1 (3/27/06) - In the beginning...

We started this project to add space for my Dad who moved out here from California. Dad desired a place of his own but I wanted to be able to keep an eye on him while respecting his independence. We signed a contract with Wilkerson and Tunnel and scheduled for the addition to begin work to begin on March 27th. The weekend prior, we moved some shrubbery away from the planned building site to try and persevere them, and then we waited. The first week consisted of ground preparation, and concrete work - the pouring of the foundation footings and the extension to the front porch concrete pad.

Week 2 - We have a foundation...

Week 2 began bright and early with brick layers starting the foundation work. It took most of the week to complete all the brick work (outside walls and piers) and to build the new front step. Once the foundation was done, Melody and I was concerned that the space wasn't going to be big enough (33 x 20). Time would tell if our fears would come back to bite us.

Week 3 - Sub-flooring, something to stand on...

Week 3 saw the floor joists go down, and the plumbing installed and stubbed out. Then the sub flooring went down and the interior walls were marked off. Actual room sizes now begin to take shape and concerns over closet placement in the bedroom begin. Space was still a concern, it just didn't seem big enough for some reason. The bedroom space especially.

Week 4 - Four walls and a roof over our heads...

Week 4 saw the first walls go up and the interior really began to take shape. The size of the windows became more clear and the closet situation in the bedroom became serious and changes were needed (plus they missed a door from the bedroom to the bathroom). By the end of the week the closet was moved and the entry door to the bathroom was moved as well - to the wrong place! We also got a rain storm during the week which slowed progress. It was clear, another adjustment was needed in the bedroom and we were running out of time as framing was nearing the end. I also requested to have a bay window added to the dining area of the new space to help increase the size and continue the pattern from the front of the house (ie. the bay window in the dining area). The carpenter wasn't real pleased with the idea given that the joists were all in but with some cutting and re-work, they got it in. Space concerns were still there but with the floor in for the bay window, things were looking more spacious. I tried not to look in the bedroom too much though.

Week 5 - Windows, doorways, wallboard - oh my!

Week 5 started with the final configuration of the closet in the bedroom and the door opening to the bathroom being re-done twice to make sure it was big enough (it started as a 2 ft opening and ended as a 3 ft.). The closet is smaller that originally planned but that sacrifice resulted in more livable space in the bedroom overall which was my main concern. Wallboard around the entire exterior was in place and the roof decking was installed. Things were moving fast and the decision to re-roof the entire house was made and completed in two days. Framing of the bay window was completed and the interior space began to take shape. Space concerns started fading for me - I could envision enough area to allow for freedom of movement and functional use of the area for someone with limited mobility. Oh yeah, a clean up crew came by to pick up the mess and decided they were going to burn the excess wood and materials right behind the new addition. Smart move - all this fresh construction, and he's wants to burn 20ft from it. Go figure. Windows showed up late in the week and were installed for most of the windows.

Week 6 - Sitt'n on the window of bay, watching as the siding goes on...

Week 6 the siding started going up and the windows for the bay window arrived and were installed. The doors came later in the week and were installed as well. The heat/air workers arrived and installed the heat exchanger in the attic. The Electrician also came by to mark up the locations for the plugs and switches for all the outlets and fixtures. The cabinet man came by as well to take measurements for the kitchen area and the built in shelf unit I asked for in the living room. By the end of the week the air ducts were all in and wrapped, the freon line from the outside was in, almost the entire from patio area was sided. Things are really picking up now...

 

Week 7 - Electricity, plumbing, and the ceiling goes up...

Week 7 started with the siding completed on the front of the house. We had to re-use pieces from the back and old side to ensure that they matched since the product type used by the installer is slightly different. In the end, it turned out good. Next came the electricians to start pulling wire. This was a multi-day process since it required a line under the house to power the new addition and the associated air conditioning unit. The plumbers also paid us a visit to finish off the lines and hook into the water supply to test the plumbing. We should be ready to go when the time comes now. Satellite TV service was re-wired as well with the disk being moved to a new location and the extra outlets added from the addition. By the weekend, the sheet rock installers showed up Saturday morning to hang the ceilings so insulation can be installed next week before the walls go up. Its starting to look like a house now...

 

Week 8 - Insulation, drywall, texturing - let's go!

Week 8 saw a great deal of progress on the inside, not so much on the outside. The week started with the insulators blowing material into the attic, then blowing a glue based insulation into the walls between the studs. When it dries, its like a 4" sponge in your wall - petty neat. Next day the drywallers showed up and quickly had the wallboards up. The bathroom window finally came out and all the drywall was up. Tape and bedding started next and took 2 days. Then the texture layer was added - we chose a orange peel effect where the texture is blown on in a random pattern. The siding guy also spent some limited time here this week- that portion of the job is progressing really slow. He does good work but, I'm wondering if the outside will be done before the inside.

 

Week 9 - Siding, cabinets and trim (woodwork) installed

Week9 saw the rest of the siding go on and the beginning of the wood working on the inside. THe cabinets were delivered and installed on Tuesday and it took until Thursday for all the trim work to be completed on the base boards and window sills.

 

Week 10 - Cabinets, trim, stain, and the sky is falling...

Week 10 started with completion of the cabinets and trim work, and prep work for the stain and paint. Monday saw the arrival of the painters to assess and begin prepping. The trim guys installed a flat piece of wood in the living room ceiling where a faux beam was suppose to go to match the living room in the main house. As the week progressed, it became clear that something was wrong, because I came home one night and found a huge exposed header beam in place. Come to find out that when they came to install the faux beam, they found that the ceiling was sagging 2 inches. it seems that the original header beam(i the attic) was not big enough to support the vaulted ceiling weight requiring that a larger version be installed. Staining of the cabinets and painting continued to where at the end of the week the cabinets and trim were stained and lacquered and the face boards for the exposed header beam were prepped to match the trim. They will be installed next week. Overall, the stained wood looks really nice and will allow the wood look to flow through the addition without the need for paneling.

 

Week 11 Stained and painted - a slow week...

The week started with Dad in the hospital so I lost touch with what was going on around the house a bit. Staining and painting was wrapped up with only some touch up work needed for the wall where the window was removed, and other small areas. The face boards for the header beam were ready to install, and the cupboard door in the bedroom was completed. Now waiting on electric, the shower, vanity and countertops.

 

Week 12 - Houston, we have power, AC, and marble - over...

Week 12 started with a burst of activity again. Workers showed up early on Monday to install the header beam face boards and install the back door for the breezeway (nice glass). Next came the electricians who completed all the hookups and installed all the fixtures Dad chose out. Let there be light. Next came the AC crew who installed the ac unit and all the return ducts for the air system. Door hardware was also installed. Next came the marble guys who installed the bathroom vanity and the shower stall. It's pretty nice.

 

Week 13 - Counter tops, shower complete, flooring - Phase 2 begins

The new countertop went in on Monday, and the marble in the shower was completed. Grab bars were added to the shower, and the flooring went in. A Shower door was installed and all the door hardware was put in. On Saturday, furniture was picked up and we brought it in. Lowes delivered the refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave oven. All that's left is the final plumbing in Dad's place. For Phase 2, the septic tanks were brought in and installed. The entire backyard was scrapped to level it out for the foundation. We're on our way - again...

Week 14 - Phase 2 continues with cement work, Phase one nears completion...

The footers for the foundation were surveyed off and dug, and by the end of the week, the concrete was poured and curing. Phase 1 (Dad's addition) completed the plumbing this week, and some final touch ups such as staining the trim on the back door, and touching up of the walls. Some extra grab bars were installed in the shower, and a garbage disposal switch was installed along with the dishwasher electricity. We started moving dad's belongings in, anticipating he will be able to occupy in the next week.

Week 15 - Phase 1 complete - Dad moved in...

This week the final touches were added. The chandelier was hung, final switch arrangement in bathroom/bedroom was completed, the blinds were hung, and the unpacking begun. Dad found himself a curio cabinet which immediately filled up, and a sitting chair for the living room. Even though it took longer than expected, I think the wait was worth it. He moved in for good on 7/5 along with the cats. All are adjusting to their new environment well.

Week 16 - Phase 2 foundation and brick work done - ready for sub-flooring...

This week the foundation was set with 3 palettes of bricks laid down. There were more workers this time around and the job went much quicker than the last time. By mid-day Tuesday, the job was done. Only other happening was the delivery of the sub-flooring and framing lumber on Thursday. They should start building the frame and sub-flooring next Monday.

Week 17 - Phase 2 sub flooring, stubbed out plumbing, and the wall footers roughed out...

This week started with 100% degrees and the sub-flooring being installed. The workers arrived shortly after 6am and started to get as much in before the temperatures sky rocket. Monday and Tuesday the floor took shape, then we waited the plumber who showed up on Wednesday. The carpenters returned on Friday to complete the sub-floor and outline the walls with the footers. The family room is larger than I expected, but there's some concern about the size of the bathroom and bedroom #2. We'll see how the next week goes, I have a list of items to talk with Mr. Wilkerson on Monday where we have discussed making some minor adjustments. He's gonna love me...

Week 18 - walls erected, trusses installed, basic roofing outline in place now...

Lots of wood working this week, with the carpenters going full bore into constructing the basic framework of the addition and bringing it to life. We experienced some small hiccups with window configurations, but by Friday we had them worked out. We went sample shopping to pick out a bathtub style and fixtures. We found the material we will use (cultured granite) and a bathtub style we both like. I found some really cool fixtures for the shower. I then drew up the plan I would like to see for the bathroom design, now to turn it over to Mr. Wilkerson and see if he can make it happen...

Week 19 - Rafters, roof line, windows installed, skylight adjusted, work on Mom's bathroom and counters begin...

The week work was done all through the house, both on the addition and inside the existing home. The carpenters spent the week setting/building the roof line and installing all the rest of the rafters needed to support the roof decking. Windows were delivered on Tuesday and installed on Wednesday and Thursday. Dad's skylight in his bathroom ended up being re-configured twice during the week - each time getting higher due to a conflict with the addition's roof line and the valley on that side. I'm not happy with it so we're considering switching to a tube skylight instead. In Mom's bathroom, the old tub and shower was removed and green wallboard installed and a new sub-floor. two of the tube skylights were installed as well while the roof line above was being set. It looks like we will get more of these for the family room and our in the new master bedroom. Work started on the counter tops in the kitchen this week as well. The old lower level kids bar was removed and drawers were installed for mattes and other eating items. The crew came late in the week to measure for the new Silestone countertop which should be ready in a couple weeks.

Week 20 - Skylights, electrical, AC and sub flooring in - let there be light...

Quite a bit of inside work was completed this week. Melody was concerned about the family room being too dark even with the large windows so we asked to have tube skylights installed, 4 in the family room and one in the master bedroom. They also installed 2 tube skylights in Mom's bathroom since there's no window in there any longer. Boy do the skylights give off quite a bit of light. Dad's skylight in his bathroom was also replaced to remove the eyesore created by the modifications to the square skylight installed in there. We switched it to a tube light and that allowed the roof line to be correctly set and avoid water problems. The master closet was enclosed with plywood as a safety room and a scuttle hole was created (does that void the safety aspect?) The electrician installed all the plugs and outlets, many can lights, and outdoor plugs as well. Middle of the week the plywood sub-flooring was installed. The AC man showed up late in the week to install the attic unit and run the drain pan, and lines to the outside where the unit will be set.

Week 21 - Roof is on, electrical, AC ducting, and plumbing in place...

This week work was completed on the roof and skylights, the electrical was pulled and the air ducts were installed. The plumber completed installing the pipes for Mom's shower and re-configured the plumbing stubs for our bathroom which was reconfigured from the 1st design. He's just waiting on valves now for the master shower. Footers were poured for the patio decks so the brickwork on those should begin next week. Now I'm wondering where the doors are?

Week 22 - Doors galore, ceilings in, plumbing ready, bring on the insulation...

Week 22 started slow with brickwork on the patio deck foundations. The dry wall guys showed up mid-week to put the ceilings in place for insulation and the plumber struggled to get the shower plumbing done by Thursday. Some confusion over the valve to be installed. On Thursday the french doors for the family room arrived and they were installed on Friday. As far as I can tell, we should be ready for insulation next week.

Week 23- Shower installed, drywall goes up - what a mess!

This week Mom's shower enclosure was installed. The cultured marble came out really nice. A cabinet was removed from the Kitchen which really opened that space up a great deal. Insulation was installed early in the week, and then came the dry wall in the new addition. It took 3 days to get all the drywall up and what a mess they made (again). \

Week 24 - All hands on decks and patios and siding...

This week the focus was on the patio decks and siding. Insulation started appearing on the outside walls early in the week and the front view of the roof peak was installed with siding and a vent. Its a slow process, will probally take a couple weeks since its a single guy doing the work. The carpenters started work on the patio decks building the subfloor joists and then laying the no matenence wood material for the actual deck. By the end of the week the ramp and deck on Dad's side of the house was laid down, and the floor boards on the other sides were down - ramp still to be completed. We're going to make some minor adjustments to the ackyard side to enlarge the deck to better match the other side, more of a mirror effect.

Week 25 - More and more decks, is that all they do? Oh wait - the counters arrived...

This week progress was made on the decks and siding. The tape and bedding was started on the addition but then quickly halted for some reason. The silestone countertop for the kitchen was installed on Tuesday. There was a communication mixup between Mr. Wilkerson and Berry Marble, so we almost didn't get installed this week. The glass man also came out to measure for Mom's shower door so that can be finished. We did extend the backyard deck some 8 ft which is really nice, now the two decks are basically the same size which makes things symetrical.

Week 26 - Expanded deck, siding continues, tape and bedding done...

The patio decks were completed this week and they look nice. Quite a bit of room, complete with ramps for easy access. The siding guy continued his slooowwww march to completion finishing most of the trim work this week and he started installing some of the panels. The tape and bedding guys showed up and completed their work, applying the texture to the walls by the end of the week. Hoping to begin the wood triming next week.

Week 27 - Woodwork inside, siding nearly completed, really taking shape...

The carpenters moved inside this week and started the inside woodworking. Canbinets and book cases showed up early in the week, along with doors and wood trim. By the end of the week all the Windows had been assembled and trimmed out, the doors were installed and the closets built out with shelving. Most of the work was done in ash in preparation for staining, it will look really nice when done.

Week 28 - Siding complete, inside wood work done, preparations for painting in place...

This week the siding job was completed, and the inside wood work finished. The center beam was built and installed, and the fascade was attached to the header beam in the family room and they built out the shelves in the extra bedroom. By the end of the week, the painting crew showed up and started prep work for the painting next week by sanding and taping off all the woodwork.

Week 29 - the Wood comes to life, and we have some color!

Week 29 focused on staining and painting. The house was filled with the overpowering smell of toxic paint fumes, so bad that it set off the smoke detecter in Dad's room twice. Opening the windows helped, but this defintely gives new meaning to high ceilings in this place. Once the staining was complete, the painting started. Kalyn picked out green for her room and Melody and I chose a shade of purple. I'm not sure if this is the Psyc ward or what.

Week 30 - Electrical parade, and take 2 on the bath tub...

This week the electrician arrived and changed out the service to the house to support the new addition. Some of the fixtures were installed and the plumbing fixtures were finally put in for Mom's shower. Footers were dug and cement poured for the upcoming brick work to build the skirt around the backyard deck. And a new wall was constructed around the bathtub in the master bathroom to reduce the amount of space the tub takes up. I gave my blessing this time to try and gain some more space in the bathroom by removing more edging off of the tub - imagine that. i think its gonna work out ok.

Week 31 - Bathroom remodel finished, electricity in and the fixtures up...

This week they finally finished off the remodel on Mom's bathroom and installed the fixtures and the cabinet over the toilet. It came out really nice with the 2 showerheads and the body sprays, and the bench seat. You could have a party in there. The electrician finished off the electrical work and installed all the fixtures. We then requested to have the switches around the bed wall moved out to accomodate a larger headboard - these guys just love how fickel we can be :-}

Week 32 - Electrical finishes, preping for tile work...

The electrician came back for the last time and installed the outlets in the floor, and ran the electrical line down the front patio. The AC guys also showed up and installed the AC unit. it can't be turned on though until the plumber completes the drain line in the bathroom. The trophy case was completed this week, now we're just waiting on hardware and the floor so it can be installed and assembly completed. Things have really slowed down it seems since the tile guy is on another job and won't be completed for a week. We have all the flooring material waiting and boy was it heavy - I had to unload and drag it into the house myself. Sheeez...

Week 33 - We have a bathroom floor...

So the tile man showed up this week and worked on the bathroom. I spent the week in SF so I didn't see the progress. I was flabergasted when I got home - it looks better than I imagined. i was warned that all the cutting was going to be a pain but he did such a good job, I'm really happy with it. And Melody's idea of going with the granite compliments the cultured granite better than I expected. The shower enclosure will be in the cultured granite as well to match the tub so I think it will all come together nicely. The vanity top arrived this week as well. OK, now we're getting some where...

Week 34 - Tub and shower near completion...

This week Berry Marble spent quite a bit of time with us again. They started assembling the shower stall finally, and the plumber paid us a visit to hook up the commode, sink and shower and tub drains. By the end of the week, the water heater was also installed so I think the plumbing work is done. The rest of fixtures were installed but we're still one body spray short for the shower. We picked out hardware for the cabinetry in the bathroon and the glass blocks for the shower enclosure were delivered - I expect they will be installed next week...

Week 35 - Just another brick in the glass wall...

This week work started on building the tub and shower enclosure made out of glass bricks. This is slow tedious work that took the entire week to get 6 rows of bricks installed. You can only lay one level at a time and allow for each row to completely dry overnight to ensure its as rock solid as possible. The half circle design is not a easy one to deal with and requires that there's two persons working on the wall to make sure things are in alignment, that the joints are completly filled with mortar, and that the joint alignment is straight and consistent as the wall goes up. There will end up being 8 rows of bricks to complete the shower enclosure. The tile backsplash was also installed in the kitchen this week.

Week 36 - Glass wall is complete, a wall disappears, and let's see some flooring...

The shower wall made of glass blocks was completed this week - 8 rows high. It looks great. Some cabinetry was completed, measurement taken for a shower door, a new oven installed, and the pass through wall in the kitchen was removed and patching started. By the end of the week, the wood flooring was installed in the family room and preparations were started for carpet installation. We hope to be slightly over a week from completion - there's furniture being delivered next week so there's not much time left.

Week 37 - All good things need to come to an end...

This week the loose ends started to be tied up finally. The tile work was completed (in the kitchen and the bathroom), the flooring in the new addition was completed and the ceiling in the dining area was closed and patched. The cubboard under the oven was stained and laquered to match the rest of the kitchen. Only the floor in the dining area, and some other odds and ends remain to finish this job completely. We were finally able to start occupying the new space 3 days prior to Christmas when the new furniture was delivered.

Week 38 - Floor finished - can be much left now...

This week the floor in the dining area was repaired to where you can't even tell a wall was ever there. It looks great. Now the dining area is very open and spacious. The glass blocks surrounding the tub in the master bath was reset and the shower door was installed along with the mirrored glass in the medicine cabinent. We also found out that the heating system was not working correctly due to a freon leak in the piping, caused by a errant nail it seems. Now the system has been fixed and the airflow adjusted so we're now experiencing balanced air flow in the new addition. All that is left is some minor touch up work and we should be ready to sign off on this place.