The French Drain has been installed around the pool base and has been tied in (as far as I know) to that of the driveway retaining wall. It’s at this point that you realize exactly how much trust you have to have in your contractor and in the subcontractors. There is not a lot you … Continue reading 2012 Home Renovations – Part 13 – Backfill has begun Electrics have begun
Today the forms were removed revealing the new retaining walls. Michelle has some reservations about the height of the wall at the back of the lanai. In the original plan it was supposed to step down as you go from left to right finishing off maybe 2 feet off the ground When we revisited this … Continue reading 2012 Home Renovations – Part 12 – Retaining walls revealed
The forms are up and the upright portions of the lanai and the driveway retaining walls were poured today. From the current lanai In the picture below, if you look on the left side of the pool closest to us and at the far end, on the left side of the pool wall facing us, … Continue reading 2012 Home Renovations – Part 11 – Second round of cement pour completed
I took a picture of the signs for the principals on this project, DC Enclosures and DesJoyaux pools. The site is always organized, even in the midst of rain and the chaos that naturally accompanies any sort of renovation work. At the end of the day everything is wrapped up nicely. Tarps are in place … Continue reading 2012 Home Renovations – Part 10 – First round of cement pour completed
The rain forecast for the next few days doesn’t look very promising, some variation on “Thunderstorms” is being promised through until Sunday. It rained last night so things are pretty sloppy outside now. The most substantial change is the trench for the footer for the retaining wall There was a fair amount of work done … Continue reading 2012 Home Renovations – Part 05 – Digging the trench for the retaining wall footer
Probably this will have been the most dramatic day for us change-wise. You know how, when it rains, you’ll do nearly anything to avoid getting wet. But there eventually comes a time when you just have to surrender to it. Recognize that there is nothing to be done except either embrace your reality or drive … Continue reading 2012 Home Renovations – Part 04 – Initial scratch and demolition
We had a total of 8 trees cleared by Yellow Ribbon Tree Experts. Despite a high wind advisory – we seldom have even a breeze here – and at or below freezing temperatures, the guys soldiered through the process and you can see that the back yard is now a much more open space. We … Continue reading 2012 Home Renovations – Part 03 – Clearing the Trees
Critical to any project is knowing where you started. I’ve chosen 9 vantage points from which to check out progress. Beginning by looking out of the back of the house, you can see the view from our current patio sliding door. Then, stepping out onto the driveway we can see the view through the … Continue reading 2012 Home Renovations – Part 02 The Before pictures
Computers don’t die, they only fade away… to become household servers so it seems. A computer typically lasts me about 3-5 years of primary use before it becomes old enough where it just can’t drive the software and / or the operating system that I want to use. Then I tend to purchase an extra … Continue reading Standby Issues and some workarounds
As you may or may not know I refinanced my home recently. Even before the deal closed (you’ll recall it was delayed a few times) I began receiving solicitations for mortgage insurance. To date I have received over 20 such solicitations. Heck, 2 more arrived just today. I take issue, not so much with the … Continue reading Mortgage Insurance – Predators?
