Closer to Dried In

The master deck is AWESOME. Friday we will be dried in. Next is windows and doors and soffetts and the huge deck. Ready for mechanics by the end of July. Must procure huge cedar posts, it may be time to bride the man I know has them not 1 mile from our house. If this fails I saw some logs up around Fallsville the other day. Well, got get out and enjoy the full moon. Adios

Master Deck

Metal Roof

Most of the timeI feel like I could have done as good or better job than any sub I hire, but David has done a fantastic job on the metal roof. He definately has tought me some tricks that I will use whenever I install metal roofing. The trim and flashing is all top knotch work also, and the screws are all spaced perfectly. Too bad Dave had to go to Atlanta for awhile, but we are pressing on with the crew we have. Had a good day today and it was cooler, making it easier to keep working. The master deck roofing framework is completed and tommoroe we will deck, tarpaper, and put the purlins on what remains undone. Hopefully, we will get some metal roofing on too. My schedule is to be completely dried in with decks on before we leave for vacation at the end of july. I'm in great shape to get that done. Got the bid for the foam insulation back today and it was under budget by 800.00. Yahoo, my budget looks great too!!!!I'm starting to think I could get this done by Christmas. Should not have said that.

Roof Coming to Completion

Had a big day today, the roof is coming along fast and I am hard pressed to be ready when they catch up with me. I really felt for the guys on the metal roof, it was a scorcher today. But the guys know what my goal is, to be dried in when David leaves for Atlanta wednesday morning. With a hard day tomorrrow, we just might make it. Me and Richard mixed and poured 30 bags of concrete for the piers on the master deck, which is way too much, but Tim dug the holes too big. One things for sure, it aint comin off the mountain. The framing support for the roof overhangs was a bigger project than I counted on, and I think we came up with a design and plan that really works and looks good. I think it adds an element of post and beam construction to our already hybrid house. Actually, with a recently thought of design feature, the front of the house has really taken on a much better look

Master Deck Appears

We had a great 4th of July, hope everyone else did too. Spent time at the river and the lake, and even with the boat, I do prefer the river. I am just a river person, and I feel so lucky to live so close to the 1st National River in the country. It was awesome watching fireworks from our neighbors just over the horizon, and we also did our own. Matt lit all of them, even the big daddys.  It was good to get back to the task at hand though. Did not have a full crew, I'm getting used to it. I will refrain from any comments. Making progress just the same, and it feels like when we built the cabin becouse today Scott Jones came to work with David. He seems like a good hand, now if he will just show up everyday. Today I ordered the metal roof and the fireplaces so by thursday we will be installing roofing. Yoohoo!!!!! I only have these guys for 5 more days, so the push is on to get in the dry. Itried to stay in the shade all day, which is getting easier becouse of the roof going on. Building a house is like getting your a-- kicked everyday, becouse there is always something that does not go according to plan. But you have to adapt and overcome if the final product is to be outstanding. In spite of all the butt-kickings, things are going well. Later,  RJ

Wow Factor

Even though the crew did not put in a full week, much progress was made on the tree house in the gorge. The front entry roof framing was put up and tied to the house, and the inside fireplace chase was built. Everything we do now makes a big differance in the apppearance of the house, so this is a fun time. My plan is to have the metal roofing on and the deck completed within two weeks. David and Don's last day is the 13th of July so it is important to complete as much as is possible. The 1" foil board and windows come after that, and it is possible that we might get that done within the same timeframe. I have selected an electrician, and I have bid the HVAC. Leaving only the foam insulation to find a sub for installation. The guys have impressed me walking all over the roof and framing and with the positioning of the skytrak anywhere on the site. It looked like that machine would just flip over and fall off the bluff several times, but I am so glad I rented it. I can now put together a timeframe for progress, and my goal is to be in the dry with all framing and windows & doors complete by the end of July, and all plumbing-electric-hvac to be complete by the end of August. That would leave 4 full months before the end of the year to complete all of the inside, not unachievable and a reasonable goal. As the front of the house takes on features, I am very pleased with the design I produced. The house looks like it belongs there, and people say they love the layout of the interior. If nothing else, the design is dramatic and highlights the gorge. The typical reaction from people is "wow", just what I wanted. It has been nice to have a little break on this holiday weekend, and we had a wonderful visit from our good freinds Eric and Marilyn from Little Rock. Matt and I will do some fireworks today, and tommoroe it's back at it. I will post some pictures of the guys skywalking above the trees this week, and of the amazing Skytrak's abilitys. Have a safe one, The Podge