Kurnick - Septic install

We started to install the septic field today. It's good to get the septic field in first because it's on the far side of the house so once the foundations are in the path to the side of the house for the septic get's more difficult to access. Thankfully, no hidden surprises of rock so all is well and the septic field and setting of the tank goes in like clockwork. The field and tank need to be inspected by the Jackson County Department of Environmental Health before covering up to ensure all is installed properly

9/28/2011

Komara - Framing

Setting the glulam beams that support the roof. I used a structural roof support system called perlins. Perlins support the roof, not at the ridge but down lower on the rafter length which requires two beams instead just one ridge. In this case we were unable to use one ridge because the span was so great to size one ridge beam would have been impossible. The perlins were sized by my supplier's in house engineer. I often feel they over estimate the size of beams like this but if you factor in the cost an engineer charges to size the beam and sign off on the paperwork, the cost difference could be minimal. If the size of the larger beam is a problem then I would suggest getting an engineer to size it because they will likely be more accurate as to what is needed for your specific application.

A crane was used to set the perlin beams. The site is very tight, trees around the house and a narrow drive. There wasn't much room in front of the house to stage the crane and the beams on the truck but we are used to working in difficult circumstances so everyone works together to get the job done and making sure no one gets hurt.

Komara - Framing

The exterior stud walls and interior stud walls are going up and properly braced in case we get some heavy winds. The exterior walls are 2x6 studs with 1/2 osb sheathing. All window openings are in with proper headers. We build our headers by sandwiching (2)2x's with sheets of blue board or rigid insulation in the middle. That helps cold air from being able to transfer easily through a solid wood header.

09/14/2011

Recession Depression - Material problems

I just got off the phone with my building supplier/engineer, who is sizing some beams for the roof of one of my projects, and he informed me that because of the size of the beams that I need and the lack of production I might have problems getting the beam.  The beam is sold by the foot and they have one coming in that is 60' but I don't need 60' I only need 45'.  That means I would be paying for 15' that I don't need and the likelihood of getting the beam in size I need quickly is just not going to happen.  So, I have to be creative and come up with another alternative or my client will end up spending more money on some beam that they don't need.  I miss the days when you could get just about anything you wanted when you wanted it.  Today, a contractor has to be even more on top of the job to get things done on time and on budget.

Komara - Framing

Monday was Labor Day and Tuesday rained almost all day so this has been a short week at the Komara job.  Despite that the main floor framing is completed and by the end of the week, so is the main level back pressure treated deck.  Everything is looking clean and organized.

9/8/2011

9/8/2011

Word - Framing

The crew is continuing to install the fake rafter tails around both structures while we wait on the antique timbers which, are due in next week.  The process is time consuming but things are moving along.  The bedroom wing is nearly completely protected by felt paper and almost ready for window installation.

 9/08/2011

An inside view of what is the living room and the dormer that will let in much needed light. 

 8/31/2011

I met with two engineers at the site concerning the concrete retaining wall for the driveway.  It's been a little bit of a hurdle but I think we are on our way to a resolution and hopefully we can start to form the concrete walls this coming week.

Word - Framing

We are about to hit a stopping point or a bottle neck.  When working with antique timbers you have to be ahead of the game when determining what you need to order because finding antique timbers and getting them to the site to install is not a task that happens like ordering studs from the local lumber yard.  We have a couple of sources that we work with but it seems that speedy response time is not a characteristic common in the antique lumber business.  So we are trying to get our timbers for the connector porch and the porch off the kitchen but more importantly then both of those is the tie-logs that the client has decided to add to the inside of the timber structure.  Those have to be installed before the final roof goes in so we can use the structure to help pull the timbers into place.


In the meantime we are trying to coordinate the final foundation retaining walls for the driveway.  The site is so tight it's hard to coordinate lumber deliveries and getting work done around the excavation work that is needed to pour the last wall, not to mention the dreaded engineering that is needed.