Week Nine - Still Finishing Phase One

Week of 7/28/08 - OK, so we're still here, no mortgage inspection or draws yet and no log home package. Rain, subs stuck on other jobs, subs who accidentally buried the cable for our temporary electric cable connection then had to dig it up with a backhoe, a last minute decision to install french drains around the foundation, and the time it took for us to waterproof our foundation ourselves held us up. We had to dig out one side of the house (30 feet long, 2 feet deep) that was back filled in error, and also had to move about three tons of leftover block that was in our way. (Norman really did figure out that it was close to 3 tons!) Two days were spent waterproofing (including two two-hour trips to the only supply house in Altamont that had the waterproofing we wanted for a total of 12-14 backbreaking sweaty hours between the two of us in 93+ weather. We had to do the waterproofing ourselves since our sub didn't have time right now. That's OK, though, as we saved some money and are very proud of the job we did. As of today, we have completed everything except for back filling the foundation and covering up the septic tank, and confirming that our temporary electrica has passed inspection. Our septic inspection passed just fine; he knew all of us, loved the site and had enjoyed his lunch there several times, and signed off even though he actually didn't even walk over to the septic tank or look at the field lines! (I will give no names here to protect the guilty!) Our first mortgage inspection is set for next Monday (the same day the back filling, etc., will be done, but the mortgage co. said that was OK). Three folks from the log home company came to the site to check things out & we made some good plans. The logs will be delivered next week and the dry-in will take 2-3 weeks. Norman & I are excited over our choices of tubs and showers (biscuit rules) and faucets. We are getting a $250 rebate from the log home company as well as free upgrades on our door knobs and hinges as a "thank you" so that is nice. We don't have all of the figures in yet, but it looks like Phase One will come in a bit under budget. We are in a good mood and looking forward to seeing our logs!