Build those retaining walls already

Eric and I spent Sun-Tues in Duck, NC, our first vacation since buying the money pit. It was nice to get away for a bit and Stanley's crew screwed up the block order so we were waiting for the delivery most of the week anyway and they couldn't do any work (and in turn mess anything up!). It's been raining ever since we returned but Eric rigged up some plastic over the porch so the crew could work on the retaining wall despite the rain (pictured here). We're behind schedule but making progress.

We've also made progress on HVAC this week - we're leaning toward a ductless mini-split system that allows us to minimize duct size, add the 3rd floor with ease (i.e., no major equipment in the attic) and is also extremely efficient, but not LEED compliant, which was a credential I was exploring. It turns out that while building green is a good idea, LEED for Homes is a racket. There are only 38 "Providers" of the LEED for Homes certification, only 2 of which serve DC, and they want to charge $5500-$8500 in fees even before the cost of upgrades. The prerequisites are the larger challenges - we'd have no problem racking up points to achieve Silver or Gold certification. I wanted to do it because ours would be just the 3rd LEED house in DC, but it looks like our HVAC system choice will prevent it - more because the LEED requirement in this area is antiquated - our system is extremely efficient! We will still have lots of green features - dual flush toilets, energy-star appliances & fixtures, and I'm even exploring a central vacuum!

Major Progress!

Here's the front door and window opening to the basement apartment. Steps and retaining wall construction start next week. Also, plumbing began this week - here's the start of groundwork.

Basement redesign!

So, I lied about finalizing the basement plan, I guess. Eric laid it all out today with 2x4s and random poles and things and is now talking about some system where everything is on wheels and flexible and the renter can figure out how they want to arrange it all. For all you aspiring developers out there, 600sf is too small for a 1BR! We may even be down to 550 now since a curb has been poured all the way around the basement (this had to do with digging down & "containing the existing foundation" according to Eric) and there's just not enough room for everything!!

Tomorrow our plumber begins laying groundwork for the front drain and on Thursday he begins laying the storm/sewer drains, so that's when the layout really needs to be finalized. One the front drain is in, Stanley & his crew can pour footers for the new entrance & get moving with block-laying. The basement front entrance has been taking way too long - we think Stanley has been working a few other jobs & giving us the skeleton crew - but i guess we weren't ready with a plumber anyway. The weather will be great thru Friday so hopefully we will make a lot of progress!

Basement layout finalized

After much design review & input from our trusted friends & designers, we chose the floorplan pictured here for the basement apartment. We love the open floorplan, entertainment kitchen & natural light it features. We think it will work for either long-term or short-term rentals depending on our business plan. We were in a rush to finalize this since the plumber will begin laying groundwork on Wednesday. I feel like all of this is going to start to come together quickly once we have subs on board!

Test Pocket Successful

Eric spent all day Monday with our structural engineer, Tony Beale, going over how to put 15'6" joists between walls that are 15'0" apart (code says it must rest 3" on each side into the pockets). He planned all of this out in Autocad Monday night until 2am, bought the lumber yesterday and installed a new test joist today, by himself, sucessfully! It takes some brick removal & reconstruction but it's not too bad. We're hoping to find some helpers to get this done in the next couple weeks if anyone is bored....

"We've really hit the major league now."

This is what Eric said to me when he called me at 7am today. If you know Eric, you know 7am is early for him, but he was giddy with excitement. WASA brought a flat-bed truck-full of machinery to cut and jackhammer up the street and sidewalk in order to replace our lead water line. They shut down the street, made a lot of noise and Stanley's crew worked today too, so the place was hopping with progress! Pictures to come... We're hoping that everything will be at a good stopping point by the end of the month so we can go to the beach with my sis for 4 days (our first vacation and only a mini-vacation at that, since buying the money pit last July).

WASA

Dealing with the utility companies is notoriously a nightmare, but we have no choice since we're trying to separately meter our basement apartment. Eric worked his magic with WASA earlier this week and tomorrow they are replacing the lead water line from the street to our property line on DC's nickel and from our property line into our house for $1500. This is $600 under budget from the quote WASA provided last fall. WASA has moved away from replacing lead lines street-by-street and now only does it on demand. It's exciting to have figured this out and impressive that they are mobilizing so quickly!