With all of the little projects and planning we’ve been sharing lately, some of you may be wondering, “What’s going on with the dining room?” And while things never move as quickly as you’d want on a big project like this, we did want to give you some exciting updates and share where things are at. since the last time we talked about it it was looking like this:
First and foremost, we have our permits! The permitting process can be a bit of a bear, and while we had our sketches done and turned in over a month ago, someone over at the permitting office pushed the wrong button or something and a bunch of applications (not just ours) were deleted. Good thing our Contractor was checking in with them so much, otherwise who knows how long it would have gone undetected. So that put us a bit behind, but we were able to get our application expedited.
Even after all that, there were a few changes required. A few things with footing locations, some tweaks to HVAC – nothing major, but delayed the approval another week. But now, finally, we have permits in hand and are ready to go!
Another fun discovery is that our back patio is actually about 6 inches of concrete poured directly over top another 6in layer of concrete that used to be the original back patio. They went in to cut it out and found that the concrete saw wasn’t going all the way through. They had to come back with a bigger saw and cut all the way through it so it could be removed.
Some may wonder why we’re going through all the hassle to completely remove the old structure – why not just fix what was already there. We’ve touched on this before, but this addition was not permitted, and it shows. For one thing, you can’t use 6in of concrete poured over 6in of concrete as a substrate to an addition of a home. There were no proper footings around the foundation for the walls of this room, and the chimney was just sitting on top without proper support. We decided that, since this room will now fully be part of the house, it needs to be right. And where we’re putting a balcony above this room, the foundation becomes even more important (if a foundation can possibly become more important than it already is).
So the team spent the past week breaking out the old concrete. They used a skid steer with a jackhammer attached to finish it off and even that part took a couple days. The demo part of this project is the most expensive line item, so having that handled makes the rest feel easy. The goal for this week is to get the excavator in here to dig for the new footings, and have the footings poured so they can cure over the weekend. Here’s to hoping, and we’ll keep you all posted!
To see live updates as they happen, be sure to follow us on Instagram @chrislovesjulia
Hi there! Exciting work you have started on your home! I look forward to following the progress.
quick inquiry. did one of your little ones have a hanging chair in their bedroom by chance? If so I would love a source for one for my grand daughter. I can just see her sit-in gin it reading for hours! I am not having much luck with a google search so thought I would try you all!
many thanks and good luck with this and future projects!
Kim and Scott of Yellow Brick Home have a vintage hanging egg chair, and they did a blog post this summer including a round-up of egg chairs, some of which are hanging, which might help you out. https://www.yellowbrickhome.com/hanging-our-vintage-egg-chair-round-up/
We had one YEARS ago from Ikea!
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You City still sounds better than ours. I went to check in and they said “you’re two inches down in the stack.” What?!? I can’t wait to watch your progress!
I’ve found the permitting process to be the worst part of renovation no matter what locality I’ve been in! I am so glad you have a great contractor who is on it and they were able to resolve it so you can move forward! That makes a HUGE difference. Not the most fun speedbump, but thanks, as always, for keeping it real!!!! (The second worst part of reno IMO? PUNCH LIST. But again, it sounds like you have a great contractor so hoping the rest of the process is smooth sailing!!)
punch lists are so so aggravating. Everyone just wants to be done, but nobody wants to do anything any more. Our town turns around permits within 1 week, so I guess they have a pretty good process down!
Hi Julia! It’s going to be amazing! But how are you all handling the noise? I get aggravated when there’s someone outside with a leaf blower! I don’t know if I could handle all the racket from jackhammers and excavators! Time to leave town for a little peace and quiet??? It will all be worth it in the end, but I hope you are all surviving!