It's finally happening!

DanG · July 18, 2007, 10:59:46 PM

As most of you know, I've been pecking away for a while, trying to get a house started. Progress has been slower than I could ever have imagined. :-\

Well, a little window of opportunity has finally opened, as a couple of my friends got a sudden break in their schedule and offered to come over and help get it done. Now these guys are experts at this stuff, and both of'em work like a rented mule! John, the Contractor(same guy that has the big pottery kiln), was so confident yesterday that he had me call for an inspection for this afternoon. Continuing in that confident vein, he ordered the concrete for tomorrow! At that point, we were nowhere near being ready for the inspection OR the mud!

In this County, the inspectors always work the east side in the mornings and the west side in the afternoons, so we figured we had to work hard to make any kind of showing by mid-afternoon. Imagine our dismay when he pulled in at 10:30 this morning!

It turned out that this guy was totally cool! First thing he looked at was the temp power pole. I figured it was going to flunk because the meter box was too high. The guy that built it must have planted it six feet down, and I only put it at four. I had it in the hole before I realized the problem, but couldn't get it out again without help. :-\ Anyway, the inspector guy told me to put a pile of dirt around it, and he slapped a sticker on it! :D :D 8) 8) Then he started looking at the foundation, where we still had at least a half-day's work to do. He couldn't believe how stout the thing was being built. He saw how things were being done, and said he didn't have to worry about this one, so he signed it off, too!

As it stands right now, I got 3 concrete trucks pulling in at noon tomorrow!! 8) 8) 8)

pigman · July 18, 2007, 11:10:37 PM

Congratulations on the start. 8) The only part of building a house harder than starting is finishing the house. ;D

Bob

metalspinner · July 18, 2007, 11:31:02 PM

Wow! I hope you didn't have any plans these next few days. :D Great news! What a cool inspector you have.maybe he has a brother up my way in the same biz?

Of course, withoput any pics to prove it you could be just pulling our legs. ;)

DanG · July 18, 2007, 11:43:35 PM

Yer just gonna hafta take my word on this one. Taking pics was the LAST thing on my mind today. Maybe I'll do better tomorrow, but I ain't making no promises. ;)

Mooseherder · July 19, 2007, 12:00:01 AM

DanG was near hunnerd degrees today DanG!

sawmilllawyer · July 19, 2007, 12:01:41 AM

Dang, yeah probably won't get no pictures of the concrete trucks neither. Oh well, the housing adventure begins, fare thee well. Andy

brdmkr · July 19, 2007, 12:03:32 AM

Well, I'll be.... There is a saying about snow if July or something like that.

Congratulations!

I suppose I'll have to find some time to get down there and be supervised.

rbhunter · July 19, 2007, 02:32:11 AM

Congradulations on the start.

I am impressed by the inspector. He found a easy remedy for one problem:
"Anyway, the inspector guy told me to put a pile of dirt around it," and "Then he started looking at the foundation, where we still had at least a half-day's work to do. He couldn't believe how stout the thing was being built. He saw how things were being done, and said he didn't have to worry about this one, so he signed it off, too! " he looked at how things were being done and could judge from that how things would continue.

It is good to hear a good story about an inspector.

Haytrader · July 19, 2007, 04:36:02 AM

Wait just a DanG minute. I insist on heppin with that mud.
Nothing I like more than pouring concrete, especially when the temperature is a long way from freezing.
;D
Tell ya what. Just go ahead and start without me and I'll be there with hand trowel in hand just as soon as I can.
:D

P.S. Hey, what ya going for? Husband of the year??
:D :D

SwampDonkey · July 19, 2007, 06:59:32 AM

smiley_clapping

Way to go Dang. The fun begins.

Having fun yet? ;D

Qweaver · July 19, 2007, 08:13:05 AM

It was about this time last year when we finally got our concrete work finished and I know how you feel. Will it rain, will the forms hold, can I get everything done in time, have I done everything that I should...worry, worry, worry. But it sure feels good when it's done and the real building can begin. Good luck with the pour, I'm sure you've got it with no sweat considering all of the good help that you've got.
Quinton

DanG · July 19, 2007, 09:02:17 AM

I've about poured enough coffee down my neck to get me through the morning, so I gotta go out and cut the last few sticks of rebar. :

:D :D :D As soon as I tie them in, we'll be ready for trucks.

Qweaver, there are no forms to worry about...all of it is bank formed. I'm not worried about the pour. It WILL go well. The "no sweat" comment ain't gonna happen, though. It should be about 95 by noon!

bedway · July 19, 2007, 09:54:41 AM

Something tells me Dang and his friends are gonna be nurseing some sore backs tonight ;D,,,bedway

Radar67 · July 19, 2007, 11:13:33 AM

You have me envious now DanG. I was planning to start my foundation this week, but plans changed.

Will be looking forward to seeing pictures of your progress over the next few weeks. Also expecting a guided tour after Moultrie this year. ;)

Stew

OneWithWood · July 19, 2007, 02:27:49 PM

Ain't no turning back now :D

Congrats, Dan. The journey and the fun have begun. I can't wait for the open house party when it is finished.

Corley5 · July 19, 2007, 06:28:43 PM

Now the work really begins ;) ;D I'll bet there's more than just sore backs getting nursed/consumed tonight

;D ;D

Concrete work tends to create a super thirst for

WDH · July 19, 2007, 07:19:01 PM

Come up here, DanG, and get a foundation ready to pour on my place so that it will rain for weeks ;D.

The fun begins

.

Slabs · July 19, 2007, 07:41:06 PM

Dang DanG

I was hopin to put some elbow grease into that project but CANTHOOK has me busy on a rental fix-up tomorrow. Oh well, maybe when the temperature goes down.

badpenny · July 19, 2007, 10:16:36 PM

Good on ya, DanG. 8) 8) Glad to hear things are rolling along. Remember, no pics, didn't happen. (We do like pics, eh) My trusses were set in place two weeks ago, and I am still working on shingeling the last half of the last side of the roof.

DanG · July 19, 2007, 10:29:15 PM

My beard, my toes, and everything in between, hurt! But, we got'er DONE! 28¼ yards of mud went into the ground. The first concrete truck didn't arrive until after 1pm, so we were guaranteed a hot time. It was 100 degrees by the time we finished.

First truck is in...

They were still getting the concrete pump going at that point.

People working.

That's me all bent over in the hole. FF member and Son-in-law, James_G was our nozzle man for the pump. The guy in the funny hat is Ben, and John is wearing the sawed off bibs. A man has never had better friends than these!

Second truck was a front-loader.

A view from the southeast corner, with the porch footer on the right and the house footer down the center.

The slab in the middle is to support the stairwell and the loft that will bridge across the living/dining area. We poured it solid to serve as a little root cellar and safe room. The inside dimensions will be about 3.5'x12'.

pigman · July 19, 2007, 10:36:54 PM

It did happen. 8) At least you did not have to do a lot of concrete finishing in the hot weather. Did you get the footer below the frost line? :D

Jeff · July 19, 2007, 10:59:48 PM

And ta think, I knew that spot when it was just a hole in the ground.

brdmkr · July 19, 2007, 11:17:21 PM

I cut pecan just behind that hole. Well, I suppose the work has begun. Or ended if DanG is as sore as I would be after that.

Tom · July 19, 2007, 11:22:03 PM

I'm sure proud of you Dang. Y'all made it happen. 8)

sawguy21 · July 19, 2007, 11:58:28 PM

Quote from: pigman on July 19, 2007, 10:36:54 PM
It did happen. 8) At least you did not have to do a lot of concrete finishing in the hot weather. Did you get the footer below the frost line? :D

DanG don't know about frost lines. :D The first step is the hardest, don't stop now.

Tom · July 20, 2007, 12:09:52 AM

What do you mean "don't stop now". Me and woodbowl and bunch of us from around here have been hog-tying him to keep him from making us look bad. He got loose!!

DanG · July 20, 2007, 12:17:20 AM

Yeah, I know about frost lines. Ours is about 400 miles north of here. ;D

I forgot to mention that we ran out of mud with about 10 feet of trench to be filled. :-[ We had figured the concrete closely, according to the plans, but neglected to consider that the trench walls had eroded a bit, so it took more concrete. James G scooted into town and grabbed a few bags of Portland, while I dug out the mixer and fetched some sand and gravel from the piles. We mixed 6 half-bag loads and toted it over in the loader to finish the job out. We were then ready for the signature.

Husband · July 20, 2007, 12:34:18 AM

Hey Dan, when ya done there how about coming down under for a crash course on the way we do it!
Its simple, we promise beer and food after....man I never knew I had so many freinds. ;D
Bring the piggy roast table though, Tom might have to help you with it to get it on the plane ;).

Looks good. Keep going. More pics!!

Don K · July 20, 2007, 01:54:49 AM

I'm proud for you DanG. You've started down a sometimes :

long road, but a good road none the less.

pigman · July 20, 2007, 08:18:45 AM

DanG DanG, mixing concrete by hand in that heat was worse than finishing in the heat.

Be carefull young man, we are too old to be doing that kind of work in extreme heat.

Bob

badpenny · July 20, 2007, 09:18:16 AM

Ok, saw the pic's, so it really happened. Again, good on ya DanG. 8) 8) Sure is a good feeling to see the first steps taken, eh? A journey of a thousand miles starts with one step, and now that first step is taken.

OneWithWood · July 20, 2007, 09:26:38 AM

You are right about those friends. It takes a special kind of person to volunteer to help pour concrete. Good idea on the pump. I remember dragging wet mud down a shute to get it to the far reaches of a foundation. No fun at all.
Have you started sawin' out the framing material?

Corley5 · July 20, 2007, 10:25:46 AM

Looks good DanG 8) 8) 8)

TexasTimbers · July 20, 2007, 12:34:36 PM

I'm happy for ya DanG. You don't get friends like that unless you're a well-liked feller, and ya don't get to be well-liked feller unless you're a purdy DanG good guy!.

you know what they say . . . . Good thangs happen to good DanGs!

SwampDonkey · July 20, 2007, 04:03:16 PM

Hot diggity Dang. 8) ;)

thecfarm · July 20, 2007, 09:07:15 PM

Looking forward to more pictures.What's next to do?

isawlogs · July 20, 2007, 09:26:26 PM

Lookin good Dang , 8) 8) 8)

Now is this gonna be putting the ride north in jeopurdy ??? It bloody well not ..... ;D

DanG · July 20, 2007, 09:50:01 PM

Naww Marcel. After the last few days, I won't be up to doing much else before late Augember or early Septober.

Cfarm, next step is about 800 blocks for the stem walls and piers. Thankfully, we can take our time with that. We're not on any kind of schedule here.

Hey, thanks for all the kind words, guys! This has been a slow process, so far, but I'm fired up and ready to move forward now. BTW, they hooked up the temp power today, so I'm running real short on excuses. :-\

Dave Shepard · July 20, 2007, 09:56:10 PM

Quote from: DanG on July 20, 2007, 09:50:01 PM
BTW, they hooked up the temp power today, so I'm running real short on excuses. :-\

Don't you just hate when you run out of excuses? That's when you have to pull out the top secret procarstination tools. :D

I was always told the journey of a thousand miles started with a flat tire.

Dave

isawlogs · July 20, 2007, 09:58:02 PM

Well give me a call when ever you run out of excuses as I am dang good at finding some . I can call dat boss of yours and give ~~her~~ all those excuses in Français , ~~She~~ never know what hit ~~her~~ um .

DanG · July 20, 2007, 10:21:11 PM

OWW, I'm gonna buy my framing lumber. It just isn't practical to cut it myself. I can buy good ol' SYP from a local mill, all kd and stamped for very little more than I'm getting for rough sawn SYP. I'm also working on an arrangement with Coastal Plywood to pick up my sheet goods directly from their plant in our County. Most everything else will come from my mill.

Dave, this journey did indeed start on a flat. I've had those trenches dug for well over a year. That they held up so well is simply a testament to good soil. I probably could have gotten away with ten yards of concrete, but would have spent the rest of my days worrying about it. As it is, I know two things for sure...it ain't gonna blow away, and it ain't gonna sink! ;D ;D That knowledge is worth a lot more than I paid.

fat olde elf · July 20, 2007, 10:58:39 PM

Congrats on the beginning !!!! Ten years ago right now I was midway through our current abode....Moved in in December 1997...Built the place to sell, couldn't get the wife out of here with a stack of dynamite now, I guess we'll stay for a while...My inspectors turned out to be my best friends on the project, they kept my subs in line....... You really have fun, don't you ? DanG good job............

DanG · July 20, 2007, 11:19:58 PM

Thanks fat! (I can call ya "fat" can't I? Somehow, FOE just doesn't seem appropriate. ;D ) You're right, I do have fun. I think it's the only thing worth having.

I hope the inspectors ain't too hard on the subs, as the subs is ME!

sawmilllawyer · July 21, 2007, 12:11:56 AM

Dang, Dang, pictures posted of concrete trucks and all. Looks great, Looks straight, Looks like a running start. After pumping and finishing that much concrete you and friends deserve a much needed break. My back aches for you.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not making excuses here for any future construction delays "(procrastination); but you can't do anything for while cause crete gotta cure. Just don't want to mess up any green concrete here with to much activity, now do ya?

OneWithWood · July 23, 2007, 09:01:42 AM

DanG, I certainly understand the framing lumber buy. The only thing I found harder than the concrete pour was the block laying. I am sure you are doing bunches of sit ups and 12oz curls to get ready for that. ;)

Blake22 · July 23, 2007, 09:25:49 AM

Good to see some progress going on in Gretna. ;D You need to take some of that red clay over there and make your own bricks. DanG I think you might be tellin a lie on that 100 degree temperture, it had to be at least 110 that day.

DanG · July 23, 2007, 12:01:49 PM

I ain't too worried about the block laying. The trouble with the concrete was that it all had to be done at once. With 3 trucks coming at 45 minute intervals, it was a mad scramble for about 3 hours in the hottest part of the day. With the blocks, I can work at my own pace on my own schedule. I don't give a hoot if it takes six weeks! ;D

Blake! Where ya been, buddy? You need to visit yer Uncle Bill, ya know. 'Course, he's on the wagon right now, so you'd hafta spend happy hour over here. ;D :D

JAMES G · July 26, 2007, 08:42:13 AM

now that I got my computer behaving {was using the wrong size hammer} I can tell about how upset I was about working on Dan's job site.

1.dan spent most of his time walking around with sunglasses on and a walking cane pointing where he wanted the mud something about coolhand luke and the walking boss.
2.we were not allowed to test drive the concrete trucks, dan said that was his job >:( 3.when the job was done dan said he would buy all of us a round of beer. and he did one beer to be shared by all of us

Dan_Shade · July 26, 2007, 08:47:18 AM

did he make you carve a bottle opener from a chunk of slabwood?

Don_Papenburg · July 26, 2007, 11:33:16 PM

I hope that round was at least a 1/4 keg ;D

DanG · July 26, 2007, 11:46:16 PM

You think I'm that cheap, Shade? I bought the good stuff in the easy opening cans. ;D

Dan_Shade · July 27, 2007, 06:23:12 AM

where's the sport in that? I thought you florida guys liked to abuse family to extreme levels by making them construct their own utensils! (I guess you could always do that next time)