Fast forward two years. When the banks imploded, our loan application
got caught up in Wachovia's troubles. But, because everyone was
worried, it took almost two years to find a bank ready to lend money
again. And, as a result, we are making progress again.
The surveyors were out and updated the boundary and topological survey. Then they prepared a grading plan and staked out the location of the house.
The surveyors were out and updated the boundary and topological survey. Then they prepared a grading plan and staked out the location of the house.
Victor from Conquest Builders then expanded on the stakes with painted lines and string, followed by Walter Heckel and "the machine" going to work digging for the basement, foundation and footers. Though it is rocky under the dirt - not surprising since the house is on the side of a hill and the former Houdaille Quarry is just around the corner. But, one scoop at a time, Walter digged away and Victor kept marking the land as the old marks were removed with the dirt.
You'll never know what you'll find underground but thankfully we only had one surprise. At some point, many years ago, someone had apparently built a dry well on the property. Rocks, stacked on top of each other, made a place to collect rain water. But, Walter and his machine removed it easily and filled the hole with gravel. To give you some idea of the size of this hole, the last picture has a few letter-sized sheets of paper sitting on top of the gravel.
And, of course, there are the obligatory before and after pictures!
Unfortunately, further work is delayed a few days. We got a lot of rain and, despite the high heat, the already high humidify didn't help the holes dug for the footings to dry out. But, a mudbath is supposed to be good for you, right?
You'll never know what you'll find underground but thankfully we only had one surprise. At some point, many years ago, someone had apparently built a dry well on the property. Rocks, stacked on top of each other, made a place to collect rain water. But, Walter and his machine removed it easily and filled the hole with gravel. To give you some idea of the size of this hole, the last picture has a few letter-sized sheets of paper sitting on top of the gravel.
And, of course, there are the obligatory before and after pictures!
Unfortunately, further work is delayed a few days. We got a lot of rain and, despite the high heat, the already high humidify didn't help the holes dug for the footings to dry out. But, a mudbath is supposed to be good for you, right?
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