What a difference 9 days makes. The mortar was barely dry on the foundation when the framers jumped right in. Good thing they didn't wait for temporary power, which isn't there yet. They brought a generator. The framers were all over the house like ants on a picnic. I took a few more pics along the way, the last two I got this morning on the way home from work before the sun was all the way up. It almost looks like a house now! It's funny we can walk right through the inner walls without worrying about doors at the moment!
[ 29. April 2004, 07:29 AM: Message edited by: el ess1 ]
Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on :
Man, those guys are fast! The house is looking great so far. Posted by SS_CarGuy (Member # 2065) on :
That was quick work. Glad to see they used OSB on the walls rather than some of the other cheaper materials. That's really important if you are having vinyl siding put on because it will attach much better. Do they intend to wrap the house with Tyvek or something similar? I would want that done if it were my house. And, I would suggest you check out all your walls where cabinets will be mounted. Make sure they are nice and straight (a piece of string works great) and plumb. It's easy to fix that stuff now before drywall goes up. Did they use roof trusses or did they stick frame the roof? Sorry for all the questions but I really enjoy the building process and just like to see people get good solid homes.
[ 30. April 2004, 06:26 AM: Message edited by: SS_CarGuy ]
Posted by el ess1 (Member # 1544) on :
Yes, they're supposed to wrap it with some sort of outer wrap before the siding goes on. The roof was done using trusses. The crew was fast because they had several workers, plus, ALL the materials they needed (including the trusses) were stacked up and ready to go, they didn't have to stop and run out to get stuff, save for lunch, etc.
Posted by Xsta Z 28 (Member # 740) on :
Nice looking place you have going there.
Posted by 35TH ED/ed (Member # 1709) on :
Now that the shell is up it will seem to take forever to get anything done. Glad to see progress .
Posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :
That's coming along so fast!
Here's a tip: Have a cooler of snacks, fresh fruit, and plenty of cold bottles of water for the workers. They'll appreciate it and reflect that in the work they do.
Posted by OBSSD (Member # 1258) on :
Kewl...looks almost livable Posted by el ess1 (Member # 1544) on :
quote:Originally posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS: That's coming along so fast!
Here's a tip: Have a cooler of snacks, fresh fruit, and plenty of cold bottles of water for the workers. They'll appreciate it and reflect that in the work they do.
That's a good idea! However, nobody's there usually when I stop by either on the way to work or on the way home, so it'd be kinda tough to arrange that. I guess I could leave the cooler with a note on it for them.
35th ED/ed is right though. Now comes the slower parts...electrical and plumbing crews normally don't have as many people in the crew like the framer army.
[ 29. April 2004, 02:57 PM: Message edited by: el ess1 ]
Posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :
quote:Originally posted by el ess1:
quote:Originally posted by HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS: Here's a tip: Have a cooler of snacks, fresh fruit, and plenty of cold bottles of water for the workers.
I guess I could leave the cooler with a note on it for them.
That sounds like it'll work. When our garage was being framed, I left a small refrigerator plugged in on the back porch of the house and kept it stocked with pastries, chips, fruit, soda and bottled water so they could keep their energy up. I came home during my lunch hour every day and brought the crew lunch. I varied between burritos, teriyaki bento, KFC, big sandwiches, and even fired up the BBQ and grilled burgers & bratwursts one day with all the fixings (beans, salad, etc).
Steve learned about doing this in a Community College course called "How To Be Your Own Contractor".
The small investment of time & money that it took to show that the crew's comfort mattered to us was reflected in their work. Instead of an adequate job, they went one extra step and did and excellent job. Subsequent contractors (the siding crew) commented on how straight and true the walls are. I think the framing crew cared more about their work since they got to know us and because we saw to it that they were taken care of. I know how I would feel if I had to work in the hot sun all day, and if I hadn't planned out my meals, I would sure appreciate that someone else took the time to think of me. Small gestures like that mean a lot to people.
What's funny is when the framing boss finally came to the site, he must have felt a little guilty because he ended up buying the guys lunch himself a couple of days and it shocked the heck out of his crew. He hadn't done that for them before. I think he felt a little competition that I was treating his crew better than he was. His work wasn't as good as theirs, either.
[ 29. April 2004, 03:41 PM: Message edited by: HotWheelSS aka HTWLSS ]
Posted by Brian's 01 SS (Member # 1499) on :
Holy shizzu. They are fast. You can feel good they got it dried in so fast. No soaking of the lumber. We have had both. Some houses get soaked, some don't. Mother nature is unpredictable sometimes.
[ 29. April 2004, 08:27 PM: Message edited by: Brian's 01 SS ]
Posted by Brian's 01 SS (Member # 1499) on :
Just a suggestion, are they going to use hurricane clips? They are not required here by code, but we use them anyways. Don't know about your area. They are small metal truss hangers that nail and fastens the truss to the top plate.
Posted by el ess1 (Member # 1544) on :
quote:Originally posted by Brian's 01 SS: Just a suggestion, are they going to use hurricane clips? They are not required here by code, but we use them anyways. Don't know about your area. They are small metal truss hangers that nail and fastens the truss to the top plate.
I don't know, I'll have to look. I saw some metal clip thingies where the truss contacted the top plate, but not sure what I was looking at anyway. Like I've said before, we don't know much about the details of home construction code and stuff. Good point to ask about though. Thanks for the tip.
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