Build Notes (New Construction, Older Homes, Renovations, Interesting Finishing and Details)
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Quite a bit going on this week, but I’ve been running around like a chicken with its head cut off and haven’t had much time to take pictures or even think about posting anything.
Things are really starting to shape up on the two houses that are almost complete. We’re trying to get the one with the big pool closed by the end of October, and the other one with the French lay gray exterior stone is getting the patio and landscaping done next week.
Then maybe my broker/real estate agent can finally stop telling me the reason it hasn’t sold is because of the landscaping. That’s been the excuse for the last three months. Of course, after that it’ll be something else. Before drywall it was too dark. Then it was this. Then it was that. I wish I could make excuses like everybody else. Somehow the builder is always responsible and always at fault.
I’ve actually had a lot of conversations with my project manager this week about that exact thing. Trying not to take it personally is easier said than done when you really love what you do and take a lot of pride in it. People will question things you have absolutely no control over, or you’ll do everything correctly and somehow somebody else’s mistake still gets attributed to you.
It can become pretty taxing after a while, He’s 30 and I’m 53, so a lot of what I’m trying to teach him now isn’t really about building houses. It’s how to manage expectations, manage people, and probably most importantly, manage yourself and not let every little thing eat at you.
On a less whiny note, we started framing one house this week, and we’ll be pouring the slabs for the two unit townhome to the left on Tuesday.
I really want to keep the same framing crew on all of these. Fernando and his guys are just incredible, so I’ll probably wait until they’re far enough along and then pull a couple of guys over to start laying out the next ones. It’ll take a little longer overall, but to me it’s worth it to have the job done exactly right.
My wife actually uses a lot of my subcontractors and suppliers now too. She’s an interior designer but also does renovations, so over the years I’ve kind of helped connect her with a lot of the same people I use.
That being said, we absolutely do not work together.
I get asked that all the time. Two completely separate companies under one roof because if we actually worked together, we’d probably kill each other. lol
@selveldgesteps
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@northsouthdenimguy so what you’re saying is, if you had to do it all again you would with your friend Fernando?
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I know I should probably edit… I’m putting the stuff together while I’m working it comes out pretty funny sometimes
Fixed it
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I was going to say I’m about to lose it, but I think I’ve already lost it.
I can probably blame myself to some extent, but I went over the footing depths for this little mono-slab garden shed(and the other not pictured ) it’s only about 6’ x 10’. Yes, it’s getting weathered granite stone on it, but we’re still talking about a very small structure.
For perspective, the top of the stake at the back left corner is top of slab.
I definitely do not need 4’ of turned-down concrete footing under this thing. I asked them to go roughly a foot below existing grade because I’m going to be backfilling around most of it anyway.
To make it even better, both garden shed locations had previously been opened up probably 8–10’ deep for the sewer installation, so I already knew I was going to have to carry the corners down to competent soil with deep foundation piers anyway.
The whole point was to avoid doing that AND pouring a ridiculous amount of extra concrete.
So naturally, now they’re filling half of it back in.
On a happier note, the thermal bluestone is down and the coping is going around the pool on this house that’s closing at the end of October.
Not super noticeable, but there’s a metal track that runs around the perimeter of the pool for an automatic rigid pool cover.
@selveldgesteps
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A lot of exterior detail finishing up this week.
On one of the houses I’m building, we had an old 20 x 40 carport that was probably close to 100 years old. We removed all of the old framing but kept the original stone foundation. We added deep foundation piers along the perimeter on the interior to support the new slab.
All of the trusses bear on the exterior walls, so there are no real interior loads. We poured the new slab over the old stone foundation, but rather than covering the old stone, we finished the concrete down to it with a three-coat European hardcoat stucco.
The whole idea was to keep that old stone exposed. Give it a few years, probably less, and I think it’ll look like it’s been this way for 100 years.
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The guys are about to wrap up the bluestone around this pool, just finishing up the little door well going into the garage.
Still shooting for end of October closing date, although waiting on cabinets for two areas above the garage and the bathroom cabinets for the gym bath.
I have a giant granite water(8’ x 5’) feature that’s about 7 inches too tall. Measured everything months ago, but I made the mistake of not making sure the siding guy started his first course at the correct height. So my mason is taking it back to the granite company to have 7 inches cut off the bottom.
They’re also going to cut it into thirds since the damn thing is way too heavy to set in place as one piece. Figured since it’s going back anyway, might as well let the professionals handle it. Once it’s reassembled, you’ll barely be able to see the seams. It’s going on the far end of the pool that backs up to the garage. There’s a PVC spout seen in pic that’s about 5 feet off the pool coping. Of we will have to adjust that pipe down 7 inches now but it’s OK. It’ll be covered by the Granite when complete and doesn’t need to look pretty.
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Door well is complete. The French pattern makes it a little tricky with the drain. There is possibly a better way to do it, but in this situation function far outweighs form.
Stone drain cap
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One thing I wanted to mention, and part of why I enjoy posting this stuff, is that all the bluestone work, the transitions, drain locations throughout the main patio and window well, and how everything ties together is figured out on site by my mason and me.
There are no architectural or engineered drawings for any of this. It’s all experience, a little trial and error, figuring out what we think is aesthetically pleasing, what’s going to function properly, and how to make it all come together. Mix all that together, and this is what you get. It’s one of the things I still really enjoy about building after all these years. -
@northsouthdenimguy that's interesting! That's a lot of liability to take on from a builder standpoint but sounds like you got it down
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Please don’t remind me and say that quietly next time as my General Liability carrier might hear you…
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@northsouthdenimguy LOL understood!
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@northsouthdenimguy I made my own DIY version about 5 years ago. It was nothing special, just burning some T&G cedar with a propane bottle and a weed torch. Looking back, I didn't do nearly as much of a char as I should have. I saw an exhibition probably a decade ago put on by Delta Millworks where they were doing their own version of Shou Sugi Ban. They've become quite a large distributor for it now if you're ever looking to source some:
Delta MillworksHere's the only picture I have handy:
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Very cool and thanks for the link!
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Still needs to be pressure wash and sealed but stone drain cover is in place, turned out pretty sweet
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Thanks man! It’s definitely a little easier at this price point when people are willing to spend the money on the finishes.
You’ll probably never see anything super slick or too modern from me. I like some good historical details, but nothing too over the top. It’s just almost impossible money wise to do things across the board the way they used to.
You can definitely take bits and pieces from older homes though. A lot of it also depends on where you are, not only in the US but around the world. It’s crazy how some things are considerably less expensive elsewhere and almost impossible to do here without spending a fortune.
These are two of my favorite books. I think they make such a difference in understanding how to use certain historical details in today’s homes without making them feel forced or overly traditional.
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@northsouthdenimguy I'll be reading the bottom one later today
The new girls house is a funky mix between 1840's build and 2017-2020 reno hell, it had been gutted and modernized really well but they left a lot of the finish work and second floor undone. She did a really nice job on the kitchen, pantry and first floor layout and materials, but we both agree it striped a little bit of the charm so we've been adding things back in like faux beams made from the original floor joists and stuff like that. I'll also admit I've definitely shown her the fit pics from HWD and here for inspo/motivation too 
