Today we've been building the house for 500 days and we're still not done. Seems like less, but the calendar doesn't lie. In the long run, I suspect it will be more like 750 days or two full years, and then we'll still have a punch list of things we'd like to do (more built ins, back yard, etc). Our move in date is set for the week of May 8-15 ; this is driven by the lease on our rented house, which expires on May 15th. We'll need a couple days to move and a couple days to clean up, so in essence we have about 6 weeks to finish the house. Hope to have the occupancy permit by Tax Day at the latest since there is a $6500 credit we can qualify for as repeat home buyers. So the next month will be crunch time for those remaining occupancy issues: mainly the appliances, stair rails, working bathroom (toilet), and garage/mudroom fire door. We'll hang the door then remove it after the inspection so it doesn't get damaged when we move furniture in. The more I do this building thing, the more it feels like graduate school. Maybe I can get my doctorate in home construction from the University of Phoenix.
By the way, our visitor counter is at about 5500 (thanks for all those eyes). Son Tom set it up in Nov. 2009 at 500 views, so it didn't look like we just started the blog. I'd already been blathering on for a year, so that means we've have 5000 hits in about 5 months or 1000 per month. No record for sure, but someones are watching us. Cheers, Michael
PS. First on the job accident other than bumps and bruises and sore muscles. The house has been pretty forgiving, but when stupidity enters the equation anything can happen. Tim Hamm and I were setting up some binder boards for gravel walkways in the front of the house. I was holding 2 ends together and screwing them together with a 1.5" drywall screw. Yeep, the screw went through the two boards and firmly attached them to my left index finger. Hurt like hell and then I had to use the power screw driver to detach my finger from the boards. Nice clean entry about 3/8" deep. So, my typing is off speed a bit now.
Building a House in Kala Point, Port Townsend, WA
A running narrative of first-time builders of their retirement home in Port Townsend, WA (NE corner of the Olympic Pennisula, 60 miles NW of Seattle). Follow us as this adventure unfolds in late 2008 and beyond. 18 months under construction, we moved in on May 25th, 2010. Photo taken August 15, 2010.
About Me
- Kala Point Builder
- Professional geologist (USGS, 1972-2008), amateur home remodeler and now builder. Interested in sailing, all things involving salt water, woodworking, and food in general. Owner of Paleo Seis Surveys LLC, consulting in Quaternary geology and geological hazards.