Big Picture: Where are we?
Deck framing is complete. Started work on fence at Hatfield and a few other things.
Corp Update
- I took last weekend off to celebrate someone’s *college graduation!* Congrats, boss-lady. We are very proud of you.
- On the work front… the deck is “closer than it’s ever been”. This week we finished getting all of the fence posts mounted and we had a framing inspection on Thursday. We passed, no notes from the inspector. Worth noting that included the redesigned structure over the bilco doors. The inspector didn’t even ask any questions about it, which I take as a sign that we executed the revised design quite well. Special thanks to my on-call architect!
We ordered the composite decking material (a Trex(r) competitor) and that will arrive on Tuesday this week. Should take a day or so to lay down the entire deck surface, and an additional day to get the bulk of the fencing up. The only “custom” part will be to build a gate between this deck and the adjacent property’s deck (required for egress). Then we’ll be wrapped up. Realistically, given a few other things in flight, it’ll be early next week (first week in July) when we are ready for final inspection. - No progress on the front steps this week. The excavation/ concrete contractor is subbing out the stone setting for the steps and walkway. The stone setter does nice work- just hoping we can get this wrapped up soon. They say they’re aiming to be here late this week. We shall see.
- I met with the neighbor on whose property we inadvertently poured our concrete curb. He’s been angling for a payment to leave the concrete in place, but I’m not entertaining that option. This week I had my real estate lawyer draw up a quick agreement and sent it to the neighbor and his father (who is also a lawyer). No response so far, and from what I’ve heard on the neighborhood grapevine, the neighbor is moving out of state soon (but keeping the house), so I don’t feel any need to rush to a conclusion that I don’t like.
- The fence at one of our other rental properties, Hatfield St., has been in rough shape for a little while. This week, while waiting on the delivery of the deck materials, I went over and tore down the bulk of that fence and dug new post holes. This week, I expect to set new posts and install new fence boards. Normally not a big deal, but it’s been over 100 degrees most of this week, so it makes for a challenging work day.
(no, we can’t annex the neighbor’s yard, lovely though it is)
- The other “fun” project that I got to do this weekend was we finally started on the planter boxes out back. Recall that when we designed the patio, we left space for two large planter boxes made of corten steel. One box is a 60″ x 72″ rectangle, just to the left of the steps. The other is a triangle (84″ x 48″ x 96″) and is on the opposite side of the patio. A member of the concrete finishing crew introduced me to his son, who is an apprentice steamfitter. He’s taken a ton of welding training, and has 12 certificates (which are basically licenses to work on structural steel). I hired him to come out and help/ do some of the welding, and teach me on other parts. I’m very much in the “learning stage” for stick welding, so for those who follow me on social media, don’t look for any “how to” videos any time soon. Overall it went well, though. We got both boxes tacked together, and about 35% of the finish seam work on the rectangular box. There’s still more work to go, but this was certainly a huge step forward.
- Here’s the schedule for the next few days
| Monday | Remove last portion of Hatfield Fence. Purchase new posts and set them |
| Tuesday | Set the field (fence boards) at Hatfield. Delivery of decking material |
| Wednesday | Install decking Possible add’l work on planter boxes (evening) |
| Thursday | Install fences around deck |
| Friday | Vacation – Mom’s 80th BD |
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