First Weekend

Let's recap...

Removal of dumpster, email chain:

Any word on removal of the dumpster?  It seems to be leaking rusty rainwater onto the concrete, and we do not want it to stain the drive way.

>>>Unfortunately the dumpster is going to be at your residence a few more weeks. We don't remove the dumpster until after the cabinets and appliances are installed, as we need the dumpster for the packaging the cabinets and appliances are in.

...and ...and I discussed that the dumpster was for only a few days, as my town recycle will take the cardboard during their weekly pick up.

>>We will call the dumpster company to have it removed since the cardboard can be taken during your recycling days. Thank you for this and we'll try to have them take it today, if not tomorrow.

Additional emails:

As you can tell by now, the demo is completed for your new kitchen and the tile is underway. We are estimating the tile will be completed and grouted tomorrow.

As ... discussed with you earlier today, after completing the demo of the soffit, we found plumbing that will need to be re-located in order to close up the walls. To do this, we need to apply for an additional subcode permit with the town.

...from our office will be applying for this first thing in the morning, and we have asked the town to put a rush on approving the addition as soon as possible so that we can avoid waiting on the rough inspections.

Our plumber will be in contact with you in the next few days to schedule to complete the plumbing change order needed. After the plumbing is completed, we will not be able to return to proceed further with the project until the rough inspections pass.

We will have an update for you on Monday as to when these inspections are scheduled.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please let us know.

What it looks like now:

Construction: W1D4

The grout has been applied. 

Now let's talk about the plumbing problem.  When the soffit was removed, the water supply and drain from the upstairs laundry room were reveled to be in the way:

So we have applied for a new permit, and hopefully Monday EOD it will be available.

Construction: W1D3

They [almost] finished the tiles yesterday - they were short one.  They are grouting the tiles this morning!

Now to review last night's email from the contractor:

As you can tell by now, the demo is completed for your new kitchen and the tile is underway. We are estimating the tile will be completed and grouted tomorrow.

As ... discussed with you earlier today, after completing the demo of the soffit, we found plumbing that will need to be re-located in order to close up the walls. To do this, we need to apply for an additional subcode permit with the town.

...our office will be applying for this first thing in the morning, and we have asked the town to put a rush on approving the addition as soon as possible so that we can avoid waiting on the rough inspections.

Our plumber will be in contact with you in the next few days to schedule to complete the plumbing change order needed. After the plumbing is completed, we will not be able to return to proceed further with the project until the rough inspections pass.

We will have an update for you on Monday as to when these inspections are scheduled.

Well, that will bring the schedule to a grinding halt, and back in line with the estimate...

No more work until at earliest Tuesday [answer about permit late Monday].

Construction: W1D2

They got a lot of work done yesterday.  Reminder of the original schedule:

Week 1 –  (April 27 – April 28)  Wednesday, Thursday Start time 9am:

- Demo: 2 Days

This called for 2 days of demo work, but they did it in one.  Here is the look at the start of the Day 2:

Dumpster did get delivered, and is still in the drive way.

Panoramic of the whole kitchen, looks like demo is DONE!  So with starting a day early and demo only one day, we are already 2 days ahead of schedule, also notice (if you can see the holes with the outlet boxes in them, the rough electrical is complete.

So, looking at what is next on the proposed schedule:

Week 2  (May 2-May4):  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday:

- Flooring: 3 Days

- Rough Electrical / Plumbing 3 days  

Today's mission:  Stop the squeaks, add a firm pre-tile layer, and lay the tile.  With the goal of grouting and finishing the floor tomorrow.  Still keeping us about half a week ahead.

Detail of squeaky base floor layer:

We agreed upon 9 am for tomorrow.

Additionally, we spoke of a troublesome plumbing problem from upstairs, more on that later as that is next week's problem, and may put us back a day... or maybe not.
We also reviewed that there would be under cabinet and in cabinet lighting.

First Day of the Main Floor Kitchen Week1Day1

The first day of construction.  Last night we learned they wanted to start today!  So we had to empty all the cabinets last night.

The proposed Schedule:

Week 1 –  (April 27 – April 28)  Wednesday, Thursday Start time 9am:

- Demo: 2 Days

Here is what the kitchen looked like, at 9 am, clean and ready to be demolished.

We wrapped the living room and dining room to protect from dust.

I visited the building department to pick up the permit.  that took longer than it should have with only one lady to answer the inspector, me, the phones...

I returned, the dumpster had not been delivered yet, but the appliances were in the garage, and a couple of the cabinets were already in the driveway.

So I went on to work.

Pre-Installation Meeting

Met with the Jennifer the designer from Lowe's and the contractor's supervisors.  We checked in all the deliveries. and discussed schedule.

Jennifer had suggested starting Wednesday, but the contractor said why wait, let's do it tomorrow!!

This means we have to work hard and pack up the kitchen TONIGHT!

Here is Jennifer's proposed schedule, still showing the start work on Wednesday.

Week 1 –  (April 27 – April 28)  Wednesday, Thursday Start time 9am:

- Demo: 2 Days

Week 2  (May 2-May4):  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday:

- Flooring: 3 Days

- Rough Electrical / Plumbing 3 days  

Week 3  (May 9-May13) Monday:

Monday – Conclusion of Rough Electrical and Plumbing

- Tuesday – Friday Hold for inspection   (Town determines this and we have very little control of what day they can send inspector)

 Week 4  (May 16-20^th) Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday:

- Finish Electrical Plumbing: 2 Days

-- Cabinet Install: 3 Days

Week 5  (May 23^rd-May 26^th) Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday:

- Appliances/Misc. Items: 2 Days

- Counter-top Measurement   (Amy and Barney to work with Patricio in Lowes install office to coordinate with counter-top vendor on scheduling the date; once your counter-top is measured, allow minimum 7 days for counter-top to be fabricated)

Week 6  (May 30^th – June 3^rd):

- Countertop installation  (Coordinate date of installation with counter-top vendor Stone Systems )

- Back-splash

The kitchen should be complete by June 3^rd, then week 7 and 8 are for final walk through based on everyone’s availability, including yours

Week 7  (June 6^th – June 8^th      OR June 13 – June 15):

- Final Inspection: Depending on the town's schedule and yours

- Lowes and GC team also do a final walk through once job is completed and hand over the certificate of completion 

The New Cabinets Have Arrived!

I met the delivery truck at the absolute end of their proscribed delivery window, but they were not too late.

The new cabinets and parts are here - so there is no using the living room until they get installed.  Gimbel has made herself right at home on the top of the boxes.

Meanwhile, the carpet is being laid in the basement, the old carpet and padding are in the back yard!