Client Questions - 4/29/2011

"Also, a style question what do you think of putting sconces on the bookcases in the family room for the window seat.. does it complete the look or is it a place to save money?" I am a big fan of sconces. I think we can get the cabinets to accept electrical boxes. I suppose if you didn't have them you would save a little money.

"One other thought about the deck-- do you think it is possible to make it all one level or do you like it as two?" We looked at the deck today and thought that it would make a nicer car port if it was all one level. Having it step down makes the usable space considerably smaller.

"I would love to start talking about cabinetry and the color of it. I have been playing around with the Benjamin Moore color wheel!" Once we get the rock and plaster done we will have a meeting with the cabinet guys and nail down all of this stuff. They need the plaster in in order to do any accurate measuring.

Also, I would love to add the sound system you mentioned that was $1k to our house as well... the project is certainly growing!" Sonos is the system. Unfortunately the $1,000.00 offer was an introductory price. Will you be adding any surround sound for the TV? It is a nice add on feature for that. What rooms would you be thinking of adding it to?

Meeting Notes 4/28/11

Walk through with Melissa, Wendy,Lyle, Peter

The following are extra tasks added on by Melissa and Lyle.

1. We will pad down the existing ceiling with 2x10 rafters sistered to the existing rafters for stiffness and for insulation R-value.
   
   
2. We will push the beam at the pantry wall in by 5"-6" and frame it out to be a cased opening.
   
   
3. Replace tile at fireplace.
   
   
4. Tighten up all windows and storms on a T&M (time and materials) basis. Replace storms and screens as necessary.
   
   
5. Add shower door in kids bath.
   
   
6. Turn over porch deadbolt.
   
   
7. Tear-out outdoor shower floor. Dig down. Add 4" of crushed stone. Set irregular flag stone pieces on top.
   
   
8. Gut mudroom. and relocate as much plumbing and electric as possible. (In Progress)
   
   
9. Remove any brass plumbing that is exposed and replace with Pex tubing.
   
   
10. Connect house to town sewer.
    
    
11. Install steel I beam at kitchen/hall wall and customize for plumbing waste. (In Progress)
    
    
12. Relocate vent pipes from sink wall. (In Progress)
    
    
13. Remove any exposed BX wiring and replace with Romex.
    
    
14. Replace rotted sills at front of house. The extent is unknown until exposed. We also need to find the root of the problem. The cabinets in this area will be removed along with the wall above and the ceiling in the utility room. (In Progress)
    
    
15. Asbestos removal. (In Progress)
    
    
16. Add two new windows at right side of family room to match existing double-hungs. (In Progress)
    
    

This week - Thru 4/29

We are currently in a slight holding pattern until we get a decision on the plumbing vent in the kitchen which is hindering the structural plan at the moment. I will have the plumber in there today to see about relocating the vent and what that will entail.

I am also putting together the updated numbers for you. You will receive them today and they will include the relocating of the double window in the family room. I think this is a good idea.

Today we will start framing in the windows over the driveway and continue with the demolition.

Architects Revisions 5.1, 5.2, 5.3

Family Room Elevations - Updated 4/20/11

I spoke with Peter this morning to check in on the work progress. Demo is underway. So far there have been no surprises, so that is a nice surprise. There are few things I wanted to discuss.

Bookshelves: He clarified some measurements for those bookshelves on the wall opposite the TV. I have attached a drawing (FmB) showing how the bookshelf would look (not much different than the last version). We could get an extra 1-2” on each side by making the casings narrower, but that may not be necessary. The inside of the bookshelf would be 14” wide.

Powder room high window: Peter said it would not be any extra to remove this window (Peter didn't say this... Cost will be nominal though) if we’d like to. I added some sconces to the elevation of that wall (see FmC) and the one on the left is a little crammed in between the casings. If we removed the window, we could move the sconces out a bit. Madey, thoughts on the type of sconces you could imagine here?

Client Questions - 4/20/2011

1. You had sent me a dropbox invite and I accepted but I am not sure what to do with it. It is a good way to save things and share them. We may use it in the future.

2. What is the best way to communicate as we progress? Perhaps, a weekly meeting at Dedham St? I worry since we are not living there that I want to make sure we are on top of everything. This blog is a good way to keep track of everything. Please feel free to email us with anything and both Ross and I are always available by cell phone.

3. What do you think of putting in floors such as bamboo which are perhaps more sustainable in the kitchen etc? if yes, how much will that add to the cost? Sustainable? hmmm. It takes a lot of oil to get bamboo products here from Asia. I would opt for something more local if your thinking sustainable. Maybe a wide plank oak would be nice.

4. I know we added and took stuff away from the contract I signed but I was wondering if you had a rough estimate if we were still around the same cost. We are a bit under the original estimate. I will try to get that to you soon.

5. On the second floor could we please take a look at the windows? I think they could benefit from fixing the tracts etc...Also I know the window in the master right next to the closet, the one you see as soon as you walk in needs to be fixed according to my mum! Will do.

6. In the hallway, living room, dining room there are vents on the floor/bottom part of the wall that are no longer used-- would it be very expensive to take those out? if so, we can leave them. No, that should be easy enough.

7. Could you please take out the dog door in the family room? Will do.

8. I was wondering how expensive and feasible it would be to have radiant heat in the master bath-- if it is $$ or too hard, no need to do it. We will put together a number. I think that is a great idea.

9. What is your timeline when I need to have picked everything out for you? I am almost there with lights etc but still struggling with counter tops as I have been out to dorado stone but found the soapstone either too grainy or too green so I am still looking for that. We will let you know about schedule shortly.