Building a new hobby space...oh and a house too

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Nov 11, 2015 10:45 pm

Tacoman2000 wrote:That is pretty cool Scott. What type of square footage are you going to have versus your old house (which didn't look that small)?

Hey man, good to hear from you
New house with two car garage tops in at about 4700 sqft close to the max % zoned for the area
Exact same number of bedrooms 5 as we had, just more space in each with larger living room, my little shop and big kitchen
Old house was 2700 sqft

Skullfish · Post by **Skullfish** » Thu Nov 12, 2015 9:10 pm

i like your style, flatted it and start again! sometimes thats the best option in every sense. Im an architectural technician in Scotland, roughly translated..the architect scribbles a design then we get it to work on paper then get it to work as built, jk, nice to see a different way of doing stuff.. never any sub floor levels/basement over here. Really like seeing these things progress.

Dont stress it though, lifes too short, there is always a solution to every problem, Good luck to you and your family in the new place.

Jase

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Nov 13, 2015 12:10 am

Skullfish wrote:i like your style, flatted it and start again! sometimes thats the best option in every sense. Im an architectural technician in Scotland, roughly translated..the architect scribbles a design then we get it to work on paper then get it to work as built, jk, nice to see a different way of doing stuff.. never any sub floor levels/basement over here. Really like seeing these things progress.

Dont stress it though, lifes too short, there is always a solution to every problem, Good luck to you and your family in the new place.

Jase

Thanks Jase
We loved our old house and it's charm, but the cost of renovating it was approaching a new build. It made sense to teardown and build.
We are building for us, not for quick resale.
I describe building a house like walking to the edge of precipice, looking over into the abyss and willingly stepping off

It is all good though, thanks for the wise words

Scalemodelmedic · Post by **Scalemodelmedic** » Fri Nov 13, 2015 8:51 pm

What a monumental footprint!! In the UK that land would be a development of 6 houses!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:16 pm

Scalemodelmedic wrote:What a monumental footprint!! In the UK that land would be a development of 6 houses!

This is a mid size build here...there are 6-8 thousand sq ft monsters in some regions
I think 4700 is more than enough to keep clean and look after for our needs
I read a report that said our land values are still relatively inexpensive to Asia and Europeans, so lots of investment building happening...esp high end $

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sat Nov 14, 2015 12:16 am

Apparently they are doing the drain tile gravel work around the house this afternoon. We had huge rain storms this week with over 100mm of rain overnight and heavy winds. I don't sleep well as I keep listening to the rain and know it is filling up the pit of my house and soaking the lumber stacks.
Hopefully the framing starts next week and we get a roof up by month's end..that is the goal

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 3:42 am

My 12 yr old daughter sitting in my shop.....she found it hilarious that she was the first of us in there

They did some drain tile work Friday and Saturday putting large diameter PVC pipe around the circumference of the house and having the downspout locations off the roof elbowed into place. You can see the white piping on the right in the pit.

We did some garbage collection, water pumping drainage and fooling around on Sunday 14th

Goose · Post by **Goose** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 10:24 am

Very impressive and interesting

looking forward to the roof placement.

See ya

Goose

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 3:46 pm

You and me both Goose
Framing and walls would be nice...seems the push to get her closed up by the end of November is slowing

rcfanuk · Post by **rcfanuk** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 3:49 pm

Great to see how others build their houses, I just wish we had the room for something that big
Keep it coming

Steve

Gaz262 · Post by **Gaz262** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 1:41 pm

This looks like model-making 1:1 scale!
(I think you got the concrete the wrong colour by the way)

Here in Blighty, your new place would look really cool - especially up our street!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 4:17 pm

Thanks Gaz
From the smell of what they sprayed on the concrete, I am happy to stick to airbrushing models....that stuff was nasty

Drain tile is done and waiting inspection before they backfill
Hydro seems to have cut the power to the site, thank you very much.
Talk about bureaucratic BS, that company has stuffing up royally down to a fine art!

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 4:27 pm

Our power company is no better here bud.
Same expletive, different place.
It took about eight months to knock together our house, and that was through an east coast winter. They even started around the same time of year as you did.
It will be interesting to see how long they take on your side of the great white north.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 4:31 pm

Coen wrote:Our power company is no better here bud.
Same expletive, different place.
It took about eight months to knock together our house, and that was through an east coast winter. They even started around the same time of year as you did.
It will be interesting to see how long they take on your side of the great white north.

AKA The Wild Wet West
Eight months is the estimate for this one....we shall see, things slowed down quite a bit over the last week
There must be eight knock down/rebuilds at the frame stage in a five block radius of us right now and two new houses finishing off at the other end of my street...don't know if that is just b/c you notice them more when you are doing it or what.

Coen · Post by **Coen** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 4:45 pm

Once you buy a yugo, everyone drives a yugo!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Nov 23, 2015 5:52 am

Here we are third week of November finished and where is this at??
The drainage around the house is complete and gravelled in. They have done new water, sewer and storm lines to the street and connected it all. The backfill has been done to about 80% with some more soil to come in and the driveway side yet to do.

This is the front landing and stairs...quite wide. Workshop is in the back right corner by the woodpile

My son in the back stair well..it is a good ten feet down into that! Gravel has been added in

My son and his buddies hanging out in his room

And most importantly, my workshop space and view to the yard

So tomorrow, Monday the 23rd of November, the framing is supposed to start and take four weeks...hmmmph
We are three weeks later than I want to be as was supposed to be framed and closed up by end of November.
Lucky to get closed and windows in by end of December, and with holiday season and such I predict third week of January before closed up

And on it goes

Goose · Post by **Goose** » Mon Nov 23, 2015 7:57 am

hang on.

it already looks impressive. looking forward to the next steps

See ya

Goose

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Nov 23, 2015 4:00 pm

Hang on is all I can do for now, thanks Bruno

Skullfish · Post by **Skullfish** » Mon Nov 23, 2015 6:20 pm

Lookin good, hope your contractor can get it buttoned up for the end of december, dont want the frame getting too wet with the winter weather. Fastest way to build a house is timber frame, blink and it'll be up in a week no probs then its just wind and water proofing. Those founds are something else, most we do is lay a slab and slap a frame on top.

Edge your contractor to get a move on by betting him a bottle of you favourite tipple/drink and/or a case of beer for the boys that hell never get it wind and water tight by christmas. A wee bit of fun gets things lubricated.

anyway, keep plugging along, big things about to happen and fast.
Jase

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Mon Nov 23, 2015 6:53 pm

Skullfish wrote:Lookin good, hope your contractor can get it buttoned up for the end of december, dont want the frame getting too wet with the winter weather. Fastest way to build a house is timber frame, blink and it'll be up in a week no probs then its just wind and water proofing. Those founds are something else, most we do is lay a slab and slap a frame on top.

Edge your contractor to get a move on by betting him a bottle of you favourite tipple/drink and/or a case of beer for the boys that hell never get it wind and water tight by christmas. A wee bit of fun gets things lubricated.

anyway, keep plugging along, big things about to happen and fast.
Jase

Thanks Jase
The framer is really a gung-ho get it done kind of guy. He has been pushing the drain and backfill guys.
Stupid snags with the city and engineers have slowed him down
I am thinking he will get cooking along now that the foundation walls are filled and ground put back, the timbers will be flying!
There are so many builds on the go and just starting in the area, it is amazing. Weather isn't stopping anyone from building year round in this milder climate than most of Canada
Cheers bud

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Tue Nov 24, 2015 6:18 pm

Interior foundation pic from the weekend. He has the basement pretty much framed now, just too dark at 5pm to take a good pic of it and not safe to jump around in the dark in there

TheTroyster · Post by **TheTroyster** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 2:35 am

Oh man - any idea what you're getting yourself into here? I've done this build once. Always some unexpected stuff, but I loved it when it was done. My problem is six months ago someone offered me so much money I had to take it. So I'll start this project over again when the market crashes (hopefully soon). Until then I'm in an apartment- kind of like a dorm - just not as fun.

So where are you, wife, and kids hanging out till finished? Don't, pray God, say your in-laws.

The new pad looks fantastic.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 4:56 am

TheTroyster wrote:Oh man - any idea what you're getting yourself into here? I've done this build once. Always some unexpected stuff, but I loved it when it was done. My problem is six months ago someone offered me so much money I had to take it. So I'll start this project over again when the market crashes (hopefully soon). Until then I'm in an apartment- kind of like a dorm - just not as fun.

So where are you, wife, and kids hanging out till finished? Don't, pray God, say your in-laws.

The new pad looks fantastic.

Wish it was in laws so could save some money, but both our parents are gone.
Renting an old house about 5 min away from this. Have heard a story about someone building and then getting an offer they couldn't refuse...no way in hell will I go through this again; that offer would have to be stupid $
We are full on into things and have the Italian contractors doing the building
It has been fairly stressful with almost daily obstacles to deal with, but it is coming along and we are all doing ok

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 5:00 am

So I missed pictures of yesterday's basement framing as it was dark at 4pm and pitch black after 5 when I went to take a look but here is Tuesday afternoon....they have floor joists down

Head supervisor of construction and chocolate eating

Some more floor joist work

Scalemodelmedic · Post by **Scalemodelmedic** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 3:11 pm

I see TJI Joists, Parallam and Timberstrand!! That's a blast from the past for me. I used to work for Weyerhaeuser's UK division back in the early 2000's designing with these products.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 3:41 pm

Scalemodelmedic wrote:I see TJI Joists, Parallam and Timberstrand!! That's a blast from the past for me. I used to work for Weyerhaeuser's UK division back in the early 2000's designing with these products.

And you know a heck of a lot more about it all than I do.
My dad worked most his life for a Weyerhaeuser pulp mill and I did summer job stints in University.....good $, tough job

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 6:02 pm

Had a small hole in my day this morning, so went for a visit.
I won't do that again

Was peppered with questions about window door size, location and alignment. Good the framer is on this as clearly the designer was not. I don't have all the answers and seems stuff we discussed was not changed on the plans, so dude is frustrated. Letting the wife deal with it from now on. Felt absolutely stupid and pretty pissed at everyone...they all fool around for weeks and nothing happens then all of a sudden CATASTROPHE

Hubbub of activity there today. Wood delivery

Half a dozen guys banging away at stuff. Main floor sub flooring is down, too many bodies busy for me to be in the way taking pictures

I got the heck out of the way

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 11:13 pm

Some spy photos just in
My workshop has front and back walls and somebody's azz in the door

Wall for kitchen on the right and dining area to left

If this pace keeps up, we might have at least the plywood sheathing on the roof by month's end or early December

Goose · Post by **Goose** » Thu Nov 26, 2015 10:45 am

That stays impressive even if after a quick look back on the plans, i don't see it the same way as on the plans, but I'm sure the architect and engineers are there to be sure everything is on the right way.

If everything is build up with roof for end of the month or beginning december you'll probably get what we call a "closed big-work" which means all windows and external doors put on (litteral translation sorry not sure if that's correct) for mid december.

Hope everything will be fine

Goose

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Thu Nov 26, 2015 4:09 pm

Thanks Bruno, that is what I am hoping for in early December
The plans I posted are probably second draft, been a few slight mods since.
My shop door moved to the hallway. I highlighted a vent space on one wall so I can have a paint booth vented outside easily...and probably a dust collector.

Daughter and I climbed through basement window openings last night and walked the basement and main. Now everything looks big, but I can make sense of it. Pretty cool, I especially like the deck space, that will be sweet!
I scrounged the garbage pile and recycled some plywood and cut offs of the Parallam beams...those are cool and i have to make something of them
Cheers all

Kingdan · Post by **Kingdan** » Thu Nov 26, 2015 4:34 pm

Awesome Scott bet you can't wait for it to be all over your gonna be a busy boy in the new year I don't envy you for that but I do for your man cave space looks like your in for a little adventure lol if I were you I'd just stay out of the way till moving day

Dan

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Thu Nov 26, 2015 5:00 pm

Kingdan wrote:Awesome Scott bet you can't wait for it to be all over your gonna be a busy boy in the new year I don't envy you for that but I do for your man cave space looks like your in for a little adventure lol if I were you I'd just stay out of the way till moving day

Dan

My thoughts exactly Dan..let the big boys do their thing!!!
I will poke my nose in after-hours and weekends to stay out of the way while the structural stuff is placed.

Best part is I found the scrap pile of wood they are gonna CHUCK OUT!!! I am all over it, nipping cool and useful wood bits
It is pretty exciting to see it come together....

Gaz262 · Post by **Gaz262** » Fri Nov 27, 2015 1:58 pm

As long as the roof tiles are not under the floor joists and the floor boards not on the roof, it will all be ok - Coming along just fine!
Are your floor joists treated against woodworm/termites etc by the way? I only ask because we had to lay a carpet a few years ago and found woodworm in the floor - Very expensive new carpet that was!

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Nov 27, 2015 4:16 pm

Good question, not sure
Yep, the Weyeraeuser site says this
Preservative Treatment descriptions
"Wood preservative treatments commonly consist of a fungicide and/or insecticide that is either applied during the manufacturing process"

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Fri Dec 04, 2015 7:48 pm

Few pics sent my way, has been so dark early have not been able to take progress photos. Shop is tucked in on back R side
Rough fascia is up on areas where 'flat roof' is located...thanks to the city's retarded % of slope bylaws defining what is flat or not we HAD to have areas of flat roof.

Shop opening on R side...door looks small but is 8ft tall by 6 wide I think it was.

I am thinking of a black steel external pull down door to cover the shop up and secure it more.
Also, may shift actual modelling to upstairs room with the two windows in the corner for better light, warmth and cleanliness as I can't see woodworking dust and modelling going well together

herbies · Post by **herbies** » Sat Dec 05, 2015 7:30 pm

Holy crap its coming along well. Reminds me of my parents. Bought the land over a year ago and their house will be finished in February

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 1:45 am

Thank you sir, it is coming along nicely and quickly for that matter.
Apparently too fast for the structural engineer and his design buddy who complained the framer is working too fast and houses should not got up so quickly. Translate that into we want to collect $300 for every visit and problem we create. Only got us once on that BS. We have given written notice that designer can stop any further work on the project and no more paid visits; engineer has signed off and is done.
The trades have been fantastic and everything the framer has put together is solid as a rock...even his temporary chop saw station in a fortress.
No pics as I have lost my phone last week

Skullfish · Post by **Skullfish** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 3:06 am

Looking great, really swift work from the timber team. Glad to see its well on track. watch out for the devil in the details with the interal fitouts.
Jase

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 3:54 am

Skullfish wrote:Looking great, really swift work from the timber team. Glad to see its well on track. watch out for the devil in the details with the interal fitouts.
Jase

Absolutely mate, that is what we are sweating over now.
I have nothing but good things to say about this framer. He is a bit intense, but has his team working well. He is very clear on what to do, when and how. Tough, but fair kind of boss. He will get the trusses and roof sheathing done very soon.

Skullfish · Post by **Skullfish** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 4:44 am

A good way to sort some of the details is to sit with the plans and visualise what you do on different days from the moment you wake up to the last light you turn off before bed...on a work day you do this routine, on a weekend you tend to do that, on a family gathering you do something else. try to put yourself in the ideal position in every situation and scribble notes over your plans.....sounds mad but give it a go get your whole family involved, great fun.
Jase

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 5:50 am

Great tips, thanks

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Dec 09, 2015 4:41 am

We have Pineapple Express rain and windstorms blowing in off the Pacific, so tons of rain but mild temperatures
House is sheathed for roofing, we are pressing to get a roofer decided and get things sealed up, even with a membrane.

Was too dark after work for any pics when I got there, but all trusses up and plywood sheathing on.
Starting to look like a workshop , errr , I mean house, now

MikeyKb · Post by **MikeyKb** » Wed Dec 09, 2015 5:05 am

amazing! maybe I should swing by and nab some wood pieces, too

hahaha. Looks super sweet! What are you up to this weekend? I'm thinking of hitting up Burnaby hobbies in the early afternoon.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Dec 09, 2015 5:51 am

You are welcome to some scrap bits, been gathering lots myself.....hang on, I paid for it all didn't I
Hoping things can dry out a bit over next couple days, maybe tarp a bit as well

Goose · Post by **Goose** » Wed Dec 09, 2015 2:20 pm

wow impressive!!!

Think I'm going to Canada for my next holydays to see this marvel all built up .lol

Now it looks quite huge!!!

happy for you that everything 's on a good track now

see you

Goose

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Wed Dec 09, 2015 3:55 pm

Thanks Bruno, will keep a spot for ya on the deck!

Gaz262 · Post by **Gaz262** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 10:15 am

It's kinda like a huge 1:1 scale construction kit innit?! So long as you get the paint scheme right that is!

....and it'll be interesting to see how you weather it when it's finished.

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sat Dec 12, 2015 7:10 am

All four of us cleaned up like crazy inside the framed house today
Shovelling soaking sawdust, picking up a ton of nails with magnets, sweeping, vacuuming, moving lumber, packing up garbage and recyclable materials
I am really proud of my family for a hard working day to tidy up after the framing stage is completed
If we get a couple dry days in a row, might just get roofing membrane down to seal it up and get her drying out
Super tired and sore tonight!!!

herbies · Post by **herbies** » Sat Dec 12, 2015 1:46 pm

Show this thread to my gf... instant regret...

But this would be so fun and stressful to do

Post by **Twokidsnosleep** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 5:18 am

herbies wrote:Show this thread to my gf... instant regret...

But this would be so fun and stressful to do

Careful what you wish for....you will blink your eyes and be 20 yrs out of University with a wife, two kids, a dog,business debt and a huge mortgage. Oh, and an aching old man body.

All I want for Christmas this year is dry weather...send us some Aussie sunshine please so I can get a damn roof on this soaking mass of lumber