Walls at last!

Well after several weeks "inspections" we are back in business. Two laborers showed up at the house last Thursday and began installing drywall. It was about a 2.5 day process for two guys to get 120 pieces of sheet rock up. Then they taped the seems and started putting the putty in to make it all smooth. Because of the cold temperatures here in DC and the fact we have no electricity yet, the house is COLD. So nothing will dry very fast and it could take about two weeks before we are ready for a first coat of paint. Hopefully the painting will be done in three weeks, but who knows.

In the meantime I am trying to get the electrical turned on so we can get space heaters in to speed things along! Since I installed a new service panel on the other side of the front door, the electric company will need to come out to the house and do a bit of work. I'm told that can take several weeks.

Finally on Monday morning, my father went home to Seattle. I was able to talk him in to staying past the Apple Cup, but he drew the line for being home in time for Turkey day. While he was here he did A LOT of work as always. He re-framed the bedroom closet, installed new patio pavers, poured a 16'x20' cement driveway, patched the roof, installed all the insulation, and much more to move the project along. Thanks again Dad!

This weekend my plan is to buy all the faucets, sinks and light fixtures the contractor needs. I'll be leaving for a long vacation next week, so it's really important everything is ready.

Inspection time, week 4??? (my time to vent!)

Well not a lot of progress on the house since the last posting unfortunately. The contractor failed the first plumbing inspection two weeks ago and is now scheduled for his second attempt this coming Wednesday. The electrical inspection passed last Thursday, luckily my father was at the house to let the inspector in. Once the plumbing passes on Wednesday, the contractor will call and schedule for the framing and HVAC inspection to happen. Overall I am extremely concerned at the lack of progress on the part of the Contractor. He did not pass the first inspection and then was unable to schedule a second inspection until I basically did it for him on Wednesday. Of course the Contractor is saying it's the government of DC's fault by not answering their phones and not returning their messages.

The good is my Dad is here and as always is working his tail off. It's been really nice drinking beer with Grandpa at night and talking about everything. The kids and Yeny also love spending time with him. Since he has been here, he has finished installing the gas fireplace, installed the molding on the front of the house (pics soon!), fixed all the lighting locations, and patched the heck out of the roof. The Contractor cuts a big hole in the roof and then expects us to fix the hole since it's not in the contract. Again I know everyone is saying "you get what you pay for!"