A New Casa In 2018 - Construction Update - Early September

 We were away from Casa Pōno for 6 weeks and the contractor's pace slowed significantly as he pulled his crew off our job after a couple weeks to have them work elsewhere while we were gone.  Some things got done and lots of things did not. A few things that caused problems were the fact that we needed more electrical fixtures like recessed light, plugs and switches and the road construction on our street prevented any deliveries of materials for things like sand, gravel etc. Road construction also prevented an accurate finish level to be determined for the driveway so I guess it was good to hold off a bit.

Apartment bedroom minus air conditioning.  Lots of surfboards though.

Apartment kitchen minus some shelving and some lighting.

Apartment living area.  13 year old daughter not included in rental.

Apartment terrace.

Lots of finishes did get done like the finish surface for the front terrace and stairs.  The interior of the house looks like it got repainted and covered up all the grunge from finishing the floor and other construction items that happened before we left.  Our front door was installed as were the bodega doors, the floors got two coats of sealer, the exterior face of the house was painted and power got turned on in our living level.  The house was clean enough that we even began moving boxes upstairs!  This helped out our cramped living situation in the apartment and cleaned up the lower bodega a bunch so we could actually walk around in there.  The crew has mostly cleared up their gear and materials, it is quiet each morning.  We feel like the place is finally ours!!!

Standing at the front doorway.  Upstairs to living level.  Alex and Trace's bedrooms on this level.

Alex has been busy painting her room.  She has bee waiting so long to put this color on her walls.

Standing at top of stairs.

There are certainly some things to finish but they will be on hold until we can put some additional money together or hopefully sell the Park City house.  At the moment we are altering the kid's old bunk beds to build new bed frames to use in their new rooms.  Alex cannot wait!  Appliances are on the correct floors and await install.  Some exterior painting that was not included in the contract is happening as is figuring out the kitchen countertop and sink situation.  Not a dull moment especially after working on the house in Park City non-stop for 6 weeks.

Master bedroom on main living level.

Ocean view from master bedroom.

Standing at master bedroom door looking toward back of house and living/kitchen area. Yes mother, there will be a railing.

Standing in kitchen amongst the boxes, bags etc.  Interior courtyard lit up.

Standing in dining area.  Kitchen on left.

Standing at top of stairs looking at front entry.

I have a three page list of items that the contractor needs to come back and discuss.  Having worked in construction I am picky about details.  I do not need the details to be perfect but not ignored either.  The contractor had 6 weeks to come in and inspect and make his own observations, work through the list I generated for him before I left and obviously did not do that.  It feels as if that if I don't bring up short comings in his workmanship or other problems then it must be ok and he will not have to deal with it.  This is in contrast to making sure his client's house is up to higher standards treating as if it were his own house or better.  I know certain things he has ignored here would not be acceptable in his own house. A much different mentality and experience...in our situation at least.

The empty rooftop terrace.  Going to be a great spot.

Interior courtyard looking down to 3rd level.

Interior courtyard looking out rooftop terrace door and laundry door to left.

Our beautiful Papelillo tree canopy to the courtyard.

We have some front yard items to address at some point when we are able but the timing is good. The street is under construction so holding off on a finished driveway or painting garden wall can hold off for a bit as can any kind of landscaping or finishing of the grey water system.

The currently empty garden that will treat the house grey water.

Front stairs and front garden.

Unfinished driveway and Ozzy's shade shelter.

Well, we hope that things move quicker with the PC house and things loosen up a bit with funds so we can think about finishing some things as we move into early fall.  It would be nice to live upstairs and not on top of each other in the apartment.  I walk around upstairs and it is hard to conceive even living up there but we will get there eventually.