Jordan and Rita's Remodel

Last post

2009-04-29T09:41:00.000-07:00

This is the final blog post. We moved back in last night. Words escape me. Stay tuned for an updated website containing this blog, pictures, etc.

The end is near!

2009-04-10T00:56:00.001-07:00

Our contractor tells us we will move in by the end of April. I'm speechless. In the meantime, here are some new pics:

The latest kitchen pic showing our gorgeous backsplash:

Calvin is installing our purified water system:

Here's how the front of the house is shaping up:

The glass panels in our loft got installed:

The kitchen nears completion

2009-03-21T20:57:00.000-07:00

Here the workers put on the island top. You can see our macho Thermador refrigerator/freezer columns in the background:

Here's a better view of the fridge:

On the left - the star of the show - the BlueStar cooktop (6 burners, griddle and grill) and the BlueStar salamander broiler (1800°F!!):

To the far left, our Miele ovens: 1 main oven and 1 combo microwave/oven:

Our onyx bar top:

Our house is stoned

2009-03-19T23:15:00.000-07:00

We're using lots of stone in our house:

Our master bathroom/shower/wetroom in flagstone:

Our entryway in quartzite:

Our guest bathroom shower in onyx:

Latest Pics

2009-03-16T00:19:00.000-07:00

The master bath/shower is coming together:

The kitchen is getting close:

Our gorgeous island

2009-03-04T12:45:00.000-08:00

Our kitchen island is almost done:

New day - new stuff

2009-02-26T00:21:00.001-08:00

Our guest bath is getting tiled in this unique onyx we found (very cheap!)

Our walk-in closet is getting installed

Cabinet installation - Day 1

2009-02-25T00:05:00.000-08:00

Our cabinets have arrived

2009-02-24T00:30:00.000-08:00

Our kitchen cabinets have arrived in preparation for installation. This might take a while...

Our beautiful floor is almost done

2009-02-17T19:28:00.001-08:00

We decided to use an unusual wood for our floor: Tigerwood. Isn't it gorgeous?

Unfortunately, it is a very hard wood and is difficult to install. Calvin, our contractor, had to resort to these old-style tools/nails:

Even with those, the wood is still splitting a bit. Calvin thinks it will be OK, though:

Our atrium is in!

2009-02-12T01:24:00.000-08:00

A unique architectural feature of our remodel is an atrium/skylight that spans the roof over the entry. It was somewhat of an ordeal getting it together but now it's in and it's beautiful.

Here are some pics of the installation:

These are the tinted panels:

Entrance coming together

2009-02-05T23:55:00.000-08:00

The board-on-bat siding has started:

The quartzite entry stairs have started:

Our entryway tile has arrived

2009-02-04T23:13:00.001-08:00

Feb Pics

2009-02-04T02:00:00.000-08:00

Stucco has started:

The bath/shower area is starting to shape up:

The awesome view from the loft:

More random shots

2009-01-29T00:56:00.000-08:00

Wow - every seam and nail head has to be covered as part of the sheetrocking process:

Our beautiful new ceiling!

Progress on the entry stairs continues:

Some random new things

2009-01-27T00:51:00.000-08:00

Our flooring is here! Apparently, it has to sit and acclimatize to the house for two weeks:

This is our ceiling with the new stain. Pretty!

Our new laundry closet:

More entry stairs

2009-01-23T21:18:00.000-08:00

The front stairs/entry work continues.

Working on the front stairs

2009-01-23T00:06:00.000-08:00

The front stairs - how to get into the house - have been a bit of a mystery until now :) We weren't sure what to do. I think we finally have a good solution.

Here comes the sheetrock!

2009-01-17T00:37:00.000-08:00

The sheetrock installation has started. This means we're getting close to the completion. Woot!!!

First Look: Our entry door

2009-01-16T17:21:00.000-08:00

Robin Kopit of Extraordinary Doors is making the doors for the house. Here's a first look at the entry door. It doesn't have its finishing coat yet. But, even in this state it's still - well - extraordinarily beautiful.

Our Island Countertop

2009-01-07T13:26:00.001-08:00

Our Island Countertop from Brooks Custom is done. Wow!

Latest Morph Movies

2009-01-04T16:13:00.000-08:00

Here are the latest transition/morph movies from the old house to the new:

Outside view: Click Here

Kitchen view: Click Here

Living Room view: Click Here

Happy New Year

2009-01-04T12:53:00.000-08:00

Here's the latest view of the front. The sliding glass doors to the left are from the new kitchen to the new deck.

This is a view out of the kitchen sliding doors.

This is our new shower. There are three water outlets for shower heads (they have white covers on them in the picture) - one on the left and two on the right. The one on the left is for the main head which will be on a bar. The two on the right will be body sprays.

End of Year Update

2008-12-31T02:28:00.000-08:00

As our project moves into 2009, here are the latest pics:

Here's the latest view of the front.

Calvin Krebs is so on-the-ball. He installed this state-of-the-art venting system in our roof without even asking. It was the right thing to do and he did it. This gives me tremendous confidence in him.

This is the old entrance to the house now being converted into a little greenhouse for Rita.

Here is our ultra-modern tankless water heater.

Here comes the roof

2008-12-17T09:10:00.001-08:00

Bay window, tub, stairs

2008-12-11T02:01:00.000-08:00

The bay window is in.

The whirlpool tub is in.

The new stair system continues. You can also see the new opening to the master bedroom deck.

Stairs and Master Bathroom

2008-12-01T23:25:00.000-08:00

The new stair system continues.

I'm standing where the shower will be. Past the wall I'm facing will be the water closet. Behind me will be the tub.

Windows and skylights

2008-11-27T00:43:00.000-08:00

Our windows have arrived.

Our skylights (except for the big huge atrium) are installed. The first is the loft, the second is the roof over where the kitchen island will be.

The new stair system is coming into view. To the left, the space for the stairs. To the right, the new wall for the living/media room.

Here's Rita in the basement. Soon, stairs will be where she's standing.

Roof, Stairs and Tile - Oh My

2008-11-25T23:18:00.000-08:00

The roof is done but for the tile.

Our new stairs are coming along as is the new part of the loft.

Here's a palette of green onyx that we got a very good deal on.

Some fun movies

2008-11-23T15:37:00.001-08:00

I'm working on transition movies from the old house to the new:

Outside view: Click Here

Kitchen view: Click Here

Living Room view: Click Here

Roof base is almost done

2008-11-23T11:45:00.001-08:00

Here's the latest outside view

Our previous roof had no (as in none!) insulation. Our new roof has modern rigid insulation.

This is how they get those boards up there.

Here we are in our new loft. It's taking shape nicely.

Shopping trip to San Francisco

2008-11-18T00:21:00.000-08:00

We went to San Jose and San Francisco this past weekend to shop for stuff and get ideas. But, first... latest pictures:

Most of the base roofing is in!

This will be the floor in our walkway and entryway.

For our master bath, the flooring/shower and vanity top.

This will be the tile in our guest bath shower.

This will be the floor on the main level and I'm pointing at a remnant we bought to use as an area rug for the Zimmerplex.

Don't mess with my contractor!

2008-11-11T00:09:00.000-08:00

Yes, that is a high-tech bow.

A bit hard to distinguish, but our atrium/doorway is coming into view.

Framing continues

2008-11-09T23:33:00.000-08:00

Another kitchen wall goes up.

Inside view of the same wall.

Look at the size of that beam! Wow!

This is how they get those beams up there.

All of our stairs - cut out.

Raising a kitchen wall

2008-11-06T20:30:00.000-08:00

More of our house goes away. What will they leave?!

2008-11-06T00:37:00.000-08:00

Roof going

Roof gone

See - it's gone

They're cutting out an interesting area of our new loft. Wait until you see the finished version!

Two great minds conferring - or - two confused dudes

Goodbye old - hello new

2008-11-01T02:12:00.000-07:00

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Our living room, kitchen, and the old loft removed and gutted.

View from what's left of our master bedroom down to the old spiral stairs.

This used to be our master bathroom and walk-in closet.

Something new! The subfloor of the new kitchen is done. I'm walking on our new deck!

Kitchen floor starts to appear

2008-10-30T00:06:00.000-07:00

Thursday, October 30, 2008

10am

The plan missed the flooring by a few inched.
That did give Calvin a pause, but, didn't stop him.

4pm

Someone cut my house in half!!!

2008-10-27T01:12:00.000-07:00

Monday, October 27, 2008
Here are the latest demo pics. My old kitchen is gone, my fireplace is gone, my garage is gone, and the chimney is finally gone too. Wow!

Now I can say that I helped in the remodel construction, click image for a movie!

2008-10-27T01:06:00.001-07:00

Saturday, October 25, 2008
My arm hurts, OH, that's right, I did some major construction, eh, demolitions work. Click image for a movie!
Those stones sure seem indestructable, aren't these supposed to be just facades?
Here it is, the end of the week, we know Calvin didn't figure these wall are still up.
(The following Monday, it took Calvin and his crew the entire day to get these stones off the exterior wall.)

Demo Pics Post 2

2008-10-17T02:07:00.000-07:00

Friday, October 17, 2008
Bye-bye chimney and our deck.

The chimney didn't want to leave, it was built to last. Calvin went hunting this week, and he sure wasn't too happy to return and saw the chimney still standing.
Not to mention that it broke his jackhammer.
QuickTime movie of the chimney demo.

Week 2 - The big dig

2008-10-17T02:01:00.000-07:00

What a shock! Had no idea there will be such a big dig in the Basement.
We had thought not much will be touched down there during the remodel!

where did the pile of dirt go?

Footings get built and then filled:

Some more pictures

2008-10-09T00:25:00.000-07:00

Thursday, October 9, 2008 (1st week)
Calvin and team are charging ahead.

Day 2: Driveway is too steep? No problem, Our builder Calvin built himself a ramp by 10am:

Day 1: The BIG old hot tub got unceremonially chopped up and thrown away, we get the feeling, Calvin is not going to let much stop him :)

The intial work involves shoring up and adding to the foundation.

Proof of Work

2008-10-09T00:20:00.000-07:00

Here's the picture proof of the work actually starting on October 3, 2008.

Joy beyond words

2008-10-06T13:03:00.001-07:00

On Friday, Oct. 3, we went to the house after work and - I can hardly believe I'm finally writing this - work had begun on the house. I'm so happy I could cry. One year and four months of design, re-design, etc. and the first hammer has touched the first nail.

Some good news for a change

2008-10-03T16:38:00.001-07:00

Our contractor has both our water permit and our building permit. THANK GOD!!!!! There's still lots of stuff to iron out (like the contract with Calvin!), but the construction can begin at any time. Calvin was at the house today parking his hauling trailer.

As I said in the last post, we'll never get there...

2008-09-29T16:07:00.000-07:00

Ugh....

We got the water permit today. This allows us to get the building permit. However, the city now is mandating that we install fire sprinklers! My architect is going to get this mandate removed. But, of course, who knows how long this will take.

Asymptotically approaching construction start

2008-09-22T14:50:00.000-07:00

Today the PODS people picked up our now full POD and took it off to their warehouse for 6 or 7 months. We also signed the f***ing deed restriction required by the MPWMD saying we'll only use politically correct appliances in our house. Hopefully, by the end of the week we'll be able to get our permits.

Oy vai....

Bureaucracies are wonderful

2008-09-11T14:24:00.000-07:00

Our permits are ready to go. But, in Monterey, the Water Department has unimaginable power. We just found out that the MPWMD want:

An inspection of the existing water usage in the house

note: the inspector doesn't have an opening for 2 weeks!!!!

An addendum to our deed restricting the property to low-flow appliances

this has to be approved by their lawyer
their lawyer only works 1 FRIGGIN DAY A WEEK!!!!
after legal review, the changes have to be recorded with the county

This mess of red-tape is now standing in the way of our project getting started.

Living Room Rendering

2008-09-10T08:27:00.000-07:00

A nice rendering of our living room:

Click for larger image

I shall now count chickens

2008-09-03T14:47:00.001-07:00

I almost hate to post this - I've been burned too many times in the past year. But, quoting Steve Krebs, "your permit is ready for you to pick up."

The home stretch

2008-09-02T14:03:00.000-07:00

I just called the Building Department. Our application has been approved by the Fire Department and just needs to be signed off by the Building Department. The person on the phone said we should have final permits by the end of this week. I'll believe it when I see it ;)

Just as well - we're still not finished emptying the house. But, we are close.

All aboard! The train is leaving!

2008-08-19T14:49:00.001-07:00

I got word from Steve Krebs today that the city returned their change list and it's minor. Steve will have it turned around immediately and thinks we should have permits by the end of the week!

Wow! Oh my God! It can't be true!

Now, we just have to finish packing up the house - ugh.

Even cooler interior renderings!

2008-08-09T17:30:00.001-07:00

Steve Krebs fully rendered this interior for both day and night. Wow!

Click for larger images

Updated 8/21 with better renderings

Very cool interior renderings

2008-08-02T20:57:00.001-07:00

Here are some nice interior renderings from Krebs Design:

Click for larger images

I submit to submission!

2008-07-22T16:58:00.000-07:00

According to Steve Krebs, "Your Plans have bee submitted to the City for Plan Check". Unlike when Eddie Hurt said the same thing months ago, I actually believe Steve ;)

Team Krebs Delivers

2008-07-15T17:05:00.000-07:00

The pre-submittal work is now completed. Steve Krebs says "I'm real happy with this project." :)

According to Steve, the next step is to wait for the plan corrections and in the meantime we can work on:

interior finishes and the 3D interior model
get together with Calvin and bring him up to date with the project
also get his input on any particular way he would like to build structural connections

I can't wait for my new kitchen!!!

2008-06-27T16:22:00.000-07:00

My new kitchen will have a massive BlueStar cooktop. Last night, I got a chance to cook on one at a BlueStar event. Click here for pictures.

Update: BlueStar has posted about the event.

Very cool!

2008-06-16T22:30:00.000-07:00

Some 3D Renderings from Krebs Design:

Click for larger images

Status

2008-06-13T12:57:00.000-07:00

Design
The rolling comedy show that is our Remodel Project continues ;) Thankfully, everything seems to be back on track. Steve Krebs is making great progress. We've had a soil engineer out to the house and have a signed contract with an engineer. Steve is making some changes to the design. In particular, the gable/roof over the addition will most likely change. Here's a rendering of it.

Steve believes that his design work and the engineering should be done by the end of June. Fingers crossed!

Moving
Rita and I have officially moved into our temporary apartment. Thanks go to Sandra McCauley for recommending Josh Vining. He and his partner were very nice and did a great job.

Contractor
We spent the afternoon with Steve Milne looking at some of his projects. He's a very nice man and we were very impressed with his work. Steve Krebs brother, Calvin, is a contractor and he built a house for a friend of ours. So, we're also considering him. We will also contact a few more contractors once Steve gets the final docs together.

Updates

2008-06-10T21:52:00.000-07:00

Steve Krebs is making good progress. He doesn't know how much longer it will be, though. However, I've already seen a great deal of real movement: a soils engineer was here and took a sample; we have a signed contract with a structural engineer.

Also, we've completed our move to the apartment. It's tiny but it holds all of our stuff (most importantly, The Zimmerplex!). Of course, Comcast didn't show today so we don't have Internet/TV/Phone. So, we're sleeping in the house tonight. Hopefully, tomorrow we'll be actually living in the apartment.

Exit Eddie Hurt

2008-05-27T11:35:00.000-07:00

We fired our architect Eddie Hurt today. He's mislead us for far too long now. We're tired of his half-truths and obfuscations. It turns out our project was nowhere near where Eddie led us to believe it was. Also, he never filed it with the city.

We've found someone, Steve Krebs (http://www.krebsdesigngroup.com), to take Eddie's work and bring it to completion.

The logjam has broken!

2008-05-14T18:18:00.000-07:00

It took four excruciating months, but Eddie has finally finished the plans and submitted to the city. So, we are back to interviewing contractors. Also, we signed a short lease on an apartment in town and will start moving over the next few weeks. If all goes well, our project will finish this year!

Hurry up and wait

2008-03-18T15:37:00.000-07:00

Our architect, Eddie, is having trouble getting the engineer he hired to finish our job. So, now, Eddie has hired a new engineer. Hopefully, we can have construction drawings this week.

>|

My first appliance has come!

2008-02-13T12:23:00.000-08:00

It was small enough to have shipped immediately...

The Kitchenaid Beverage Center!

The Design

2008-01-31T02:13:00.000-08:00

Here are the main design docs for our Remodel (click for larger images):

Main Floor	Master Bedroom/Bathroom

A major milestone!

2008-01-30T23:35:00.000-08:00

We purchased our cabinets today. We're still recovering from the sticker shock. In the meantime, enjoy this design drawing:

Premature contractor interviews

2008-01-23T10:52:00.001-08:00

The plans Eddie gave us are not enough to use to interview contractors. I learn more about this process every day. Time to light a fire under Eddie >:|

Let the contractor beauty pageant begin!

2008-01-22T13:41:00.000-08:00

Today, we do our first contractor interview. Contractors and I are usually like oil and water. It should be interesting...

Wow! A rendering of our new kitchen!

2008-01-21T21:36:00.001-08:00

The best remodeling resource on the net

2008-01-21T21:02:00.000-08:00

I can't say enough good things about the Gardenweb Forums. This has been, by far, the best resource on the Internet for our remodeling project.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/

Incredible Home Theater Furniture

2008-01-21T20:41:00.000-08:00

We've found an incredible brand of Home Theater furniture that doesn't look commercial. I also really like this company's dedication to design and comfort:

http://new.ekornes.com/us/stressless/home_theater/

No More Neighbor

2008-01-15T21:50:00.000-08:00

Excellent news! The time period for appeal has passed and I no longer have to fear my crazy neighbor.

ARC Meeting

2008-01-02T23:33:00.000-08:00

I spent a few hours at the mind numbing Architectural Review Committee. The short story is that they approved our plan.

However, our lunatic neighbor can now appeal. His complaints are completely without merit (the committee members looked dumbfounded). But, that won't stop him. He loves persecuting me.

The first one's always a throw-away :(

2007-12-20T13:13:00.000-08:00

We had a great meeting with the new team last night: Eddie, Machell and Sandra met with Rita and me at Kitchen Studio. It was a very productive session.

In software, we usually say that the first one's a throw away. Unfortunately, Rita and I forgot about this. After nearly 6 months of design we realized there were some major things we wanted to change. All things considered, the team responded really well to this. Eddie is working on the changes now: the stairs going down are being moved, some walls are being reconfigured and some of the extension over the garage is being trimmed to save money.

Welcome Sandra McCauley

2007-12-12T18:17:00.000-08:00

We've decided to add Sandra McCauley to the team (http://www.sandramccauley.com/). Sandra is an Interior Designer and we feel that she's the person we need to tie the house/project together.

Too good to be true :(

2007-12-12T11:56:00.000-08:00

The "easy" pass through the Architectural Review turned out to be too good to be true. Someone in the neighborhood has raised a concern which triggered the AR into a public hearing (currently scheduled for January 2). I have a feeling I know who the neighbor is.

Grrrrrr

Story poles are up!

2007-11-08T16:26:00.001-08:00

Woo hoo! The first physical work in our remodel happened today. The required "story poles" went up.

Nice! Architectural Review Board news

2007-10-30T13:11:00.000-07:00

Eddie called today and said that the Monterey Architectural Review Board can process the plans "administratively" which means that we don't need a public hearing. Nice! I was dreading that.

The "storey poles" go up next week.

Design Blueprints

2007-10-21T19:28:00.000-07:00

Cool - we have our first blueprints, the "design" plans:

HOA seems OK with the design

2007-10-10T12:30:00.000-07:00

The HOA President said that he'd put the HOA stamp on the design. Great news! Eddie will submit the design to the city. Next step: getting on the calendar for a public hearing. Hopefully, we'll be on for the first Wednesday in November.

Final Design Drawings

2007-10-04T14:37:00.001-07:00

We got the final design drawings from Eddie yesterday. Next steps: pass them to our Home Owners Association and then the city.

Eddie needs more time :(

2007-09-26T16:50:00.000-07:00

Dang! Eddie's still not done. He's a one man shop and is very busy at the moment.

Frustrating >(

Secured the last of the financing

2007-09-20T14:02:00.000-07:00

It's hard to express how much of a productivity enhancer the Internet is. I've done all the research and communications for the loans on the web (actually, I've done almost everything on the web). The various financing we're doing has all been completed via email and web forms. I've never met the person who's handling the loans - I've never even talked to him on the phone. The only physical contact has been with appraisers and notaries. Even with them, we've met at coffee shops or our house.

So, the money's here. Now, we need to finish the design. Hopefully, by next week Eddie will be done and we can start the process of getting city approval.

The Saga Begins

2007-09-20T01:39:00.001-07:00

In June of this year, Rita and I decided to remodel our house. The considerations leading up to this could fill many posts (maybe I'll get to them someday). We proceeded in the following steps:

Searched on the Internet for all Architects in Monterey that had a website.
After talking to most of them it quickly became clear that our project was too small for most of them (which was a surprise to us).
We narrowed down to 3 Architects that we thought we could work with.
We spent 4 weekends driving around town looking at projects done by the Architects and checking references.
After long consideration, we chose Eddie Hurt.
After Eddie, we then went through a similar process to choose a Kitchen/Bath designer. We chose Kitchen Studio of Monterey.

The Story of Our Remodel

2007-09-19T01:28:00.001-07:00

My wife and I are in the process of remodeling our house. I plan on blogging about it. So, here's the first post!