16 July 2025 Under Slab Plumbing

 They dug the trenches and installed the plumbing runs that will go under the slabs for both the house and the shop. This includes the sewer lines and conduits for where they will push through pex pipes for the hot and cold water (blue and red conduits in the pictures) that needs to run under the slab (kitchen island and the RV hook up). We noticed an additional conduit to where the coffee/wine bar will be. When we asked about that, they said it was for a possible future ice maker. Apparently this subcontractor had had that come up before. Since we don’t plan on having an ice maker at the coffee bar, we will have them remove that. The less under the slab, the better. We also noticed they had not plumbed in for the bathroom in the shop so they will need to add that before they get ready to pour the slab. One thing for sure, there is a lot of rock under this foundation! But luckily, they are able to work through it fairly easily. 

Well connection

Guest bath

Main sewer run

Laundry Room and 1/2 bath

Shop and Driveway RV sewer connections

Master Bath and Primary Cleanout

Main connection to the well, surge tank, and water softener

8 July 2025 Concrete Forms

 They put in the foundation forms for the house and shop. We met them out at the property in the morning and laid out the corners of the house and shop per the Architects drawings. After looking things over, the builder suggested we move the house an additional 20 feet back from the road to help with drainage and assured us that would only add $1,000 to $1200 to the concrete flatwork price. We agreed and moved everything back 20 feet and that looks perfect. So, after moving the house forward 50ft in April, to save money on concrete, we have pushed it back 20 feet (100ft off the road now). We came back in the evening to find the concrete forms up and we also found deer tracks running through the house footprint! The animals have blessed the house already! They will be working on the beams and underground plumbing/electric over the next couple of weeks. We verified the foundation requirements for the Safe Room with the builder. We will have installed in the garage post construction. We also hired a third party inspector to perform phase inspections to keep us all honest. In addition, the Electrician came out and put in the “Tent Pole” and David arranged to have it connect up to the power grid so the contractors would have power on site. 

House Forms

Shop Forms

Deer tracks running through the house footprint.

30 June – 3 July 2025 Breaking Ground

 The “Dirt Guy” showed up with his tractor operator today. After talking over the grading plan, they got to work moving dirt and rock (lots of rock!) to flatten out the area for the house and shop. David went out each day to see how it was going and to talk about some adjustments with the tractor operator. They ended up moving more dirt than we expected and it took them four days when they said it would be two days. The final grade looks good but leaves some landscaping challenges in the future.  

26 June 2025 Mona’s Party

 We were invited to our friend, Mona’s, retirement party. Mona was Leslie’s assistant manager at Etta’s place and best friend. After Etta’s Place closed, Mona went to work for Southwest Elevator in 2020. Mona’s boyfriend, Wade, contacted Leslie inviting us to the retirement party her company was hosting for her.  Leslie was able to reach out to Ryan and Ashley who also worked at Etta’s Place.  We got there as they were delivering and setting up the pizza and spaghetti.  There were close to thirty people including Moa’s family, friends and co-workers.  She was wearing a tshirt that quipped, Retired 2025: Not My Problem Anymore.  Her fellow workers presented her with a plaque that said “Here’s to Hanging it up”. It was wrapped with a leather holster holding a bejeweled monogrammed phone.  It looked like Mona was enjoying herself as we left.  We were glad to see they appreciated her.