Yesterday was a bright and brisk. Spenser and I spent some time sitting out on the new connecting porch. While I read and synthesized vitamin D, Spenser was entertained by Tyler's girls. Tyler and Elizabeth have five chicken hens who decided to check out the bugs along our west fence line. Spenser kept watch through our yet-to-be installed connecting porch door.
Yesterday, we got an email from Bob (cabinetry) telling us that he has obtained a sample of the Sapele wood that we can pick up to do some staining tests. I need to send a note to "Salesman" Mike (Marvin dealer) asking if we can get a representative sample of the window frame to include in our testing. We already have plenty of samples of truss wood.
This afternoon, we got a call from "Our" Mike with some updates. He said he had received cost quotes on replacing all the existing sunroom trusses with vaulted trusses. The quote was much lower than either Mike or I expected. I asked if he could send us a sketch of the vaulted truss design? He seemed surprised that Tyler had not given that to us, but said he would send it to us. I was surprised that Mike indicated that Tyler had designed the trusses since Tyler told us that the truss company would design them, not Tyler. Anyway, I told Mike that I was concerned about how "dense" the design had become and if we might run into an air flow issue. We had decided to mount the heat pump interior unit on the west gable above the glass roof. If the truss design gets too "dense", we might have an air flow problem. Mike did not believe that was going to be the case. We will see when we get the design. Mike said we could expect the new trusses in about a week after we place the order. Of course the holidays may impact that prediction.
Mike also said he had received prices on the 1x6 pine board options for the roof. He had brought us samples last week of two different grades, a #2 (top board in picture) and a "select" grade (bottom board). The price difference is roughly twice as much for the "select" grade. It is knot free and straight grain. The #2 grade can have knots up to 2" in diameter, but they should be "tight", with no holes. Since these boards will be stained, undoubtedly the knot-free boards will have a more uniform and formal appearance. The price information is on a linear foot basis. While Mike is going to determine the number of linear feet we would need, I had previously estimated we needed about 480 square feet. Therefore, I am guessing we would need roughly 1,050 linear feet. The price differential is $0.84/ft, so the cost of going with the select grade would be an additional $882. I think I would go with the "select" grade, but, T will make the final decision.
Mike had talked with Rob (electrical). The request to Ameren to relocate the power line to the new underground conduit was submitted on December 11. Ameren said they would have someone out within one to three weeks. That would put it by the end of the year, but again, with the holidays, we are not holding breaths. I forgot to tell Mike that I have taken down the telephone wire.
Yesterday, Mike forwarded to us a proposal (dated December 3) for the slate work. When I got the proposal, I responded that we would want to review and approve the slate to be used and the proposal needed to specify if it included repair of the slate on the main house that we had requested. Today, Mike said he was getting some slate samples for T to review and said he would have the proposal modified regarding the main house slate. From what Mike said, I do not believe the proposal included the repair work. I told Mike I do not want any more surprises and will no longer accept any assurances that are not in writing.
Mike also said he got a call from John (solar). John had promised us that he would continue checking with Mike. Mike said he suggested to John that he should check back in a couple of weeks. I doubt much will be different in a couple of weeks however.
I asked Mike if he expected to be back out to do more work before the end of the year. While he said he would like to, he made no promises. I am not holding out much hope that anything significant will take place between now and the end of the year, with the possible exception of may be getting the power line relocated. After the first of the new year, weather may have more influence than it has up to now.
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