Rains Are Coming

While the forecast is for heavy rains for the next week or so, Friday was dry. However, no one showed up to do anything. I did call the lighting company Friday afternoon to inquire about the wall sconces we ordered last Monday. We were told it might take a couple of days for the lamps to arrive. They told me the lamps had still not arrived but were expected early next week.

Saturday morning, around 7:30 am, the solar company showed up to work on the inverter panel installation. Apparently they did not want to bother us that early in the morning, but their pounding was an indication that they were out there. Rick had suggested it might take a half day or so to make the changes. Around 8:45 am I noticed they were gone! I was surprised they did not come to the door before they departed to show us the modifications and get our approval. Going out and looking at the work, I was no longer surprised. Yes, they moved the inverter panel on the right side around to the back of the rack. Yes, they trimmed the horizontal rack members that extended beyond the right vertical post. No, they did not center to remaining equipment and trim the horizontal rack members that extended beyond the left vertical post. No, they did not trim the two vertical posts as expected. Bottom line is that, if they had performed the installation properly four weeks ago, it would not look like it does now. I sent a honest and open note to both Eric (VP) and Rick (project manager) letting them know I was not completely satisfied and that it is obvious that they did the minimum they thought they could get away with. Eric responded very quickly saying he had forwarded my note to Rick and suggesting they may be able to get the workmen back out today. If that happens, it will be interesting to see the attitude of the workmen.

Original Installation Four Weeks Ago

After Today's First Modification - Looks Better From This Angle

After Today's First Modification - Needs To Be Centered and Cleaned Up

Later in the morning, Eric called and said that they would send the workmen back out to make the adjustments I wanted, but it would be in a week or two. He said the system is fully functional now and as soon as the electric company installs the new bi-directional meter, we should be making electricity.

Quiet Day

Mike and Nate were here most of the day again putting up trim pieces for the painters. The painters were not here. They may not return until Mike has finished installation of the trim. Mike said the slate guy showed up and Mike pointed out the areas that need attention. I asked Mike if we needed to select the "brackets" to be used to support the south sunroom door porch cover. He said we did and he would find some sources for us to consult.

They finished installing wood above the garage windows and started on the trim.

T ordered the wall sconces to be put on either side of the sunroom hot tub bay. 

Previously, Mike told me that the roofer and bricklayers would be back tomorrow. We'll see. Still have not gotten a call from the lighting company concerning our four garage wall sconces. On Monday, they said it might take a couple of days to round them up. If we don't hear something by mid-day tomorrow, we will call them.

Another Hot Dry Day

Mike and Nate showed up and continued installation of trim for the painters to paint. They built an eave around the sunroom bay with fascia. They also installed trim around the garage personnel doors. The eaves/fascia above the transom windows on the sunroom bay really adds a nice 3D aspect.

Without Eave or Fascia Trim

With Eaves and Fascia Trim Added Today 

Trim Around the Garage Doors

Jerry and crew (painters) arrived and T had her first chance to discuss the sunroom staining with him. Jerry was obviously proud of his accomplishment as he wanted to describe, in detail, how he went about the task. T congratulated him on his accomplishment. I just mentioned that he missed a small spot up in the rafters. T also brought up the two tone coloration on the sunroom cement board. Later, Mike got her to sign-off the the second color to be used. She also talked with him about painting the inside AC unit up on the west gable.

The painters put a second coat on the garage eaves and started on the sunroom eaves. I guess they ran out of paint because they left early. Mike later told me that Jerry had decided he was going to have spray the vented soffits on the garage to reach the insides of the perforations.

They are projecting the potential for a lot of foul weather over the next two weeks, starting Friday. The brick layers are supposed to be back on Monday to install the limestone window sills and complete the brick work. Mike said that Bret (roofer) should be here on Friday. We are still expecting the garage overhead doors to be installed next Tuesday. Mike said that once those are in, the electrician can finish wiring the garage.

Start of Painting

It was a hot day. Tomorrow is supposed to be even hotter.

"Our" Mike and Nate arrived this morning and stayed until noon. They worked on the west sunroom entry door area and across the connecting porch transition, preparing it for painting.

Jerry (painter) and a helper arrived in the morning and got the first cost of paint on the garage trim, soffits and fascia. There still seems to be some trim finishes, especially at the corners of the roofs that need to be addressed on both the garage and sunroom.

We got a call from Rick (solar) this morning. Rick is the field guy in charge of installation of the solar system. After talking with Eric yesterday about the inverter installation, I was not surprised to hear from Rick. We went over the same issues again. Initially, Rick took the position that their installation was appropriate and nothing needed to be changed. After re-explaining everything again, and making it clear that I was not going to accept the installation, Rick's position softened and he said he would make arrangements for the needed changes.

T noticed that, for a short period of time, a truck from our electrical contractor was out front and partially blocking our west neighbor's drive. I scurried down to ensure they moved their truck, but by the time I got out there, they were gone. Not sure when they will be back, but I warned Mike yesterday that there were some wiring issues not completed that are being covered up by plywood and cement board. This includes the connecting porch transition where they were going to install a recessed light fixture above the basement door.

We have all the exterior wall sconces ordered. T has decided on the interior wall sconces and says she will order them. We still have the ceiling fan to identify and order.

Today I went down the alley to view the slate repair on the southeast corner of the main house. Repair of the main house slate was to be included in the slate work. The slate on the southeast corner was in bad condition and an entry point for the neighborhood squirrels. It was obvious that the repairs are not complete. I mentioned this to Mike and he said that the painters also noticed that there are some cracked slate tiles on the garage and sunroom that need to be replaced.

I am continually amazed that these companies do not finish their jobs. The roofing started five months ago and could be finished very quickly, if they ever showed up. Same for the slate installers. I don't know when the brick layers are coming back, but they are probably 90% finished. While I am not going to pay anyone until the jobs are complete, this is really provides little comfort since we would rather get this project finished and pay the bills.

Post Cruise Update

For the first time since our return, I talked with Mike this morning when he and Nate showed up to work. They worked all day. Cannot see much of what they did, but we are at the point where they are working on the details.

Mike confirmed he had not discussed the solar inverters with the solar company. I henceforth sent another note to Eric (solar) informing him that I had canceled the payment I had scheduled for later this week. I also called Eric and we had a nice chat. Erick confirmed their internal communications failed and they would modify the inverters to conform to our expectations. While this is what he told me prior to our departure, I have every expectation he will follow through. This is not yet holding up anything since we are waiting on Ameren (local electric utility) to install the new bidirectional meter before we can power up the system.

Before Mike arrived this morning, I chatted with Nate. I asked him if the brick layers were finished. He said (correctly) that he did not think they were, but then said something about replacing the bricks around the hot tub bay so that it was circular. I had noticed that the bricks conformed to the nine windows around the bay, but did not realize it was supposed to be a smooth circle. When Mike arrived, I asked Mike about this. He said that Tyler (architect) had stopped by while we were gone and suggested that the brick work around the bay was supposed to be a smooth circle. Mike said this would have necessitated a wider foundation to which, according to Mike, Tyler asked if the foundation was installed correctly. Long story short, it is fine.

Mike said the cut stone for the interior chimney breast had arrived and, I assume, is being held at the materials store, much like the porcelain floor tiles.

Mike said the limestone window sills for both the garage and sunroom should be here on June 15.

I asked Mike about the Tigerwood for the decking. He said he needs to order it. I did confirm with him that he will put clips in the decking around the hot tub and on the porches, but not on the flooring in the connecting porch.

Mike confirmed that the roofing is still not complete. No payment due then.

I asked about the east slab and the garage approach apron. Mike said the landscaper was going to wait until the guttering is installed before pouring any concrete. This is NOT what we had agree to. I did not challenge Mike but will bring it up again.

I called the Overhead Door company this morning and, after chastising them for their incompetence, scheduled them to install our garage overhead doors on Tuesday, June 16.

I pointed out to Mike that there were supposed to be a sunroom ventilation louver and fan control on the connecting porch. Mike said they would be able to install that. He then surprised me when he asked when the sunroom ventilation fan was supposed to arrive because he was anxious to get the cupolas installed. I reminded him that the electrician was supposed to have ordered that. He suddenly "remembered", which makes me think he might have forgotten to let the electrician know.

T and I went down to our favorite lighting dealer to pick up the five exterior wall scones we had order prior to our departure. We were very proud to have found five scones which were being discontinued and selling for 25% of their normal selling price.

We also picked out four other scones to be used on the south side of the garage. These are similar and being discontinued as well. They were only 15% of their normal sales price. We will pick these up in a couple of days. When we got the five scones home, we opened them up and found two of them defective (made in China). I called the dealer and they said we could pick up replacements when we came in for the four we ordered today.

The bat pendent lamp arrived today. It will be VERY interesting hanging above the bar.

We booked out next cruise to Barcelona today.

Where To Begin?

We just returned home after a three week absence. One of those weeks was cruising the Caribbean, while the other two were visiting our daughter and family in Houston. We really had no idea what to expect in regards to progress on the project. Our east neighbor had sent us a photo of the brick work on the garage after they had finished cleaning it. We also knew that the solar people had been working on the inverters.

We had hoped the cupolas would have been installed, the bricking completed, the stone window sills installed, the roofing finally completed, the solar installation completed, the staining of the sunroom completed, the east slab and garage approach apron poured, the garage doors installed, move the existing AC condensers to the east slab, ...just to name a few.

We will need to discuss with (Our) Mike tomorrow to determine the status of everything, but here is what we can see.

• Brick work
• The brick on the garage and sunroom has been installed. The garage looks finished, but the sunroom still needs to be cleaned. The window sills on the garage and sunroom are not installed. There are still 2,500 bricks sitting in the front yard. 

• Garage doors
• Not installed, but we had a call from the Overhead Door company waiting for us. They said the doors had arrived and they thought we had decided to have someone else install them. What a bunch of goofs! Before we left, we twice told them that we expected to be out of town when the doors arrived and that they should contact Mike (gave them his number) to coordinate the installation. We will call them tomorrow.
• Staining
• The staining of the interior wood surfaces has supposedly be completed. T briefly spoke with Mike during our drive home on Saturday and Mike told her he thought she was really going to like the results. The window casings do look very good. I was much less impressed with the ceiling and trusses. T agreed it is darker than we had expected and it looks splotchy. T thinks it will be fine. I am not impressed.
• Mike also installed all the plywood wall coverings in the sunroom. I had not expected that to be completed, but it is good.

• Mike also completed the east side of the connecting porch exterior.

• Solar Inverters
• After we had left town, three weeks ago, but before we left the country, we got a call from Mike telling us that the inverters had been installed but not as we had requested. He said he was reaching out to Betsy to discuss. Not knowing if Betsy was still around, I sent a note to Eric (VP at the solar company) telling him that we had agreed to have the inverters installed in a particular fashion. Eric said he would take care of the situation. Upon returning last night, it has not been corrected.

• East slab and garage approach apron. Nothing done. However, there are new utility locator flags in the front and back yards. This might indicate the landscapers are preparing to do something.
• Cupolas not installed. They have been moved however. The large on to the garage and the smaller one to the basement.
• Roofers. It appears the roofers were here to address the flashing on the connecting porch. There is no indication they have completed the flashing around the southeast chimney.

Long Distance Update

Today we flew from Houston to Fort Lauderdale. We spent the last two nights in Houston. Sunday morning we embark on a week-long Carribbean cruise. We really did not expect to have anything to post until our return, but as soon as we got to our hotel room today we had messages from the Overhead Door Company and our security company. While listening to the messages that were left, I got a call from our east neighbors saying they had gotten a call from the security company saying our power was out. It took about six calls to get it all sorted out. The solar people were out to install the inverter panels and shut off the power to the house. This prompted the security company to call us and the neighbors. When I called the security company, I reminded them that last week I told them we were going on vacation and to call "Our" Mike if anything went wrong. They finally admitted they had this information, but ignored it. I freely expressed my displeasure to them. Enough said!

Then there was the Overhead Door salesman who called to say our doors had arrived, but "were not there yet". Say what?! I had also informed them to contact Mike when the doors arrived. I called them to reenforce this instruction. They promised to call us back, but never did.

I then talked with Mike. The brick work and the slate work was completed this week. He is expecting the window sills to be installed next week. He said he talked with the solar people who admitted they had cut power to the house, but it was back on now. I had sent a note to Erik (solar) notifying them we were leaving, so common sense would have been for them to let Mike know they were going to cut power. Mike also told us that the solar people did not properly install the inverters. They installed both of them on one side of the rack instead of one on each side as agreed. Mike said he had a call in for Betsy. I will forward the email to Erik, Betsy and Mike, reminding all of the plan.

Could have been worse!

Update: Very shortly after sending my note to Eric about the inverter rack installation, Eric responded saying he had received my message and that he "will work with Rick and Angelo on Tuesday to remedy the issue...then follow up with Mike when we have a workable solution to meet our agreement". He concluded saying "we will take care of everything for you". Sounds good!

Brick, Slate, Power

Brick layers have returned along with the slaters and the electrician.

Chris (electrician) started work on the exterior wiring on the sunroom. Other than installation of the boxes on the garage, no wires have been installed yet in the garage.

Last week the brick layers spent two days working and probably completed about 70% of the garage. This morning it is sunny and cool. It will be a muddy mess out there due to the recent rains. The forecast shows a 30% chance of rain today and then a 60% chance on Wednesday. The remainder of the week is supposed to be dry. By the time they finished for the day, they had not quite finished the garage, missing only a few flights on the west side. They left their brick saw in the middle of the yard indicating they will be back soon. No doubt they will be finished with the sunroom before we return.

The slate installers finished the garage that they started a month ago and started and finished the east and west gable of the sunroom. They then started work on the main house slate repair.

Noticed they are starting to stage bricks around the sunroom.

The main news from the weekend was T's suggestion that we consider going with the Rejuvenation Sunset Artistic Pendant for the bar. She believes it will provide a "wow" factor that no other pendant light would be able to match. We have been watching for an opportunity to justify the cost of this pendant for years. It is not cheap. They are having a sale going on right now (15% discount if ordered before June 1) that would make us feel a bit better, but it is still expensive. An online inquiry to the company revealed the wingspan to be 23", but they did not have the nose-to-toe length. They suggested I call their Portland store who could actually measure it for us. I call and spoke with Lisa at the Portland store. She measured and found the nose-to-toe length to be 8-1/4". Much less than I predicted. We need to consider if this fixture may be too large to hang over the bar. The mirror on the bar is 61" wide and the depth of the vault over the sink is 18". The long wingspan will cast a broad shadow from the can lights above. We will think about it. Lisa said if we order this Memorial Day weekend, there is free shipping which equates to an additional 10% discount. But, it is still expensive.

"Our" Mike and Gerard (stainer/painter) came by to discuss the staining with T. They got a consensus on the staining of the wood surfaces. Mike and Gerard first said they wanted to do the pine staining AFTER the installation of the sapelle wood paneling. This did not make any sense to us, and after a little discussion, everyone agreed it would be best to do the staining before the paneling is installed.

We showed Gerard the sample of Tiger wood decking. He was not sure whether or not there would be any staining to be done on the Tiger wood decking or if it would just require a sealing coat. He told Mike that we need to find out from the lumber company.

As for the exterior painting, T told Gerard that the exterior trim (and I assume the soffit and fascia) should match the exterior window clad color (bronze). Gerard suggested we might want to select a different color for the exterior paneling (above the connecting porch door and window and on the north face of the sunroom). T said she would reflect on this suggestion. Later, after Gerard had departed, T told Mike that we should have Gerard plan to paint the exterior paneling to match the red brick on the house.

We received the proposal for the two bar cabinet windows form Gerald (stained glass). T liked it and we went down to their shop before lunch to select the colors. She essentially wants the windows to compliment the window they previously made for us to mount above the south door. Everyone agreed on the color layout and I told them that I would (and did) send a note to Bob (cabinetry) and ask Bob to send the final glass dimensions to them once he determines them. Later in the day, Bob responded that he wanted to wait a couple of weeks to have the actual doors fabricated so that they can see the "routed out lip in the back" so they can make the leaded frame fit in that lip or let some hang over the lip. Whatever will give the best look. Sounds Greek to me, but I am sure everyone else understands. I responded that we are OK with the delay. We just did not want everyone waiting for us to return from vacation.

Mike told me this morning that he expected Bret (roofing) to be here later today or tomorrow. I have submitted my punch list to Bret and Mike indicated he has some issues for Bret to address as well. Bret did not show today, so I guess it will be tomorrow.

A Whole New Door

Chris (electrician) returned today. I asked him if he had determined what is needed for the cupola ventilation fan. He said he had not but would call the distributor immediately. He did and later we discussed the outcome. Bottom line is that I have asked Chris to order whatever is needed to provide us with a "ON", "OFF", "AUTO" selection. The Auto is where the thermostat and humidistat would automatically start and stop the fan. Chris also assured me that the set point on both the thermostat and humidistat were adjustable. I also talked with Chris about positioning the fan switches around the corner from where the on-off switch boxes are currently. He said that would be no problem and that he would move the two thermistat boxes, installed by Frank's crew for the floor heat and heat pump, to the same location.

"Our" Mike and Nate came around about noon to install the new basement door. It is such a relief to have the old door replaced. My sour shoulder is very thankful. I suggested to T that we paint it hot pink.

This morning, I found, on the sunroom connecting porch steps, the samples of pine that the stainer/painter had taken earlier in the week. Apparently, he dropped them off last night without letting us know. T reviewed them and thought they were directionally correct. She discussed them with Mike when he arrived. We later took them with us when we went to return Bob's (cabinetry) sample cabinet door. Everyone seems to think the stainer/painter is on the right track. Even so, we have asked Mike to have the stainer/painter stop by to talk with us.

No brick work, no slate work, no solar work today

Quiet Day

As expected, it was raining lightly this morning and continued until early afternoon. No one showed up except for Drew (landscaping) who just wanted to check the progress. He confirmed they would not be starting the flat work until the slate and brick are completed.

The only excitement was when the cupolas arrived. They were in two crates. I called "Our" Mike when they arrived and he and Nate came over. They uncrated them at the curb and carried them to the sunroom. Each cupola broke down into three pieces, which made them possible to carry by hand. The only really heavy parts were the copper clad tops. The crates themselves accounted for much of the total 1,160 pound shipping weight. We also received the finial for the sunroom cupola and the weather vane for the garage. They look good.

Large Cupola

Small Cupola

Copper Top of Large Cupola

Small Cupola

Mike said the solar guys were expected today, but they never showed. He also said that he wanted to get the new basement door installed before we left on our cruise.