Major Accomplishments Today

Much was accomplished at our little project today.  First thing this morning Skip took down the remaining tall trees at the rear of the lot.  Now you can easily see the abutting pond at the rear of the lot from the front sidewalk.








 It will be even more visible once the last undergrowth is removed.

Another major accomplishment was the installation of the drainage pipe on the East side of the lot.









Later in the afternoon, truckloads of sand were being brought in to cover the pipe and the entire drainage area.










Later in the afternoon the survey crew came by and staked out the boundries of the lot as well as the all important set-backs.

Still later compression test were completed on the compress fill area (where the foundation will go).  Hopefully it will be above 96%.  Results Tomorrow!

It's beginning to look like a lot!

Today Skip began by leveling off the lower layer of the lot then he spread out a plastic ground sheet and began to cover with fill.








After the fill is spread out, along comes the steam roller.  There are still many, many more truck-loads of fill to come in.

Good Weather keep on coming!

Preliminary Floor Plan

Here is one of our first shots at a floor plan. Already there are many changes made and many, many more to come as we refine our needs and wishes.

Note the long dashed lines on the left side front to back and the right side going left to right - These lines represent the 20' setback and as you can see, we're using all of the lot we can.

The surveryors come on Wednesday so can be certain we stay inside the setbacks.

An Artist at work

Skip has the road down to the lot completed and is now clearing the stumps and separating the stones into a separate pile.

The next step will be the survey.

Thank you Skip, for saving our rock wall!

I like to joke that we're buying this lot twice:  Once from Cross Hill LLC and again from Skip Murray who's bring the remainder of our lot over one truckload at a time.

Skip was kind enough to save our stone wall (in a jumble of course) for later use in landscaping.

It's obvious that Skip knows what he's doing.

His company is LP Murray - Excavation and here is his link:http://www.lpmurray.com/

More equipment arrived in preparation for compressing the fill.

and Davey Tree was removing the large trees that came down last week.

Surprise Stone Wall

What a nice surprise!

After the initial trees have been removed and the ground started to dry up there's the lovely remnants of an ancient stone wall on the west side of the lot!

These stones will come in handy at landscaping time.

 Say hello to Ed, our soon to be long-suffering next door neighbor.

Donna and our friend Jill (who is on a visit from Louisville Ky) checking it out.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Looking back across the pond: 2 weeks ago.









Looking Back across the pond: Today

Tuesday, November 16, 2011

Real progress today with the tall pines removed and lots of fill delivered.  Work progresses.

Movement

Equipment, then an operator showed up today.  Awesome.!

Monday November 14, 2011

At least once a day I drive by the lot checking out if anything is happening.  The neighbors must be concerned about a stranger loitering in the neighborhood.

Amazingly, I haven't been reported to the CE Police department, yet (that I know of anyway).

I did run into Joe today taking measurements. Progress!

Our Architect - Joe Delaney of Whipple Calender

At least 10 years ago, maybe 15 we build a Great Room as an addition to our house.  Joe Delaney designed it and did a great job.  Interestingly, he also designed the commerial building we build and owned as well.  Thus we know the quality of his work.  We're working with Joe now on the design of our new home.

Here's their website:  Whipple Calender Architects

http://www.whipplecallender.com/interiors/index.html

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Patience:  Must Learn patience. Excavation must build a short road into the lot before the tree guys can go in and clear the lot. They can get in and cut, but need the road to bring the trees out. There's some giant pines there. Maybe next week?

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Nothing happened today at an alarming rate.  I checked out possible Solar energy solutions but do they make sense.  What's the payback on an $11K solar water heater investment anyway?  Here's who I spoke with:

http://www.revisionenergy.com/index.php

Does anyone have any experience with the Andersen 400 Series windows with the grates between the glass?  We're getting old and cleaning windows doesn't have the appeal it used to.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Today's Tools

Yesterday was the first day of ownership and things were happening.  The results of the meeting with our team: builder Craig Cooper (Rainbow Construction), Arcitect Joe Delaner (Whipple Calendar) and Skip Murray (LP Murray Excavation) was very positive.  The big questions is whether or not we'll have the time to bring in approximately 1000 cubic yards (Not A Missprint!) of fill.  Fortunately, there's plenty around and it's not too far from the job site.  Because of the depth of our lot, we'll need to compact the fill in layers as we go.  But first, most of the trees, and there are some giant pines there, will need to be cut down and then the first 3 or 4 feet of vegetation and topsoil removed.

Me, I spent a couple of hours cutting down small trees, limbs and vines down with my baby chain saw (picture above).  The real tree work should begin soon but we're waiting for a crew that is currently down in Connecticut  cleaning up from the recent  snow storm.  Later

Monday November 7, 2011

11 Appletree Lane - That will be our new address.  The lot, which I often refer to as a 'hole'.  That being said, after we bring in the fill should be a lovely lot overlooking a small pond and views of the Scarborough Marsh with the Spurwink Church (a local landmark) in the distance.

Tomorrow:  We meet with our builder, architect and excavator.  Chances of breaking ground before spring: Long---Very Long.

Here's the Google Map Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=11+appletree+lane,+cape+elizabeth&hl=en&hnear=11+Apple+Tree+Ln,+Cape+Elizabeth,+Maine+04107&t=m&z=16&vpsrc=0

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Tomorrow's the big day.  We are scheduled for the closing on our lot in Cross Hill at 5:pm.  Let's hope all goes without a hitch.

It's been a year since we started looking in earnest for a place to build.  After months of looking at all types of options including building in other towns, build to suits, and all types of condos we finally decided on this lot.  In the final analysis, we discovered that after 23 years we love Cape Elizabeth and want very much to stay in this lovely town very much.

Rooney is very excited!  More Later.