Windows and other updates

Ok, so the windows are in. This should be very exciting, and it was when we first saw them. However, the excitement has been tempered a bit by the discovery that the guys neglected to install the sill flashing before setting the windows. The roll and the instructions were sitting right on TOP of the windows in the garage, but they just threw it on the floor (apparently) and ignored it. So now we have to decide whether we want to 1. just not put the sill flashing in, 2. Jeff try to take the windows out himself and flash them (not likely, they’re VERY heavy) or 3. get the guys back here to redo it and risk them damaging the windows taking them out and reinstalling them. Obviously, none of these are particularly appealing options, and it is SO frustrating to not be able to get anyone to do ANYTHING right. I just feel crappy about the whole thing.

On a brighter note (hopefully) the mason is coming Saturday to start working on the fireplace. He should be able to get the whole firebox built, but will need 3 more days to build the chimney. This is an inherent constraint of working with brick—you can only stack up so much at a time, because it gets too heavy and will start squashing the mortar. So you stack so many courses, let the mortar harden, and come back for more. Unfortunately (I seem to be typing that word too often lately) he is working in Raleigh for the next few weeks, so the 3 days he works on the chimney will be 3 Saturdays…. so that won’t be completed for a while. And we can’t get the framing inspected till the chimney is done, which holds us up being able to insulate and sheetrock.But, what can ya do.I’m sure the time will go quickly, and we don’t have set dates for the electrician and mechanical guy to come either, so depending on their schedules the chimney might not even delay things all that much.

Oh, and one other setback… going back to the framer. He was always going to shingle the roof. It was part of his original estimate, it was never discussed as any kind of problem, etc. But when he showed up Monday, he told Jeff that his guys “didn’t want to do it.” So now we need to get a roofer too, which is undoubtedly going to be more expensive. ::sigh::

Thursday, we’re going to look at bricks for the inside of the fireplace (not the firebox, but the raised hearth and the exposed brick surrounding the opening)

I’ll keep ya posted.