Wow – we are almost two months into this building project now. This week (August 29 – September 4, 2021) was REALLY busy as you’ll see below. My photos focused on the more active stuff – so I hope you find them and the continuing saga of this project interesting.
First, I was able to get some shots on the interior work on the second floor.
Braces on rafters 
Our ceiling with no roof – yet 
View towards the future front window 
View towards the future 16′ x 16′ deck
Jon and and Jonny Victor (the father and son team of Ready Installs) showed up early to check out the project’s progress.
Next, the first order of business on Monday, August 30th, was to get the deck header up. This involved installing an ice-water barrier (which the crew decorated with a muscle-man drawing of Raphael as it will never be seen again), and nailing the header.
Ice water barrier up 
Header nailed in over barrier
Inside the garage, work on installing furring in the ceiling went on.
At this point, we had a need to get some construction synchronized dance going. To start the deck we needed get the piers in for the deck – which required excavation and careful measurement. Also, the septic line needed to be started. Andy Cormier returned with his excavator and crew to do this. There were quite a few roots in the ground from a previously removed pine tree.
Staking out the deck location 
Andy begins digging for the piers 
Checking depth 
Jon Victor watches as the hole depths are verified by Andy and his grandson 
View of the excavation 
Getting ready to exactly place the piers
Once the trench was right, each 600-lb. pier was put in, and checked for accurate placement.
Picking up the first pier 
All three piers moved to the last chunk of asphalt in the driveway. 
Moving the first pier 
Guiding the pier in 
Last of the 3 piers going in
After this, Andy backfilled the trench.
On Tuesday, August 31st, work continued apace. The framing of the deck began as well as work on a septic line and more.
Septic line excavation 
Septic trench 
Septic line into garage floor
When Andy was safely done, work could get going on the deck supports. Temporary supports were used and then the main deck supports were attached to the piers.
Temporary deck supports going up 
Raphael and crew making it happen 
Permanent column attachment next to a temporary support
Wednesday saw more of the same – deck progress. I was out so I did not get as many photos. The crew had to wrap it up early as the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida were coming with heavy rain predicted Wednesday-Thursday.
Ah, but the rain came heavy – BUT – it was only overnight and gone by the morning of Thursday September 2nd – so happily work could continue on the deck and second floor in preparation for Saturday roofing.
No construction happened Friday as the roofing crew was going to hit the ground running on Saturday. And hit the ground early they did at 7 AM!
The roofing crew was done in 4 hours – and now we are ready for another good week. We did also work o Saturday with one of Jon’s patio specialists to define what our patio would look like and that should be very exciting and gorgeous – but you’ll have to wait to see that (like us).
Thanks for taking a look here – and what do you think of the progress so far? We have a good ways to go, and as the Starks (and EVERY New Englander) says, “Winter is Coming”…so we are certainly wanting sooner than later.
For those of you who are wondering if I will EVER get back to hobby stuff, I will. I am using some time to rewrite and add onto my Aztec supplement for Buck Surdu’s Feudal Patrol™ in Mesoamerica (Civilizations Collide). New and improved (I hope).
Also, I am writing a good number of scenarios too. Plus, golf season is winding down in the next six weeks, so that’s happening too.
Mark A. Morin 
Continuing to look fantastic Mark. The guys are certainly cracking on. 🙂
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Cheers Dave!
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Some good progress Mark,
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Thanks!
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Great progress Mark, All the structure is now there, and ready for the next stage. Hope the weather stays good for you and the project can keep up this pace.
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Cheers Dave, still a lot to do. But when it’s done it will be amazing hopefully!
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Looks like it’s coming together nicely, between IRO and yourself there’s some real palaces being built at the moment. 🙂
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Thanks Wudu, I think this week will see the project expand to the house deck as well (as opposed to the garage deck). A lot depends on weather and materials and the availability of the excavator.
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Fingers crossed that the weather fairies cooperate and it gets done. It is looking great.
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Thanks, yup weather is an enemy usually!
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Really good progress again, Mark! 🙂
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Thanks John, appreciate that.
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Good progress!
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Thanks!
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That is looking very smart- the raised decking looks like it would be a great place to drink a whisky on.
Cheers,
Pete.
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I’ll definitely be enjoying the view Pete!
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Looking fantastic Mark. Puts my little shanty clubhouse to shame hehe
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Now sir, we won’t tolerate casting any aspersions on the Alamofo – that is a prestigious work of architecture, surely the pride of Victoria! (and thanks buddy)
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I don’t think I’m up for any architectural awards but I’ll tell you one thing I love it in there hehe
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Its really coming on strong now. This is a very impressive garage and I am looking forward to more updates. It doesn’t feel like there is long to go now!
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Glad you’re enjoying it Jeff – though there is a lot more to do.
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Still absolutely loving these progress posts!
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😀 Mikko!
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Very nice, coming on well.
Cheers Roger.
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Thanks pal
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Oh, this is gonna be sweet….
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I hope you are right! I’m pretty sure but we have a ways to go.
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Really grand Mate! I don’t watch TV so this is the next best thing to a show my daughter watches “Grand Designs”. those piers are amazing ,I have never seen such big supports for a deck!
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Thanks Pat. I guess I do have my own little show going here. It’s certainly keeping me from hobby stuff! Yes, the piers are big, but they are easily placed once you have excavated to the right depth. Plus, this is Massachusetts, so they get down to below the frost line easily too. As they are precast, no worries about mixing concrete or stabilizing a tube.
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Great looking WIP terrain there, Mark. The multi-levels add a lot more flexibility in play and impressed to see you’re working on interior detailing as well.
Interesting use of tank traps at the bottom of a trench system as well – I haven’t seen that before, didn’t know it was a thing historically!
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