How a House is Built

Eight months ago, this was an empty lot. There are two empty lots and a road between this site and our house. One lot is directly next door to the building site, and apparently unbuildable. The other one belongs to us and is above our house with the road running between. We walk around here frequently, and find it fascinating to watch, day by day, what goes into building a new house. We've spoken with the contractor and, once the walls went up, have gone inside and tried to figure out the floor plan.

The first activity up there was a guy digging holes for a perc test. Apparently they found only one spot on the entire property that would perc so that is where they had to put the septic system. The contractor told us he would have preferred to site the house differently, but had to work around this awkward placement.

Next came the well. Rocks were encountered many feet down which broke the drill. A new and bigger one had to be brought in. Rocks were encountered everywhere as shown by a collection dug from the building site, that can be seen in the foreground of this picture.

It took forever to dig trenches for the foundation. Our only rain of the year filled the trenches with water, which had to be pumped out, since the soil doesn't perc. Things had to dry out. Gravel had to be brought in to absorb the mud. The cement for the foundations had to be poured by a procession of cement trucks with their slowly turning drums. The cement had to dry and "cure".

Things went quickly once the foundations were ready. Walls went up, the rafters were raised and the outer skin of the house was nailed in place.( Our Italian relatives have commented on the amount of wood used in the construction of this house. One does wonder why they don't just build houses around here out of rock. It's abundant enough.) The roof took longer and required a lot of walking around, climbing ladders and standing back and looking. I never walk by when there isn't at least one person with a tape measure out.

We're told that the house will be "Mediterranean" in style and finished in November.
I'm inclined to doubt both statements….