Day 10 went by so fast, it’s almost a blur in my mind. In fact, it almost seems like it’s still happening. Ok, well, it is. We’re on day 10-B now, as the plumbers are working part of today to make up for the time they lost when they had to (last minute, and unexpectedly) postpone their start day earlier in the week. (What professionalism! Dedication! We have such a good crew!) But, man, oh, man, did everyone get tons done Friday. Framing of the closet? Check. Framing of the pantry? Check. Framing for powder room door? Check. Recess built for radiator? Check. Lights hung and awaiting our approval? Check. Bathroom fan hung and vented? Check. Preliminary venting done for range hood? Check. Plumbing – ok, I don’t know what any of the plumbing is called, and the plumbers are such hard workers that I daren’t stop them to ask- but, plumbing stuff? Check!
We had a slew of people (ok, it was 5, but it totally seemed like more) all working together, near each other, ladders everywhere, working on tasks that all affected the other task, the other teams of people, everything. It was a high energy day, and a high volume day. So much got done, and then, in a flash, they were all gone. I don’t blame them for skedaddling and not staying to bask in the glow of their work (I mean, they don’t actually live here, even though sometimes I think they might as well). They deserve a work-free weekend, though I doubt they’ll get it (they all work non-stop). Thank you, Team Kitchen/Bath Project!
Some things that I can only write about, and can’t photograph, are the smell of wood and plaster being cut, drilled or otherwise man-handled, and the sound all of it makes. The fact that when the plumbers are drilling out holes in the joists or studs to run their pipes through, and I can feel the whole house vibrating, hear the house’s bones rattling, well, it’s quite an experience. The smell that the old plaster and lathe and drywall makes when they have to saw a hole in it to install a smoke detector is unpleasant, but still enticing. It makes me want to follow them around like an annoying puppy, always underfoot, and always begging for attention (what’re you doin’ now? wha’ ’bout now?). But I don’t. Mostly. Still, if you’re ever undertaking such an endeavor, prepare thy nose for smells you didn’t know you wanted to smell, but instinctively knew you shouldn’t (I’m pretty sure inhaling dust of any kind isn’t good for you, but neither is smelling gas at the gas station, and plenty of people like that).
Still, though, the lesson of this past week is to plan, plan, plan until your brain falls apart, and then plan some more. And THEN hire people. And then plan some more. Every question that someone has needs an answer – sometimes the answers aren’t things you could have prepared for, but sometimes they are. Specs should be at the ready, preferably on paper, something that the individual person or area can have on hand even when you’re not there. Drawings should be as complete and accurate as possible, and changes to the design should bring about new drawings (note to self: do some new/additional drawings for Team). If I have learned anything, it’s that the prep work you do ahead of the actual work is what makes the actual work stay on time. The budget issues? Well, I haven’t learned my lesson there, yet.
Pictures please! Enjoy!
