Second Negative | A concrete slab and the framework

A concrete slab and the framework

Monday, February 21st, 2005

Filed Under: House Files/ 10 Comments

This entry is part of “The House Files”, a series of articles detailing the phases of construction on our new home.

After spending a few months scrutinizing maps from the city planner’s office, and driving all over North Austin, the woman and I have decided to give up the apartment life and build a house. The weekend afternoons I used to spend wandering around Fry’s Electronics have been replaced by long days shuttling between Home Depot and Lowes.

Since we’ve both spent the majority of our adult lives (post-parents) in apartments, it will be an exciting change. I’m looking forward to establishing one half of the garage as the PING PONG RING OF FIRE. I’m not kidding. Enter if you dare.

Taking an idea from Ryan Sims (another one!), I’m going to post photos detailing the phases of construction over the several months it will take to complete our new home. I hope to publish a couple of new images each week, until the project is complete. It should be fun, and might even be interesting. Thanks for sharing this experience with us. If you’re on the recommended list, I’ll save one room just for you. Shoes off at the door.

These images are from the very early stages of construction. No, that’s not the surface of the moon; it’s the concrete slab at night. The other images are of the framework, which just went up towards the end of last week, and the pipe that will eventually bring water to the tub in the master bathroom. More to come…

The House Photos

Reader Commentary

Bitch, bitch, bitch, that's all you are.

Nicole — February 21, 2005 @ 10:29 AM

Shoes off at the door is right! You can’t tell from the photos, but it’s been raining pretty consistently. That Texas clay gets wet and it turns to sludge that sucks up into the grooves of your shoes. It was pretty funny watching the Mr. Hanover do a jig in the middle of the street trying to shake it all off of his boots.

Greg Walker — February 21, 2005 @ 3:44 PM

Best Wishes Greg!

Exciting times! I’ve built a number of houses myself and have learned from every one of those experiences. Best to think of your CAT5, ethernet cabling needs now. Pay the upgrade fees and run it now! You may want to network your TV’s (ReplayTV works for me), If you want wireless fine but remember you are always building for resale. Smart homes bring more ROI. I’m sure you’re on top of this, but wanted to say congratulations!
~greg walker

Greg — February 21, 2005 @ 6:12 PM

Thanks Greg! You know, because I do run a wireless network, I hadn’t really thought about Ethernet cable, but in terms of resale value, it would make a lot of sense.

It’s been a stressful experience, but we’ve learned a lot and had fun along the way. Even if things have been a little muddy…ha.

kartooner — February 22, 2005 @ 10:11 AM

That’s great to hear, Greg. I’m happy for you and Nicole.

Someday the wife and I will also take the plunge and either have a home built or just move into one. We’ve been looking around for property to possibly put up a modular home (they are actually pretty nifty inside), but we’ll see.

If I lived anywhere near you I’d totally come to your House Warming party. Instead of that I’ll just wish you the best of luck!

Clay — February 22, 2005 @ 6:08 PM

~~You are nuts! Pure nuts!~~

Congratulations, you two! Don’t forget the wine cellar, hidden room for illegal items, people, and activities and the $13,000 Viking cooktop!

Nicole — February 23, 2005 @ 6:11 AM

Does the attic qualify as a secret room? It has a neat little drop down ladder. That’s going to be Greg’s domain. I can see it now, a handwritten sign that reads, “No Girls Allowed”. That’s o.k. I’ll be in the kitchen, but I may have to settle for a Viking sauce pan instead.

Greg — February 23, 2005 @ 8:10 AM

Thanks guys. I had never spent much time thinking about houses, but it seems like it’s going to be pretty cool. I try not to schedule my life according to what people seem to expect from someone my age (hmpff), but maybe now I’ll start getting all that adult respect. Yeah right.

You’re totally invited to the House Warming party you are too far away to attend kartooner! Of course, you’ll need to bring a toaster. I don’t have one.

Wine cellar? I only drink moonshine.

Clay — February 23, 2005 @ 9:50 PM

I’m not sure that I understand what the first picture is…

Greg — February 23, 2005 @ 10:23 PM

It’s the surface of the moon. There was more space and lower taxes, so we built there.

trench — February 24, 2005 @ 5:54 AM

Congrats! My fiance’ and I are in the process too. Halfway done. Here on island our homes have to be all concrete due to typhoons. Again, congrats on the home. Im gonna miss my condo when I move though.

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