Final and Full Permit Approved Today!

Thanks to our builder for all their efforts in getting our permit approved. Its been a frustratingly long process for all parties involved but because of Aaron/Todd's quick responses to the City's every whim, we've finally received our full permit.

The Big Dig

We got the excavation/foundation portion of our permit from the city on Friday so today was the day: the big dig. It started early but got off to a slow start. The excavation company only had two trucks which then hauled the dirt across town to Stillwater. Our contractor was finally able to summon up more trucks in the afternoon. That helped tremendously. At the end of the first day most of the area was dug out but it was only 3'-4' deep. Tomorrow the digging should be finished. Hopefully, the rain will stay away so we can start the footings.

Jason and I have never so excited to see a hole dug in our entire life. Now if we can get the rest of our permit approved....(need more info on the beams).

Will post photos when I find the camera...

Still No Permit

Instead of an approved permit, we got disappointing news last week. The City of Minneapolis requested that our house be moved back towards our garage by two feet. We didn't have much yard to begin with but now its really small. Almost just a walkway. We are going to have to something really nice with the garage as our bedroom window is going to be right on top of it.

The house was supposed to be re-staked today. Everything is going very slow lately. Hopefully, we will hear from the city by the end of the week so we can start the big dig.

No permit yet....but we have siding updates

Unfortunately, no permit yet. Apparently, its still with the city but has been moved to plan review from zoning. Its getting so late. We need to start ASAP!

The only new news is that the metal siding quote finally came in with a favorable result. Its one-third the cost of the cedar shiplap with the advantage of being virtually maintenence free. Now we only have to choose from one of the profiles below, then choose the color. Color is always the hardest...the available options never seem to match what I have in mind...

Both Jason and I like them all equally but I think the scale of the IC-72 is maybe too large. The other two are the front runners. We should be getting some samples soon of both these wall panels and the roofing panel colors.

Note: these wall panels are from http://www.metalsales.us.com/

V-Line-32 profile

IC-72 profile

7/8" corrugated profile

Silt fence up...Builder sign in yard

The silt fence went up on Monday, May 12th, accompanied by the builder's sign. This is a big day for all of us. Jason and I, as well as the builders, are anxious to get this project underway!

We are still waiting on the building permit and MN GreenStar approvals. Hopefully, by the end of the week they will both be a go.

Windows and doors should be ordered tomorrow. As usual, I am debating changes right up to the last minute on window changes in the office.

Building Permit Applied For

Although the idea of having our loan closed on and the permit in to the city for approvals seemed foreign a few weeks ago, on Monday it was our reality. Of course there was closing drama: money and insurance were the culprits. When doesn't a closing come down to the last hour where regular people have to reach into their imaginary money pile and pull out at least another $1k+? Seems to happen all too often. My brother and I had this conversation: why after all these years is the closing process so undefined and random? What other business can operate like that? The mortgage/title industry needs a team of Six Sigma Black Belts for some serious process improvement!

Notes:
Closed on construction loan with Johnson Bank and The Title Group on 5/2/08
Building Permit submitted by Summit Design/Residential Contractors on 5/5/08