I love the book and love the website, particularly the Forums. Kurt B., Cecil, PA

Cannon's Forum Posts: 2
Journal Entries: 8
Interview Answers: 63
Average Forum Rating: 3.00
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Waiting on the monsoons to end

Posted to Latest-update by Cannon in Sierra Vista, AZ on 8/4/2008 5:47:40 PM

Just to update, our slab pour went great!  Matt and his guys did an awesome job.  I remeasured all of the dimensions after the forms were stripped and there is not one dimension off by more than 1/4".  Most are spot on.  Since this is a SIP build that is pretty important and I am very pleased.  We had them pour the back patio as well but held off on the garage apron and door slabs until all the heavy trucks are done.  After Matt we had LRC come in and install the septic tank and field.  That should be done any day as it is just waiting on final inspection. 

Between the septic and the slab I had the electric service brought in and I mounted a temporary post and installed our service panel.  I still have to tie the ufer on and install a GFCI prior to getting the power turned on.  We are now in our monsoon season and so I plan on sitting tight on any further progress until the third week of September.  I did send our plans to the SIP mfg to get the final cost run and get the panels started.  They are running about five weeks out so that will be perfect for September. 

Photos

Slab is done, weather building	Jake by the creek. Looks like we will have water in it about 2 months out of the year Yippee!!	Septic system

ready for slab pour

Posted to Latest-update by Cannon in Sierra Vista, AZ on 7/5/2008 8:34:21 AM

In the last couple of weeks there has been measured progress.  We passed our rough in plumbing on first good that was good.  Susan, Jake, and I put the main water shutoff and water line in to the house so we now have water!  Matt's guys did all the compaction for the slab.  I then installed the electrical conduits to the island and a floor outlet.  I also added a second floor box to handle speaker wire and telephone.  The shower and tubs are all boxed in and ready for the pour which is scheduled to go at 5am Monday morning.  I am looking forward to having a slab.  We will then push to get the electrical to the house and the septic done within the next few weeks.  After that we will sit tight until the monsoons end before we bring in the SIP panels and start the build.  Everything has gone amazingly well so far and we are thrilled. 

Photos

Jake and Susan working on plumbing	Jake roll compacting the water trench to save money :P	boxed, stubbed and almost ready to go

Latest Update

Posted to Latest-update by Cannon in Sierra Vista, AZ on 6/16/2008

Matt and the boys poured the footer and then formed up the stem walls.  I was there for the pour and enjoyed watching them working as a team getting them knocked out.  I decided to do my own rough in and so worked on that Friday, Saturday and Sunday and it should be ready for inspection for today.  We will see how I did but when I water tested it my only problems were with the little caps I glued on the ends of the pipes for the testing.  Not one regular joint leaked so yippee.

Photos

building the stems

Footer is dug

Posted to Latest-update by Cannon in Sierra Vista, AZ on 6/4/2008 2:01:37 PM

The footers are dug, the rebar is run, and the first inspection is ordered.

Photos

RogerC's Forum Posts: 33 Interview Answers: 3 Average Forum Rating: 3.34 Send Private Message Randomly Selected Image 6/7/2008	Congratulations on the progress and good luck to you with the inspection.   By the way, that's a beautiful lot!  I didn't realize the Sierra Vista area was so hilly.
Cannon's Forum Posts: 2 Journal Entries: 8 Interview Answers: 63 Average Forum Rating: 3.00 Send Private Message Image from Cannon's blog 6/7/2008	Sierra Vista sits at 4,600 feet and has mountains and hills all around.  I love it here.

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Layout and digging begun

Posted to Latest-update by Cannon in Sierra Vista, AZ on 6/3/2008 6:27:43 PM

The house was laid out and the digging for the footers commenced today.  All going well so far.  Our concrete guy, Matt Tawney, is very good.  We have enjoyed working with him.  He and his people have a great attitude.  I need to get out tomorrow to install the tube with the onsite house plans.  Taking pictures tomorrow morning.

Plans approved

Posted to Latest-update by Cannon in Sierra Vista, AZ on 6/1/2008 9:07:04 AM

So the plans are finally approved!  Actually it was pretty quick since I was prepared for them to suggest changes etc. but all passed without a hitch.  In the interim we found a pair of nice wood front doors that we think we can strip and restain off Craig's list for $40.  If they don't take the stain the way we want we will just resell them as they were a steal for that price.  We hope to hear back from the concrete contractor as to when they can get started Monday so we can get this show on the road. 

Photos

Land clearning

Let the shopping begin

Posted to Latest-update by Cannon in Sierra Vista, AZ on 5/17/2008 11:04:36 AM

We went shopping this morning at a local window/door supplier who was having a yard sale and got lucky!  We ended up getting about 7 of our windows for only $270.  The best price I had for those particular windows was $1,850 and they are all great quality.  I will have to spend about $60 more to get the hardware on a few but overall a great morning.

It has begun...

Posted to Latest-update by Cannon in Sierra Vista, AZ on 5/17/2008 7:01:22 AM

Well we finally made it to planning and zoning and submitted for permit yesterday afternoon.  It has been a lot of hours of planning and changes and I am sure it has just begun.  We had Dan Walsh of Walsh Designs do our plans and he did a great job.  He was very patient and helpful.  We had the land grading done by Lewco Rainbow Creations this last week so there is actual physical progress too.  I wish we had started sooner so that we could have beat the monsoons but alas I guess it wasn't part of the big guys plan.  So hopefully we will get the plans approved within two weeks and then get going on the foundation and slab.  We will push to get that all in before the monsoons and then sit tight until mid to late September to get the envelope up.  I am planning on building a SIP Santa Fe with foamed unvented attic.  We will see if the building department allows it.