Dec/090
Day 24 – Phase 1 is just about over
Day 24 – Phase 1 is just about over. All of the teams have been in and have a checklist for Phase 2. Phase 1 is optimistic. When I still believe everything is going to be fully completed by a certain due date and no obstacles will arise – my energetic optimism keeps the project on schedule.
January 15 is my due date for Phase 2. It will be the punch list of unforeseen issues that arose in Phase 1.
Final Phase 3 will be beginning of February. In this time, the homeowners will be able to unpack and place their belongings and any final adjustments will be made for their comfort in the home. By the end of February, this mess will be part of the past… pending the numerous breech of contracts, but that’s for another day.
I am signing off on Phase 1 and my blog until 2010.
Have a happy and healthy New Year!
Dec/090
Day 3,4 & 5
Day 3 was a lot harder and even more tiring than Tuesday. The homeowner’s possessions have been sitting in the worst conditions and I am baffled how none of the GC’s came in and fixed it up. That is the first thing I do. I CANNOT start a project with a dirty slate.
I sectioned off the garage in preparation for the moving company’s arrival on Saturday. Inside, blue painter’s tape has been laid to create walk ways, areas for consignment stores to look over better-than-donate goods and for the belongings the client wishes to keep have been equipped with folding tables and plastic storage bins. Along side the garage, there is an area taped off for garbage and on the side of the house an area for charity pick up. Faith Farm is sending over a “Special Truck” on Friday the 18th to get it all out.
While this was going on outside, my guys finished up patching the kitchen drywall. And my wood-maker came by to fix the cabana vanity, some of the closets and make a purchase list for the rest of their items.
And then we get to today. Day 4 This morning my drywall guy patched up some holes in the garage to keep any creatures from making their way in and the wood guys came to finish up some stuff.
This afternoon my plumber hooked up the cabana sink and checked out the water heater – the culprit to this whole mess. The previous contractors did nothing to really ensure the problem wouldn’t happen again. None of them ran a pipe to the outside, if this had been done before the new floors were layed, we could be assured it wouldn’t happen again. Now we just have to cross our fingers!!! My cleaning crew showed up at 5 PM, the only crew that gave me their word with no contract. He promises it will be done by days end tomorrow. This is making me a bit nervous.
I lined up some new estimates for the closet re-do, the ones contractor B put in are horrible and leave about 2 feet to get into.
I have never seen a job like this; it goes to show you need someone on the job at all minutes the work is in progress.
Day 5 was a full day of filming me. I am not a natural on film. I’ve never been on film and oh-my g-d, it’s not easy. All of my assumptions were confirmed yesterday. During my time as Production Designer on films and set dresser at MTV, I was always amazed at how much I could get done in a set time versus how long it would take to get a few minutes on film. Take after take, I didn't come off as funny, sassy or bitchy – three of my favorite personality traits…. But the film crew was great and reassured me it would all look good.
The best part was they filmed my family talking about the project and my company. My dad got such a kick out of it. I don’t think many parents know the scope of work their children are capable of. Being able to help them on this project was my opportunity to be able to do that for them. They have moved me and paid for so much education, that it was great they could see it in person.
We are filming again next week, so I may spend some time practicing in the mirror.
And now today, day 6. The movers are scheduled to arrive in just a few minutes. Their reputation is undesirable. They were brought in under Contractor One’s company and they are all bad bullies. We have lined up the Country Club security to make rounds past the house once an hour and I have my big guys that helped clean out the garage on call.
Dec/091
Junk or Stuff?
To have worked with me, or even to know me in the slightest, you would know how much I hate unnecessary stuff. Stuff without meaning is just junk. My mother love stuff, she thinks of it as an unfound treasure. The artist in her sees all the possible art projects and creations. I see more junk.
9 to 5 today was spent cleaning out an absurdly packed garage. 1/3 was hauled to garbage, 1/3 was donated and 1/3 has to go back into the garage. This is where my mother and I butt heads – I would like to all of it go away.
But while we were working in the hot sun, two of my guys dry-walled up the kitchen and the electrician checked the safety of all the wiring. The locksmith came to check over all the doors and will be back to fix and finish where the second contract messed up. My cleaning specialist power washed the garage and then tried to get me to paint the garage floor. My executive decision was no. A really difficult to deal with moving company is coming Saturday, Monday and Tuesday to move over 20 crates of furnishings and possessions back into the house and we are going to have to use the garage as a staging area for items to be donated. I am not about to junk up a newly painted garage floor. He gave me quite a bit of discussion and I stuck to my guns; which won me points with my GC. I am on a tight schedule and have to keep the project moving forward.
Dec/090
Day one — Done
Day one of shooting. Apparently I tend to giggle when I am in front of the camera. Maybe it was the cute film crew or the bright lights they put on me. It was good to get the whole house documented from my mother’s walk through of the space.
They are going to be coming back later this week, but I am going to buy a flip film thing and see how I can upload the process.
Today two of my contractors came in for final measurements and I plan to have a full house here tomorrow – contractors, plumbers, electricians and two big guys to help my mom get through the disastrous garage that had been used a a dump spot by the first contractor.
Dec/090
Resource Reuse
I am officially making use of all the jobs I have had and all the degrees I have obtained in pulling off this wonder to not only complete the interior rebuild of the house, but to create a mini-documentary.
I am so excited to have found a great film house thru a connection from a high school friend on facebook.
http://morrismedia.blogspot.com/2007/05/about-us-in-depth.html
I plan on using knowledge from my Journalism degree from Columbia College, Interior Design Degree from Parsons School of Design, studies in Architecture from University of Illinois, Chicago and my LEEED accreditation.
Although I was always behind the scenes when working on the independent films in LA and Chicago and as a set designer for MTV in New York, I am excited about the content of the film and cross my fingers I can pull off being in front of the camera.
All the contracts have been signed and work will begin first thing Monday morning!
Dec/090
Thanks so much…
Thanks so much for the beginning wardrobe:
Homescout Realty http://www.homescoutrealty.com/default.html
Noble Pro Painting http://www.noblepropainting.com/
Be Bright Pink http://www.bebrightpink.org/
hub 51 http://www.hub51chicago.com/
Leo’s Coney Island Chicago http://www.leoschicago.com/
Tip Top Branding http://www.tiptopbranding.com/
