This is the seventh post about my modern remodel in Austin, Texas. Click here for all ‘My Remodel’ posts.

With a new slab we are now ready to start framing.  This is one of the most exciting parts of building a new home because dramatic changes occur very quickly.  One day you have a bare slab, the next day most of the walls are up.  Framers are fast!  Here is a photo from our first week of framing:

At this point you can start to get a feel for the spaces you are creating – the size and shape, the window and door locations, etc. Of course, there was also a large pile of scrap lumber in the front yard. Instead of sending it to the landfill, we hired Construction Waste Recycler of Texas to shred the wood (while removing nails, etc.) and spread the resulting mulch across the lot. This worked very well to keep our lot from turning in to a mud pit.

After the structure was complete, the framers moved on to installing the sheathing, and then the windows and doors. This process takes a bit longer, but it is critical as there are many essential waterproofing steps. During this process we also made the final siding decisions – choosing to use Douglas Fir siding (see below) as our builder found a great deal on the material (excess from a very large project). Here is a photo of the pre-finished result, gallery below.

Framing Photos

I just finished posting about the new foundation (I’m slacking), but today you can see photos of our new kitchen on Cindy Black’s Hello Kitchen Blog. Here is one of the great photos taken by Valarie Campbell:

Click on over to Hello Kitchen for more photos & details. I’ll provide background on some of our design decisions in a future post. Thanks to Cindy for a great post and of course to our architect (Robert Shelton), builder (Modern) and contractor/cabinet craftsman (Michael Dickson).

For reference, here is the before photo:

This is the sixth post about my modern remodel in Austin, Texas. Click here for all ‘My Remodel’ posts.

After finishing the demolition and site work, our lot was now prepped for construction to start.  Our foundation subcontractor began by locating the corners of the slab and setting string-lines.  This would allow the surveyor to confirm their locations and make sure everything matched the drawings. 

Next we start building the actual concrete forms and filling in with sand.  They used sand (and sandbags) to form the concrete beams that support the home. 

At this point the plumbers took a week to run all of the water and sewer lines that travel through the slab.  We triple-checked all of the locations where the pipes entered and exited the slab as these errors are hard to fix after the concrete is poured.

 

After all of the water and sewer lines were located and pressure tested, the foundation contractor returned and dug the remaining beams and installed the steel support (re-bar) as specified by the foundation engineer:

Finally, after all of this work, we were able to pour concrete.  We were very fortunate to have near-perfect weather for our pour, which resulted in a very smooth finish in our floors.  It also helped that our builder specializes in high-end pools and hardscapes, making them experts in concrete.  We were very happy with the results:

Over the next few days we watered the slab to help it cure with minimal cracking.  Now we’re ready for framing!

You may have noticed that things have been a bit slow around Inspired Austin lately. I have been travelling quite a bit, most recently on a long overdue vacation.

In any case, I have some work to do to get my Modern Home List back up to date. The Austin Board of Realtors recently changed the data format of their MLS feed. As a result my modern home lists and search will be down for a bit. If you need help in the meantime send me an email.

While I’ve got the hood open I plan to tweak the design of the site as well. If you have any feedback on the layout, content, etc. please let me know. One common complaint is that my contact info is too hard to find, so here is my email:

ryan at inspiredaustin dot com

I also apologize to those following my remodel blogging. I did not live up to the example of timely blogging set by the Erwins and Schusters who went before me. I do plan to finish out the series as I believe it is helpful for those planning a similar path.

I am now living in the home, and I love it. Photos to follow, but here is a sneak peek of the exterior:

Again – please don’t hesitate to email with any questions or feedback on the site.

This is the fifth post about my modern remodel in Austin, Texas. Click here for all ‘My Remodel’ posts.

Note – I’m way behind on ‘My Remodel’ posting.  Bear with me as I catch up.  If you have a specific question or interest feel free to send me a note – ryan at inspiredaustin.com.

Also – I’m going to gloss over the financing and permitting aspects of the process.  While these are critical and can take a lot of time, I don’t think it makes for exciting reading.  My general advice in this area – work with architects/lenders who are very familiar with the process.

Phase 1: Free/Paid Demolition via Craigslist

Prior to construction, we lived in our house for over a year.  While it wasn’t it great shape, we knew there were many items that could be reused.  Craigslist to the rescue.  We quickly sold our appliances and several light fixtures along with some of our furniture.  Great!  But we still had several items that could be reused and would be expensive to demo – like concrete pavers, wire fence panels, and our old garage:

The answer – list them on Craigslist for free.  But be warned – this will result in an onslaught of calls and emails.  We got rid of the pavers and fence within a few hours of the posting.  People were happy to dig them out and take them away.  Several people came by to look at the garage but found that the trees on our lot would prevent extraction.  In any case – materials removed free of charge that won’t end up in a landfill.

Phase 2: Selective Demolition and Extraction

Next we started true, messy demolition.  While we considered going with Habitat for Humanity’s DeConstruction service, our builder had a strong relationship with another contractor who’s price couldn’t be beat.  He also sorted and recycled materials so it was an easy choice.  The crew first went through the house and removed all materials that could be re-used.  These ended up at habitat for humanity mostly – some I think the men may have detoured to a local flea market.  In any case – not a landfill:

If anyone is interested in the mustard-swirl colored cultured marble countertop with inset shell sink it may still be available at the Re-Store.

We were also able to sell our 50 yr old wood windows on Craigslist to a man restoring a similar home in East Austin – he was pretty excited so I probably didn’t charge enough for them.  I was just glad to find them a new home:

Phase 3: Structural Demolition

And then the walls came down.  It was neat to see them sort the lumber they had removed – some of it we reused on site (50 yr old lumber is stronger and straighter than today’s 2×4, or so I’m told), and smaller pieces are taken to be re-used as concrete form stakes.

   

The rest of the materials were taken away in dumpsters – which you can sort for recycling as well.  They can even recycle busted up concrete.  Finally we were left with the shell of our home, ready for a new addition.  Here are some photos:

Stay tuned for another exciting post on ‘My Remodel’ – A New Foundation.