Construction Update - February 2012



La Fortuna building 5 on February 25th



La Fortuna, Renton:

February 25^th

Nothing special happened this week... Other than we had 1 day that was good enough to paint.

LF5-

Electrical rough- in 98%, we just need to put on some mudrings, nail plates, and wire a furnace. Low voltage was started by the journeyman and 2 units are done (except for the homeruns) and a third started.

Air sealing started in earnest this week and #6 is almost done. Other draft stopping was worked on during the rainy days.

More siding is completed, now there is only the panel on 2 units and some lap siding on the porch roofs. More painting, caulking, etc. was also accomplished. One or two more nice days and we could take finish some areas up and take down the scaffolding!

LF7-

 

More subfloor is down. Now just "b" isn't sheeted, but it has stairs and is ready to go as soon as the guardrails are finished. "c" only has 1/2 a flight of stairs to go and all of the units will have stairs. We have a couple of Thrivent and Microsoft days lined up in the next month, so "a" should start catching up.

Wetlands/ site work-

We worked on mitigating storm damage and repaired the fence that had been smashed down. We also tidied up some catch basins.

PCL's Grant Moorhead, also on
Habitat's Board of Directors

Work next week will include; floor sheeting, exterior wall building, painting (hope for good weather), low voltage, air sealing, and draft stopping.

February 18^th

Today the future homeowners had a potluck lunch for us. Everyone ate too much, but it was delicious! Many families brought out their children and ate lunch with the volunteers and AmeriCorps.

LF5-

What a difference having an electrician! With 1 journeyman and a couple of volunteer trainees we roughed in 2 units completely, nearly wrapped up a third, and pulled string and measured the conduits to the meters. We should finish next week. We are working on getting volunteer electricians to do the phone and cable TV wiring.

5 of 6 decks are sided and the sixth is started. We will build more scaffolding next week and maybe finish siding! Then we just have to caulk, spackle, paint, paint a second coat, and take down the scaffolding.

We are insulating the waterlines in the garages and still boxing ductwork. We started sealing penetrations for fire code and air infiltration, probably about 2 weeks of this work.

LF7-

We sheeted another floor ("e"), started more stairs and got all of the joist up in "b", and all of the beams plus the joists started in "c".

Work next week will include; floor framing and sheeting, sealing penetrations, electrical rough- in, stairs, guardrails, siding, caulking, and hopefully more painting.

February 11^th

Another good week. The volunteer numbers were low, but the NCCC team really picked up the slack and helped us progress.

AmeriCorps Phil, NCCC Molly, and Home-owner Bashir
shown tackling the hard-to-reach siding above the porch!

LF5-

Issaquah sent down some scaffolding and we were able to build 2 more towers in the front. Siding on the decks progressed with 2 decks finished and 1 deck the slider door wall is complete. All the decks have been trimmed and flashed and are ready for siding. More panel went on the top floor at #2 and the batts were also installed. A few dry days to paint and we could take down scaffolding for the last time!

A journeyman electrician was hired to work with our volunteer trainees and will start on Tuesday. The entire building should be ready for electrical inspection within 2 weeks. We passed mechanical and gas piping inspection this week. We will try the fire sprinkler inspection again after we get the pipe tenting in the attic done and NorTech brings out the approved plans.

LF7-

Finished the joist on "e", built guardrails, and sheeted the floor in "d". Stairs were also finished in "e" and started in "d". Floor beams were started in "b". We might have a Thrivent/ Lutheran build day next week and get some more work done on "a".



The trusty Bank of America crew
got to work sheeting the floors in building 7.



Site work/ wetlands-

We planted most of the native plants the NCCC team earned. There are some downed trees in the wetlands that are laying on our plantings and we are checking to see what action is needed. Someone ran into our rail fence and broke 2 rails and a post. We will repair it next week. A paint brush washing station was built and used on Tuesday. We will need to open a manhole to dispose of the painty water soon.

Work next week will include; floor framing, wall framing (if Thrivent build day fills up), painting (if dry and not too cold), siding, scaffold building, and maybe deck railings.

February 4^th

Wow! What a difference a couple of days of sun and weather in the 50's can make. Everyone has a bounce in their step and we actually got to paint a lot.

LF 5-

We made good progress on the siding, getting the 8" plank on the second floor of 5 units, finishing the 4" on 1 unit, finishing the entire end of unit 6, repairing a siding field, and Hardi panel soffits at 4 front porch ceilings.

Painting, finally! We got a first coat on almost all of the siding on the building (except the cantilever on #1), pre- painted all of the remaining plank, primed all of the eaves that had scaffolding, and started the first color coat on the eaves. Spackling and caulking also progressed well.

All of the duct boxing/soffits are done except #6 garage.

Electrical rough in should start again soon. The plan is to hire a journeyman to work and supervise trainees and/ or John and I.



La Fortuna Building 7 February 25th



LF 7-

The floor beams and joists were installed on "d" and blocking started, beams were installed in "e", and beams were started in "b". Three stair landings were started and 2 finished. Stairs were started in "e" and are ready to install. Exterior sheeting infill continues and nears completion, Seismic hardware is going up as we finish the sheeting.

Site/ wetland-

We got a mop sink from the store and today I used the Kubota to try digging up a sewer connection to hook up the sink for washing paint brushes. At 4' deep the locator board was still going down. I dug a small test hole with a shovel and when I got to another 18" it filled in with 6" water and the pumps are at Issaquah, so it was completely filled back in. We will have to develop a good 3 bucket system for the brushes.

The NCCC team worked at a plant salvage in Redmond and earned quite a few new plants for our wetlands. We will plant them soon, so if anyone has a green thumb and could help out, it would be appreciated.

Work next week will include; floor framing, painting, stairs, siding, scaffolding moving, and maybe planting in the wetlands.

Issaquah Highlands:

February 28^th



Alvaro Cornejo, home-owner and current
new Driver for the Habitat Store, installs his own wood
floors for his future home!



It was a busy week for flooring. We started tile training on Tuesday morning. By the end of the week tile was installed, grouted and sealed in all 6 bathrooms and both laundry rooms. Laminate wood flooring was picked up early in the week and installation started on Friday. Most of the morning was another training and good progress was made. On Saturday the 4 bedrooms in 5B were complete and most of the upstairs hallway. The subfloor in 5A was cleaned and prepped for the laminate to begin next week. Window sills were installed in 5A and most of them have been cut for 5B. Two more scaffolding towers were removed from the back of the building.

Next week we will continue with laminate flooring in both units. Cabinets are scheduled for delivery on Tuesday and will be getting installed the rest of the week. Millwork installation will also continue.

February 18^th

Interior finish work has started in Issaquah. The NCCC team worked on site Tuesday-Thursday and were a huge help getting the interior walls of both units painted. The also assisted with completing some exterior painting and several more scaffold towers were removed from the back of the building. Tile work continues. Backer board is about 95% complete in both homes and tiles were cut for two bathrooms. The doors and mill work arrived and 5 doors were installed. On Saturday a good deal of base and casing was cut for 5B.



NCCC team member Jessica and the rest of the Silver 4
team helped paint the entire interior of building 5!



Several more loads of scaffolding were removed from the site and the yard was condensed.

Next week we will continue with mill work, tile and hopefully start some wood flooring.



February 11^th

Interior finish work has started! The majority of the scaffolding was removed during the early part of the week and several loads were taken to Renton. Sheet rock finish continued all week and by Friday it was primed, textured and ready for paint. On Saturday we had 11 volunteers. The majority worked on interior wall paint in 5B. In 5A the temporary stair treads were removed and the permanent treads installed- 75% complete. Tile backerboard was installed in the bathrooms and laundry and the majority was cut for the kitchen, entry and dining nook.

Next week we will have the NCCC on site to assist with the interior wall paint and continue the tile backerboard. Interior doors and mill work is schedule for delivery on Tuesday and installation will begin once the painting is complete. We are also having another blower door test to compare the results from before sheet rock and after sheet rock. Hopefully the results will be favorable and we will be able to have the attic insulated soon. Exterior work may include siding on the roof and painting.

February 4^th

Good week at the site. The furnaces are on so we now have heat. Sheet rock finishing started on Tuesday. It is going a bit slower than normal but the contractor made decent progress the last two days. They will continue next week. The sunny weather allowed us to complete a good amount of exterior painting. 75% of the building has a finish coat. We will be able to remove a good portion of the scaffolding very soon.

Next week we will be removing scaffolding, installing siding on the roof and may start retaining wall work on the north and south hillsides. If the good weather sticks around the focus will be exterior painting.



Issaquah Highlands buildng 5 exterior shown February 25th

JOB: Driver Wanted for Habitat Store

Habitat for Humanity of East King County

Job Description

Title:                Driver – The Habitat Store

Department:    Operations

Reports to:      Store Manager

FLSA Status:  Non- Exempt

Purpose/Objective:

The Habitat Store Driver performs work in the operation of a vehicle to assure safe and efficient transportation to and from destinations for product pickups and deliveries.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (in order of importance. Other duties may be assigned by the Store Manager)

1.      Operations/Administration:

-          to assume responsibility for care and maintenance of vehicle inside and out

-          to drive vehicle in a safe manner at all times, always wearing seat belt, and to follow all safety regulations and precautions

-          to drive vehicle to appointed destinations representing Habitat for Humanity in a professional manner

-          to deal effectively and professionally with customers and employees

-          ability to map driving destinations in a timely and efficient manner

-          to complete applicable paper work accurately and timely per company guidelines

-          to keep management informed of required maintenance for the vehicle and reports any mechanical problems in a timely manner

Competencies:

-          ability to apply basic mathematical concepts such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing and knowledge of weights and measures.

-          ability to communicate with associates and customers

-          ability to read, count, and write to accurately complete all documentation

-          understand and respond appropriately to basic customer and employee inquiries.

Physical Demands:

-     physical ability to stand for extended periods

-          move objects up to and exceeding 200 pounds with reasonable accommodations.

-          ability to read maps, follow specific delivery directions and instructions, determine cost efficient routes and time efficient scheduling of deliveries.

-          driver must satisfy the completion of a background check per HfHEKC policy, verification of business reference checks, and providing proof of citizenship or authorization to work in the United States.

Skills/Requirements:

-          good oral and written communication skills

-          read, write and communicate using English language sufficient to perform job functions

-          ability to operate store equipment in assigned area computer, forklifts, pallet jacks, electric lifts, etc).

-          appropriate Drivers License Required.

-          minimum High School Diploma or equivalency, Associate Degree preferred.

-          willing to have a flexible schedule and able to work weekends as needed

Please send resumes to Molly Jacobson, Assistant Store Manager at mollyj@habitatekc.org.

Habitat for Humanity of East King County is firmly committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity (EEO) and will provide such opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, sexual preference, national origin, age, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

GreenDrinks Event at Habitat Store 2/16

Eastside GreenDrinks will be hosted at Habitat Store this month. Mandy, a Habitat volunteer and former AmeriCorps member, will be giving a short presentation on how Habitat for Humanity of East King County encompasses sustainable building into construction of Habitat Homes.

When: Thursday, February 16th  5:00PM-7:00PM

Who: Open to Everyone!

Why: Eastside GreenDrinks is an ongoing monthly networking events where people interested in sustainability meet to make contacts and share ideas in a friendly supportive environment.

**Be Sustainable & BRING YOUR OWN MUG for the drinks! 

For more information about GreenDrinks click here: http://www.eastsidegreendrinks.com/ 

For information about the Habitat store click here:

http://habitatekc.org/store/index.html

Construction Update- January

La Fortuna, Renton

January 28th, 2012 -

We had 33 volunteers today, if you count the NCCC. The NCCC team is settling in and giving our winter production a boost as we hoped. They should be able to lead crews soon and get even more done!

LF5-

More siding went up and we are making good progress. The deck railing materials were delivered, but we want to finish the siding above them with scaffolding, so they won't be built for awhile.

Still no progress on the electrical rough in.

The duct soffits in the garages are nearly finished. We have a couple of hood vent ducts to soffit in the kitchen and we will be done with that task.

 LF7-

"a" was worked on Wednesday and we got a couple of interior walls built and the exterior walls sheeted.

"b" had the tie plates finished and the bracing started.

The major wall SNAFU was corrected and now the interior walls were built today and "c" is ready for tie plates.

"d" & "e" are braced and laid out for the floor joists and beams. The floor load will be delivered early next week.

Work next week will include; Floor framing, stairs and landings, exterior wall sheeting, siding, punch list, and maybe painting?

January 14th, 2012-

Between MLK holiday, snow, freezing rain, and power outages we were only open 1 day, today. We didn't have any inspections or materials delivered. The snow completely wrecked our volunteer tent, collapsing it, bending and breaking the legs, plus tearing the top.

No other damage occurred and we scraped the snow off the road with the Kubota before our volunteers arrived. The CVLs and NCCC shoveled the floors in LF7 so work could go ahead.

  

LF5-



We worked on a little siding, but the dripping snow melt made it very uncomfortable, so we switched to framing punch list in 3 different units.

  

LF7-

In "c" we took down a wall put up on last Saturday because none of the wall sheeting seams were on studs, the window was framed wrong, and the sill gasket hadn't been installed. The sheeting was remove, the window fixed,  the re-sheeting was started, and the gasket installed.. We also put up the last party wall section for the second floor.

In "b,d, and e" we worked on tie plates for the walls we built last week.

Work next week will include; interior wall framing, exterior wall framing and sheeting, framing punch list, siding, and paining (weather permitting).



Volunteers from UW join our visiting NCCC team and Habitat EKC AmeriCorps to raise some walls in La Fortuna

January 7th, 2012- 

The NCCC team will arrive next week and give us a production boost during a traditionally low volunteer time. At the all- staff build day work will be siding, framing, punch list, and maybe weather allowing some painting. Dress warm!

LF5-

No electricians. Will try to pass mechanical and gas pipe inspections next week. Fire sprinkler inspection scheduled for Tuesday. Heather is working with Geek Squad to do the low voltage installation on 31 Jan.

Siding continues and is nearly finished on the north end. We are starting to take down the scaffolding in back to bring around to the front to work on the siding over the decks and roofs.

Waterline and duct soffiting continues in the garages. Other punch list work to continue next week.



LF7-


Faithful volunteer Dave Sanford with our HP group!



 We built and raised several more walls this week. Started and finished interior walls in E today. Plates and layout for interior walls ready in B. Partywall in C framed, sheeted and fire rock started.

We also cleaned up around the front of the building and in the garages.

Site-

The streets were scraped and swept, plus started cleaning drain socks. Plastic was straightened out and some straw spread.

Work next week will include; framing walls, siding, punch list, and maybe painting.

  

Issaquah Highlands:

January 28th, 2012-

Things are starting to move along in Issaquah. We were closed for a week due to the snow and the early part of this week was used for some site clean up, metal recycling and working in Renton. On Friday we finally had the gas service installed! So exciting I attached a picture. On Saturday we started to reinstall some scaffolding and worked on restoring the hillside between buildings 4 and 5. We are scheduled on Monday for our HVAC contractor to get the furnaces running. Tape and mud should begin on the sheet rock on Tuesday.

Next week we will continue with scaffold work, possibly roof siding, exterior paint prep and start picking up materials for tile work. 

January 14th, 2012-

The building has sheet rock! Insulation was completed on Tuesday and a contractor completed hanging the sheet rock by Friday evening. On Saturday volunteers removed and swept out the sheet rock debris and worked on sealing the electrical boxes to the wall board. We are still waiting to have the gas service installed. Hopefully this will happen next week and we can get the building heated. Sheet rock finish will begin once the heat is on.

January 7th, 2012-

There were some big changes this week for building 5. Permanent electric service was installed on both units. We now have working exterior outlets, several temporary outlets throughout the building and the lights in the garages were installed and functioning. Unfortunately this also means that our temporary power had to be disconnected so we no longer have power to the job trailer. We are operating the computer off of an extension cord. The refrigerator and a microwave were put in one of the garages.

On Thursday we conducted a preliminary blower door test to check the air leakage of the building. We were satisfied with results to move forward with insulation and sheet rock. We sealed up some additional problem areas that were revealed during the test and the majority of the insulation was completed on Saturday.

Exterior painting was able to continue on Wednesday with a good amount getting covered.

Next week we will be finishing the insulation and having the remainder of the sheet rock installed. Garage doors are also scheduled for Wednesday and hopefully the gas service will be installed and we will be able to get the heat turned on inside the building.

 

Help Us Receive 100 Hours of Carpentry Labor!

McAdams Remodeling and Design Hosts Open House

Kirkland, WA – McAdams Remodeling and Design, formerly known as McAdams Builders, is hosting an open house on Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM in their Kirkland-based office. They welcome current and prospective clients as well as the local community to join them for the unveiling of their new logo and colors, as well as other exciting changes.

“Remodeling our clients’ homes has been our focus since 2004,” reveals Len McAdams, President and Founder of McAdams Remodeling and Design. “We believe our new company name better describes our business and specialty, and we are all excited to share these changes with the community.”

For every family in attendance, the company has pledged to volunteer one-hour of carpentry labor to Habitat for Humanity of East King County. This chapter of Habitat for Humanity has built over 111 homes in the Eastside area and Len and his team look forward to helping them increase that number.

“Habitat for Humanity of East King County is delighted to partner with McAdams Renovation and Design. Their donation of skilled carpentry will help us complete our last unit in the Issaquah Highlands, said Tom Granger, Executive Director of Habitat EKC. Whenever we are fortunate enough to receive in-kind donations of skilled labor of this sort, we are thrilled. Not only does it help us build more efficiently and quickly but our staff, volunteers and the new homeowner families enjoy the opportunity to work together and literally build community.”

Founded in 1974, McAdams Remodeling and Design provides remodeling, design, and home improvement services throughout the Greater Eastside. The event will take place at their "home" office of nearly 30 years, at 13003 NE 85th Street, Kirkland, WA. 98033.

Contact:

Lynn Goodwin

lynn@mcadamsbuilders.com

13003 NE 85^th Street

Kirkland, WA 98033

(425) 822-6555