Tuesday, July 29, 2008

week 4,

so this week has been crazy. We have been trying to get power all week and to get all of the permits needed... well with this caused some serious craziness.
The power needed a temporary poll and a inspection and then someone to turn it on. Hopefully that will be taken care of.
We went to get the permits for the existing house and they asked if we had any trees on the property, and we do, a really big one. Well apparently, here is Charleston they are trying to preserve everything, so if a tree is over 24 inches in diameter, which ours definitely is, you can not build within so many feet of it. With our tree, we were off the chart with how huge it is, but we have to build at least 14 feet away from the tree, which is putting us super close to where we wanted to build our addition. We had to have a tree specialist come in and say we could or couldn't build where we wanted to. If he said no, we would have to move our addition back and change it around, which means we have to change our blueprints, all of them...
well I prayed all Sunday night that this tree guy would be nice and say that it all looks good....
He came yesterday and said that he saw no problem with us keeping with the plans we already had, but to have no liability on his end he wants us to hire a Arborist, or a tree Dr. to come in and write a letter saying that everything is ok. So with a little prayer and an official letter, we will be able to keep our addition the same.
We went to get the permits and they wouldn't release it to us until the previous contractor sends in a letter saying that he is not liable to the construction now. Well he has been "out of town" for 2 days so we had to call and call for him to fax in his little letter. That happened yesterday so I went to get the permits....Eliza and I being 9 months pregnant went to the permit office. Eliza hates elevators so she was crying hysterically when we went into the office. All of the contractor men and workers all came out, like "who is this, babies are not allowed in here" , because apparently I am not their run of the mill contractor picking up permits. So I went back to the house to put up our permit and there was a stop-work order form on our door.... well the permit fixed that..... but the good news is that WE HAVE A DOOR, WINDOWS AND WALLS ... yeah
the next big thing is we need a permit for the addition and turn the power on.
Our expected finish day is now towards the end of September, which is a little more believable.
but now we have walls, windows, a door, and a preserved tree.







8 comments:

Melinda said...

Oh yea!! It now looks like a house. Those must be bustin their buns to get that much work done.
Glad everything worked out with the tree.

Clint Carter said...

Wow, that is crazyness to have to go through all of those permits just to add on to your house. Congratulations on the door. It looks nice.

kelli said...

Analee,
WoW! What a project! I am not surprised at all that you took this on 9 months pregnant! When is your baby due?

Rachael said...

You are amazing!! I love the shot of the toilet out front. That is the best. You will look back on this and be so proud of what you have accomplished. Way to go!!!

Susan said...

Now this is starting to look like a house! I Can't believe the issue over the tree. But now you have a historical tree on your property. I hope everything goes well for this weekend and you can again actually be building something. Dad is very excited that he will be able to help with the sheetrock and stuff. You are your mother's child as a shopper. See, I knew those genes were lying latent in your body. It's the DEAL. You are amazing as usual. Be careful that you don't over exert yourself to harm that cute child. Love MOM

Milo said...

WOW! It's starting to look like a house. I can't believe you've been working on it for 4 weeks. Good luck with all the permits and inspections. I usually skip that formality. I think the toilet in the front yard adds a lot to the curb appeal. While you're out there in stead of reading you can watch cars go by. Good thinking. Love, DAD

Jonathan Osorio said...

Hey. Hirschis.....I hope you guys are doing well. It's so nice to see the weekly updates on your new home! Through great trials and perseverance come great blessings and it seems like this is a challenge that is just strengthening your family!
We love you and miss you much.

Tiffany Gremmert said...

I can't even express to you how crazy and insane you are. Seriously, what a chaotic life and you are 9 months pregnant. That just isn't right!

I'm glad things are slowly working out. Do you want me to come babysit Eliza?