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lesson learned, wanted to share

15 years ago

We're at the tail end of this whole process and I'm hoping to post "almost completed" pictures soon, but I just wanted to share something I did that turned out to be a real blessing.

At my husband's suggestion, I kept a construction journal from the start. I tried to be diligent about noting conversations, progress, what workers were around and generally what the progress was, when orders were placed and received, etc. It was really helpful, not only because I could provide these details back when necessary, but during times when I was frustrated and at my wits end I could look back and see that we really DID make progress each and every week. Overall, our contractors were very good but if things were bad, I'd have been especially thankful for the documentation.

I also took lots and lots of digital pictures (I think I'm over 1,000). I have pictures of every phase of construction, what the framing, wiring and plumbing look like behind the drywall, closeups of any work we had issues with, pictures of the good, the bad and the ugly. Best case scenario, they just make for interesting viewing later (it's fun to see the hell we lived through now that its nearly over). Worst case scenario, they document situations and give a guide for where to break through drywall to find pipes, junction boxes and whatever else lurks back there.

This forum has been such a source of information and support, and my project is much better for it. Thanks all!

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Comments (4)

Buehl
15 years ago
I've been doing something similar and it's already helped me twice...

(1) our contractor put up our ceiling w/o replacing the insulation on the outside wall and in the overhang. When I called him on it, he tried to tell us that he didn't take insulation out that the outside plumber did and that if I wanted the insulation put in I'd have to pay to take the ceiling down, put in the insulation, and re-do the drywall. I disagreed and my pictures proved it (taken w/date b/f the outside plumber was in our house!)

(2) Our contractor also claimed the outside plumber removed the insulation in our basement, but yet again my pictures proved otherwise!

In both cases he asked to see the pictures & the picture date and acknowledged we were correct...he fixed the ceiling insulation and is supposed to replace the basement insulation after the final plumbing & electrical inspections.
neesie
15 years ago
The construction journal is a great piece of advice. I know we'll be building a retirement home in a few years; I've been lurking on the new construciton forum taking notes over there too! I like the idea of taking digital images so that you can have a record of what's in your walls, too. As buehl's contractor found out, pictures don't lie!

In general I keep a journal, i.e. dayplanner. Years ago when my special needs son was only "eccentric" I kept one on his mood swings, development, school problems, etc. He was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome a few years later. What a ride that was!
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sher_nc
15 years ago
Thanks for sharing!
brutuses
15 years ago
arlo, what a fabulous idea. You need to post this on the building forum. People will appreciate it.

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