The Hacienda: Phase III

 ....or is it Phase IV? or V?

We have completed a number of improvements on our property. We feel that we are almost "finished" and, we both know that's a joke!  We will always be adding, changing, remaking....

Today I arrived home from an errand and noticed a trailer parked on the side of the road near our gate to the barn. I pulled into the drive and lo and behold, Al was here with his excavator. He was beginning to prepare the area next to our home for our new garage (since my sewing/craft room took over the former garage!)

We wanted a place where the truck would actually fit and wanted enough space so we could easily get in or out of the vehicles. We also wanted an enclosed space at the back of the building for lawn mowers and other garden equipment, and for those sort of things that end up in garages. We've been planning the new structure for months, and we're finally ready to move ahead. The plans were submitted to our HOA for approval last week, and were submitted to the County for approval a few weeks ago. Both entities approved the plans and our builder is ready to get started. 

The tall tree trunks were left when we removed some trees that were overhanging the house earlier this year. We knew the garage was going there and the arborist knew it would be easier to have the rootballs removed if he cut them high. 

Al dug around the base of the trees, and he dug some more. 

He used the bucket to try to pull each tree over. 

The trees' roots were so ensnarled that it took a lot more digging, tugging, pushing and pulling until he could get them down. The massive root network firmly anchored them in the ground and finally the last two trees came down together. 

It's interesting to watch Al work with the excavator. (This is his "small" one!) He is so deft with the claw that he can delicately (if you can call the motion of a large steel bucket and claw "delicate"!) separates roots, pipes and pieces of concrete from the dirt. 

Towards the end of the day we had piles of remains carefully sorted for later removal,

and a drop of almost three feet at the end of the concrete.

The Corgis were a little surprised when they first ran around the corner!

That was fast work!

This morning we had trucks parked all over our yard...

none of which belonged to us.

They cut out most of the concrete in front of what once was the garage.

We will plant shrubs there to make it look like there never had

been a garage there at all!

Al continued to sculpt our back yard for drainage,

and brought in fresh dirt where they will pour the footings and 

foundation for the new building.

More amazing work by Al, who picked up the 

piece of concrete they cut out...

And placed it in the bucket of the tractor. 

It is my understanding that the next step will be placing rebar and wire.

Then we will have our first inspection before they can pour the concrete pad.

I have been so impressed with our builder/contractor. Kevin is juggling 4 or 5 garage conversions, additions and new garages. I think that he had a few contracts for houses, but people backed out the project because of too many unknowns about how the tariffs will impact prices during the span of time needed to build a home. 

Regardless, I find him to be very responsive to our concerns and jumps in to get things done. How refreshing!