Days 4, 6, and 7

Here are some pix from the last few days! On Day 4 we exported quite a few truck loads of dirt, yet from the street it still seemed like a big pile!



On top of the pile is where all of the action is. The highest cut is the back of the kids bedroom wing, and after getting a geologist's inspection of the first 5' of cut, we were allowed to continue to the next 5'.



After our second gologist's inspection, we were given the go-ahead to cut to the full depth of 14'. The geologist says that the conditions are "as expected" and are concidered safe!





The offset arm on this machine allowed it to cut in line with the cliff. It's amazing to watch Mike work!




Here are the Movies!

Day 4 Movie


Day 6 Movie


Day 7 Movie

Day Two - Fun in the dirt!

A very productive day today, Mike brought in a bigger excavator to start really removing earth quickly. At first it blocked most of our little street, but the neighbors who passed by were very understanding, and Mike got it moved to the side pretty quickly.



A total of 15 truckloads, approximately 150 cubic yards, was removed today!



During breaks in loading, he used his smaller excavator to start cutting the back wall of the kids bedroom wing.



At the end of the day, both excavators were able to fit inside the fence, along with the porta-potty! The barrier was brought in to protect the roadway from falling earth and rock. So far, it hasn't been needed, but we have it just in case!



Here's today's movie clip:

Day One - The Digging Begins!

When I got to Buckingham at 7:00 am, Mike had already set out his construction signs and was unloading his excavator. As soon as I opened up the fence, he was digging!

Here is the excavator taking the first few bites.



The first truck is loaded (Does this remind anyone of last April?):



By 2:00, the excavator made it to the top of the hill, about the level of the kid's bedrooms!



Here is a short movie of today's activity:

I'VE GOT IT!!

It's been almost exactly ONE YEAR since I submitted the application, and I finally have the BUILDING PERMIT in hand!



Tomorrow the real fun begins, we start DIGGING!

It's out of my hands!

The last paperwork is now in the City of Glendale's legal department for review. I should hear back tomorrow at best, Monday at the latest, at which point I will finally pull the Building Permit!


Today I also picked up the temporary water meter, and the construction fencing was installed.

I spoke again with Mike of Sol Construction, he is getting everything lined up for a Tuesday May 22nd GROUNDBREAKING!

The Adventure Begins....

This Blog was created to document the construction phase of the Buckingham House. I will try to post updates at least once a week.

The Adventure Begins!