Garage Construction Project

Timeline

24 min read

  • 2025-02-04: Meeting with Integral Builders scheduled (Josh; address/phone captured).
  • 2025-02-27: Discussion with Hershberger (Marcus); scope and features.
  • 2025-03-17: Code enforcement (Terry) OK’d project; begin permits and scheduling.
  • 2025-05-27: Meeting with Marcus.
  • 2025-09-05: Site staking with Marcus and concrete; drain discussion.
  • 2025-10-13: Signed Hershberger contract locking concrete/structure specs; dig/excavation slated to start 2025-10-16.
  • 2025-10-20: Concrete crew completed subgrade prep, forms, and lift bay pads; awaiting Hershberger team for floor foam, PEX loops, and underground conduits before pour. Weather: Clear skies, 45-59°F, ideal conditions for excavation and site prep work.
  • 2025-10-21: Hydronic radiant floor materials delivered to site (110 sheets of 9x4 Creatherm); installation paused due to storms and wet conditions.
  • 2025-10-22: Under-slab Creatherm insulation installation completed (2” foam, R-10); PEX radiant heating loops installed with manifold system; pressure testing commenced at 60-70 PSI; utility sleeves positioned; decided to add ½” PEX conduit for future slab temperature sensor (see Decisions - Slab Sensor Conduit); confirmed floor grading plan with contractor: lift bay level, other 2 bays graded with shared central drain; ready for concrete pour pending sensor conduit installation and pressure test verification. Weather: Light to moderate drizzle all day, 45-51°F, challenging wet conditions for foam and PEX installation work.
  • 2025-10-23: PEX in-floor heating mechanical inspection passed (see 2025-10-23 - Inspection - PEX In-Floor Heating Approval); inspector approved ahead of scheduled October 29th date, clearing way for cement contractor to proceed with final utility conduit installations and concrete pour.

Financial details and loan officer information redacted for privacy

  • 2025-10-29: Exterior perimeter insulation and fiberglass rebar grid installation completed; foundation preparation complete and ready for concrete pour; comprehensive drone documentation captured showing all systems in place (see DJI_0886.md through DJI_0891.md). Weather: Clear skies, 45-55°F, excellent conditions for outdoor prep work.
  • 2025-10-30: Concrete foundation pour completed; cement truck arrived at 9:24 AM EDT; all utility conduits installed through slab (gas, water, electrical service, low-voltage/data, sewer); concrete poured and leveled across entire 24’x40’ foundation; finishing work in progress (expected completion end of day); approximately 1 hour of real-time video documentation captured from upstairs window (see Construction Videos); major construction milestone achieved with all embedded systems successfully integrated (radiant heating PEX, fiberglass rebar, utility conduits, thickened lift pads). Weather: Light drizzle during pour (9:24 AM-11:45 AM), overcast 100% cloud cover, 45-50°F—challenging conditions but pour completed successfully; cleared by evening.
  • 2025-10-31: Cement contractor completed post-pour finishing work; control joint saw cuts completed across slab to manage cracking; all wooden perimeter forms removed; dirt backfilled around foundation edges; radiant heating system pressure testing performed and passed, confirming PEX tubing integrity after concrete pour; foundation finishing complete and ready for curing period before wall framing begins. Weather: Clear to overcast, 38-53°F, good conditions for finishing work and pressure testing.
  • 2025-11-04: Call with Marcus (Hershberger’s): framing materials are on the way; framing expected to begin in approximately 2 weeks (~2025-11-18) once materials arrive and foundation cure is sufficient (see 2025-11-04 - Call - Marcus Framing Update).
  • 2025-11-13: Call with Marcus (Hershberger’s): crew availability confirmed — framing will start no earlier than Monday Nov 24 and no later than Monday Dec 1; materials ready and waiting on crew mobilization (see 2025-11-13 - Call - Marcus Framing Schedule).
  • 2025-11-17: Compressed Air System Procurement Begins: Ordered Rapidair 3/4” Maxline Master Kit (100 ft) - Order #69210 from Engineered Specialties, LLC for 199.99 + shipping 12.00); excellent sale price at bottom of typical range; ground shipping from Auburndale, WI; expected delivery Nov 20-26; foundation of complete compressed air distribution system for automotive and fabrication work (see Compressed Air System - Order Tracking and Compressed Air System Shopping List).
  • 2025-11-18: Roof Trusses Delivered: Engineered roof trusses delivered to site around 11:30 AM by Letherer Truss Inc. and staged on cured concrete slab; complete engineering documentation package received including 8-page truss design drawings, T.P.I. bracing instructions, and loading ticket (Job #123907); 41 trusses total (5,359 lbs) plus beams and hardware; all framing materials now onsite and ready for crew mobilization scheduled between Nov 24-Dec 1 (see PXL_20251118_163615779, PXL_20251118_180459136, Truss delivery packet, Truss loading ticket). Weather: Cloudy, 39°F. Good conditions for material delivery.
  • 2025-11-18: Parking Waiver Approved: Called Terry (City of Clare Building Inspector, 616-606-5176) regarding materials blocking parking area; confirmed winter on-street parking restriction waived during construction period; vehicles can park on street throughout project without penalty despite normal snow plow ordinance (see 2025-11-18 - Call - Terry Parking Waiver).
  • 2025-11-18: Framing Schedule Updated: Called Marcus (Hershberger’s) at 1:30 PM to notify about truss delivery; new target start date: December 3, 2025 (updated from Nov 24-Dec 1 window); additional material deliveries expected; crew will bring equipment to position materials before starting construction; Marcus noted each truss has QR code linking to exact specifications and engineering drawings; owner will place documentation bin onsite for contractor to save product manuals/materials (garage doors, openers, windows, siding, etc.) (see 2025-11-18 - Call - Marcus Framing Schedule Update, PXL_20251118_180222873).
  • 2025-11-26: Framing Start Confirmed: Marcus called to confirm framing will begin Tuesday December 2nd (afternoon) or Wednesday December 3rd (morning); schedule confirmed as expected (see 2025-11-26 - Call - Marcus Framing Start Confirmed).
  • 2025-12-01: Pre-Insulation Work Confirmed: Called Marcus and confirmed Hershberger’s crew will complete all critical air/moisture control work: tape all exterior sheathing seams, install Tyvek house wrap, flash all windows and tape after install, seal all exterior penetrations. Roof venting strategy finalized: vented assembly with vented soffits + continuous ridge vent. See Critical Pre-Insulation Requirements for updated checklist.
  • 2025-12-01: Electrical Contractor Outreach: Contacted Axiom Wiring (email) and Mr. Electric of Central Michigan (call + email) requesting quotes for electrical service installation. Mr. Electric scheduled site visit for Monday, December 8, 2025. Two quotes already received: Seiter Electric (3,885 for 100A - not to spec). See Electrical Contractors for quote comparison.
  • 2025-12-01: SLS Electric Call: Steve (SLS Electric) called back to discuss 200A service and generator options. Discussed permanent standby generators (Generac-style with automatic transfer switch) and large portable units (Harbor Freight 50A connection ~$3,000). Will provide two quotes: electrical service (200A) and generator add-on. Site visit scheduled Wednesday, December 3 (same day as framing start) to review scope and take measurements. See 2025-12-03 - Site Visit - SLS Electric Quote.
  • 2025-12-02: House Electrical Panel Documented: Photo documentation of existing house main panel completed in preparation for electrical contractor discussions. Photos capture panel interior with circuit layout, inspection stickers (permits from 2005-2006), factory specifications/legend, and panel mounting with work clearance. Confirms Eaton/Cutler-Hammer 200A load center with available space for 2-pole 100A feeder breaker in top-left position. See Existing House Panel Documentation and photo series.
  • 2025-12-03: Framing Kickoff: Hershberger crew mobilized and stood first-floor walls with LVL garage door headers and temporary bracing; sill gaskets installed; OSB sheathing bundles and joist hangers staged; material invoices captured for records. See photos in December 3, 2025 - Framing Kickoff and status in Framing. Weather: Overcast, 18-24°F. Snow cover on site from overnight accumulation; cold but workable conditions for framing kickoff.
  • 2025-12-04: Major Framing Progress — Roof Trusses Set & Dormer Framing: Gehl RT215 track loader arrived early morning (7:57 AM) for snow clearing and material handling; all roof trusses set with loader assist by midday (9:15 AM-12:13 PM); dormer wall panels framed and stood on roof structure; loft floor joists installed with Simpson hangers and blocking; Titebond construction adhesive applied between joists and subfloor decking (standard “glue-and-screw” method for squeak prevention and structural rigidity). Significant single-day progress transforming the structure from walls to full roof framing. See Dec 4 Photos (11 photos) and Build Progress. Weather: Overcast clearing to partly sunny, then clear by afternoon; 10-21°F, NW winds 5-10 mph; snow cover from Dec 1-3 storms; cold but excellent visibility as skies cleared.
  • 2025-12-08: Roof Sheathing & Weatherproofing: Roof sheathing nearly complete on main roof planes; sheathing lifted to dormer level using skid steer with forks; synthetic underlayment installed across main roof planes and dormer roofs; Tyvek house wrap applied to dormer faces with uncut window openings; black starter course and taped seams at eaves and gable edges; garage bays remain open with temporary cross-bracing. Significant weatherproofing progress ahead of roofing installation. See Dec 8 Photos (2 photos) and time-lapse video. Weather: Clear winter sun to partly cloudy, 20-26°F; full snow cover on site; excellent conditions for roofing work.
  • 2025-12-09: Loft & Stair Interior Progress: Site visit documenting interior framing progress; stair rough-in to loft complete with treads temporarily decked for access, landing framed with blocking under stringer; loft floor fully decked with OSB subfloor; knee walls and dormer sidewalls framed to half-height; dormer rough openings framed with headers, sills, and trimmers ready for window installation; exposed rafters, collar ties, and metal connector plates visible throughout; interior protected by completed weatherproof shell. See Dec 9 Photos (4 photos) and time-lapse video. Weather: Cloudy, 33°F (feels like 25°F); overcast skies with snow cover on roof and ground.
  • 2025-12-11: Metal Roof Installation & Material Delivery: Standing-seam charcoal metal roof installation in progress on main roof planes and dormers; roofing crew working throughout day with panels nearly complete by late afternoon; dormer returns wrapped and ready for window installs; Major material delivery from ABC Supply: 8 windows (7x Premium Designer NC DH 35½”×35½” + 1x egress 39½”×59½”), half-lite exterior door, Versetta Ledgestone panels (Plum Creek), Tyvek HomeWrap, Dupont flashing tape, foam closures, ridge vent materials, and roofing fasteners all staged inside garage. See Dec 11 Photos (26 photos). Weather: Cloudy, 26-30°F; cold winter afternoon with snow cover; good conditions for roofing work.
  • 2025-12-11: Electrical Contractor Selected: SLS Electric LLC (Steve) selected for 200A electrical service installation; Quote: $4,610 includes 200A panel/wire, GFI outlets (interior + exterior), double-gang switch, 3 soffit wafer lights, two 1” low-voltage conduits, and 50A generator plug; main service awaiting scheduling; generator plug to be installed after siding is complete (exterior-mounted inlet box). See Quote Summary and Contractor Records.
  • 2025-12-12: Exterior Shell Complete: Metal roof fully installed on main roof and dormers; all 8 windows installed (7x 35½”×35½” + 1x egress 39½”×59½”); main entry door (half-lite) set at right bay; vented soffits installed along front eave; Tyvek HomeWrap fully covering all wall surfaces. Building is now weathertight and ready for siding installation scheduled for Monday. Roofing crew completed cleanup of leftover metal scraps. See Dec 12 Photos (10 photos). Weather: Partly cloudy to overcast, 30°F (feels like 23°F); snow cover on ground; cold but clear conditions for final exterior work.

_[Content redacted for privacy]_

  • 2025-12-16: Christmas Break Schedule: Called Marcus (Hershberger’s); crew taking Christmas break; earliest return date: December 29, 2025 to finish exterior siding work. Building is weathertight so no urgency. See 2025-12-16 - Call - Marcus Christmas Break Schedule.
  • 2025-12-18: Electrical Trenching Attempt — Frozen Ground Delays to Spring: SLS Electric (Steve) arrived ~3 PM to begin trenching for 200A house-to-garage underground power line. Ditch Witch successfully trenched and buried wire in section along house foundation where ground was thawed from building heat transfer (~6-8 ft of wire left above ground at house meter for panel connection). However, open area between house and garage had ~10” frozen ground — unusually early and deep freeze for December. Rented largest available backhoe but made only 3 feet of progress in 30 minutes. Decision made to halt work and resume in spring 2026. Wire spool stored at terminus for spring completion. See Dec 18 Photos (6 photos). Weather: Cloudy, 50°F — warm day but deep ground frost persisted in open areas.
  • 2025-12-20: Loft Interior Documentation: Site visit to document current loft interior condition during Christmas break pause. Photos captured: loft floor (OSB subfloor installed Dec 4 with Titebond glue-and-screw method), dormer windows from interior, knee wall framing, stair opening, and overall loft layout. Loft Flooring Plan documentation created with LVP product research and acoustic underlayment recommendations for future home theater use ($2,300-3,300 budget). See Dec 20 Photos (8 photos) and Loft Flooring Plan. Weather: Clear to partly cloudy, 28-35°F; good conditions for site documentation.
  • 2025-12-22: Crew Return Schedule Confirmed: Marcus called with updated schedule: crew will return Monday, December 29 for one day of work, then take New Year’s off and return Wednesday, January 1, 2026. From January 1st forward, crew will work each day continuously until the project is complete. Exterior siding work to resume.
  • 2025-12-28: Severe Winter Storm & Generator Purchase: Major winter storm brought high winds (gusting to 60 mph) and heavy snow to central Michigan. Power outage began ~4 PM affecting home; approximately 52,000 homes without power near Clare, MI. In preparation for the storm, purchased Harbor Freight 11500/9000W TF Super Quiet Inverter Generator (SKU 72614) from Bay City store #3102 for 2,398.72 total). Generator provides immediate backup power capability ahead of planned 50A inlet installation. See Receipt. Weather: Winter Storm Warning active; heavy snow with 2-7” accumulation, winds gusting to 60 mph, dangerous conditions.
  • 2025-12-28: Electrical Trenching Plan Update: Spoke with Steve (SLS Electric) regarding underground power line completion. Plan: after garage construction is finished, SLS will place cement blankets on the frozen ground to thaw the trench path; estimated 1-2 weeks for ground to thaw sufficiently. Once thawed, they will proceed with trenching and complete the 200A house-to-garage power installation. This approach avoids waiting until spring 2026.
  • 2025-12-29: Power Restored; Crew Weather Delay: Power restored ~6 AM after approximately 14-hour outage. Hershberger crew did not work today as expected due to unsafe conditions from ongoing winter storm — Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 7 PM with wind gusts to 60 mph, light snow, 28°F (feels like 14°F), and poor visibility. Crew expected to return when conditions improve. Weather: Light snow, 28°F, winds 21 mph gusting to 33 mph; Winter Storm Warning in effect.
  • 2025-12-25: Rafter Documentation for Insulation Planning: Site visit to document interior roof truss structure for future insulation planning. Photos captured truss spacing (24” on-center), gusset plate locations, ridge area geometry, gable end details, and cavity depths. Truss job tag #123907 confirmed matching Letherer Truss delivery documentation. See Dec 25 Photos (7 photos). Weather: Cloudy, 21°F; cold Christmas afternoon.
  • 2026-01-01: Siding Progress - Near Completion: Site visit documenting siding installation progress. West wall and north wall siding 100% complete; front and south walls partially complete with upper gable sections remaining. Light gray vinyl siding with white trim; Versetta Ledgestone (Plum Creek) stone veneer columns flanking garage door openings and service door. Cracked stone panel delayed stone column completion today — crew will pick up replacement panel tomorrow. Crew will leave siding gap for exterior outlet above stone between entry door and third bay. Electrician (SLS) will install soffit fixtures and lights. Crew reports siding will be finished tomorrow (January 2). Garage door installation scheduled for January 6 — final construction task remaining. Crew renting dumpster for cleanup after build complete; owner to collect useful scrap materials before disposal. See Jan 1 Photos (10 photos) and Builder Conversation. Weather: Cloudy, 21°F (feels like 11°F with wind chill); snow cover on ground.
  • 2026-01-02: Front Siding Delayed - Material Shortage: Crew unable to complete front siding due to replacement stone panel not in stock. Since siding must be installed from bottom to top, the front wall cannot proceed without the stone panel. All other areas complete: side walls, rear wall, both dormers fully sided, and exterior outlet housing installed (ready for electrician). Outstanding items for return visit: (1) stone panel delivery and front siding completion, (2) snow guards on roof above entry door, (3) sewer vent installation. Crew chief confirmed they will return once the missing stone panel is available to complete all remaining tasks. See Jan 2 Photos (4 photos). Weather: Clear skies, 18°F (feels like 8°F); snow cover on ground.
  • 2026-01-05: Garage Door Installation Canceled - Sizing Mismatch Discovered: Garage door installer arrived Monday morning to install the three garage doors. Upon unloading, he discovered a sizing mismatch between the doors and openings. Initially believed to be a door ordering error, it was later determined (Jan 13) that the doors were ordered correctly at 8 feet tall but the framing crew had been given incorrect prints showing 7-foot openings. Installer loaded the doors back onto his truck pending resolution. Installer left the three Genie 6170H-B Professional Line garage door openers on-site, staged inside the garage for future installation. See Installer Visit Notes and Jan 5 Photos (2 photos). Weather: Overcast, mid-30s°F; cold winter morning.
  • 2026-01-13: Front Siding Complete & Door Opening Modifications: Hershberger’s framing crew completed all remaining exterior work: (1) Front wall siding and Versetta Ledgestone stone veneer panels installed (delayed since Jan 2 due to missing stone panel), (2) Snow stops installed on roof above entry door, (3) Sewer vent stack routed through roof, (4) Garage door openings modified from 7 feet to 8 feet in height to match correctly-ordered doors — resolving the January 5 issue. Root cause: contractor received incorrect prints during build phase; doors were ordered at correct 8-foot height all along. Framing crew work essentially complete pending only site cleanup (dumpster rental). Only remaining task: garage door installation (~1 month out). After garage doors installed, Hershberger’s contract will be complete. See Jan 13 Photos (3 photos). Weather: Overcast, 30s°F; snow cover on ground.
  • 2026-01-15: Electrical Trench Ground Thawing Begins: SLS Electric deployed concrete curing blankets (passive insulation, not electrically heated) to thaw frozen ground between house and garage for electrical trench completion. Blankets laid in continuous path from garage toward house, covering the route where the December 18 trenching attempt was halted by ~10” of frozen ground. Passive thawing approach relies on solar absorption (black blankets), preventing further frost penetration, and allowing geothermal heat from below to warm the soil. Estimated timeline: 2-4 weeks depending on weather — target completion late January to early February 2026. A warm spell (40°F+ for several days) would accelerate thawing. Once sufficient thaw depth is achieved (24-36” needed for code-compliant burial), crew will return to complete the trench and bury the 200A wire connecting house meter to garage subpanel. See Jan 15 Photos (1 photo). Weather: Clear skies, 18°F (feels like 7°F with wind chill); cold conditions causing ground freeze that necessitates blanket thawing.
  • 2026-01-21: 🎉 GARAGE DOORS INSTALLED — INITIAL BUILD COMPLETE: Garage door installer returned and successfully installed all three 8’x9’ insulated white garage doors with window panels, plus three Genie 6170H-B Professional Line openers with battery backup. Doors tested and operational using battery backup (no grid power to garage yet). This marks the completion of the Hershberger’s construction contract — initial build phase is complete. Hershberger’s will return with a dumpster for scrap pile cleanup. Remaining work (owner responsibility): electrical service completion (ground thawing in progress), interior finish, HVAC installation. Temporary power plan: extension cord to charge backup batteries until permanent electrical service complete. See Timelapse Video, Battery Backup Demo, Jan 21 Photos (8 photos), Genie Opener Manuals. Weather: Cloudy, 28°F (feels like 16°F with wind chill); snow cover on ground.
  • 2026-01-22: Garage Door Weatherstripping Complete: Installers returned to add exterior weatherstripping seals (rubber gaskets) around all three garage door openings — garage door installation now fully complete. Prior to visit, owner connected extension cord for temporary power; observed 2 of 3 opener backup batteries had fully drained since Jan 21 installation (no LEDs lit). Third battery retained some charge. After charging, all doors operational via temporary power. Minor issue noted: Bay 1 & 2 doors shudder during first few feet when closing from full open; Bay 3 does not. Possible causes: reduced power from extension cord/low batteries, slight misalignment, or extreme cold. Installers will research; can return for adjustments if issue persists. Battery note: SLA batteries can be damaged by deep discharge; Genie manual shows battery state monitoring but doesn’t confirm low-voltage cutoff protection. Recommend connecting temporary power promptly for future installations without permanent electrical service. See Installer Visit Notes. Weather: Cloudy, 19°F (feels like 5°F with wind chill); very cold.
  • 2026-01-27: Building Inspector Visit — Passed with Requirements: Building inspector conducted site visit; passed inspection with requirements noted: (1) Guardrail at stairwell opening in loft required for fall protection (36” min height, 4” max baluster spacing), (2) Stairway handrails required but can wait until after interior finishing is complete. Inspector recommendation: If planning future apartment conversion, install a separate subpanel upstairs (e.g., 100A) so tenant can reset their own breakers; homeowner can self-install if space is general-purpose first, then converted to apartment later. Electrical plan: Main floor circuits to 200A panel; loft circuits (outlets, lights, HVAC) to dedicated upstairs subpanel. Guardrail solution: Frame full-height wall now (future bathroom wall), sheath lower 42” with scrap plywood for code-compliant guardrail; add blocking for future bathroom fixtures; becomes permanent wall when bathroom is built. See Annotated Photo showing required railing location and construction plan. Weather: Cloudy, 19°F (feels like 5°F with wind chill); cold winter afternoon.
  • 2026-01-29: Electrical Trench Thawing Delayed — Extreme Cold Persists: Weather analysis of the 14 days since cement blanket installation (Jan 15) shows no significant thawing progress due to sustained extreme cold. Daily highs ranged from 10-31°F with lows reaching -2°F (Jan 20) and -10°F (tonight). The passive blankets rely on solar absorption and geothermal heat from below, but these mechanisms cannot overcome temperatures 15-40°F below freezing. Compounding factors: Blankets are currently buried under several inches of snow (reflecting sunlight rather than absorbing it), and most days have had complete cloud cover — minimal solar energy reaching the ground even if blankets were cleared. The original 2-4 week estimate assumed a warm spell (40°F+ for several days) — no such warming has occurred or is forecast. 7-day forecast shows continued cold: highs 10-28°F, lows -10°F to 11°F, wind chills to -19°F. January 2026 is running 14-23°F colder than normal (normal high 28°F, normal low 13°F). Revised timeline: Late February to early March 2026 (realistic), or March if cold pattern persists. Action item: Clear snow from blankets with broom to restore solar absorption capability when clear days occur. Options: (1) continue passive approach and wait, (2) discuss heated blankets with SLS Electric, (3) wait for natural spring thaw. Weather: Partly cloudy, 14°F high, -10°F low; wind chill to -6°F overnight.
  • 2026-02-06: Electrical Trench Thawing Update — Coldest Week Yet, No Progress: The week since the last update (Jan 30 - Feb 6) has been the coldest stretch of the entire winter, driving frost depth even deeper. Temperatures dropped to -9°F on January 30 with wind chills to -18°F, and overnight lows hit -1°F on Feb 4 and Feb 5. Daily highs ranged from just 12-27°F — never approaching freezing. Light snow on Feb 2 added additional insulating snow cover over blankets. Cement blankets have now been deployed for 22 days (since Jan 15) with zero thawing progress. The sustained extreme cold has almost certainly deepened the frost line beyond the original 10” measured on Dec 18, working against the passive thawing strategy. Current conditions (Feb 6): 16°F, clear, wind chill 0°F — 16°F below the normal high of 33°F and 12°F below normal low of 17°F. 7-day forecast (Feb 7-13): Weekend remains cold (Sat high 17°F, Sun 21°F with light snow). A brief warming trend arrives Tuesday-Wednesday (Feb 10-11) with highs of 35-37°F — the first above-freezing temperatures since blanket deployment — but drops back to 29-31°F by Thursday-Friday. This 1-2 day warmup is insufficient for meaningful thawing of deeply frozen ground; sustained periods of 40°F+ for multiple consecutive days are needed to reverse weeks of deep freezing. Revised timeline: March 2026 (most likely). The original “late Feb” estimate is now optimistic given the additional frost depth accumulated during this extreme cold stretch. Ground temperatures lag air temperatures significantly — even when consistent above-freezing weather arrives, thawing 12-18”+ of frozen soil through passive blankets alone will take additional time. Recommendation: Continue passive approach for now; the Feb 10-11 warmup should be used to clear snow from blankets and restore solar absorption capability. If March temps cooperate (normal highs reach 40-45°F by mid-March), trenching could resume by mid-to-late March. Consider contacting SLS Electric to discuss timeline expectations and whether powered ground thawing equipment would be worthwhile if March remains cold. Weather: Clear, 16°F (feels like 0°F); wind gusts to 29 mph from NNW; overnight low expected 5°F with wind chill to -12°F.
  • 2026-02-11: Cement Blankets Removed — Ground Still Frozen, Spring Thaw Required: SLS Electric (Steve) visited the site and removed the concrete curing blankets that had been deployed since January 15 — 28 days of passive thawing with zero progress. The ground beneath the blankets remains frozen solid. The historically extreme cold of January-February 2026 (daily highs 10-30°F, lows to -10°F, persistent snow cover burying blankets) completely defeated the passive thawing strategy and likely deepened the frost line well beyond the 10” measured on December 18. Electrical trench completion is now deferred to natural spring thaw. Revised timeline: ground thaw sufficient for trenching expected late March to April 2026; 200A service energization targeted for April-May 2026. The partially completed trench section along the house foundation (wire buried Dec 18) remains intact; wire spool stored at terminus for spring completion. See Post-Removal Photo (Feb 12) and Blanket Deployment Photo (Jan 15). Weather: Mostly cloudy, ~30°F; snow cover on ground.

_[Content redacted for privacy]_

Projected Timeline (Winter 2025 - Spring 2026)

Status: Dependent on contractor scheduling and decision on construction strategy. See: Winter Construction Strategy for detailed analysis and alternative approaches.

Concrete Curing & Framing Phase

  • 2025-11-06 to 11-18: Foundation concrete curing (7-28 day cure period from Oct 30 pour); cure complete Nov 18 (19 days).
  • 2025-12-02/03 (Confirmed): Wall framing (Stage 3) start date — Confirmed 2025-11-26: Marcus called to confirm framing will begin Tuesday December 2nd (afternoon) or Wednesday December 3rd (morning). All trusses delivered Nov 18. Mechanical room walls/layout finalized; boiler vent route confirmed with equipment specifications; electrical service and gas line termination points planned. Owner will place documentation bin onsite for contractor to save product manuals. See 2025-11-26 - Call - Marcus Framing Start Confirmed.

Utility Installation Phase (Lead Time Item - Start Immediately)

  • 2025-11-01+: Contact licensed electrician for service installation quote and scheduling (target date: late Nov-early Dec). — stage:: 3
  • 2025-11-01+: Contact licensed gas fitter for gas service installation quote and scheduling (target date: late Nov-early Dec). — stage:: 3
  • 2025-11-01+: Apply for electrical service permit and gas line permit. — stage:: 3
  • 2025-11-23 to 2025-12-06 (Estimated): Electrical service installation: licensed electrician pulls 200A wire through conduit, installs panel, energizes from house feed. Inspection and approval required. Lead time: 2-4 weeks; high-demand season may cause delays. — stage:: 6
  • 2025-11-23 to 2025-12-06 (Estimated): Natural gas service installation: licensed gas fitter pulls PE pipe through conduit, buries line from house to garage, pressure tests. Inspection and approval required. Lead time: 2-4 weeks; high-demand season may cause delays. — stage:: 6
  • 2025-12-07 to 2025-12-13 (Estimated): Boiler and radiant manifold professional installation (pending electrical and gas service completion); system purging, leak testing, venting verification, and commissioning. — stage:: 6

Radiant Heat Operational

  • 2025-12-14 to 2026-01-15 (Best Case to Realistic): Radiant floor heating system operational; assists VEVOR diesel heaters for garage heating during interior completion. Note: Actual date depends entirely on contractor availability during high-demand season. Early January more realistic than mid-December. — stage:: 6

Generator Installation & Backup Power

  • 2025-12-14 to 2026-01-15 (Estimated): Generator inlet box (50A 240V NEMA 14-50) mounted on exterior garage wall; manual interlock installation at electrical panel; 4-wire feeder conduit run. Requires electrical service to be energized. Depends on electrical service completion milestone. — stage:: 6
  • 2026-01-01 to 2026-01-31 (Estimated): Natural gas quick-connect port installation for generator (coordinates with gas service line already installed for boiler). Portable tri-fuel generator tested and operational for backup power. — stage:: 6

Interior Completion Phase

  • 2026-01-01 to 2026-02-28: Mechanical room insulation and drywall completion (if not already complete); remaining garage wall insulation installation; continued interior work with radiant heat operational.
  • 2026-03-01+: Roof completion, siding, windows, doors, remaining interior finish.

Timeline Notes

  • Critical Path: Electrical service and gas service installations are the longest lead items (2-4 weeks each). Contractor scheduling during Dec-Jan may cause delays.
  • Decision Required: See Winter Construction Strategy to decide whether to pursue boiler operation this winter (aggressive timeline) or defer to spring 2026 (relaxed timeline).
  • Concrete Cure: Foundation pour occurred 2025-10-30; cure will be sufficient for framing by mid-November.
  • High-Demand Season: Dec 1 - Jan 31 is peak season for electrical/gas contractors; expect longer scheduling delays.
  • Contingency: If contractors unavailable for Nov-Dec, spring scheduling (Mar-Apr 2026) will be faster.

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