House Project - Getting Started

I decided to switch from doing FB posts to a blog, so that those who can't access it can see the progress of our house renovations. This first post will be the backstory and then I'll start with where we are. Most people know that we have been trying to do this project for years. I tried to do the drawings myself but finally realized earlier this year that I don't have time to do two jobs, I'm not a residential architect and really (if I'm being completely honest) I don't have the desire to detail out the project (I never liked drawing wall sections). I hired the wonderful Karen Conkey to take my design, provide feedback on the design and tweak it as required to meet code/zoning/FAR requirements. The drawings were finished and submitted for permit around the 4th of July. We slowly started purging the house earlier in the summer. After the drawings when to permit, Karen picked 3 contractors to bid on the project. I had a walk-through with them and they were given 2 weeks to provide their bid. We took about a week to review the bids and selected one - Federal Contracting, who had done a project for a friend of ours (and they were the lowest by a lot). They have a good record of getting done early and doing a good job. Here are some before/during packup pictures.
Packing up the house!
Last meal cooked in our old kitchen - french toast and bacon
First meal together in our temporary digs - Lost Dog pizza
Playing while we get ready to go finish moving.
Next post will be the official "before" pictures.

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