The Bobcat arrived late yesterday. Today, Gilberto and Joe began excavating for the new third garage bay. By all reckoning, this is the last “big dig” at Emerald Hill. The house is moving toward done; now it’s time to build the garage, aiming to finish everything sometime in January 2016.
Here’s the back of the existing two-car garage several weeks back on a sunny morning:
The back of the existing garage, partially demolished. We borrowed the brick to patch the front and sides of the house. The rest of the back wall will be demolished when we start construction of the new third garage bay. The pile of lumber is maybe .00001 percent of the wood taken out of Emerald Hill during demo, set aside here in case it is needed and for Steven to recycle for use inside the house, possibly for a bench or worktable.
Here’s the site plan showing the location of the new garage bay:
The site plan showing the house, existing garage, and the location for the projected third bay.Gilberto uses the Bobcat to scrape 18 inches down. Next week he will fill the excavation with six inches of roadbase, then compact it, then add another six inches of roadbase, compact that. Then the forms for the concrete foundation will be staked.The dirt, stone and brick is temporarily piled alongside the patio deck that will also be removed next week.Gilberto excavates right up to the footing of the existing garage. Joe stands alongside, instructing Gilberto where to lift the blade in order to not also rip up the asphalt driveway.More digging, scraping and hauling.Late Friday afternoon, most of the excavation is complete. Joe placed several stakes that will be used to line up the footings and foundation.
