Day 7: Monday Nov 16 2009

Today they started drilling the master bath area. Based on the progress of the past few days, I imagined they'd be done in no time. But I guess this is when the tough part begins and have to be a bit more realistic in my expectations.
Other than the drill mess, it took me a while to find other changes.
I have a feeling the drilling will go on for a few more days. I belive this will be followed by installing the plumbing lines and running the electricity lines .

Day 6: Friday Nov 13 2009

It's been a week since work first started.I'm quite amazed at how fast progress is being made. The foreman indicated that things start slowing down when the dry wall is put into place. Day 7 is when they'll use a jackhammer and drill the concrete floor and install the plumbling lines. Promises to be a 'loud' day.
As well as this, I've completed purchasing the kitchen appliances and washer/dryer.
Of all the new changes in the basement, one that has to be corrected is the pool door. The wrong one was ordered but to stay on schedule they installed it!

DAY 5: Thurs Nov 12 2009

Day 4: Wed Nov 11 09

Day 3: Tues Nov 10 2009

Day 3 saw the removal of the existing ventilation in the basement. If you look through pics from day 1 and day 2, you can see this massive silver box attached to the ceiling..So to give the basement a bigger look, the 'box' was removed and was replaced with ventilation hoses
The wooden frame for the kitchen area is coming along well
I still can't believe this is actually happening..it's quite surreal!

Day 2: Monday Nov 9 09

Why build the basement? Why not rent an apartment or take a loan and buy a house?

Renting an apartment would mean using someone else's style and not being able to adjust much..one would have to work within the limited settings..furthermore I'd never own it..

Take a loan and buy a house is a huge committment/commitment/comittment and I feel that's a huge step right now..@ the same time, I don't want to owe anybody any money.. Be it a bank or a person..

With the basement, it's a vision coming alive infront of my very eyes..it's not a permanent residence as I do see myself moving out in a few years but for the time being I'll have my own place and be close enough to my folks..I'd hate to look back in a few years and regret not being there for them


Re: Pics: so far only the wooden frames are up..they have yet to jackhammer the cement floor to install plumbling lines and electrical lines...so a long way still to go

Day 1 : Friday Nov 6 2009

Well it has finally begun...

After starting off with the idea and first sketches back at the end of August, day 1 is finally here
Lots of meetings with the architect followed by negotiations with the contractor..not to mention house hunting as well!

What has remained an unfinished and unused basement for 10 years(except for the once in a while match of table tennis), the basement will be transformed (over the next 6-7 weeks) into a seperate independent apartment. Estimates are at 1500 sq feet.

The journey will be posted here so I can share it with friends and family as well as a daily diary for myself indicated what happened each day..I have a habit of not keeping track so this way I am forced to do so

Day 1 started with the contractor and the architect coming over around 8am to go over the plans and working out a strategy. The architect is one of our neighbours and will be a consult between me and the contractor. This being the case as she created the plans as well as me not having a clue what the contractor asks for

Day 1 ended with the framing of the media room, hall way and master closet. The wooden frame for the guest bathroom already exists. Attached are the pics which as the weeks go by will show the hopefully remarkable change from beast into beauty