It's been an amazing year in Heck's Kitchen. The guys are cooking. Kris is gaining her kitchen-mojo back, and better still, we had an update.

If you're interested in understanding why we had to do this, go to the before page. Just a reminder. It's a buyer beware market. When you buy a place, check everything and trust no one.

Click here for the most recent blog.

July 30^th, 2008

Hi everyone. It's been just over a year, and we finally have something cool to report. After some 15 repairs and 2 field service bulletin installs, the fridge manufacturer has finally agreed that the unit should be replaced. We're getting a new fridge. It's been way too long, and we're still wondering how we got to this point. Amazing isn't it? Well, aside from that, Kris is happily into her new diet and has regained much of her kitchen-mojo. She's had me assist in her creations and I'm pleased to no end. Our four-person kitchen is sure to have some interesting times ahead and some amazing meals. Maybe we'll even post some pictures when the new fridge arrives. Stay tuned!

July 11^th

We had the senior service reps show up today to look at the fridge. There were three separate issues that were all addressed. The flooding was caused by the ice-maker being stuck in the flood-the-kitchen setting, apparently. We have a repaired unit now, with a new one on order. The fridge is finally quiet and functioning. Amazing. Maybe we can have the Gala now, especially since I've been honing my skills in the meantime.

July 8^th

The new schedule date for someone to show up is July 11th. This person is supposed to be the senior repair technician. In the mean time, I was updating the kids bathroom and found that the door frame was not connected to the wall by anything but the casings. Sheesh.

July 5^th

Well, we had the service person come out for the fridge today and guess what. He wasn't authorized to work on our particular brand/model. What a surprise! You'd think they would have checked first, given that it was the manufacturer who set up the appointment in the first place. There aren't enough cusses in Chef Ramsay's vocabulary to express how I feel about the situation.

July 4^th

We received a response today from the Better Business Bureau. Apparently, it's acceptable to them that a fridge with a built-in ice maker that does not work constitutes a fully functional unit. We are not amused. So, instead of closing off the renovation, we're still in fridge hell. In fact, we think the Hell must have frozen over. We're supposed to have a repair person come out tomorrow. We'll see what happens, if and when that happens.

June 24^th

It's now been two weeks since the water adventure with the fridge from Heck and no one has shown up to do anything about it. I have been looking around for a good lawyer. Both the retailer and manufacturer assure me that things are moving along, but I have yet to see any real progress. Most of the renovation was completed on time, but the longest and most painful part of this whole mess has been the fridge. It's now been 16 weeks since it was delivered, and that long, less three days since it failed. For those of you waiting for the Opening Gala, we've been delayed since the beginning of April with a marginal refrigeration unit. You can blame them for it. At least I've found a dry-ice supplier just in case.

June 10^th

After a week of rather difficult phone calls, and a report to the Better Business Bureau, I've managed to get a report from the fridge retailer that the Director of the manufacturer is looking into it. Oh joy. We'll see if anything comes up. The good part is that the water damage seems to be relatively under control. I am so glad we went with Jatoba for the floors. It seems to be relatively stable. Thanks, Mark and Steve, for not fully levelling the floor under the fridge so that the water had a clear path to the basement. Seriously, it probably saved us from a major mould problem, and you know how I am about mould.

 

Just as we were leaving for a charity event tonight, the ice maker in that wonderful albatross called a fridge, blew. Gallons upon gallons (litres upon litres) of water flowed into the floor and basement. Of course retailer is closed, but we filed an insurance claim, and they recommended legal action. Looks like we'll be seeing more of our contractors to fix the problem creating by our fridge retailer. In the meantime, the water to the fridge is off and we're all very stressed here. The floor is all warping and cracking - fortunately, we got advice to keep a whole lot of the wood, "Just in case". If Mike Holmes is listening, please contact us through the feedback page, and we'll give you information about this disaster.

June 10^th

Just as we were leaving for a charity event tonight, the ice maker in that wonderful albatross called a fridge, blew. Gallons upon gallons (litres upon litres) of water flowed into the floor and basement. Of course retailer is closed, but we filed an insurance claim, and they recommended legal action. Looks like we'll be seeing more of our contractors to fix the problem creating by our fridge retailer. In the meantime, the water to the fridge is off and we're all very stressed here. The floor is all warping and cracking - fortunately, we got advice to keep a whole lot of the wood, "Just in case". If Mike Holmes is listening, please contact us through the feedback page, and we'll give you information about this disaster.

June 1^st

I think we may have finally finished. Coco's installer did a great job. The skin is finally staying put, and everything seems to be working, except the fridge, which is still having noise issues in the ice maker and accumulating a glacier under the condenser. At least it's holding temperature. I think we can declare a victory, finally.

May 25^th

Get this, the contact cement used to put a new skin on the inside of one of the cabinets is dissolving the skin. It's all bubbly and icky. So, we're going to try something else next Friday. Coco's also bringing the cabinet installer for a final adjustment. While I didn't want to get to June, we're there. Unfortunately.

May 19^th

So, after many weeks of waiting, here's the latest update. Our contractor is paying us one more visit early on Tuesday to finish up. It's a minor fix, so no worries there. Coco is bringing in another installer the following week to finish up the cabinetry and embellishments. I'm working on hallway wainscoting this long weekend - yeah, I've been just too busy. It's finally moving again. Heck's Basement or Bathroom may be in sight soon.

May 4^th

2300h: Well, we finally got the plumbing inspection signoff. About time! All the inspections are now done. Ok, so, now I only have to have the cabinets finished (hint hint, Coco), and get a working fridge. Yes, that's right, the fridge failed again. We're getting nowhere quickly trying to get a resolution. Let's just say that the warranty doesn't appear to be worth the paper it's printed on.

April 28^th

1100h: Here's another huge surprise. The city decided to change the water meters and lo and behold, ours is buried (by a previous owner) in a wall, somewhere. Now, I have to put out more time and money to have my water meter replaced for free. It's times like this I feel like I should have stayed in my old townhouse. I didn't want to put May up on this page, but it looks like that's required now.

April 27^th

1830h: Here are three big surprises. First, the plumbing didn't pass inspection, again. The changes required will mean destroying the cabinet that the sink is in, and completely ruining that area of the kitchen. Second, the cabinets are still not complete. Wow, big surprise there. This renovation will never end. Third, the refrigerator situation continues to be unresolved, with no one actually taking any visible action to resolve the situation. We're so close, yet so far, and I'm at the end of my rope.

April 25^th

1900h: Finally! Plumbing corrected. Inspection is on Friday. Hoping hoping. Still no update on the fridge. Surprised? I'm not.

April 24^th

1300h: What a day. The plumbing failed inspection. To their credit, the contractors will be here tomorrow to fix it. I don't want to know what else can go wrong.

1115h: I just got told that the cabinets won't be finished. The popping sound you just heard was my head exploding. Remember what I said about Finishing Up Day? Not gonna happen. And now, I'm going to have to wait another few days/weeks until we clean the living room and reload the kitchen <insert lots of bad words here>.

1000h: Cabinet guy is here for the final install.

0945h: Electrical inspection changes are done and signed off. Another bit completed.

0800h: The flooring repairs were done really fast. No more squeaks!

0730h: It's Finishing Up Day!

April 23^rd

1700h: After a long day of negotiations and being blocked at every turn, it's not looking good for our fridge. The service tech is not sticking to a consistent story and, while the fridge is still accumulating a glacier inside, no one is taking ownership of dealing with it. The retailer wants to get another - third - opinion, this time from a different company, before they do anything. I want the unit out of my kitchen because I can't load it with food.

April 22^nd

2110h: Well, I just had to blog on my birthday. The plan for the week is to finish up everything. Tuesday should see all remaining contracted work completed, and I hope to finish the wainscoting during the week as well. I'll be very happy to close the books on this one.

April 14^th

2200h: We got our replacement table today, and it's way better than the other previous one. It actually closes. Have a look at my blog today for some interesting stuff.

April 11^th

	2300h: Here's where we are. The lights are up, island sink plumbing has been fixed, we've got a new kitchen table - although it's in need of replacement, because it arrived scratched and doesn't close when you take out the leaf - and, as you'll see below, a big surprise!
	Here's our stove, in all it's finished glory. The heat lamps are on, and the stainless warming shelf is in place. The awesome tiles are also pretty, aren't they?
	And finally, here's my Grammy Alice's chandelier all refinished and mounted. Isn't it just incredible?

2300h:

April 6^th

1900h: After the technician showed up, it turned out it was a leak in the condenser drain pipe. There was a glacier just inside the top panel of the freezer. Yikes. Good part is we have the kitchen chandeliers for installation and inspection on Wednesday!

1500h: Apparently it wasn't a good proof, because the fridge has malfunctioned. Same issue. Water related. I'm off to the retailer to deal with the situation.

April 5^th

1515h: Fridge update. A new ice maker is being installed on Tuesday and that, according to the manufacturer will fix the problem. This one will have to be proven to be a good fridge. And only a proven fridge is a good fridge and that's how you know.

1200h: Another oopsie today. Valentino was here, and the side skins for the stainless shelves weren't the correct size. This is now scheduled for next Wednesday. He did all the prep work, though.

April 4^th

1900h: Get this. The technician who came to service the fridge found nothing wrong. There's a storm coming at Heck's Kitchen.

1345h: Oh cool! The kitchen chandeliers are in!

1300h: Well, the fridge is being serviced this afternoon. We'll see what the outcome is.

0500h: Randy is sick right now. Please leave a message at the beep. BEEP!

April 3^rd

1830h: Even worse, the fridge decided it was done, and turned itself off. When I just looked, the refrigerator side was at 11C while the freezer was at -12C - not the settings they were supposed to be.

1700h: And now for the fun. The defectively designed part for the fridge was never, in fact, ordered by the repair company, according to the appliance retailer. It's being flown up, hopefully First Class, for installation on Monday. None of this changes the problem that the water pump has been running almost constantly since the fridge was installed, and is way outside it's design tolerances by now. This puppy is being returned. Kris is currently looking for a replacement manufacturer.

1115h: Silence at last. It looks like the thermal cut-off kicked in, and I've got some time before the noise starts again.

1030h: Coco and Robert have been told about the freezer situation and we're working on solutions. The appliance retailer is also working on trying to figure out why the manufacturer can't repair the unit in a timely fashion.

0800h: So our dream kitchen is turning into a nightmare. Our freezer is now officially dead. It ran a defrost cycle, I guess trying to fix it's own dead icemaker grinding cycle, and all the food in it is ruined. Depending on the response by the distributor and manufacturer, we're going to probably have to take some form of major action. This just goes to show that it doesn't actually matter what you spend on an appliance, you're lucky if it actually works.

April 1^st

2200h: Oh, so we had a not very nice April Fools joke, played on us by someone. The island drain got so stopped up that nothing would unplug it. I had to remove the clean-out cap, and run a plumber snake up the waste side of the trap. I'd be seriously surprised if this one gets past inspection. If it does, I think the building code needs to be amended. Time to go into politics?

March 27^th

1830h: I'm back at my client tomorrow, so the frequent updates are doing to subside. Stay tuned for more, though. The wainscoting is going well, but I have to work out the right layout. Robert appears to have a line on French doors for the back of the house, which will mean that the Heck's Veranda project will get launched. So much work, so little time. I also just got word that the place has to be new cat proofed by about April 10th. You know, a proof is a good proof, if it's proven.

1530h: Finally a nice day. I was out there cleaning up the messes left by the various contractors/trades that was hidden by the snow. Yuck. But Randy's Basement Millworks got moved to Randy's Garage Millworks. It's much nicer working outside. Kitchen cabinets are all vacuumed and ready for loading. I'm even doing some wainscoting in the hall today. It's like I got motivated or something.

March 26^th

2230h: Since I'm going to be home tomorrow, I think the plan is to clean up. It's Spring, after all. We have a new cat probably joining us, and I don't want two little plastic bag collections. The sawdust bunnies are multiplying again, and if I don't get a handle on them, we'll be overrun.

1615h: Well, I got a couple of baseboards done, and managed to fix the garbage bins, with Coco's help. We went over what's still needed on the cabinets. I need to get off my butt and do some mouldings, don't I?

0545h: Today's plan is putting up the facing, remaining door casings, and baseboards. I may even get to the hall wainscoting - been stalling on that one, but it'll depend on how heavy the rain is today, since I've got to mill the boards. I've also got to run out to get some more drawer pulls for Kris' desk.

March 24^th

1645h: I think the pressure of the renovation has finally gotten to me. It's like being a prisoner in your own home, and no one else around here really gets that.

1200h: The best parts about today is that we have guests coming over, and Christine is here cleaning. The place looks spectacular. I couldn't wait for the next kitchen company visit for drawer pulls, so I installed a few myself. So there! I'm going to try the facing/riser between the family room and kitchen later today. We'll see how it goes.

March 23^rd

2100h: Here's a picture where we are now. The chances to come are reinforcement of the magic corner. Corrections to the recycling bins, final door delivery and alignment, chandeliers, baseboards, paint touch-ups, and the warming shelf. It never does end, does it?

1800h: The magic corner is almost in, but still needs a bracket. It works, but can't be loaded yet. Jothy is working on the crown mouldings and will definitely have to come back. The next time we see our general contractor will be for the final electrical installation and inspection toward the middle of April. I'm sure going to miss them all, particularly Mark, Steve, and Matty. Of course, Robert will be dropping by to discuss other stuff, and we hope to meet his boss too. I've got the second coat on the face plate between the family room and kitchen, cut the baseboards (which have to wait for some cabinet and other trim work before I can nail them in), and have marked out the hallway wainscoting. Tomorrow is the first time guests are showing up for dinner - you know who you are!

1230h: Well, things are going slowly. The magic corner apparently needs some serious conjuring to work, but I expected that. The problem is that the instructions are very sketchy, and not entirely complete. I'm glad I'm not paying time and materials on this one. Another lesson learned. I've got one of the facing plates installed and am waiting for the glue on long one to set before sanding and polyurethane.

0700h: With some luck, this will be the last current blog for a few days, but you never know. We're hoping to complete a number of small tasks today, plus some major cabinet finishing touches. I have some issues with the polyurethane on the facings, and have at least one more coat, probably two. A finishing technique I was taught early on in life for polyurethane just doesn't apply anymore, and caused some irritating lines in the finish. Reminds me, I have to go wipe the grout again.

March 22^nd

1845h: Oops. Even the best sometimes miss something. A couple of tiles didn't get any grout. They were hiding up and away where no one, except me, would see them. Randy to the rescue, and they're now grouted.

1530h: The dishwasher is done and working again. The place looks just amazing. Tomorrow's plan includes adding drawer hardware for towels, oils, recycling, and the dreaded magic corner, that everyone's been avoiding attacking. I've been working on facings between the family room and kitchen, in Jatoba, of course, and will probably do the hall wainscoting - power tools and thunderstorms don't mix. My job tonight is to clean the haze off the tiles a few more times. I'm pretty happy.

1300h: We've dismantled the dishwasher and are reinstalling it with a stronger support. Another hour on that.

1045h: The stainless steel shelve has been ordered for over the stove. Cool cool cool. or Hot hot hot, since it's under the heat lamps. Two weeks on that one. Grout looks fantastic and we're putting cover plates on now.

1015h: The grout is in and looks fantastic. It's even the same colour as the metallic flecks in the granite. I think that was a bit of luck. A few more washings and there we are! Robert was here taking measurements for designs for later phases.

0630h: We're officially entering into the second phase of the renovation. If the first phase was "Build a Four Chef Kitchen", this one is "Now Make it Look Awesome". To be real, we'll declare official victory on Friday for phase one, once all the bills are paid, and we can close the books on it, but the go-live goal was achieved this past Tuesday. We even have our laundry room back, after Mark finished the tile cutting yesterday. Now, if we only could find Neville, so the island eating area going to started...

March 21^st

1900h: End of the day - kind of like overtime - and the tiles are all glued in place. It just looks awesome. Tomorrow will be grouting and finishing the hardware installation, with Friday being the completion of the cabinets. I ordered the lighting, which is a phase two task, and we're about four weeks from delivery. I feel like I've just run a marathon. I think we've agreed that we finished phase one yesterday, with a few tweaks required, that are part of phase two. Good show people. The best part is that the key goal of supporting four chefs in the kitchen was achieved, demonstrated with a full teppanyaki dinner.

1330h: The kitchen tiles are glued and waiting for tomorrow's grout. Kris' desk area is just starting now. Our contractors have taken on some of the responsibility of finishing up some of the details of the kitchen hardware (magic corners, special drawers, etc.), and I'm pretty happy about that. Coco was uncomfortable with the awesome tiles, until the final wall was done. Then, it all came together for him. Of course, we just have to have the stainless shelf soon.

1100h: Kris wants a diamond tile pattern on the back of her desk. I shouldn't have mentioned the diamond grinder, huh?

0900h: I'm barely ahead of Mark, arranging tile patterns. This is fun!

0700h: More tiles today, but finishing up laying them. I need to get in touch with Coco about the remaining cabinet work. News to follow.

March 20^th

2130h: Well, it's probably easier to declare victory after the meal we just made. All stations were fully functional, and very efficient. The kitchen design worked out extremely well, and the dance of four chefs in the kitchen worked exquisitely. It was worth it. Tiles and cabinets still to be finished, but we're pretty good otherwise. The tiles are hard to see in this picture, but really make the kitchen pop. That's Joseph, at the plating station.

1830h: It's hard to declare victory when there's still so much finishing up to be done. The cabinets are still at least a day from completion, which has basically been the same state for about a week. The new cabinet completion is Friday. However, all the appliances and stuff in the kitchen are functioning. Unfortunately, we're missing doors and drawers. This is a job for Coco. We'll see, but I think we're still not quite there. At least Kris has her dishwasher functioning.

1330h: Continuation of tiling and cabinet finishing. Jothy is changing the finish colour of the pantry, but ran out of edging. Oops. I'm actually helping (please do change me for helping), by laying out the tile pattern one section ahead of Mark, who's laying the tiles. It's working well. I get to give preferential treatment to the really cool tiles, to be in the most visible areas.

1230h: Tiling is on the go now. We've been shuffling tiles and picking the best for behind the stove, by far, the largest area.

1000h: The main sink is now operational! And solid as a rock. The rail system for supporting this type of sink is the way to go. Amazing.

0800h: It's phase one completion day, hopefully. Mark is already here working on the main sink. I'm so excited!

March 19^th

2045h: I did the first official load of dishes was done tonight in the island sink. The make-shift area in the laundry room is officially closed. We're now working entirely in the main kitchen area! Hooray! Tiles didn't start today - we just ran out of time - but they don't contribute to whether we're functional or not. They're actually part of the second phase, which has a separate completion date (sometime in June).

1600h: We're live on the island! Tomorrow is dishwasher, main sink, and tiling. Woo hoo! Eight days ahead of schedule. Note the pot filler and huge whisk on the island, and the backsplash too!

1515h: Oh the trouble. We had a funny time with the P-trap from our not-so-favourite big-box store. The threaded part didn't seat well, and it leaked. Mark has taken a Mulligan, and is redoing that part of the island sink. Still, we should have that part operational today.

1340h: I still haven't had lunch, but at least the granite guys are done and gone. The sinks are still not completely finished, but I'm hopeful.

1215h: So, the beach sink is installed and all other plumbing for it is in the works. No more laundry room vegetable washing. The new granite guy has much steadier hands than the previous team did. Corners are much better and backsplashes are being installed.

1015h: Well, it's official. No full function today. The dishwasher can't be hooked up, because the granite job wasn't complete. In fact, we're finding more variances. Coco is going to have an issue with the sink, when he arrives, because it should have been 1/2 inch farther back, for the doors. Uh oh.

0945h: Another lesson learned. Have a better equipped workshop than your contractors. We had to do some creative adjustment on some of the rough resin-epoxy used for the granite seams. The underside was so sloppy, that I had to pull out my diamond grinder to smooth edges.

0900h: Work is progressing. Cabinets have moved off to the afternoon - hopefully, that'll be enough time. Coco will be here later this morning, and I have to be patient not to put another clear-coat on too early. Must... sit... on... hands. I actually wish I was at work right now.

0845h: Mark and I have contrived an interesting rail system to slide the main sink in place. We'll see how that plays out, but it looks really interesting.

0800h: It's the forty-third day of renovation, and we're about nine hours away, hopefully, from being fully functional. Stan is here doing the final electrical hook-up. I've got another clear-coat to put on the columns, now that they're in place, and am moving onto baseboards and door casings - but I better keep out of everyone's way. It's going to get pretty insane around here around 11am, when we'll have granite, tiling, plumbing, and cabinets all going at once. Chevey has made himself really scarce right now, in anticipation. I'm really seriously tense, expecting lots to go wrong, as this is by far the most complex day. It's a go-live, and we, in the Computing field, know how those are.

March 18^th

2200h: Goodnight all. We're at t-minus zero days, nineteen hours. If we keep to this, the kitchen renovation will be nine days early on a six week renovation. Fantastic! Unbelievable! I'll only believe it when the dishwasher works. I'm supposed to sleep tonight?

2140h: We had an interesting day today, at the Toronto Home Show. Lots of perennial favourites, including the people who did our front yard landscaping. I met up with the sales guy from the granite supplier also today, behaved myself, and we'll be working to resolve the situation. Hopefully. In the meantime, the columns are looking pretty cool. We'll see what the design team has to say tomorrow, but I've become a big fan of water-based spray polyurethane. Robert and company are showing up early tomorrow for plumbing, tiling, sink installation, and electrical. I can't wait. If you'll notice, the number of days remaining for phase one, ticked over to zero today. We're down to hours before full functionality in the kitchen. Heck's Kitchen 2.0, is about to be launched. Kids, get ready, the teppan (鉄板), works great, and I've nailed an interesting technique for twice cooked beef on the grill and teppan.

1130h: I just completed the clear-coat on our columns. It'll be fun later, and I try to actually construct the things. Pictures to follow.

March 17^th

2230h: After watching the Habs beat the Leafs, we found that the island sink accessories to not actually fit properly, because of the granite company's errors. While I'm not prepared to say who this company is, they are going to be hearing from us tomorrow, regarding this situation. Let's just say that the wheels are in motion to have the situation fixed, and, failing that, their work is going to be brought to the attention of Mike Holmes.

1815h: So here's the situation. The back-splash was omitted from the original quote, so we now have to pay an additional $610+tax. At least, we're going to get Robert's people to install the sink, back-charging the granite people for lack of completion of that task. Given what's happened, the granite company has lost face with me, and will not be used for any project again, within my control, and that includes the bathroom, which was next. Sorry, people, you blew it. On the upside, we're still close to schedule. I've hooked up and flushed the faucets, so they're ready. I'll get the plumber to check my work, but it seems ok. The water filter is a bit sensitive to leaks, and we may need some creative sealing. The picture on the left is where we are tonight. Note the missing sink on the right. Progress, but real stress today. The granite people are at the Home Show, and guess where we're going tomorrow <evil grin>.

1600h: Here's a really interesting news flash. The granite people walked off the job site. Apparently, they don't know how to install the main sink we have and forgot the granite back-splash. Just wonderful. I wrote "Not complete" on the work order. Good luck to them. I'm working with the general contractor to take up the slack.

1445h: The granite guys have been here for three hours today and are almost done. They're just polishing the seams, and will be installing the main sink shortly. Oh wait! Backsplashes!

1100h: Well, we've been antiquing this morning. The columns, pilasters, and corbels look pretty good, and I'll clear-coat them tomorrow. The big issue is waiting on the granite folks, again. I sure hope they show today. I have this really ominous feeling about today.

March 16^th

2300h: This wasn't the smoothest of the tasks. We don't exactly have the biggest kitchen in the world, but somehow, things moved very slowly. About 1/2 the granite is in place, and one piece had to be re-cut. Fortunately, Nathan from the granite place, arranged for this to happen ASAP and the installers will be back in the morning - I hope. It means we'd still be on for plumbing, tiling, and electrical on Monday. I'm keeping Robert in the loop on this, and if there's any slip or problem, he's the first one who gets a phone call - they're his people for Monday. The project manager in me is pretty sceptical. In the mean time, the ice cube maker in our brand new fridge had a water line freeze. This is sounding like a design defect. We'll have more details, if we can get the manufacturer to actually support the product, which, to this point, hasn't happened. They've got until Monday to get it fixed or the fridge takes a walk in the snow with the ducks. No pictures tonight, because I can't bring myself to do that.

1730h: They're here! They're here! They're complaining about measurements! They have power tools.

1700h: So far, no granite. I'm beginning to worry. Are we there yet? What was that noise? The problem now is that a delay in the counters is going to hit next week's resource availability. We're booked for Monday for plumbing, electrical, and tiling. I'm worried, but only 67% worried (we have a 3 hour deliver window for the granite, which is 2/3 used up). We've written off making dinner, though, tonight.

1245h: The column pilasters are coming along nicely. I'm now getting ready for priming.

0900h: It's granite day! I hope it goes well. So far, it's started with a real bang. The freezer is leaking so I have that to deal with now. Of course, the appliance supplier was warned that I expect the highest performance from the appliances, so, I'll get people out shortly. Lovely way to start the day.

March 15^th

2030h: Have I mentioned that I love cooking in this kitchen? It's performance is so much better than the crap we had before, I can't even express it in words. Grilled wasabi salmon. Yum!

1700h: I'm back with more paint. The columns are coming along nicely, but no rush. That's part of the phase 2 renovation. It's decorative now. Our remaining drawer hardware arrived today by Canada Post. One day delivery from Ottawa. Nice! Time to relax.

1200h: Sadly, the granite people are coming in the afternoon. They also said that plumbing shouldn't be installed until 24 hours later to allow the silicone to cure. Makes sense, and we're still on for a Monday functional completion.

1000h: I'm being lazy today, but that will end soon. It's almost painting time. No update yet from the granite people, but I'm hopeful about the next hour or so. I can't help looking around behind my back, from time to time, though. Maybe it's just the date.

March 14^th

2000h: I actually am going to take the night off, if you can believe it. The paint for the columns is drying in the garage and should be ready for antiquing tomorrow. I'm planning on drafting my kids to help with that. It should be fun with paint, and I'm sure they'll do a good job. I even found spray urethane for the top coat, but that's Saturday at the earliest.

1645h: I'm still hoping for a morning appointment for the granite on Friday, but that's up to fate, at this point. Or maybe Nathan. The priming is done, except for the corbels - I need Kris' opinion on their placement. Once primed, I can't return them, and they're hand-crafted (that's why they're big bucks, Hun).

1100h: Idle hands and all that. I'm off to the lumber yard again. Randy's Basement Millworks is going to try to get some work done outside while it's 16C today. That or spray painting.

0900h: Got a phone call from Robert today. If we can muster the granite people to get here in the morning on Friday, I might be able to get some plumbing functional in the kitchen for the weekend. That would be so cool. I'll know tomorrow morning. Patience is not my strong suit.

0600h: Chevey, Heck's Kitty, woke me up early today, having lined up all of his toys in some weird hieroglyph. I'm not sure what it says, but I can't stop laughing.

March 13^th

2345h: Here's a picture of my own hard work over the past few weeks. I think we may have to call it the dining room, Synergy, or Coincidence, or something like that. The wall colour is exactly the same as the antiquing on the cabinets in the kitchen. The seat upholstery has a gold/brown that's also that colour. The burgundy in the seats is the colour of aged Jatoba, which is the flooring we used. It's pretty amazing. Hopefully, the next dining room picture will have Grammy Alice's chandelier up, so you can see the full dining room. But for now, I think it's time for bed. "Good night, Gracie."

2300h: With a quick break for dinner, I managed most of the second coat in the dining room and should finish tonight. I'm just waiting on the first coat to dry in one corner. Pictures to follow.

1830h: I spent the day trying to avoid painting, but couldn't. So the dining room is half-done, and I've at least taped the window casings for priming in the kitchen. Remember the nasty primer? Yeah, well, I have to use that again. What I'm planning on is priming a whole batch of stuff tomorrow in one go, while it's warm, so I can have all the windows open.

1400h: Coco was here to drop off the doors and we fine-tuned the faucet placement. Friday is going to be a really fun day. Thanks also, Robert, for the advice on the back-splash and tiles. Beef (nickname of the contractor's driver) picked up the last load of garbage. We're now in a clean state, I hope.

1130h: Here's what's been going on so far. Coco is coming over with more doors for the cabinets this afternoon. The hopefully last dumpster load is being taken away also this afternoon. I've been to the lumber store for column material and paint store for antiquing supplies. Interestingly enough, the colour for the cabinet antiquing is exactly the same as Marie-Anne picked last night for the dining room. Is that fate or just cool? I've been spring cleaning Randy's Basement Millworks, and have transferred it outside to the garage. While I can't guarantee a dust free home, it sure will keep the sawdust bunnies under control. Robert is arranging to move the Zee-Lites on Monday, and patch the remaining sheetrock, in preparation for tiles. I just can't wait. Pictures on Friday and Monday, for sure!

March 12^th

2200h: Marie-Anne was here, and we got started on some colours. The casings and baseboards are going to get primed first. The other trim items are good to go. I made the mistake of asking what mauve was. What I got was, "A pinkie-greyish-brown that's nice" and something about Venetian plaster finish. Nothing good will come of this. Of course, I checked that Internet thing for details on the technique. What's this four step process over 72 hours thing? Oh my.

1800h: These are really cool tiles. Definitely dramatic. Unfortunately, some (all but 2) of the Zee-Lites were mounted too close to the wall for tiles. We’ll have to have them moved outward between 1/8” and ½” depending on the lights - and that just bites - before tiling. You wouldn't believe how awesome the tiles look with the stove and all the brushed stainless steel. Oh, and Joseph, the teppanyaki grill arrives on Wednesday!

1430h: "Captain, there be tiles here!"

0915h: Well, it's off to the tile place today. We're a bit scared that the colours won't work, but we'll know soon enough. Also, Marie-Anne is coming over tonight to do colours for the dining room and hopefully other stuff. More later.

March 11^th

2300h: Oh man, I tried out the grill tonight. Steaks and sea bass. Yum. I'm happy. Working without counters and sinks is hard, but not impossible. The old island from the Heck's Make-shift Kitchen, is officially dead and buried. Now, if I could only convince someone to come and take it away (hint, Robert)... We've also started a varianc e list, for issues to be resolved before people disappear and declare this all done. Be afraid J.

1800h: I just finished boxing in the microwave and the plumbing for the island. Somebody tell me to get some sleep, please. This has probably been two of the hardest working weeks I've had since the first June I was in Des Moines. I'm so looking forward to a few days of down-time while waiting for the granite installation on Friday. There will probably be a gap in the blog for a couple of days - sure there will - but you never know what will happen at Heck's Kitchen.

1130h: We're back from breakfast and the hardware store. I think I'll need to go elsewhere for one of those special fittings (male/male 1/4"-3/8") to hook up the pot filler, but I have a week. No problem. I'm hoping to finish the microwave box before lunch.

March 10^th

2200h: I've been putting a nice finish inside the microwave box. The cabinet installer put serious fear in me about cutting the skins, so I've been very careful, putting a 2x4 over the cutting area so that there's no way anything is going to fly off and puncture any body parts. It worked great, but I ran out of glue. Oops. Guess where I'm going tomorrow morning.

1500h: We got the door hardware! All 25 Kg worth. I wonder whether the walls are going to be able to support the hardware, let alone the doors. I think I've probably used more fuel going back and forth to HD than anywhere else lately. I need a few 90° copper elbows to complete the plumbing rough-in. Guess I'm going out again tomorrow. In the mean time, I think I need a nap. Definitely work avoidance going on.

0845h: It's cleaning day, at Heck's Kitchen. Most of the dirty construction is finished, and other cutting can probably be done outside, including hallway wainscoting (Randy's Basement Millworks) that is a post-online task. We may go out to get the door and drawer hardware today, and I'm definitely going to finish the microwave enclosure. Not critical path items, but I want them out of the way.

March 9^th

2200h: We've entered the countertop holding pattern - a typical situation in kitchen renovations. All work is basically done, except for some creative plumbing by yours truly, waiting on the counters to show up. The great part for tonight was our first sense of normality, with a family Friday night dinner. I'm not sure Kris gets the whole Microwave/Convection thing, but 45 minutes for a tasty juicy crispy chicken? Who can beat that?

1130h: The island is now in position and the finishes are going on. Looking good! I think we make have to get creative with the GFI socket placement, but we'll figure it out. At least we have everyone saying "Line the island up with the right side of the stove". So, it's not just me. I had to move the plumbing over anyway, but that's done. I also got word that the electrician is on his way up.

1030h: Sadly, I had to pay the general contractor again today. That's not the best part of renovating, I'll tell you that. However, on the good side, the tiles will be ready for pickup on Monday! Thanks Marie-Anne! The cabinets are well on the way to completion, but we're waiting on the electrician to wire in the puck lights over the pantry.

0700h: Well I'm off to get more supplies before the traffic is bad. Hopefully we'll get as far today as possible without the granite. I can't believe that we're only at the end of the fifth week of the renovation. Amazing progress.

March 8^th

2230h: Well, I managed to get some cleaning done, and Kris and I had veal scaloppini marsala and capellini bolognaise tonight on the new stove and microwave. What a relief! We sure are moving along. Visually, the kitchen isn't going to change much for the next week, until the counters are delivered. So, I may not be posting photos until then, but we'll see. We had a chat with Marie-Anne tonight, and she wants us to maximize space in front of the fridge. So the island will be positioned to align with the right side of the stove. No problem for me as it means not having to move the supply lines.

1730h: I'm just too nice, apparently. The cabinet guy was making joking that I'm making the plumber's life way to easy, because I'm running copper flex and drain hoses through the cabinets for the dishwasher hook-up. Nice? Call it enlightened self-interest. When paying time and materials (T&M), if I can do something to reduce both, so be it. Cheaper for me, earlier completion too.

1630h: The drill bits were found, but the island supplies are in the wrong place relative to the lights. We're going to have to do some creative plumbing rework to make this happen. I'm not sure why the positioning was that far off, but I just know I'm going to get blamed for it. I'm actually declaring a set-back today. While progress was made, I think the estimates on how long the cabinets were going to take was way way off the mark. Original estimate was two days. We've already spent three, and I can clearly see at least another two days. Between this and some client issues, I think I need to be avoided tonight.

1200h: Maybe the spirits of renovation are telling me to have lunch. Guys? Where are my drill bits? Later: they were put away in a kitchen cabinet, and here I was, blaming the sawdust bunnies again.

1130h: It was a sad good bye to some of the contractor guys today. They'll be back in a couple of weeks to finish up after the counters are in. See ya, guys. The plumbing supplies are 50% completed, with just the island to do, once it's in position. The cabinet installation is proceeding now, with the new pantry going in.

0900h: New pantries and crown mouldings are arriving right now. They look much better.

0700h: So, here's the plan for today. Three C's: Cabinets, Casings, and Clutter. I'm hoping that by the end of today, the kitchen will actually be pretty much done, with the exception of the granite, back splashes, wall tiles, and post-construction elements. Ok, the last one involves:

• a stainless steel shelf over the stove, for our fantastic warming lights
• an island seating area, done in Jatoba
• decorative appliqués on the panel above the stove
• hallway wainscoting, which I'm not doing until all possibility of damage is out of the way
• pillars, columns, and other decorations

Call those, the Non-Functional Requirements J

March 7^th

1950h: What a day. The Heck's Kitchen Dining Room is now online. Ok, a bit of dusting and organizing is probably needed, but all the stuff is back in place. I hate to admit it, but a nice rug would be really good in there. Marie-Anne, we need colours. Quick! The microwave is also live too, although it will be disconnected tomorrow briefly for final positioning. It's really looking great in there.

1500h: News Flash! Granite will be installed on March 16! This means an early completion date! I am so excited.

1415h: It's been a busy morning at Heck's Kitchen. We're now cooking with gas! I think we're actually going to have steaks on the inside grill tonight, in the first unofficial meal cooked in a partial kitchen. Right now, we have the fridge and stove operational. Our window casings and under cabinet lighting are currently being installed, and I'm putting the final touches on the dining room wainscoting paint. Don't tell Kris, but I'm going to move furniture in there tonight when she's not looking. Now, if I could only get Grammy Alice's chandelier back from its repairs and refurbishment.

March 6^th

2300h: I got the microwave box built, but we need to come up about 3.5cm on the inside floor of that cabinet for air flow. No problem, but I'm out of gas. The stress of the day has everyone's nerves really on edge. We're all walking on eggs with each other right now. The good part is that Joseph approves. That's a good thing, seriously. Here's a picture of the place finally taking shape. The good part is that we're running out of tasks on the project plan. The bad part is that the tasks are way bigger impact at this point: gas, hook-ups, counter tops, etc. I just want to make myself some French Canadian pea soup, which, by the way, is far easier to make on a gas stove, than an electric.

1500h: Great. The stove doesn't fit. The day has been on a bit of a downward spiral since the 1100h update. We're now having cabinet issues, and worse, the gas line is in the wrong place. I feel like I have to check absolutely every piece of work done. Fortunately, Robert is arranging to have the gas fixed tomorrow.

1100h: Yikes! Who invited all these people? The picture only shows a few. We have the contractor (3), granite people (2), stainless steel person, kitchen designer, phones, and everyone wanting me at exactly the same instant. Is it possible this is Heck's Kitchen? Great suggestion on the warming shelf, Valentino, we're looking forward to your concepts.

 

1000h: So far, so good. The guys successfully installed the vent hood, and sucked out a few squirrels and racoons in the process. Seriously, I could do some wind tunnel testing with this thing.

March 5^th

2100h: Here's the official pizza in the new fridge picture! Hey, it had to happen. I think it's the law.

1700h: Well, we got the hood in place, but the blower cord accidentally got unplugged. That's the project for tomorrow first thing. Here's a picture of the guys trying to put the hood in place. The fridge has power, but no water yet. It needs to be balanced and set in place, but that depends on what Coco had in mind for its position. Coco? In the mean time, I'm still painting the wainscoting, with all the interruptions to help, including finding fittings and stuff from my own workshop. Robert, if you're reading this, remember, please?

1300h: We now have two holes in the wall, one for the old vent hood and one big honker for the new one. Fortunately, somebody saved old bricks, so the old hole is going to be patched up without any traces, other than fresh mortar. I got a blog from Joseph this morning, and it's now posted. Thanks Joe. Don't worry, we'll have the stove operational shortly.

1200h: And now for some partial scores: Toronto 3.

1100h: And now for the morning update. The contractors are here doing electrical for lights and mounting the vent hood. What a big job. Bricks are going to get cut today, because we're finally going to have a proper hood. Size does matter! 10" diameter. I think we could probably do wind-tunnel testing in the vent. The wrong pantry removal is scheduled for 1430h today, and I can't wait to get some clutter out of the kitchen. Kris' idea of getting some plywood to protect the cabinets has happened, and I'm going to put those in place and reinstate the cooking area in the new kitchen. The dining room is almost ready for reloading.

March 4^th

2230h: Today was one of those days. I spent it sanding, filling nail holes, and priming. A little (read: BIG) spill occurred when I knocked over a can of primer. Remember the primer I use? It bonds to everything. Well, panic ensued. Fortunately, the contractors had put paper down on the floor. That caught most of the spill. Unfortunately, the primer happily ate right through the paper and was on its way to our wonderful hardwood floors. The spill was cleaned up and paper removed. No damage other than to my ego. Chevey decided to get into the act also today. He decided that the wallpaper in our bedroom had to go and was actually tearing it off the walls. Being the consummate project managers that Kris and I are, we're trying to figure out how much a cat's time is worth so that we can add Chevey in as a resource on our project planning software. If you ask Chevey, he'll say something like, "Fresh litter: $29. Bag of food: $55. My time? Priceless"

Tomorrow's plan: two coats of paint on the wainscoting and managing the project. That's not mutiny, is it, Kris? I'm becoming decidedly nautical in my outlook, being in the right in the middle of Melville's Moby Dick.

March 3^rd

2230h: With Kris' help, we were able to finish mounting the wainscoting today. Whew! This was just brutal. Tomorrow is sanding, priming, and painting. But that's ok. I'm going to get some rest now, and dream of good food. Oh, Joseph, think "Wok Grate" on the new stove J.

0945h: They came. They saw. They left stuff. That was something Julius Caesar said, you know, in 47 BCE during his own kitchen renovation following the Battle of Zela. It's true! The picture on the left shows our appliances left in place. Good job on the delivery, guys. Not a scratch. Monday is installation time for all but the stove. That's Wednesday. I can't wait.

0920h: Stove is in! Stove is in! What was that noise?

0900h: They're here! And nothing fits through the doors. Uh oh. Serious Prayrie Dogging going on now.

0830h: Today's the big day. Appliances arrive. We're all cleaned up and ready for them, and, we're the first delivery today. With luck, I'll get to run down to the lumber store for more wood before they close, because I've been chewing through wood like a ... uh oh... critter alert. I was up early putting down temporary thresholds. I just love working with Jatoba. It's an amazing wood.

March 2^nd

Today was a continuation of yesterday's cabinet installation and wainscoting. A couple more quirks in the cabinets were discovered: the insides of two of the already installed, immovable cabinets are the wrong colour. So now I get contact cement fumes as the skins are replaced inside. Cool! I must've spent 2 hours chasing down a 2-5/8" hole saw for the cabinet lights. <sarcasm>Thanks to all you big box people who don't carry full product lines</sarcasm>. I managed to find one, just in time, at a local hardware supply store up here in Richmond Hill. Whew. What would this project do without me.

March 1^st

2300h: News Flash! The container carrying the tiles for our backsplash arrived in Toronto today, yes today! Ok, so it took a bit of detective work to track it down, by container number, through a few leases and such, but thanks to That Internet Thing, I was able to track it down. The container left Italy at the beginning of February, arrived in Montreal few days ago, vacationed at the Canada Customs Bed and Breakfast, and then took the train to Toronto. I can't wait to see them.

1700h: Remember the sinking feeling? The pantry, on the left side, was delivered at 90" instead of 84". Guess what won't fit. The top cabinets. Doh!  Nonetheless, the kitchen is already looking absolutely awesome, and pretty close to the original vision. Should I start singing You've lost, that sinking feeling? I can't wait for tomorrow.

1600h: Well, I finally finished milling baseboards. Not my best job, but nothing a little sandpaper won't fix. Tomorrow is mount the baseboard and wainscot day.

1300h: Coco was here and briefing me on all the stuff to come. Too much to blog. The grilles are up and look absolutely fantastic. I'm debating whether to leave the screws brass coloured or black. Opinions? Oh, this is work avoidance, by the way. I don't want to finish milling the baseboards.

1100h: Uh oh. Why am I getting a sinking feeling in my gut? One of the cabinets wasn't adjusted during a review. Oops. It's an upper corner cabinet too. Yikes. Then, there's Robert who called and we have to juggle lots of stuff around next week. The granite people were really cool and said they could accommodate, so no slippage! Woo hoo!

0930h: Cabinet Installation Day! It looks like a major puzzle in the kitchen, with every box being about as far from where it's supposed to be as it can be. I've already been to HD to get mounting hardware for the antique air return grilles. I hope it won't take all day. I also hope I remember to shut off the furnace when I'm spray painting, otherwise, we'll have Heck's Kitchen One - Cooking in Space.

February 28^th

1700h: Where to begin. The wainscoting is progressing slowly. I forgot how long it takes to mill the baseboards. To the right is a picture of what's left of my kitchen. It's kind of a where's kitchen moment. Maybe that should be the new name instead of Heck's Kitchen, huh? The good news is the floor survived the delivery of the cabinets. It's incredible that we're coming to the end of the fourth week, and in serious construction mode. The next few days will show some radical changes. Wish us luck.

February 27^th

1930h: Coco just called and the cabinets are on the truck and will be delivered tomorrow. Fantastic! I can't wait.

1800h: What a day. I think I've created a whole lot of sawdust bunnies in the basement today. Mouldings and wainscoting are all in production and about 25% complete. The flooring people sent one of their senior people and the owner dropped by too. They did make it right. Thanks guys. I'm so wiped out I can't even come up with a good blog, although Chevey did today. The cabinets arrive tomorrow!!! And, amazingly enough, we are are the half-way point in the project, looking at the calendar.

February 26^th

2220h: So, in between periods, watching the Leafs lose again, I managed a pretty credible oil-rubbed bronze looking finish on our freshly stripped cast iron air return grates. Pretty cool what you can do with a can of spray copper and black rust paint. They're ready for mounting tomorrow on the wainscoting in the dining room. Ok, so I'm on the critical path again and have to get that done before Wednesday. Coco and Robert are all aligned with the schedule, and it looks like I may actually have a working stove and fridge next week! I'm not looking forward to dealing with the floor people tomorrow. I mean really guys, this is the almost the most expensive wood around. You got it right the first time, what's the problem now? Maybe sub-contracting rules are different in the renovation world. They got it right when it was a direct contract.

1700h: Well the grate stripping is going really slowly. I've used the really nasty powerful stuff, and that got the bulk of it, but now I have to get subtle with even more really nasty stinky stuff. Yuck, what a horrible job. Tonight, perhaps, I'll get some wainscoting done. I've also picked up most of the new casings, so I can start on that, after the floors are repaired tomorrow.

0945h: The flooring people were just here and are going to make corrections in the next two days. This keeps us on schedule. I can only hope that the floor tightens up a bit as summer hits and the moisture content rises. The wood for the wainscoting is inside now, acclimatising to our environment. I'm going to probably start milling tomorrow, while dust is being generated by the floor people. Robert is bringing over the faucets and sinks this week. Yay!

February 25^th

2130h: Kris and I spent today looking for hardware at antique stores. We got lucky! There's a place out in the Beach that happened to have cast iron air returns, and pullies, and door handles that are perfect. Very cool stuff. I'm planning on working on the wainscot in the dining room tomorrow, now that I have sizes. We also have our mouldings picked out. More progress! There's a bit of a delay, though, because both Chevey and I are not feeling too well. I was hit with an allergic reaction today, check my own blog, and Chevey isn't feeling too well. Cabinets arrive on Wednesday - I can't wait!

February 24^th

1600h: Today was spent negotiating dates and picking door hardware. Thanks to Robert and Coco and being understanding and able to move forward. Imagine that: dates actually getting earlier in a renovation. Holy Duck! Check out the KrisBlog for projections now. Good news all around. The new projection for the kitchen being online is March 22^nd, which, for those keeping score, is five days earlier than the original projection. We are now four days from the mid-way point in the project.

February 23^rd

2000h: Just when you thought things were going well... The flooring people did a real number on us today. Here's the issues list: The workspace was covered in sawdust. We have a chunk knocked out of our wall. The floor boards are not all lined up. There are already irregular gaps in the floor boards, which is totally unacceptable considering it was just installed. There's a missing board at the back wall. They managed to place small boards right in front of a doorway - a big no-no for hardwood floors. They even used my own vacuum instead of theirs. That just burns my buns. Needless to day, the contractor has been contacted and we're going to deal with this situation first thing Monday morning. That I have to stew about it all weekend is not helping me be predisposed to being nice to the flooring people, but I'll do my best. What's upsetting is that we've dealt with them before and they were consummate professionals the first time. See lessons learned. There is an upside. We're back in the eating area as you can see from the picture on the left. That is a big help.

February 22^nd

2300h:What a difference a day makes. The floor is half installed, and the pot lights in the kitchen area are done. The paint is dry and we're about 8 hours away from being able to accept delivery of the cabinets. Fantastic stuff. Kris and I spent the evening at the Chef's Table charity event at the Boiler Room this evening for the Children's Emergency Foundation. I got my ear bent by a few really nice chefs, sous chefs, and aspiring student chefs. It was quite the experience and all in a good cause.

February 21^st

2359h: Well, I'm now the critical path, apparently. The kitchen has its first coat of paint (all tonight). I think the flurry of activity of flinging brushes and rollers scared Kris and Chevey off to another corner of the house. Tomorrow is floors, and, with the exception of one nasty wall in the dining room, we're ready. I'm going to have to be really careful covering the floor while priming. That nasty primer will bond to everything. In fact, I leaned up against the wall yesterday, and was stuck there for an hour calling for help, but no one came - I thought I heard laughing though from Heck's Kids. It's a big relief to have the first coat done though. Here's a picture of me doing panic priming at 5am.

February 20^th

2330h: After a little sleep I was able to finish priming the Kitchen. We're on track. There's almost no dust. Who would have thought it? Chevey has successfully killed off all but one drywall dust bunny and is looking forward to the sawdust bunny hunt on Thursday. Just take a look at the project status page. We're green across the board!

1500h: End of phase one! The contractors finished up the drywall and installed the lintels. The gas supply lines were done and attached. We're now waiting for a gas inspection. We're actually on one day slack time now, with the flooring people coming on Thursday, on schedule. I was trying to sleep, but have been on the phone with my client the whole day. Next call, and I launch the phone to Low Earth Orbit. Now, if I could only convince Enbridge to come out and inspect this place. After all, I don't want the house ending up in Low Earth Orbit either.

February 19^th

The guys were here today doing the drywall mud. Nice job, guys. I patched holes in the dining room and made myself pretty sick doing it. Then, I had to work until about 12:30am for my client. I feel icky.

February 18^th

1900h: After a day of wall repair and priming, I'm feeling pretty woozy. Whatever is in that primer makes me really weird, but it covers absolutely anything, so it's worth it. I'm 90% done the kitchen, and 25% done the dining room. We'll make it before flooring. No sweat.

February 17^th

1800h: The final bits of wallpaper are gone. Finally. I've been so putting that off. Tomorrow is hole patching day and maybe, if I can sneak it in, a bit of priming. The more priming now, the less of a panic I'll be in the night before the floors are installed. Enough work. Time for food.

1200h: The second coat of drywall mud is going on now, on the seams. I'm really happy with the progress. We're tracking very well to the schedule now. Great job, Steve and Matty for getting us there. Kris and I are going out to pick our granite slab and door hardware. See you later in blog-land.

February 16^th

1800h: Well, most of the drywall is now up and the floor is screwed down. The whole house smells of foam fumes and I'm a still a bit giddy. There's still a bit more drywall to board to go up, and that'll be tomorrow at 8am. Then taping. It turns out that the gas line couldn't be completed today. The gas guy needs to disassemble the existing lines and link in a 3/4" pipe for the stove. It's more complex than he expected. That's rescheduled for Monday followed by an inspection. Then, the really dirty bit happens Tuesday when sanding happens. Yuck. The place is still too cluttered for me to patch the any of the existing walls, but I'm hoping that by this Sunday it'll be ok.

1400h: Services are all in, and so is the insulation. Check it out, Mike! Blue Spray Foam! Drywall is on it's way up. YAY! I just found out that I'll be up all night working with my client. Argh. So, I'm trying to snooze a little. Like I've ever been able to in the day time. I think I'm a bit space-out from the foam fumes. Weeeeeeeeeee. Looks like taping is today too, if we're lucky. Sanding isn't until next week, so Kris, we don't need to cover stuff yet. Kris went out and bought cheap sheets to cover the entire house from drywall dust. I think I saw a drywall dust bunny peeking out from the pile of sheets. Uh oh.

0800h: Just spoke to Steve. The gas and foam are going in soon.

February 15^th

2030h: We just got home. The gas installation was put off until tomorrow, as was the finishing of the lintels and patching of walls that were already patched once. I'm posting pictures of what we came home to tonight. I know, I know, mid-job stuff. It happens.
 

1000h: Electrical inspection passed!!!

February 14^th - Valentines Day

1530h: The new sub-panel wire has been run, and the guys are gone for the day. Tomorrow is gas and inspection day. If all goes well, we insulate on the 16th, and we're back on track for floors on the 22nd. Whew! Maybe Kris and I can go out and have a nice dinner tonight. Must remember to shut down computers before the power is switched off tomorrow.

1300h: Plumbing inspection passed!!! So that means two things: I don't have to be charged for "helping"; and another task completed.

1000h: The snow storm actually helped. The electrical inspector happened to be in the area and dropped in. Guess what? The wire used for the sub-panel for the kitchen was insufficient. And, they used the old stove wire for it, which has to be put back, because code requires a stove outlet even if it's not used. Now, tell me again why I'm paying for this? On the up side, we'll pass inspection tomorrow and be able to move ahead. Hopefully.

0845h: Remember the unsupported beam? Well, we have another one. Bloody marvellous. At least I caught that one too. What would happen if I wasn't here? Huh? Thank goodness for snowstorms. Lots of banging and sawing right now. The sub-floor is being finished. More holy ducks were found today.

0730h: Still no snow plow, so I'm stuck here today. Grrrr. Wonder whether the plumbing inspector will make it here.

0600h: Now this is what snow blowers are for. I can clean my driveway, but can't get farther than the street, unless the city wants me to do the whole circle. Kris is still resisting waking up.

0400h: It's snowing and Kris' alarm went off early, so I'm up.

February 13^th

1730h: So, the picture doesn't look a whole lot different than the 8th's picture, but the joists have been levelled, and sub-floor has been replaced. Now, let's hope the snow doesn't do us in. And I thought last week was a slow week.

1615h: The guys left, and the new floor is tacked in place waiting on inspectors. It's nicely level now, and the walls are actually supported properly. Plumbing inspection is tomorrow - snowstorm not withstanding. The electrical inspection may happen Thursday (!) and insulation on Friday. If that happens, we may get to start the drywall on Saturday. Can I help? Can I help? I'm actually pretty good at drywall, and if the contractor doesn't look, it may get done by the time they show up on Monday <hiding box of drywall screws and screw gun behind back>.

1430h: Well, the floor in the kitchen is being put down now. It's all level, within about 1/2", which is pretty good. Someone stepped on a holy duck, so there was penance to be paid. My new GFI is in, so I'm happy that way. The dry-wall guy has offered to work the weekend, assuming we can get the inspection done Friday, so, there's hope. We're definitely in heroics mode. I think we may need to have an Augean Stables Dinner once we're done.

1100h: It's the 13th, and guess what. The interior walls aren't supported by anything other than the sub-floor. Mike, where are you when we need you. I want to know who bribed the building inspector when this place was built, and with that? The good part is that all the corrections to fix these variants aren't impacting the schedule, because we're waiting on the electrical inspection. The bad part is that it's costing me money. I hear the scope creep alarm going off. Whoop! Whoop! Whoop!

February 12^th

2145h: Back from dinner, feeling like crap, but going into work tomorrow. I taped the holy ducks.

1845h: I can't convince the project management software that we're going to be close to schedule. Uh oh.

1330h: Arrived home today to find mouldy insulation covering my make-shift kitchen work area and the floors pulled up. So now, we have to get a new sub-floor. I also had to discuss, with the contractors, the electrical code and tell them to put a GFI circuit in where I knew we wouldn't pass inspection. So, I'm now without a place to cook, very worried about whether the schedule is going to fall apart like a house of ... mouldy insulation, and now the contractors want a mid-point payment on Friday. Well, only if we pass all the inspections. I'm going out to eat tonight, because I can't face another moment looking at the mess, and I'm sick as a dog. Wonderful. The place is such a mess that I can't even make any headway on finishing any of the patching or priming. I may get to patch up more holy ducks though.

February 11^th

2030h: Just so you'll know, it's possible to do a chocolate soufflé in a toaster oven.

1145h: I'm prepping the walls for a coat of primer. This is more icky stuff that Kris doesn't like one bit. Washing down walls with TSP, the a good rinse, then patching, sanding, and priming. It'll be a while. I need a shower, badly.

February 10^th

We removed wallpaper today. Finally. I've been putting this one off for months. I actually started back in December, but finally removed the last bits today. Tomorrow's plan is to get out the patching compound and do repairs. No pressure, but I've got to get it done before the floors go in. The funny bit was that three of us spilled entire buckets of water on the sub-floor at three separate times. Kris was not happy that all the towels in the house are now soaked. I have to admit, it was pretty funny. I just wonder where all the water went. Methinks humour has returned to Heck's Kitchen.

February 9^th

2025h: Kids are here! Kids are here! Wallpaper is now at 25% removal!!! <laughing>. Official wallpaper ripping party is tomorrow.

1445h: We now have the plumbing inspection scheduled, and electrical inspection in the works. Everything went critical on the project plan, and the floor installation had to move to February 22^nd. I'm getting a bit edgy about it, but reassured that the contractor did step up to the plate on this. I'm feeling like the humour has left the building.

1200h: For an off day, a lot of things are happening at Heck's Kitchen, especially considering that Kris and I still haven't recovered from whatever virus has us in its grip. The owner of the contractor company, Clayton, has been a huge help in getting the permit stuff sorted out, and we're not looking at a significant delay at this point. The floors may slip, or we may slip on the floors, but cabinet delivery is still on track, and that's sort of the keystone of the whole project plan. If that moves, so does the end date. I've also ordered a small surprise for the team, which should be here after the drywall is done.

1100h: We're trying to work out the new schedule. Ontario has been very helpful in getting our permits worked out. They've said that the plumbing permit can be done by us, electrical needs to be done by the contractor, and Consumer's Gas gets to inspect afterward. We're enroute to the permit office now.

1030h: The screeching sound you hear is the breaks being put on the project. Turns out that permits are missing and we can't proceed with insulation on Monday. This is definitely a Mike Holmes Moment, but it's the law. There's no question about it anymore.

0730h: It's an off day, today. Our contractor called and said that the remaining electrical outlets and floor level will be handled, so no worries.

February 8^th

1800h: That's it for today. The project plan was updated. Our slack, which we were so happy about having, went buh bye. From here on in, we're on the critical path. That means wallpaper stripping this weekend, or else!

1630h: The flooring company came by to make sure that everything was ready for them on the 19th. Guess what. Another problem. Where's that scope alarm? There's a big raised spot in the floor that feels like it's about 1" higher than the rest of the floor. The good part is that it's in the eating area, so our measurements may not get completely messed up. The bad part is that it's money to fix. We'll see what happens in tomorrow's update.

1600h: Tomorrow's an off-day for the construction people. Everything's done, except for a bit of dusting and cleaning, and some electrical outlets that can be done later, waiting on the insulation people. It will give us time over the weekend to remove the last wallpaper bits. The current pictures are below.

Facing into the kitchen, note the microwave frame-in on the left.	Facing the eating area, and the fridge on wheels.

1500h: Coco was here with revisions. Seems like everything's ok. We got the microwave box positioned and framed.

1200h: Noon update. The wiring is proceeding. We've got some of the breakers in the new sub-panel, and my workshop is being patched. New task for tonight: prime the walls in my workshop. Wonderful. At least I won't be able to smell the primer with a head full of snot. Still waiting on Coco to come by with revised drawings.

0900h: Well my workshop is trash. They had to dismantle it to run wires without trashing the rest of the house. I guess I can live with that. Kris is going to freak out when she sees the mess. I hope the progress in the kitchen offsets it. And, for those following this, yes, there's no vapour barrier in the basement. That explains a whole lot of stuff. Mental note: When the basement is redone, we're going to have to rip down the walls here too and redo the insulation. We probably should have just gutted the whole place. To all of you thinking about doing the basement yourself: Do it right or don't do it at all.

I have no words for the original builder, nor the people who created this mess at our place, nor the home inspector, nor any of the real-estate agents involved. Just don't knock on my door asking for anything. Ever.

0800h: We'll it's day 4 of the renovation, day 2 of construction. The priority today is electrical. The electrician just showed up and wire planning is going on. I'm resisting the temptation to stick my head up through the holes in the floor, not that that's hard. Kris and I are both barely able to talk today. We're both pretty sick. I don't even know how I can be up typing.

February 7^th

1600h: End of day 3. We've actually increased the amount of slack to 7 days until the floors go in on the 19th, so that makes me feel good. The place is still dusty as Heck. The wires are all in place for connecting the sub-panel to pot lights, and that's for tomorrow. The mouldy insulation on the East wall is gone. The South wall is still icky. I can actually relax tonight and just be sick. Did someone mention soup?

1450h: Just got off the phone with Coco. It looks like he built in fillers into the plan, so the measuring may be a non-issue. More to come tomorrow when he's here and checks things out.

1415h: Just when we thought things were going well, the kitchen plan was measured wrong. So we're 6 inches off in the width of the cabinets across the East wall. I don't know what this is going to mean as far as delays to the cabinets, but I think we have a problem.

1200h: The plumbing rough-ins are complete. Wires are now being strung to the sub-panel. Looks like the wire fish have been very busy today. Too bad they're going to probably be eaten tonight. I heard Chevey hunting earlier this morning. Looks to me like we're tracking close to schedule. I'm sure there will be some priming and painting heroics until all hours a few nights over the next couple of weeks, before the floors are installed.

0900h: I think we have the lights positioned and the drain rough-in looks like it will complete today. Super. Electrician is due later today. So far, the contractor hasn't added any extra fees for my helping. What was that noise?

0700h: We're up early this morning to confer with Robert about the decision to move the pot-lights. He agreed that the move was needed, so away we go today.

February 6^th

2200h: I just finished roughing in the water supply to the island. Do you have any idea what it's like trying to get a hot solder joint done when there's water in the pipes that you can't drain? I also taped up the air ducts, which were leaking into the floor.

1845h: Ok. I just lost it due to plumbing issues. Where's that snake?. Have to make another run to HD to get supplies and a work light, because there are no lights in the kitchen anymore.

1600h: The drywall is down, and the vent for the island is being built. Right now, it's mid-construction. I have more soldering to do tonight. As you can see from the picture, we're down to almost nothing now.

1530h: We got the lights sorted out, I hope. Now what was this about wanting to put the sub-panel were it would violate code? Hum? Uh NO.

1230h: Kris is feeling like crap and getting worse. I'm coming home.

1100h: The lights don't line up with anything. Fantastic. Who knew.

1000h: Insulation? We have insulation? Well maybe a little. What's that black mouldy stuff. I've already decided on blue foam, no matter what happens.

0730h: The guys are here for another day of something. The drywall is supposed to come down. Let's see what happens.

February 5^th

2230h: I'm done for the night. All supply valves have been soldered, just waiting for T's, positioning, and cabinets. All except one. I think Chevey took one valve, and it's plastic bag, and hid it, the brat. 1630h: We'll we're done for the day. The guys have left, and we've decided to pull down the drywall. Apparently, "It's an R2000 Home" is now the fourth great lie. The vapour barrier is totally trashed and the insulation is missing in spots. Kris is having to calm me down. The dust in here is just terrible.

1445h: Now if I could only get off these conference calls and get to the store for supplies, maybe we could make some progress. I need marble.

1400h: The tiles are all broken up and they're shovelling and sweeping. Man oh man is it dusty in here.

1215h: Guys have taken a break. 1/4 of the tiles are gone. I'm figuring mid-day tomorrow before that's done. Kris has gone for lunch.

1100h: Cabinets are gone. I had to re-cap the plumbing lines, because they wanted a standard rough-in, so the outside faucet is disconnected for the duration. Mental note: plumbing before sink install.

1000h: MICE? WE HAD MICE? Found lots of peanut shells under the old cabinets. Glad the home inspector didn't find this (Sarcasm, folks). Anyone want his name, so you can avoid using him or his company?

0730h: A good sign. Everyone's here early. I should have stopped hitting the snooze button.

February 4^th

1830h: Well, we made it. The kitchen is packed and vacated (mostly), and we're ready for the cabinets to be removed! Here's today's image of our kitchen. Packing has just completed, and we're going for dinner. Take-Out.

1700h: I was going to sweat a new set of shut-offs under the sink, but, given the corrosion on the pipes, I'm going to put fresh copper in after the cabinets are gone. It'll be easier to do then anyway, and I can tie into clean pipes. The caps are on, so the kitchen sink is now out of commission.

1400h: I think the stress of this renovation has hit the boiling point. We're trying to get ready and get things out of the kitchen. We've realized that there are things missing that we should have done but can't do anything about it. I'm pretty ticked off and Kris is so sick she can't move. Is it the stress? Possibly, but she's sure sick. Can we do anything about it? Nope. Are we going to have to work through the night? Uh huh. I'm going to be very glad when this is over, assuming I survive it.

February 3^rd

The Scope Alarm is going off big time. Aside from spending any time at all blogging, which I shouldn't today, we went out for boxes and came back with all sorts of stuff. At least it doesn't need to be packed. Here's today's image of our kitchen. Packing is going on, and Kris is hiding behind the chaos.

February 2^nd

It's Groundhog Day and Wiarton Willie predicted an early spring. In a related story, Prayrie Dog Papa (a.k.a. Randy) poked his head out the window, and didn't see his shadow either, thereby predicting an early completion of the Heck's Kitchen Renovation.

February 1^st

We had our launch meeting today. The electrical stuff is all set up. The project plan is ok. Here we go! Pray for us.

January 31^st

Chevey and I are spending the day together avoiding working on the renovation - big surprise. He's asleep under the kitchen table, and I'm working on my client's stuff. Later on, more pantry packing. Too bad there's no "empty box delivery service", because, do I ever need boxes. Robert called to confirm tomorrow's meeting. Hopefully that'll happen without a hitch. More later. If anyone is interested in the mess the old fridge is making, it's alive and making ice sculptures.

January 29^th

We're frantically cat-proofing the place. He'll be here in less than 24 hours now, and we have lots of chachkahs that need to be put away. Kris is running off to an out of town meeting the first day Chevey will be here, so I get to play "catch the breakables". Yikes. That and more packing. It's about time for the pantry.

January 28^th

Today was split into two parts. the first was packing the dining room for the renovation (Thanks Kris for all of the work you did!!!); and the second was spent out of the house on a cat hunt. A new member, Heck's Kitty, has joined our family. Please see his page for details.

January 26^th

Juggling between client conference calls and calls from our supplies, my ear is hurting. A bit (a lot) of panic set in on a possible change to the floor date, but that was resolved. I'm sure Kris will say something about it in her blog soon. I'm still waiting on drawings and project plans (you know who you are), and the name of the ship our tiles are on.

January 25^th

Maybe if I could lick this virus, I'd be able to start moving stuff out of the kitchen (Kris, I know, it's not on the critical path until mid-next week). The floors are officially scheduled for Feb 19th, so we're well on the way to having the plans firmed up. We have our sinks and faucets on order now. I even got my pot filler! Destruction starts Feb 5th, and we just need to work out lighting positions and the heating rack - yes, I got my heating rack. Not a warming drawer, this is something better. Of course, finding one is a different story. I also got drafted into putting valves on the water lines before destruction, so that the sink can be torn out. The next big meeting is February 1st, where all big decisions should be finalized. Appliance delivery is set for March 7th. I am so scared. What's scarier is that the bill for the flooring for the other rooms came today... [the blog ends for the day as Randy passed out]

January 24^th

Well, I'm home again today, pondering what to do next. The water supply valve for the fridge was installed yesterday, and so that's good to go. No self-tapping valve for me. It's a proper soldered supply valve. I'm eyeing the valve on the humidifier wondering whether I should replace it too. Robert was off yesterday, but I'm hoping for an updated project plan from him tomorrow. <scared look> We're still waiting on new drawings from Coco so that I can post the cabinet finals. In the meantime, Kris and I have been looking at retired SBT Bengals. Just what we need, a Chef Kitty blog. Come to think if it, isn't that what ends up in the litter box?

January 23^rd

Oh dear. We've already had to change the cabinet arrangement. Somehow, our magic corner didn't fit, so we have to reduce the size of one of the cabinets. At least it was caught in the manufacturing stage. Like I need this? I wonder whether the throwing up today was from the virus I have or sheer terror of what's to come.

If that wasn't enough, the cabinet people now said that they had to redesign the doors above the refrigerator. In hindsight, going from two to four doors over a 48" fridge is probably a good thing. Thanks Coco. New drawings are expected tomorrow, so I'll try to post them shortly after they arrive.

January 22^nd

Panic is definitely starting to set in. I'm already worried about schedules (See the KrisBlog). We're still waiting on a project plan from our general contractor; with two weeks to go, I'm seriously worried about not having it. Of course, Kris and I both to project management as part of our jobs, so our plan is pretty detailed and we're tracking slack pretty accurately. There's about a week of wiggle room up to the day the cabinets come in. Then, we're real tight. On that subject, I got told today that there may be a 3-4 day delay for the cabinets. That got quickly negotiated down to 2-3 days for the doors, but the cabinets will be on time. <deep breath/>

January 19^th

In preparation for the renovation, we're starting to pack up the kitchen. This means moving all the stuff into "other rooms". Unfortunately, the kitchen renovation is also hitting the dining room floor, so that has to be packed up too. Wonderful, huh? So, in the middle of all this, we are arranging the living room. How? Step one: Use proper Feng Shui principles. Step two: After all the good Ch'i has filled the room, displace it with boxes from the packed kitchen. At least our all our kitchen and dining room stuff will be permeated with good Ch'i. I'm pretty sure there are critters lurking around just waiting for hiding places to be made.

January 18^th

All the stuff appears to be coming together. Materials and resources are all lined up. We have our cost estimates together - gasp - and work is about to start. The task of packing up the old kitchen contents begins pretty soon. We're planning a big closing dinner next weekend to say good bye to the old kitchen. I think breakage of equipment is likely in celebration: plates; appliances (whatever still works); glasses; etc. A garage sale is already in the planning stages and we'll probably have news about it here.

January 13^th

We had our meeting with Robert from the general contracting firm today. Everyone's lined up. Why do I have the feeling we're still missing something?

January 11^th

We had another design meeting today with Coco and Marie-Anne. Colours are picked. The wainscoting has been mostly agreed on (Randy: guess who gets to custom make that). We're worrying about scope creep, as usual. The good news is that the cabinet installation has been cut down to three days, and that moves the kitchen online date to March 27^th! We'll post the final drawings this weekend.

January 9^th

The tiles have now been ordered. Hopefully we'll be able to figure out what ship they're on and track it. The sinks and faucets are now also on the way.

Here's what the a recent plan looks like. It's changed a bit since we started. The fancy hood over the stove has been replaced by a standard 48" stainless wide hood, primarily for cost reasons, although there are some features of the new hood that make it way too tempting. There's also a new raised extension on the island, in Jatoba, coming outward on the side opposite the stove. New drawings are expected soon.

East elevation	Floor plan

We'd love to mention the manufacturers of the appliances, but then, nothing in life is free, is it? Let's just say that the stove/oven was made by a company that has real canine teeth.

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