Garage Footer Excavation

The first picture is of the old slab, back from 2010.  There were a few large trees on the left and back of it that were popping up the concrete and pretty much making it unusable.  The old slab looked like it had some sort of structure on it at one point, but that was long gone by the time I moved in.  

The second picture is of the excavation for the footer for the new garage.  It took 2 days for excavation and to lay the rebar. The city inspector came out yesterday and gave us the go ahead to proceed with pouring the footer, which will happen later today.  They will be able to install the block for the foundation later this weekend or Monday.  After that, another inspection, then pouring the new slab.  

Garage Design

Tomorrow is groundbreaking for our garage!  I can't wait for it to be finished.  

Here is the framing, done in sketchup.

A few of the details:

• 16' wide x 26' long x 14' tall, even though our lot is 20' wide.   
• We wanted a 3'-6" pathway on the side to allow access to the backyard and english basement without needing to go through the garage. We currently don't rent out the basement, but the future home owner may want that option.  
• Also, if the garage was on the property line, then the walls would need to be constructed differently to meet fire rating.  One wall is 3'-6" away, and the other is 0'-6" away from the property line.  
• Accessory structures in our zone cannot be taller than 15', so I wasn't able to add a small room above the garage.  
• The garage matches the style of our house, with a slate gable roof in the front, low sloped roof in the back and parapets on the sides.    
• Dormer window facing south for natural light.  
• French doors facing the house for better aesthetics and also to allow easier access to the backyard with equipment, tools, furniture, etc...
• Space in the back of the garage for a small workshop.  
• Hardiplank cement siding which looks like wood siding, but last quite a bit longer.
• Rain barrel on the back side for our future herb garden.  
• 50A electrical service from the house to power a few tools, lights, kegerator, TV, and other mancave accessories.    

I am contracting out the excavation, foundation, and slab, and plan on doing the framing, doors and windows, and siding myself (with some help from friends of course).

As a responsible resident, I did get permits for all of the work.  I only needed a structural engineer to stamp the structural and architectural drawings, and I was able to do the electrical, environmental, and plat layout drawings myself.  I'll need to have a licensed electrician do the electrical, as the city won't accept my electrical engineering degree as justification for allowing me to do the work.  It's probably safer that way.

Getting the permit was a pain though.  I didn't know the homeowner's center could handle large projects like garages until a month after I submitted the drawings.  I also didn't know the homeowner's center was a separate office in the DCRA.  I thought it was all the same, and that the home owner went through some special flow in the permitting process.  I didn't know what it actually was.  The DCRA failed to mention this to me the several times I was in there asking for advice before I actually submitted for the permit.  Because of this, my permit took almost 2 months, instead of 2 weeks.  I'll definitely use them for other future projects, and advise all DC homeowners to try there first.  I blame it on naivety on my side, and miscommunication on both sides.  Having gone through the process, I'll know next time, but I don't like that the only reason I know the correct process is because I had problems with it the first time.

To help address this, it would be nice if the first question the person behind the DCRA service desk should ask is, "Are you the homeowner?  If so, please try our homeowner's center (back there) which will help you through the permitting process.  If not, here's your number.  Next!"  ;-)

From various DC blogs, I see that a  lot of people don't know about the homeowner's center, so it doesn't seem to be advertised as well as it could be.  It wasn't clear to me, and I spent a lot of time on the DCRA website before I even went to their office.  Maybe it's just me, but if more than a few people have the same issue, then it's most likely a systematic issue.  (Yes, I do speak engineer from time to time.)  That's just my two cents...

Screened in deck with party lights

Our back deck was simple, and not screened in, so I made it more complicated by adding a design to the railings and screened it in, with cat proof screening.  I added party lights and fans on both levels, along with hammocks upstairs to allow for a little R&R.  

Cherry Dresser

We needed a new dresser also, so I went with the same mid-century modern design.  It is solid cherry with a linseed oil finish.  Our cat, Simon, approves.

Foyer Sideboard

I took a woodworking class at the Corcoran College of Art & Design in fall of 2010.  It was a great class.  I highly recommend it for anyone looking to get into woodworking.  

I decided to make an asymmetric piece for our foyer to hold our gloves, scarves, mail, etc.  We like the mid-century modern look, so I modeled it after a piece we saw at Room & Board.  It's made out of cherry, with a linseed oil finish.  The pulls are from Anthropologie.  

Bedroom full of handmade furniture

Our room with all hand made furniture, except for the ottoman, courtesy of Target.

Nightstands and Chiffonier

The next pieces I made (with help) were a chiffonier, and 2 nightstands.  They are also red oak with an espresso stain, same as the bed.  The upper right picture shows the number of clamps needed to glue up the piece.  It was a difficult piece, but turned out very nice. Because red oak has such a deep grain, it takes a dark stain very well.

I think I made these while I was unemployed, b/c well, I had lots of spare time, and we wanted some new furniture.