The Work Begins....

After closing on both houses and a nice, relaxing week in Edisto, we came back and got to work on some of the demolition at the new house.  Before the hard part, we did some shopping!  We bought a pedastal sink, new commode, and new faucet for the basement bathroom.  We also got 2 new outdoor lights for the front porch and one for the back door.  Since we are doing a lot of the demo, we had to get started so the contractors could come in on Monday (today) and start their part on the exterior of the house.

With some help from Gil and Dad, we got gutters down, part of the brick retaining wall down, and the shutters pressure washed.

This lovely root grew up between the patio and the brick wall that separates the patio from the carport.  Unfortunately, the carport is supported on the brick wall and the brick wall can't be saved.  Slight problem.

Since the carport is supported on the wall, Graham, Gil, and Dad had to get it supported before the wall could come down.

Once we got the carport supported, Graham decided that the wall could just be pushed over.  I was unsure.

Amazingly enough, it pushed over very easily!

Graham took the sledge hammer to the first column support...and then we decided that we needed to support the carport with another 4x4, so we left the rest until Graham could get another support and finish the demo.

The gutters came down pretty easily as well!  Graham and Gil worked so hard on getting them down.  It was ridiculously hot, and I am so thankful they were able to get this done.  It's amazing how much money can be saved in doing most of the demolition ourselves.

For some reason, the shutters from the front of the house were being stored in a corner in the carport.  They were absolutely filthy.  I manned the pressure washer (which I'm so mad we don't have a picture of) and managed to get them clean enough to be ready to be scraped, repainted, and re-hung. 

Lexie made her first visit to the new house.  I think she loves it!


So....after a pretty successful and extremely hot day, we got a lot accomplished.  Now it's time for the real work to begin!  A new roof, new gutters, and painting are on their way.  Plans have been made and work will be in full swing starting tomorrow!  The exterior of the house should be looking more and more presentable every day now!