Concrete foundation

Formwork removed. Looks good so far -- no gaping holes, no protruding steel, no crumbling concrete. Total cost, not including professional certification, came to $6,312.Soils engineer's observation and certification = $698.
Land surveyor's certification of stakes = $600.

Relocated subpanel

For compliance with current codes, the breaker panel had to be moved out of the closet.

Perfect new spot was in the garage, eleven feet away, along the same wall. It cuts most wires shorter, minimizing splices. The stud bay there also happened to be a little wider than usual, allowing a good fit for the box.

I hired a skilled electrician for this, but to expedite his work, I did the demolition, attic clearing and even some wire pulling.

Total cost = $1,416. Total time ~ three half-days of supervision.

Finally, concrete!

Eight cubic yards.

Formwork ready

Formwork is ready. Inspection is next, then concrete pour.

Rebars galore

Tyng reinforcement bars took all day. Inside formwork was started, but they'll need a few more hours tomorrow.

Concrete foundations today (in America) are built using a lot more steel than just a few years ago due to tightening building codes.

Outer formwork

Outside formboards completed. New foundation will partially sit on the existing concrete patio -- a cost-savings measure -- but the structural bearing is on friction piers. Concrete will be a single pour (monolithic) with the piers. Tomorrow will be steel reinforcement and completion of formwork.

Drilling pier holes

Today was ground drilling day -- eleven holes, 12" diameter by 8 feet deep each. The top three feet was mostly soft clay, but after that it was what the soils engineer (special inspection was required) called "weathered sandstone." It's basically hardpan. Drilling through it required a special titanium bit and more than half an hour each hole.

Demo down to studs

I'm doing all interior demolition myself to control the mess as well as potential damage to nearby surfaces. It also allows me to check and fine-tune my designs after uncovering hidden obstructions. For tight designs like mine, project cost is greatly affected by these "micro" logistics.

All but that corner stud will be removed. Looks good so far.

Project: powder room +

The new powder room (half bath consisting of toilet and lavatory) is on the same building permit as the rear addition. Hence, concurrent interior work. Bedroom 4 and the Entry area are integrally affected.