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It really is exciting when you see it all start to come together and your plans take shape.

How high are the ceilings???

Wait!!! You got a second floor to build before you put a roof on it! Don't be getting too far ahead of yourself there!

Also, are all the outlets on the ocean-side wall in the cocina supposed to be that low? I know DW & possible garbage disposal or water purifier, but do you not have any above counter-top outlets on that cocina wall?? Oh wait! Is there maybe ONE in the leftest column in that pic? Where are the switches for the arch lighting? & no switch(s) by the door for outside lighting....or are they hiding behind the stack of blocks? 'k.....I'm going to bed now!

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

It really is exciting when you see it all start to come together and your plans take shape.

How high are the ceilings???

It's pretty exciting! Downstairs is 9', upstairs is 8'6".

Originally Posted by longlegsinlapaz

Wait!!! You got a second floor to build before you put a roof on it! Don't be getting too far ahead of yourself there!

Also, are all the outlets on the ocean-side wall in the cocina supposed to be that low? I know DW & possible garbage disposal or water purifier, but do you not have any above counter-top outlets on that cocina wall?? Oh wait! Is there maybe ONE in the leftest column in that pic? Where are the switches for the arch lighting? & no switch(s) by the door for outside lighting....or are they hiding behind the stack of blocks? 'k.....I'm going to bed now!

Picky, picky....I didn't know what else to call it other than the roof (for the downstairs)

The two low outlets on the ocean-side wall are for a dishwasher (if we decide to put one in) and the other is below the sink for a garbage disposal. All the appliance outlets are on the wall that would be located to the left of the photo. We put the appliance stuff where it wouldn't be in front of windows. The windows are at 42 inches, which gives 6" of backsplash below them. The switch in the "leftest" column is for a hot water recycle loop. The kitchen is about 40' from the water heater. This will recirculate hot water to the kitchen so we don't waste a bunch waiting for it to arrive. I'll put a little timer switch on it so we don't forget to turn it off. Don't know if it will be necessary, but if I put the wiring in for it anyway. Better to have it and not need it, than wish I would have put it in.

Switches for the arch lighting will be in one of the middle posts, facing the living area. You can't see the switches for the outdoor lighting, they will be on the side of the column facing the sliding door.

Are you putting in a garbage disposal? We chose not to as food leftovers do not biodegrade very well. Take a tour of any of the wastewater treatment centers north of the border and you will see how much work they go through / money they spend on removing food waste from the sewer feed streams. Food contains oil and grease which will become the target of choice of the bacteria in your septic system instead of the "other stuff" it's supposed to be working on.

Just saying...

I suppose it depends on one's perspective.....from the first floor, looking up, the first floor interior "roof" in a two-story construction might be called a ceiling....while from the second floor, looking down, it'd commonly be referred to as floor.

That was a test, sounds to me like you've got electrical things pretty well covered, feel free to proceed to the mixing cement to cast it in concrete stage! You DO own a hammer & chisel, right?

Because I did all my own design, including location & position of all electrical, I knew immediately if something was missing or nor placed according to plan, but it helps to have a set of plans close at all times to show the workers how many cm above finished floor height, how many inches switches are from finished door openings or centered in columns, etc. In the garage the outlets were supposed to be above workbench height.....I sweetly told my builder to check the plans & get those contactos up off the floor! I asked why they ran both hot & cold plumbing to the dishwasher. Explaining things like positions of the electrical outlet for a cabinet mounted microwave is supposed to be behind the appliance, not aligned with the over-counter outlets because we don't want the cord showing, etc., etc.! No matter how closely you watch (and you have the benefit of being 4 eyes [no, not an eyeglass crack!] while I was only 2 eyes....there will be things that you don't catch immediately. What stage you catch them at governs to what degree it can be corrected according to plan! You can only be so vigilant & in so many places at once!

You'll age 5 - 10 years during your construction....why do you think I look like I'm 95?

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

Are you putting in a garbage disposal? We chose not to as food leftovers do not biodegrade very well. Take a tour of any of the wastewater treatment centers north of the border and you will see how much work they go through / money they spend on removing food waste from the sewer feed streams. Food contains oil and grease which will become the target of choice of the bacteria in your septic system instead of the "other stuff" it's supposed to be working on.

Just saying...

We have the wiring for one, but we won't install a garbage disposal. It's there for the future if whoever buys it someday wants one. We've been doing without it for over a year and a half now and don't miss it. I agree about the septic. I've read over and over again that septic is much happier without the food waste.... and we do want a happy septic

Originally Posted by longlegsinlapaz

I suppose it depends on one's perspective.....from the first floor, looking up, the first floor interior "roof" in a two-story construction might be called a ceiling....while from the second floor, looking down, it'd commonly be referred to as floor.

In my plans I call them 'roof up' and 'roof down"

That was a test, sounds to me like you've got electrical things pretty well covered, feel free to proceed to the mixing cement to cast it in concrete stage! You DO own a hammer & chisel, right?

Yes I own both and have put them to good use. For some reason, everywhere I've placed lights seems to be at the joint where two blocks meet, not in the nice hollow space in the center of the block. Unfortunately I've had to chisel more than I'd like.

Looks like we're going to be ready to pour the patio cover tomorrow:



What a complicated structure. It was pretty amazing to watch them build the forms, engineer the angles and tie the rebar together. They did all this in 4 days.

I really like the look of that tied rebar Wooo. One of the reasons I chose Chava as our "maestro" way back when was I had heard lots of great referrals from folks around here, especially on the quality of his losa roofs and the fact that they never leak. That is a good sign that the rebar work was done correctly. I have seen many losa roofs down here where they tied all the rebar in one day.

And it shows come the first rain.

Tying the patio roof into the dala will make it very strong once the downstairs losa is poured and keep it water tight...

Unless you zoomed in really tight, it looks like your rebar is a heavier gauge than mine!! Looking good! The boys are doing a neat & tidy job.

Are you keeping a written log of all the unique "quirks"? No hot showers, no cold washing cement off hands? No watermelon & beer? Or have I screwed that all up? You want to really freak them out....just repeat some of the comments you're receiving, by location, on their work from La Paz & San Q & wherever else!

Also, I noticed in that last pic that you finally found a way to put safety protection on top of your dangerous rebar....but I gotta tell ya, they don't look like mushroom rebar caps to me!

The job they did tying the rebar together is pretty impressive. It was interesting watching the two masons teaching the helpers how to tie it properly, then checking over their work.

To cover the dangerous rebar that they may fall on, I made a bunch of wood caps. I think the foam is just there because there was no place else to put it. The workers are very careful with the debris, and do a good job controlling the trash so it doesn't blow into the neighbors lot, or onto the beach.

I should keep a list of all the quirks . Might be fun to look at later, or for comparison.

All the rebar is 1/2". We went with larger steel because we didn't want any visible support beams. The patio will be one uninterrupted surface with no beams.

From the looks... think that Japan could use you on some of their "nuke" plants...

They did it. They're pouring today:



Bucket Brigade:

So what's on the BBQ right about now???

Originally Posted by BajaGringo

So what's on the BBQ right about now???

The masons are from Constitucion. It's Saturday, they're working late, and they're itching to get home for the weekend. No BBQ this time.

Yesterday we removed the forms from the patio cover:



We used foam forms to create concrete-crown molding:



The interior arches will provide support for the second story:





Now they're putting up the lumber to pour the first floor ceiling. Couple more weeks and we'll have a roof

Looking fantastic Wooo! Seeing the house coming together and taking shape is such a thrill - you guys remind me of the stages of construction we went through and how each step feels like such an accomplishment.

It will just keep getting better!

I stand corrected on saying it might be a while before you update (on BG's const thread) because you're in the thick of things!!!

WOW! Lotsa progress!!!! Looking good, but why does the arch on the right have a much sharper arch to it that the adjacent ones?? They can soften that when they do the final plaster. I'd have sworn that someone warned you to keep an eyeball on the consistent shape of all those adjacent arches before they pour! Does that arch have a light in it? That could be a little tricky to maintain consistent appearance.

So....next planned jaunt to La Paz is probably 2013?

Originally Posted by longlegsinlapaz

...but why does the arch on the right have a much sharper arch to it that the adjacent ones??

Just a guess but maybe the distance between those two columns on the right is less than on the left???