Journal #4 - Construction of the New House. Part 1 - Demolition

The very last tenants (ever) vacate the old house.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car fails to produce the cargo van promised for this morning, greatly shifting my plans.

Jeff and I execute the contract at Jeff's house this morning, 8/28. Now the real fun begins!

After execution of the A107 contract, I work on getting a local apartment for the winter and selling several of the major appliances and fixtures.

I visit with the owners of a duplex on the Bay in Ship Bottom. The apartment is very nice, having just been rebuilt following serious burst-pipes water damage in last winter's deep freeze. Later, I sign an 8-month lease for the first floor. This will be my "winter quarters."

Jayne has advertised the stacked washer/dryer and the like-new studio electric range in local LBI papers. These are marketed in more detail on my Web site (see: For Sale Items.)

This afternoon, I show the washer/dryer to "Paul," who is renovating apartments in Beach Haven. He is also interested the studio split air conditioning unit and possibly the studio pedestal sink and shower doors. He leaves a deposit and promises to return with a trailer for the washer/dryer.

Verizon jumps the gun on my request to disconnect and removes the phone line by two weeks. And this was the phone number that Jayne used in her ads. At least they faxed the disconnect confirmation.

I move a load of items to South Salem in the Land Cruiser.

I return to Harvey Cedars.

I dismantle studio unit air conditioner, pedestal sink, shower door. Paul later comes by to take them.

Jayne and Austin drive down to Harvey Cedars.

Gas company rep visits to confirm for permit that there is no gas line connected.

I return to South Salem with a load of packed items.

We put more items on the curb for sale.

Final tally of items sold:

I drive to Harvey Cedars and continue dismantling and packing.

Comcast disconnects cable and then faxes disconnect confirmation for permit.

Conectiv takes down power lines, leaving me without power or hot water for the night.

I move the two plastic lockers and other items intended for winter quarters. to SUSA in the Land Cruiser. That's about all that I can squeeze in.

Back at Lee Avenue, I meet Dave of Roberts HVAC. Dave is collecting the refrigerant from the AC unit. He is interested in taking the unit, fixing it up and using it in his home.. That's fine with me. I always prefer to see things go to use.

We remove the doors from studio refrigerator. Jeff checks with Dom Ross Demolition regarding disposal.

I load up one last time at the dead house and return to South Salem.

Dom Ross calls Jeff to say that he is running behind schedule. There will be no demolition tomorrow. Plan on Monday.

I salvaged the Closet Maid shelves from the master bedwoom closet.

Visited town hall to provide checks for permit fees. Met Claire (town building clerk) and Frank (multi-town building inspector). Frank is originally from Portchester. I paid for the building permit ($1832) and the zoning fee ($50).

Wrote and gave to Jeff a check for Perk's electric to reimburse them for getting the electrical permit.. Included both permit for temporary (construction) pole ($40) and the house wiring ($147).

Dom Ross' power shovel is parked in front of 2 East Lee.

Salvaged the range hood at Greg's request. Finished in the dark.

Moved into winter quarters. Very windy night.

Dom and crew arrive at 9am. Dom wants to salvage the tiny upstairs shower, which takes about an hour. Wrecking machine starts up at 10:15am. Done for the day at 4pm. About 85% done.

Drive home.