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Categories: Windsor

1989 Ontario Street – Part II

Back in May, there was this post about this house.

Since that post started, it has attracted some of the weirdest comments of any post I’ve ever had on here. So in the five months since the first post went up, what’s the current status?

Here you go:

As winter approaches, it still looks very far from done. They’ve put a massive addition on the back, almost as big as the house itself, but the original section, while maintaining the shape of the original structure, is still missing windows.

Have a fun and safe halloween tonight if you’re going out with little ones. See you Wednesday for the first post of November!

Andrew

View Comments

  • Oops sorry, should have said write the name down. I think the sceptre of rgm made me make that mistake.

  • Andrewsmom

    This house has a long ways to go before the kitchen cabinets are installed, This house is missing a few things, Like windows, Door, Roofing, electrical, heating ducts, furnace, plumbing, electrical, flooring, drywall, etc. RGM pointed out that you would not install kitchen cabinets until at least the windows and floor are in. Maybe in 3 months this house will be at that stage when cabinets can be installed.

    I assume that the Contractor and sub-trades will be showing up soon to finish the house when the temperature drops to 25 below and we have a nice blanket of 2 feet of snow to work in.

  • I'm just surprised that the owner of this house (who owns a window company which begins with M - hmmmm RGM) would not have has a clear idea on how long the windows would take and would not have had the foresight to order them early. Thats the part which discredits any of rgm's assertions.

  • Ladies and gentlemen,

    My name is Kyle and I am in charge of this project. I had no idea there were so many interested people in this project, much less such passionate opinion from all sides. This blog was brought to my attention and in an attempt (however vain it may be) to ease some angst I will be happy to provide some update on the project. While I am not going to respond here to the innuendo or mud-slinging going on, I can tell you that the project is well financed and moving ahead. There have been some unexpected delays along the way and some other project decisions that have added to the timeline. Our biggest challenge has been with window delivery and production changes at the factory. These have been resolved and windows will start to be installed this weekend. With the windows late arrival, it would not have made sense to work on wiring and plumbing on an open structure, so the project has not seen much work as of late. The electrical service to the home has been updated last week and we are prepared for the work ahead.
    You can expect progress to be made over the coming weeks. The roof will not be complete until the spring as it is slate and cannot be installed until after the upper portion of the exterior is finished. Brick restoration will also begin once the windows are installed.
    While I appreciate and applaud all of you in the neighbourhood for your concern for the home and your own property values, please let me be clear. My office number is on the sign. You can call to speak to me personally (as a few of you have done) if you have concerns. Reckless speculation is not only cruel and unnecessary, it is offensive to my client. I have always said to any of you to whom I have spoken that I am happy to update you on the project. I have tried to keep the immediate neighbours up to date with a recent letter, as well. Whether you choose to believe me or not, that is your prerogative. Further, I am responsible to my client and I answer to her. This is her home and my goal is to satisfy her desires and her needs on this project. I do not work for the Walkerville Homeowners Association and while I am willing to make myself available to those who are truly concerned about what is going on, I will not respond to blog posts, wage a battle of wits and words, or further feed the fuel of the sometimes mean-spirited people participating in this forum.
    Of course it would've been great if we had not experienced the delays that we have. I can only deal with the reality of the situation and that reality is where we are today. I can only hope that you will appreciate the end product. I do know that my client will be, and this is what concerns me the most. I look forward to hearing your feedback when the home is done and we can speak in person. In the meantime, please be patient and give me a call if I can share any more insight with you.

  • The hired services for this project should not have to explain for the owner of the project. The owner should do this - in person and to those most affected by this disruption. I’m sure most would agree that change is not a bad thing, and that renovations can be expected. But no one expects a disruption that lasts this long and with prolonged periods of inactivity.
    Besides an untidy work space that lasted all summer, the grass/weeds were left to grow until someone finally leveled off the yard. A concerned owner would have insisted that the job site be kept in as much order as possible simply to show respect to their new neighbors.
    I hope the character of this process is not indicative of the character of the owner. In an effort to help and since this blog indicates that owner follows it, I’ve included some how to be a good neighbor tips.
    -Introduce yourself.
    -Consider your neighbors' lifestyle.
    -Keep your garden tidy.
    -Communicate with your neighbors. Above all, touch base with your neighbors regularly and keep them in the loop.
    -Be aware of your surroundings, as well as theirs.
    -Be nice to your new neighbors.
    -Own your responsibilities and don’t ask other people to do what you should.

    You will eventually live here, and consequences caused by the ‘lack’ of your actions will long be remembered.

  • Thanks Kyle for the updates and information. It is quite kind of you to let us all know how this is moving along.

  • In an effort to keep the neighbourhood abreast of the construction schedule, here's where we are at:
    - The majority of windows are in, and the remainder will be in by next weekend.
    - The front door is currently being restored. It is still a few weeks away from completion.
    - Insulation starts in 10 days.
    - Electrical / Mechanical rough-in will begin in a few weeks.

    The insulation and servicing process is very unique in this house. I don't want to write an essay on how we are doing this, but if you are curious on how to construct and service an extremely energy-efficient house, please come by in a few weeks and I will be happy to show you on-site. This method has never been done in Ontario, and only a handful of houses in North America are yet doing this (a method to the madness, if you will). Call the office and leave me your number. I will bring you through if you are interested.

    The roof slate will not be installed until fairer weather permits - the slope is too steep to risk any slips with the weight of slate going up and down. The roof is completely waterproof and protected for the winter though, so we can proceed on the interior.

    As always, call me anytime.

  • I live in the vicinity of Walkerville and quite likely have one of the oldest homes in the area. When I remodelled (still at it) I did it because it was my house and did it because I wanted to. To all those surrounding me "SUCK IT UP" its my house, my money and my time.
    The day I need to get the blessing from anyone other than permits is BS!

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Andrew

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