This picture says it all! We have big goals and high expectations for B-PC Elementary as we begin long overdue renovations!
We were off to the races on Tuesday. Laverdiere was on site early as was Abateco (our asbestos abatement contractor). First order of business was to discuss work we had expected to be completed that was not listed in the original agreement or workshop drawings (typical of construction projects)! Just a foreshadowing . . . this is how the rest of the week continued . . . "What?! No, that needs to be done . . ."
The blueprints below show the pre-k rooms (classrooms 18 & 16). Originally, the plan was to move the sinks to the outside walls and tie into a service line in the parking lot. This is not in the drawings and the project foreman thought he was supposed to demo the cabinets AND sink and replace with new cabinets. No, no, no . . . we need sinks for pre-k classrooms (as the grant underwriter will tell you). Not so small problem - there are univents on the outside walls that also house boiler lines. After much discussion and walking all the other classrooms to see if there was a better option (there wasn't), we will request that the cabinetry, with a sink, match what is going in the Art Room. We are just waiting for architect approval and a change order! First issue down - many more to go?
The blueprints below show the pre-k rooms (classrooms 18 & 16). Originally, the plan was to move the sinks to the outside walls and tie into a service line in the parking lot. This is not in the drawings and the project foreman thought he was supposed to demo the cabinets AND sink and replace with new cabinets. No, no, no . . . we need sinks for pre-k classrooms (as the grant underwriter will tell you). Not so small problem - there are univents on the outside walls that also house boiler lines. After much discussion and walking all the other classrooms to see if there was a better option (there wasn't), we will request that the cabinetry, with a sink, match what is going in the Art Room. We are just waiting for architect approval and a change order! First issue down - many more to go?
The next concern came up in demo of the bathrooms. The specs called for 5" of terrazzo flooring to be removed. Initial drill depths came back at 10-12"! Can you hear the ching, ching of added cost to demo TWICE was was bid and then rebuild to the appropriate height? Good news came later in the day once they brought in the jackhammer - the flooring was 5-7" inches deep. Here are a few before and after (in progress) photos.
It was a very productive first week; all classrooms were emptied (hail to Chad and crew); all flooring was removed in the teachers' lounge and teachers' bathrooms; and the bathroom demos were started. Drywall installation begins next week. Also completed across town was removal of the asbestos facade at the Junior High; asbestos tile was removed from the District Office; and the cafeteria windows are scheduled to be removed on Friday. Will leave you today with a chuckle found when discussing with the contractor the unexpected need to remove and replace some pipe . . .
If you can't fix it with duct tape,
you haven't used enough duct tape!
you haven't used enough duct tape!