Progress and an Expensive Change Order

The front roof porch trusses have been built.  You can see they are cedar heartwood, with the beautiful red tone of the wood visible.  We have asked for an overhang on the front edge, since the roof around the house has a two foot overhang, like you see on the sides. 

Another view from underneath shows the wood and the knotty planks above.  We probably will cover it with linseed oil to seal the wood and protect the red color from fading.  The office on the side will have a smaller canopy with a similar look.

We got bad news from the roofer that our current roof has only a few more years before needing to be replaced.  The contractor had built into the contract several thousand dollars to cover only the new section of roof.  So after much angst and deliberation, we have approved an additional cost of almost $11,000 to replace the entire roof of the house.  We will be meeting with our financial planner next week, and will ask about where to pull money for additional costs.

They have installed the transom window that will be over the bed in the Master Bedroom.  It will provide lots of light for the room, but has opaque glass, so people walking on the street will not be able to see into the house. 

You can see the roots of the yew that used to grow there.  I had pruned the branches back to the stump, and the crew pulled the stump out.

This is what the window and bedroom from the inside.

Today the contractor's son, Austin, sent us a picture of the cedar "live-edge" planks to use for the mantel over the fireplace and for the half wall beside the stairs down to the basement. I am excited with the possibilities.