Construction Begins - Garage (for now called "Storage")

Construction began in March 2000. The first step is to build a storage building for materials for the main house. The future garage will be used for this purpose. No permit has yet been applied for, but it is common practice to do this prior to permit, so long as the building is not habitable (no plumbing), and the contractor makes clear he intends to file for permit when ready.

On Driveway, looking East at Garage

Note finished floor level of Garage vs. actual grade, as well as stepped blocks at North corner of Garage. Contractor selected floor level well above originally intended to avoid excessive cutting that would be required to level out driveway in front of Garage. A retaining wall, originally planned is yet to be built, extending from that stepped block left (North) to the far edge of the photo where the old "slave" stone wall is just visible. A lot more fill will now be required, hopefully, the cut earth from the driveway leading from the Garage to the road will be enough.

Behind Garage, looking North.

Area to the left of the photo was origianlly mistakenly cleared by the contractor in preparation for the Garage construction. Now it is used for site material storage/off-loading. Note the height of of the finish floor at rear door above actual grade. This was to have been at grade to allow one to step out of garage directly to grade. Contractor selected a finish floor level higher than originally planned to avoid cutting earth at driveway, but now we will have to figure out what to do on this end.

Inside Garage Looking East

Garage door is on the left. Note variation in quality/type of block. Local manufactured block is NOT very consistent. Formwork at top of wall is for "tie beam" which bonds the top of the entire wall as a uniform structural beam. Note reinforcing bars protruding from tie beam; these will tie into rafters to assure strong hold in hurricane winds.

Inside Garage, looking West.

Note view up driveway to road. Note holes in block to the left of the garage door opening; these are for electric conduit yet to be installed for power, and in this case switching for lighting, both interior and exterior.