2022 Live Project Update: Backyard Home (ADU) in Portland, Maine
Backyard ADUs has a new small home project in Portland, Maine and we are keeping this journal entry to update you each step of the way. We are building for the homeowner’s mother and the ADU will be a detached 700 square foot backyard home that utilizes our square design path. One of its unique features is a beautiful, covered porch with a large bay window. In addition, if all goes as planned, it will be our fastest build from breaking ground to move in. Let’s get started!
July 30, 2022
The team has already been on site to mark off the exact location that the home will be (marked with wooden stakes shown in the photo). We brought in an excavator a few days ago to start the work today when we finally, after a huge permitting headache from the city, broke ground! The swing set was moved from it’s current location to make room for the home and create a safer space to play, and the hole that will become the foundation was dug.
Portland build site ready for digging
August 1, 2022
The construction team came in today and started framing out the foam foundation. They fully completed the frame with our highly-efficient foundation framing strategy, including checking the grade to assure everything is level, making it possible to start pouring concrete tomorrow.
Checking the grade to be sure the new foundation frame is level for tomorrow’s concrete pour.
August 2, 2022
It was nearly 90 degrees today but what a productive afternoon! Two mixers of concrete showed up around 2pm and we immediately got started pouring. Concrete was flowing perfectly and the entire project was completed without a hitch…well, aside from accidentally stepping in a hole full of concrete, filling his boot. :) We then leveled the base using a 2x4 and it was left to setup, making it ready to go for next week’s set day.
Team finishes pouring the floor of the foundation after having filled the walls.
August 11, 2022
The stone and base of what will become the front porch is in. The area around the home has also been leveled and hay laid to keep dust to a minimum and keep grass seed in place after the set when landscaping is done. Today the team started laying the wood on which the house will be placed and installing center support beams where the two boxes will meet. Just about ready for next week’s Set Day!
Site is almost ready for Set Day next week. Foundation support installed and preparation for the porch installation is complete.
August 15, 2022
SET DAY IS HERE!! Just over two weeks since breaking ground and today we brought in the two boxes that will make up the 700 sq ft square design path home. It was a tight squeeze getting them in but with just inches to spare, they made it! Many people are surprised to know that the boxes, which are pre-built off site, come with many of the details already installed such as tile, cabinets, and fixtures, shortening the time it takes to be move-in ready. Within six hours, what was just a foundation and some gravel became a house complete with a porch and finished roof. The team will be continuing to work on this project, including completing the siding, painting, flooring, and installing utilities, over the course of the next couple weeks.
Tight squeeze moving the boxes into the backyard
One box complete. One more to go!
One side of the roof goes up.
Roof and insulation are finished just in time to wrap up the day.
August 23, 2022
The team worked hard yesterday to get all of the ceilings painted, the deck complete and a good start on the siding. The siding is Midnight Blue by Certainteed and is one of, if not the, most popular siding color chosen by our clients. You might also notice that the bay window, which will add an incredible amount of light to the living space, was installed a few days ago.
August 31, 2022
Wow! The siding is fully complete and utilities are being hooked up as we speak. All of our homes are net zero ready. While this one doesn’t currently have solar panels, it is ready to go if that choice is made in the future, completely eliminating an electric bill. With the exterior almost finished we can now start giving some extra love to the inside. The homeowner has chosen custom finishes such as light fixtures and some bright paint colors. We can’t wait to see how they look!
September 12, 2022
Our homeowner used to live in a very dark space with minimal sunlight so now she’s making up for it because nothing about this house says dark! Statement light fixtures have been installed in every space that only add to the already present windows, allowing lots of light both day and night. To top it off, she has chosen some fun, bright wall colors that pop. The hood has been added above the stove and we hope to have this project completed by the end of the week. Stay tuned for the grand finale!
September 20, 2022
Our first Portland live project update home is complete and ready for the homeowner’s mom to move in! Be sure to subscribe below to see the next home building project process that we document.
