Construction Desk Blog
I’m Chris Anderson, the construction manager for this Habitat affiliate. I do lots of different things to help builders build, but my job is mostly being a story teller. Sharing the latest version of our HFHSC construction story. The things we do to pursue our mission.
Here’s how the Construction Desk fits in. This will the hub for that story. Who are we? What’s getting done. What’s next. A place where the different pieces of the story can link together. A common place for all builders to navigate the plan, which is nothing more than our story with enough detail added individual action becomes possible.
I want to thank Brooke Burdick, our Director of Community Outreach, for restoring our website, and this blog. Let’s go build stuff!
Chris

Gold Bar 2 Construction Update 10/23/19
We met our goal for last week: applying interior wall texture and priming all drywall surfaces.So many to thank! Earlier this month, we benefited from a special contribution from Interior Finishing Trades NW, a commercial finish trade school. Eric Palmer held his...
Gold Bar 2 Construction Update 8/30/19
Solid effort over the last several weeks are bringing us to the conclusion of Step 3 - Structure/Dry-in, and at the same time completing activities required in Step 4 - Systems/Rough-in. During the August 17 Saturday build Builder's Club regulars anchored the...

Build Report – Gold Bar 2 – 8/16/19
Another day of solid progress on the Gold Bar 2 site! Twelve builders donated close to one hundred hours, pushing forward in a number of areas: Shiner Patrol took a final pass on roof nailing and found a few shiners which we pulled and re-nailed. We also, after...

Gold Bar 2 Construction Update 8/7/19
Many thanks, builders, for a productive week at Gold Bar 2. Twelve builders started Wednesday morning, July 31. The house wrap team got started while others helped get trusses lifted into place and ready for installation. By lunch time the house wrap crew had...
Gold Bar 2 Construction Update 7/24/19
We had a productive and quiet day on-site Wednesday, August 24th. Primary activity was installing peel-and-stick Vycor house wrap, a donation from Grace Building Products. After a little practice the house wrap team was delivering good clean sheets with on-target 2"...
Thanks to WCC Builders!
A big thank you to a crew of builders from the Washington Conservation Corps. The five builders, normally working to restore Snohomish Co. wetlands and rivers, chose Monday to serve Habitat Families. They built some important display fixtures for the Smokey Point...
Gold Bar 2 – first (informal) build
Needed to get a fence up across the Gold Bar property on Saturday 8/4. Some campers reportedly using our land to access May Creek (on the W prop line). Also met more neighbors in the immediate neighborhood. Warm welcome as we plan to build on the last undeveloped lot...
See the great article in Everett Herald?
Glad the see the following article from the Everett Herald. Take a look! Everett Herald 7-26-18 TCV Phase 1 (click to open PDF)
What EFD training looks like
Several weeks back (See post Don't Be Alarmed) we worked with the Everett Fire Dept so they could use our now empty structures for useful (and rare) training. Ric Cade, EFD Asst Chief Training, said again how much they appreciated the chance to provide fire fighters...
Project Update: Gold Bar 2
We've assembled the following pages for those interested in knowing more about our GB2 project. Questions and comments always welcome. Post comment here, or send an email to construction@habitatsnohomish.org. Gold Bar 2 Project Update Deck (click to access pages)
Thank you Stephanie!
Thursday last week (7/19/18) was the final day of our affiliate's first ever Americorp Member, Stephanie Lam. She joined the construction team just as the foundation for TCV Phase 1 was being constructed. Stephanie participated in every step of construction on that...
Time is important. Talent essential.
During an open staff discussion about the map below, someone said donors give more than time. They donate talent. I had never considered that, but it's true. If I consider the donation the construction committee makes, over and above time actual building homes, it's...
Home Maintenance Slides
The following PDF supports the HFHSC Home Maintenance seminar (click to open) HFHSC Presents - Home Maintenance Class V1 Updated Monday 7/16/18 Thanks to the twenty or so folks who joined the discussion on Saturday. This was my first time presenting this content. It...
Const Cmte Meeting for June 2018
Our construction activities are organized by the construction committee. We meet monthly (2nd Tue) to review what got done, and what's next. This month we'll discuss the following. TCV Subdivision Application (and related civil construction plan) - Plan to be formally...
Five steps to build a Habitat Home
I've been using the Five Steps to Building a Home model for planning the coming year. It's a good way to track progress. Today (7/10/18) we're in Step 1 for all three active construction projects (Gold Bar 2, TCV Civil, and TCV Phase 2).
Habitat Snohomish Construction – What’s next?
Just over three years ago we (our board of directors, really) purchased the Twin Creeks Village property at 925 112th St SE, in S Everett. The purchase was a key element in the board's strategic commitment to our community to serve more Habitat Families. At the time,...
Don’t be alarmed!
As we prepare to clear the Twin Creeks Village site of existing structures, I learned the Everett FD might value our structures as a training site. A quick email to Jim Venturo, the Assistant Chief who reviews our building plans, connected me to Ric Cade, Assistant...
HFHSC Construction Manager’s Report for May 2018
Highlights include: All complete except for the critical water line connection work by the water dept. First of six final inspections, passes with no corrections. The TCV planning effort breaks into three pieces - demo structures, get permit for require fill dirt and...
HFHSC Construction Manager’s Report for April 2018
Highlights: Phase 1, the Jimenez Family home, nears completion. Only a few critical items remain undone. A regular on-site builder starts forecasting costs for subdivision's civil engineering activities and costs. Gold Bar 2 Step 1 Planning and Permit costs go up to...
HFHSC Construction Manager’s Report for March 2018
Late posting...HFHSC Construction Manager Report for FY18 Month 9 MAR Key items: Phase 1 project moves into Step 5 Interior Trim-out. The long and last of the five steps. TCV Master Plan subdivision application readied for submission and formal review. We confirmed...
HFHSC Construction Manager’s Report for June 2018
Just submitted this report to construction cmte and Roger. And now to you. This is the final month in the planning year for the affiliate. Good results this year in the construction dept. But a significant increase in doing - getting more done - required ahead in...
Phase 1 Final Update
I'm anxious to share more about what's next. Just exactly how are we going to build 24 more Habitat Family homes at TCV in the coming five years. But before I rush to the next thing I want to stop to say "Thank You." Here are my note cards you saw at the dedication....

Welcome to the Construction Desk
I’m Chris Anderson, the construction manager for this Habitat affiliate. I do lots of different things to help builders build, but my job is mostly being a story teller. Sharing the latest version of our HFHSC construction story. The things we do to pursue our...
HFHSC Construction Manager’s Report to Directors Feb 2018
Read the full report for a short status report on each project. And Feb construction committee meeting notes. Happy to respond to questions or comments. HFHSC Construction Manager Report for FY18 Month 8 FEB With gratitude, Chris
HFHSC Construction Manager’s Report to Directors Jan 2018
Here's a summary (from report). Or read the full report at link below. Thanks! Affiliate is significantly behind the construction long-term objective of serving 50 families with homes in ten years. Changes supporting increases in production capacity underway...
Big idea behind the Construction Desk
Answer three basic questions: What got done? What's next? What's important? Information about what got done helps us celebrate when we deliver on our plan, and sparks meaningful adjustments when we don't. What's next informs and enables personal action, and shares...
TCV Phase 1 project update
We've met a major milestone with our current project, Twin Creeks Village Phase 1. Last week we earned our rough-in inspections for electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems, and a building inspection. All four city inspections are required before insulation...
HFHSC Construction Committee for 2018
All non-profit enterprises run on the donations made from people in the community. Ours is no different. Without the commitment and contribution of the following individuals we'd find it very difficult to help Habitat Families build homes for themselves. HFHSC...