Well, it was finally time to install the bathroom I had known would improve the attic bedroom immensely. The only question was how much I would want to add to the project along way . . .

I had modern (Pella insert) windows put into the house this past spring and was really pleased with the work done by Vineyard Homes, a firm recommended to me by friends who live in the neighborhood (and whose remodeling project really impressed me).

I turned to Ben Vineyard, the principal, with my ideas and we worked through various options and variations until I decided it was time to stop thinking about what might be done and start doing it -- or, rather, start having it done. Late in the process Ben suggested I might want to expand the bedroom along with putting in the bathroom and it struck me that was exactly what I needed in the attic to really create a space I would enjoy long term.

This larger project is a bit more expensive than I had originally planned -- but I'm sure it will be well worth it.

Over the last couple of weeks Ben, Robert (his project lead), Rob and various subcontractors have been doing inside work and getting the house ready for the construction (or maybe destruction might be a better term).

The first, biggest question was whether or not the plumbing, particularly the waste lines, could be run from the basement to the attic for a reasonable cost. It turns out this was as easy as could ever have been expected with only a 4"x4"x4' soffit in the laundry room visible after the plumbing changes (top left part of the picture, at the wall/ceiling joint):

-- and in the course of getting the plumbing run it turned out upgrading the telephone lines and installing fast Cat 6 cable throughout the house was a reasonably priced add-on.

This morning the team broke through the roof to begin framing in the 20' shed-roof dormer that will hold the bathroom and bedroom expansion.

It was a little shocking to see at first but by the time the day was finished the outside wall was mostly done and the rafters were beginning to be put in place. A large blue tarp was wrapped around the entire project before they left and I'm looking forward to seeing what the next few days will bring.

(Added November 21st)
Some additional pictures from later in the week: