The foundation contractor returned to pour the footings. The first task was to pump water out of the foundation trench, then shovel out the remaining mud by hand.

Shoveling mud from the trench, a thankless task.

Protective barriers were then erected to prevent the concrete from burying important plumbing connections.

Barriers to protect plumbing.

Barriers to protect plumbing.

By this time, the ready mix truck was parked in front of our house, and the contractor began transferring concrete to the project area with a “concrete buggy.” The buggy got stuck (three times) in the mud pit that our back yard has become.

Ready mix truck.

The “concrete buggy.”

Then came a BIG moment: the pouring of the first load of concrete for the foundation of our addition.

First load of concrete for our foundation!

As the trench slowly filled with concrete, the crew smoothed and rough-leveled the foundation with the aid of a laser level, the yellow gadget in the foreground of the photo below.

Leveling the footing with a laser level.

At the end of the day, the trench was filled with concrete and rebar.

First of the concrete work is done!

We’ll be expanding our master bedroom, remodeling our master bath and adding a walk-in closet, laundry room, and accessible shower to this part of our home.

Pre-construction view.

Here is the floor plan showing areas being added and remodeled.

The area shaded in blue is new construction. The tan area is being updated and remodeled.

Elsewhere in the house, we are replacing the HVAC system, refurbishing the quilting studio, updating the guest bathroom, and replacing our deck with a ground-level patio.