update...

electrical:
yesterday we wired the new electrical circuits for the basement lights and kitchen outlets and appliances. we are doing all of the wiring ourselves, except we will need an electrician to upgrade the service from 100Amps to 200Amps (to accommodate the new heating and air conditioning units).

permit:
we did not get a plot plan at our mortgage closing, so we found an engineer who will get us a plot plan this week so that we can finalize our permit app for the new dormer. the town idiot said that a mortgage plot plan would be adequate--i hope that he does not change his mind! a mortgage plot plan is only $150 and isnt as accurate as an instrument surveyed plot plan that costs $1000. (cant wait to get this behind us).

our contractor thinks that he might be able to get the work done in 1 to 1-1/2 weeks, which would be great.

hvac:
permit or not, we are planning to remove the brick chimney this saturday so that the hvac contractor can begin next week (he will use the space left over from the chimney removal to run his ductwork vertically through the house)

plumbing:
we learned during the last flip that in massachusetts, homeowners are not allowed to install a faucet let alone drainpipes, vents, 2nd bathrooms... so we are yet again in the position to find a reliable and inexpensive plumber. plumber #1 told us that we had to replace everything... everything had to come out...every pipe, vent, stack...everything! and that would cost $11K. plumber #2 did not tell us that we had to replace everything--but we are still waiting for his quote.

1992 Camry:
is in the shop getting a new radiator and driver side door latch/lock/handle...i will no longer have to enter through the passager side!