Progress at the semi-d site now includes the install of the water utilities to the property line, and the completion of the excavation.  With the hole dug out, we can bring back the surveyors to mark the location of the footing.  The rest of the basement job after the dig tends to unfold in a highly ritualized manner.  The specialized crews are able to come in and take care of business in a way that only people that have done this 1000 times can perform.

As has been the norm during basement projects, the builder during this phase can watch from the sidelines and get his cheque book ready.  To some degree it is a race to get the basement backfilled because that removes a site hazard and potential collapse of excavation walls.  The neighbouring property on this site has had his downspout placed the the worst possible location, so we are moving it (some rain is in the forecast and we want to minimize the chance of sidewall caving from water, the leading cause).  We are also planting the utility pole and getting ready to connect temporary power.  The bad news is we lost our opportunity to get the concrete placed before the seasonal price increase of Oct 1.