The Money Mustache Community
General Discussion => Throw Down the Gauntlet => Topic started by: belly05 on July 23, 2019, 08:20:00 AM
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I wasn't 100% sure whether to post this in Real-Estate & Landlording or Throw down the gauntlet.... But seeings as how this project will be very physically demanding, will drastically affect my finances, and will affect where I live it seemed like a gauntlet topic was the most appropriate.
If anyone is doing their own renovation or thinking about starting a project post along with me! We can help motivate each other :)
This post is mostly a way to try and help hold myself accountable by writing about this project in a public place. I've never done a project on this scale before and its definitely a little nerve wracking. I'll be posting pictures and videos of the project as I go so anyone who wants to can follow along with the progress :)
A little background on the project:
We are renovating a building that was built in 1904. I’ve been rooting for this project for quite some time, trying to will it into existence. First there were more urgent repairs needed to the outside of the building to prevent any long term damage to the structure. Those have been completed over the past 3 years. Then it was figuring out exactly the best way to pay for the massive project. Finally there was a long term lease standing in the way......But as of today we have cleared all of the hurdles mentioned above and we are ready to put the plan in motion! :)
Its rare for me to feel such a draw to a specific project or direction in life. Its hard to even find/see these types of moments often, and I’ve only felt this type of draw a few times in my life. I can’t wait to get started! I can’t wait for the rewarding feeling of returning a building that I love back to its former glory. I can’t wait to see my wife's excited face when we dance around the newly completed rooms celebrating! I can’t wait for all the hard manual labor to come. I’m looking forward to all the challenges and frustrations that surely await us with a renovation project like this.
I would love to be able to talk to to my late Aunt about this project as well, to show her the plans and show her how well her charity is running. This project should hopefully provide a huge boost to the charity, taking the charity from 1 unit to 3! I bet that’s why she visited me in my dreams last week, she is excited too! I was actually laying in bed a couple nights ago, thinking about something she told me on several occasions, I’m paraphrasing because unfortunately I never wrote this quote down when she was still here but it went something like:
“When you find the right partner in life, and you marry that person it can put you in a state of nirvana. Life doesn’t have to be a constant struggle, life actually becomes a fun journey with the right person. And if you can manage to find a wave that you both can ride together, preferably something that is meaningful and good for the world, then you can feel almost like your weightless.”
I definitely feel weightless right now.
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I'm going to follow along, because I loves me some house porn. Here's the house we just finished a studs-our remodel on. It's currently in escrow and we're looking for our next victim, er, project. Best viewing is to change to the large format. Oh, and if you get an update message, just ignore it. It will open anyway.
https://summer-anderson-photography.seehouseat.com/public/vtour/display/1389528?previewDesign=8237
I'm happy to help in the motivation department.
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I'll follow along too! We are in the home stretch of an insane 3 year remodel that took our house basically down to the foundation. We've passed many milestones along the way -- massive two story stone fireplace and chimney removed, foundation repaired, some walls reconstructed, all roof rafters rebuilt, new roof decking, doors, windows, kitchen. The metal roof skin goes on next week, and that will feel like another big milestone. We've done other renovations in the past, but nothing this big. We've learned a ton.
I agree @belly05 -- There is something very special about renovating a building you feel a connection with. Our literal blood, sweat, and tears are in this house now, and it feels alive. I feel more 'at home' here than I ever have anywhere.
Tell us more about your building. Is this a rental property? (You talk about 'units')?
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Wow @Dicey I just looked through your whole gallery, that project turned out beautifully! I love the ceiling kitchen vent hood; don’t think I’ve ever seen one like that before and that's very cool. We are also planning to do a very similar type of barn style/pocket door for the bedroom closets so glad the finished product turned out so well for you! Gosh, it's very cool/motivating to see such a big project completed because I’m definitely feeling a little bogged down with my lack of progress so far.
@Trifele 3 years wow! Would love to see a few pictures of your place. I’m in 100% agreement with you on renovating a building you feel a connection with; I can only imagine how excited you must be getting the roof on and presumably being super close to moving in? Or do you already live there and just upgraded the roof?
More Building Info:
There are 6 total units in the building, we use 1 unit as an office and rent the rest. The legend of the building goes that a father who owned a construction company built the entire building for his 6 daughters in 1903 - 1904 so they could move out and live on their own without needing to be married first, for this reason we gave the property the name of “The Sisters House”. A picture of the front of the building is attached to this post; we are renovating the two units on the far right.
---- Project updates ------
The demo work has been much harder than I anticipated. So far I’ve put in 194 hours over the past 8 weeks doing demo work and filled up four forty yard dumpsters. The work has caused much more soreness than I thought it would, even forcing me to take a few off days here and there from being so beat up. But the good news is the basement is done, the downstairs unit is 99% complete (just need to pull nails and screws from joists) and the upstairs unit is about 75% complete. The main beam in the house ended up needing to be replaced so we hired a framer to come in and brace everything, then we cut out the beam, dug 4 new peers and poured concrete footings. {Pictures of this work are attached below}
Picture notes:
- Notice the giant rock in the first footing hole, under each of the old posts the original builders placed massive rocks. I dug down 30 inches and never got to the bottom of the rock!
Costs Update:
- $500 deposit to architect
- $1,982 on dumpster rentals
- $850 for temporary framing (Materials + 1 day labor for the framer)
- $2300 for LVL beams and pressure treated 8X8 posts (materials for the new basement beam)
- $76 for a ProPress copper shutoff fitting, which was needed to install a new shutoff valve on the main water supply line in the basement. The old shut off would not fully stop the water so we simply installed a new shut off right above it using a rented pro press machine. Luckily a friend who is a plumber stopped by and helped us with the ProPress
Next steps:
- Have architect make changes to the plans and get plans approved within the next 3 - 4 weeks
- Complete Demo By Week of September 9th
- Coordinate with the framer to install the new basement beam + new walls in both units to create the new layouts
- Start on Plumbing & HVAC updates, Install a mini split HVAC system in upstairs unit, Install New outside compressor and indoor furnace for 1st floor unit + reroute vents as needed, New hot water heaters (or possibly 1 large tank to serve both units)
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WOW, I am also going to follow along. Currently doing a fliphouse and redid about 90% + of my home over the last 4+ years. You have a big Project ahead of you but feel the passion
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@soccerluvof4 Nice I'm glad your going to follow along! I'm definitely starting to feel the full size of the project the further we get into it.... hopefully it does not end up being too large for me to complete! Would love to see some pictures or videos of your remodel process for inspiration if you have any!
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---Project Update ----
Demo is just about wrapped up! I was able to grab some good video with a gopro of the demo process :)
Plaster & Lath Demo Video: https://youtu.be/MEselc1ZHG8 (https://youtu.be/MEselc1ZHG8)
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---Project Update ----
Demo is just about wrapped up! I was able to grab some good video with a gopro of the demo process :)
Plaster & Lath Demo Video: https://youtu.be/MEselc1ZHG8 (https://youtu.be/MEselc1ZHG8)
Wow! thats alot of work all that plaster and Lath being removed. I remember along time ago doing a house full of that. Fortunately on the one were doing its drywall and only had to do about 3 sheets of patchwork from where we tore out some built ins or redesign of the kitchen etc... I have only one before outside picture I will dig up and post that will tell you alot you cant see the house the weeds are above the gutters but other than that I deleted the rest because I needed the space on my phone. But I will circle back and I will take some today.
Great job keep it up!