Big jim's big project

[NUTTSGT]

Been awhile since I checked in for progress, it's looking good.

I see you burned a bunch of scraps in a hole. I thought you were in a town (residential area) and surprised to see you burn in there.

After reading about the cost of the contractor, did you find another contractor or settle on a price ?

 

[Big_Jim]

Been awhile since I checked in for progress, it's looking good. Thanks its been a real learning experience.

I see you burned a bunch of scraps in a hole. I thought you were in a town (residential area) and surprised to see you burn in there. Yes I am but everyone around me has a fire pit to burn brush in so I didn't think it would be a big deal. Besides I waited till everyone went to work before I started burning. I'm a second shifter so it works out good for me.

After reading about the cost of the contractor, did you find another contractor or settle on a price ? I did the math on it and it wasn't such a bad price if you think about all that he is doing. I just cut back some of the things he is doing and I will do some of it. I'm going to do paint & trim and I think I'm also going to do the tile. I did my bathroom and it came out okay so the more I do it the better I will get at it. I have 4 tile floors to do.

I'm just happy it's almost done.

 

[Big_Jim]

Well the windows are installed and the main house has been relieved of all it's old vinyl siding. It's pretty much down to bare wood. The plumber started to install the shower stall as well. I know this is a garage site so I'm not sure how much non garage related things will be tolerated. If the mods prefer I wont show the apartment. Till then here ya go.

 

[boatmark]

Noooo. . . . show us the whole project! Many of us are living vicariously through your project.

The cost is painful, but you are really getting more for the dollar than just the addition. Between fixing all the things (drainage etc.) that weren't done right by the original builder, and residing the original house, you are investing for the long term.

 

[Big_Jim]

Ya want painful? You got it! How about having to jack the house up & replacing the rotted (gone) sill plate? How about repairing rot around the windows? And here is an interesting one: The only window that he wouldn't have to touch (so I thought) was the front window that I had replaced 6 years ago. It was a new construction window and they put it over the shakes. Now with all the shakes removed it sticks out too far so he wants to set the window in where it belongs and re-trim it out. All I here when he talks is $$CHA CHING CHA CHING$$$!

 

[boatmark]

Sad part is that the sills may have been caused by the improper drainage / grading of the last guy.
Keep you're head up!

 

[Big_Jim]

Sad part is that the sills may have been caused by the improper drainage / grading of the last guy.
Keep you're head up!

Yea the dirt was touching the vinyl siding. Not good at all.

 

[Big_Jim]

It's been a couple of days. They repaired the rot and everything looks good. It took the inspector a week and a half to show up and when he did he was happy with what he saw. I asked him some questions and took his advise. He's happy I'm keeping him involved & in the loop. Make them feel important to justify their job. To be honest I don't have one bad thing to say about him. He is a hell of a nice guy (and a car guy too). He even said with a wink; "Ya know if you need some place to keep those hot rods...I have room at my place". Okay (like that will happen). the plumber has most of the plumbing roughed in an the HVAC guy is working on Moms hydro-air system. Some guy building a shed came and picked up all my used vinyl siding. I ordered up the new vinyl siding (Pearl) like a cream color. 4" dutch clapboard. Well that's all for now. On with the pictures. Stay tuned.

 

[Big_Jim]

 

[Big_Jim]

Well I got some good news & some bad news. Bad news first...My sofets are rotted. Yea! The good news? We have the beginnings of a deck! I got my steel deck railing in, the ac unit is going in, and the electrician is half done. Next week insulation, doors, & sheet rock. Dean has been working on finishing up the gutter drainage then some retaining walls. Getting closer. Stay tuned.

 

[Big_Jim]

My wife wishes my deck was bigger....

 

[maddawg308]

My wife wishes my deck was bigger....

Ya know, if you just trim the bush around your deck, it'll make it look bigger.

 

[Big_Jim]

I'll give that a shot.

 

[Kevin54]

Well, I'm all caught up now.

I don't think what it's costing you is too outrageous considering all the work that is getting done. When I had to fix my parents house to put it on the market, I hired a contractor to fix the kitchen. My dad had built it on the slab of a back porch years ago. I had to take $32,000 out of my 401K to repair it. Every floor joist was rotted, the plumbing was shot, and when I ripped up the floor (which started the whole thing anyways) we were looking outside. The only thing holding a wall up was where the siding was sitting on cement.

If you don't mind me asking, is your mom helping you out on this any since she is coming to live with you. You don't have to answer if it sound too personal. I know quite a few parent(s) when they get elderly will sell their house and some belongings and come to live with the kids. Quite a few houses we have been through have what they call Mother-in-law Suites built on, or almost a whole other small house attached by a huge hallway.

One other question.....since it's your elderly mom coming to live, are you putting in larger doorways than normal, and if there is a hallway, is it wider than normal? The reason I ask is for possible wheelchair use down the road a ways.

 

[Big_Jim]

Yes Kevin Mom is helping with the majority of the funds but I have pulled one of my 401k's out & my wife cashed hers in as well. I will be paying back some of the cost with my income tax refunds in the coming years. This way when Mom passes my siblings can't say they want me to deduct the cost off my inheritance from her estate. I've already spoken with her financial advisers & tax man so I should be good. To answer your other question; yes all the doors are 36" wide and the house is wheel chair accessible because you never know.

 

[HOTFR8]

What is the timber in your Deck ? Hard Wood ?

Just been reminded about this

 

[Big_Jim]

What is the timber in your Deck ? Hard Wood ?

Gettin a little personal aren't we?

The decking is saddle trex with PT framing. The posts are white vinyl sleeves with copper lighted caps and railings are steel/trex combo with steel balusters. it should look good when done.

 

[HOTFR8]

Gettin a little personal aren't we?

All in good fun. Great progress so you must be happy.

 

[Big_Jim]

All in good fun. Great progress so you must be happy.

I was happy but I just got back from Lowes where we are getting the cabinets for both ours & Moms kitchen. $15K not including installation, counter tops, sink, or hardware. Install would be another $5K if I let them do it...No thanks. We are getting the cabinets just not having them do the install. My contractor specked out $1200 to install Moms so I'm going to see if he can do ours for the same price. Time will tell.

 

[boatmark]

Yes Kevin Mom is helping with the majority of the funds but I have pulled one of my 401k's out & my wife cashed hers in as well. I will be paying back some of the cost with my income tax refunds in the coming years. This way when Mom passes my siblings can't say they want me to deduct the cost off my inheritance from her estate. I've already spoken with her financial advisers & tax man so I should be good. To answer your other question; yes all the doors are 36" wide and the house is wheel chair accessible because you never know.

Good to see you have been doing the research. I am getting into a similar situation. In our case I think it will be jointly buying a bigger house we can all be in, but this will create some big inheritance and appreciation issues when my parents are gone.

They seem to be taking the attitude that their half of the house would go to me excluded from the overall estate split with my siblings. That this was their investment in their declining years.

I don't think I like that, in that I am doing what is necessary to care for my parents because it is what I am supposed to do, not to get a bigger chunk of their estate. But I do need to be able to essentially "buy back" 2/3 of 1/2 of my house when the time comes.

Don't mean to highjack your thread, but curious what others have done since many of us have aging parents.

 

[Big_Jim]

Time for an update: They have been working hard on the deck and it shows. I removed some cabinets in my kitchen to make room for the door that will lead out onto the deck. They put in the last of the windows, and all but 2 of the exterior doors. One of the exterior doors is a double 42" pre-hung unit that is going in place of the existing garage door at the front of the house. The second is the door leading into the rear of my new garage. I think they are leaving that one off because they are using the garage as a work area and they would be constantly having to open & close it. The deck is 18' long by 16' wide. The AC unit is also almost in and the wiring has started. I think the plumber is just about all roughed in. Once the electrician is done we get inspected again. Then comes vapor barrier, insulation, and sheet rock. The electrician is great. He is really thinking about how to best set up the house so that just in case she is ever in a wheel chair it will be easy for her to get to switches and things. For instance: if she goes into her bedroom she can turn on the light at the bathroom doorway or if she is coming in through the bedroom doorway there is a switch there then once she gets to her bed (with the light on) there is a switch next to her bed to shut it off. Or say she gets up in the middle of the night; the switch is right there for her. No walking around in the dark. He is even putting an auto switch in her closet. It will come on once she opens the door. Like a car door. That's about all I have for now. Stay tuned.

 

[crazytrain]

Wow, I just got caught up on this one. It looks great, What a huge undertaking. Please keep the great updates coming and thanks for sharing.

 

[M-technik-3]

Wow this seems like it was an ordeal and a half. Glad to see the end in nearly insight. We finally finished our house remodel. Over Budget of course due to unforeseen expenses and additional expenses we brought upon ourselves.

The bad part is we haven't even gotten to finishing our battle with the town zoning as well. I have given up at the moment and have been looking for a lawyer experienced in zoning laws and environmental issues.

Man made flow rights from 65 years ago are screwing me. Typical small town ******** yet in the neighborhood behind me is a 5500 sq foot house on a wildlife refuge.

 

[Big_Jim]

Man made flow rights from 65 years ago are screwing me. Typical small town ******** yet in the neighborhood behind me is a 5500 sq foot house on a wildlife refuge.

Well you know what they say. It's not who you know but who you blow. At least your in moved in condition.

 

[M-technik-3]

True but took a year to get it that way. We had sill rot and 29" rafter spans, knob and tube-copper-and aluminium. Plus a a leaky chimney House looks the same from exterior but not inside.

Assessors not allowed in!

 

[Kevin54]

Is there going to be anyplace in the house that ISN'T tore up?

I feel your pain though brother, I feel your pain!!!!!

 

[Big_Jim]

I had a postage stamp sized area that wasn't touched but we put the pallets of retaining wall blocks there. I think the only place we haven't touched is under the house.

 

[M-technik-3]

The rubber barrier, how long did they say it would last and warranty it for? I have to do that as well since my dry wells are doing squat.

 

[Big_Jim]

The rubber barrier, how long did they say it would last and warranty it for? I have to do that as well since my dry wells are doing squat.

The contractor gave me 10 years but the manufacturer said it should last 40+ years (my life time).

 

[Big_Jim]

Latest update: Lots of little things going on. The plumber is just about all done, the electrician is working on the apartment. Dean (The excavator) is working on retaining walls & leveling off the yard/driveway. They should get the siding in in a couple of days. The garage doors are going up Monday (hopefully if sheet rock & wiring is done). All the duct work is done as well as the air handlers. The new furnace is installed (just needs the wiring cleaned up a little). The manifold is in for the heated floor in the garage. And I started working on the railings for the deck. Well thats all for now stay tuned.

 

[HOTFR8]

Looking good Jim.

 

[Big_Jim]

Looking good Jim.

Thanks Man. We are in the home stretch. Latest & greatest update. They have started to put the new vinyl siding on (4" dutch clapboard in pearl). Dean has been building stone walls, the electrician is all roughed in, the plumber is done, the hvac guy is all roughed in. It all seems to be coming together. Insulation is next then vapor barrier and on to sheet rock. Boy I can't wait for that day!

And last but not least!
Harry hard at work installing our heat & ac for Mom's apartment. The man is almost 80 (couple of months) and refuses to let anyone help him and he keeps up with the other workers less then half his age. God bless him!

 

[HOTFR8]

Again looking good. I love what you have done with those rocks. Care to tell us more. I have some rocks here that as yet I hope to use for some landscaping. The rocks I have came out of the pit when we excavated.

 

[Big_Jim]

They actually trucked in most of the rocks. There are a couple of Honduran stone masons that are doing the work. The excavator is doing the heavy lifting and they are using 3 pound hammers to form the rocks. I'm on the fence (or wall) about the way they look but the wife loves them. I'm thinking (besides the look) it will be a home for critters (mice, chipmunks, squirrels, bugs). The farther along they get the more I'm warming up to the look. I have a not so good video of Dean offloading some stone. Not sure what goes wrong with my video's. They play fine on my computer but once they are uploaded they are all messed up. But you'll get the idea. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=G4I-fGikKl0

 

[NUTTSGT]

The deck is coming out nice and I love that stone retaining wall. Do I spy a pocket door for the apartment ?

 

[Big_Jim]

The deck is coming out nice and I love that stone retaining wall. Do I spy a pocket door for the apartment ?

Thanks Eric. Yes that is a 48" pocket door for the laundry room.

 

[Big_Jim]

Some more walls being done. We have 3 stone walls & 2 out of retaining wall blocks. It was a slow day for me but the boys were hustling. They have almost half the house sided & the yard is starting to take shape. The windows we put in had the J channel built in and it makes for a much cleaner look. The wife is very happy with the color, style, and workmanship so far. It's starting to look like a house again.

Wall number 2.

Wall number 3

 

[Big_Jim]

Time for another update: Mom finally came to see the progress a couple of weeks ago and had a hard time with the deck stairs. They were 2 8" steps. I had them rip them out & put another step so now they are 6" steps. She came over again today & said "Wow what a difference a couple of inches make" Of coarse she followed that with a "Well you know what I mean...the steps!" She cracks me up. Back on point: They are almost done with the siding. Just one more side & a few shutters is all that's left. Then I can call the gutter guy. I had the satellite dish moved and he did a great job hiding all the wires in the channels of the siding. I had ADT security come and prewire for the alarm system. I got a good deal 2 systems for $180 installed. One system for her house (keypad 1 motion sensor 2 door sensors) (mine 3 door sensors, 1 motion sensor & 2 keypads). Mine is wireless with key fobs and an extra keypad for the garage. They are almost done with the insulation in the apartment and will be doing the garage early next week. Stay tuned for more updates.


Old steps

New steps (picture taken at night makes it look like **** flash shows all the specks of dirt & dust)

 

[boatmark]

The house is really coming together nice Jim. This is the fun part, when it all starts to come together.

Your 80 year old A/C guy reminds me of when we had our pool resurfaced after a hurricane. Pool company asked we wait a couple of weeks because they had a specific guy they wanted on the job because it had some tough details.

The day comes, and three guys show up. Approximate age 30/55/80. I figure craftsman, helper, and well, old guy to watch. Turns out young helper, middle age mixer, and the old man was the plasterer that did the pool.

The man (who was the spitting image of the actor Bill Hicks) was amazing. He limped up with a cane, and they helped him down into the pool, but once in he was like watching an artist at work. A old time craftsman.

Sorry to go off topic. Just reminded me.

 

[Big_Jim]

The house is really coming together nice Jim. This is the fun part, when it all starts to come together.

Thanks Mark, I wish it was the fun part. I had my brother come over the other day & he wasn't happy at all with the tub that I got for Mom. Mind you: I haven't seen him at all the whole time I was building. The tub has to go and I have to put in a walkin tub for her. In his head I got a heated floor in my garage and I got Mom a cheap tub! $760 is a cheap tub??? Anyways I figured I better get the other tub because it looked as if his head was going to explode. So now at the 11th hour we have to move walls, run electrical lines, & move the plumbing! Fun Fun Fun! Installed but never used shower stall & door anyone?

On to the update: The siding is all done, gutters are going up next, the ramp has arrived (Don't know how that is going to work out I just can't picture it), the vapor barrier is up in the garage and as I type this it is all sheet rocked. They start the sheet rock in the apartment in the morning. Garage doors are going up Monday morning. The alarm system is going in Thursday. The new tub will/should be here Friday. We should be all sheet rocked & ready for paint Monday. The kitchen cabinets are at the terminal but I'm not rocked yet so they are holding them for me. By next Friday the cabinets should be in. It's all going real quick now. We should be all done in a month. (Hopefully)

On to the pictures! Stay tuned.

Old shower stall coming out and the wall is moved.