So, I mentioned I’d be starting a bunch of new projects soon… Well, I heard today that our mortgage is going through! Yes, even despite the current “Credit Crisis” it looks like we’ve gotten ours through, which was the last hurdle.
The new house is on 1/3 of an acre, it’s about 1500 Sq. Feet. Here’s the front:
It needs a TON of work. the last two owners both lost the house to foreclosure, (you’d think that the first bank that had to foreclose would have learned their lesson… see “Credit Crisis” above!) and absolutely no maintenance has been done in at least 10 years.
I’ve got about a 2-3 week window between closing and moving day, so I’ll need to “get on the stick”, and have got my work cut out for me.
Here’s my (big picture) list of what needs to be done:
Kitchen – Redo – Cabinets, Countertop, Sink, Floor

Main Bath – Redo down to the studs

3 exterior doors, 3 interior doors, garage door – replace
Paint the entire interior
Basement – Insulate, clean-up, paint (Waterproofing paint)
Exterior – Masonry repairs on chimney/foundation
Gutters, 
Siding repairs/waterproofing 2 windows,
trim all around the house.
I’m hiring out the floors (hardwood throughout except for the kitchen and the two baths), which haven’t been refinished since they were installed in ‘62, and the main bath renovations, I can’t see getting it all done otherwise.
Stay tuned. I’ll eventually get most of it documented, although it will probably be after the fact. I anticipate 2 consecutive weekends with the week in-between working all day and into the night to get this done in time for me to move my family (including two kids under four!) in… Wish me luck!
-- Ryno




















5 comments so far
3fingerpat
home | projects | blog
50 posts in 113 days
posted 41 days ago
Dude, you have got to be kidding! All joking aside, what army are you going to have to help you get these monumental tasks accomplished in your time frame? Don’t get me wrong, I love someone who has the vision and drive to tackle so many projects, but….WOW, you are talking about a whole lotta work and not a whole lotta time. I wish you well and look forward to watching it unfold here on your blog. Good luck, god’s speed and be safe, don’t work yourself into the ground, you have a lifetime available to your get work done on your new place, btw congrats on getting your place, you da man! :o)
gad5264
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5 posts in 233 days
posted 39 days ago
Congrats on the new house and as 3finger says above, very aggressive but be safe and have fun while doing it.
ryno101
home | projects | blog
11 posts in 60 days
posted 38 days ago
Thanks… Yeah, it’s a lot…
My wife read these comments, and she responded with “HA! They’ve obviously never seen you once you get going…” This from the woman who when I say “It should only take me a couple of hours” plans on it taking 4 hours…
It’s a ton of work, but I do have a contractor friend who will be doing the bath upstairs, so I won’t have to touch that, and he’ll be around to help out if I get into a crunch.
I’m getting excited to get started…
-- Ryno
3fingerpat
home | projects | blog
50 posts in 113 days
posted 37 days ago
Good luck, we will all be pulling for you, and keep us posted on your progress as you go, take care.
dustygirl
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49 posts in 20 days
posted 1 day ago
Congratulations on your new house Ryno.
-- Dustygirl Hastings,Ont. Life is too short to sit around doing nothing