If It Was Easy, Anybody Could Do It
The challenge of a remodeling project is taking an existing building and turning it into something new while working within the buildings predetermined parameters. Otherwise just tear it down and start over.
The remodeling challenge isn’t for everybody.
Building new is simpler, it’s a less restrictive clean slate that requires less imagination. Where’s the fun in that?
On the other hand, new can be more cost effective than remodeling. This is one of the questions that needs answered early on. If remodeling is the decided-on plan, just be ready for the challenges.
The Lavallee remodeling project certainly fits the status of challenging.
This project starts with a home that was built in the late 1800s. It has previously gone through numerous remodels and additions. The amount of previous changes makes this project that much more challenging.
The project’s goals:
- Increase the size of the master bedroom, add a new master bath and walk in closet.
- Add a bathroom to the second floor.
- Widen the narrow stairway to the second floor.
- Increase headroom at the top of the stairs on the second floor.
- Open wall between the kitchen and the dining room.
- Lower the dining room floor height to match the kitchen.
- Install new windows.
- Change the exterior of the remodeled part to a low maintenance exterior finished insulation system (EFIS) system.
The challenges start even before the construction does:
- Is remodeling the best option?
- What is the project budget?
- What is the project timeline?
- Without a blueprint what will the floor plan be?
- Where do the customer’s plan to live while the work is being done?
As this project gets underway there have been new challenges that have come up. They are hidden inside, behind or under something. Until things are opened up you won’t know what they are. As they do, we address them, find a solution and move forward.
A few of the challenges we’re dealt with while digging for the addition foundation:
- Temporarily disconnecting and moving the air conditioning ductwork so the digging could happen.
- Discovering a buried gas line, determining it was not in use and cutting it out of the way.
- Finding some unused foundation pilings and determining a plan for dealing with them…final plan yet to be determined.
- Reconnecting the ductwork so the customer has air conditioning in this upper 90-degree heat.
I will post more updates to this project as they happen. Check back regularly and watch as this phoenix rises from the ashes.