Worked myself this past week / weekend to get as much topsoil and grass seed installed as I possibly could. The weather is just too perfect (warmer sun & rain) for growing grass and what an ideal solution to virus lock down hysteria. Low, low risk working outdoors on a 10 acre lot….
We’ve made substantial headway on the house & apartment interiors as well…
The insurance inspector has required the installation of the deck guardrails sooner rather than later. Typically weeks after a rehab project begins, the insurance company will send out an inspector to look the place over. On a truly derelict project, such as how this one began, the insurance will be cancelled within a month or so because of non-compliance to a laundry list of issues. We can’t blame them, as their business is to insure occupied homes. Our next choice becomes builder’s risk insurance which covers these more extensive remodel projects. It costs more money so the goal becomes getting to the point as soon as possible where more traditional homeowner’s insurance will cover the project until the property is sold.
The original premanufactured home’s entry is on the other side of the house and we removed a bottlegged entry door that opened straight into a bedroom. The trellis will serve to initiate the entry sequence, walking past the well house, by the garden and under it’s decorative wood members. It frames a view of the pasture beyond and will have accent lighting as well as the house numbers on the left front column..
The ADU siding has been poorly maintained over the years. One side of the house had accumulated so much leaf debris that the siding was now buried in the soil. This soil was regraded and the bottom 10” of the siding has been cut away to install flashing with a new base board.
Close up view of the new base trim & corner vertical trim.board.
Several panels of siding were so rotted and damaged that they had to be replaced entirely. The base trim will be painted bright white to match the house. It will also be added to the well house so the separate structures relate to one another.
It’s become clear that the small window at the north end of the second floor of the ADU just isn’t enough to get light into an overly dark, somewhat claustrophobic space. A sliding door with a deck deep enough to catch the morning & afternoon light will be ideal. Added flanking windows will give more light to the space as well as provide a broader view of the pasture beyond.
The concrete footings have been poured and the wood trellis post & beam structure will begin this next week. This will define the main entry of the house & will have accent lighting, a roof over the entry door, steps & landing and finally the house numbers.
As spring shifts in to summer, the driveway foliage has filled in. A gateway to a secret place….
It took a ridiculous amount of caulk & careful matching of new siding replacement panels to the original damaged 80 year old ones but we’ve finally arrived. What a difference. The house looks brand new (until one takes a closer look).
This past weekend we removed a huge dead maple tree as well as trimmed additional site trees. This tree was an accident waiting to happen, either damaging the ADU or far worse killing a person below with a dropped limb.
Work progresses and with the drier, spring-like weather we’ve begun the excavation work essential for stopping the basement flooding as well for installation of water lines connecting the home & ADU to the well. Window installation & trim as well as repaired siding work has been completed on the home’s exterior. Next planned tasks are the removal of the large dead maples as well as the installation of the deck. It is a mystery as to why so many maples on the property are dead.
Excavation for the drainage perforated pipe which will connect to the dry well.
Power & water line excavations for the accessory dwelling unit.
New windows, new trim & new siding infill.
Interior electrical wiring nearly complete.
Huge dead maple, towering over the ADU, to be removed.
Big weather delays but finally back on track with installation of new windows & the future deck slider door. Electrician on board later this week.
View of new windows and deck door being installed at living room.
Deck door installation.
Sketch Up view of future deck off of living room.