Diary of our upstairs- personal residence

Diary of our upstairs- personal residence

Rental Property Investor · Madison, WI · Member since 2013 · 629 posts · 339 votes

This is a little late starting, but I'll catch up quickly from planning to mid-project in this first post.

We have a small house, started off at 750 sq ft when I bought it. I've added a sunroom (in 1995) and extended our bedroom (in 2001) bringing the house to 1100 sq ft. This year the roof was leaking so it was time to decide if we wanted to change the roof line when we replaced the roof. We added a 500 sq ft second floor. 

The work started this November 13th, and the framers were done before the end of the year. The outside is now complete. For the inside- the contractors took care of some of the insulation- air sealing so that the electrician still has access to what he needs.  For the rest - we're taking it from here!

We've got a favorite electrician, who will come in early March. We've been talking to HVAC people, have three bids already. The first floor has forced-air gas system and it's looking like we'll go with a minisplit system for the second floor. Then we'll do the drywall and trim. Probably hire out for the flooring, or maybe we will do it. We're not in a rush.

First week:

Week 3:

Exterior finished

We can't afford to re-side the whole house right now, so we picked a color that coordinated well with the existing.

More updates on interior progress as we have them. Pretty boring looking right now.

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Colleen F.Pro Member
Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
6y

Looks good!  like the wood floors and beams.

See this reply in the discussion

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  • Rental Property Investor · Madison, WI · Member since 2013 · 629 posts · 339 votes
    7y
  • Rental Property Investor · Madison, WI · Member since 2013 · 629 posts · 339 votes
    7y

    Shower surround installation.... 2 out of 3 panels in!!  They've still got the protective plastic coating on until everything else is done.........Plumber comes back on 3/14 for putting in the fixtures

  • Rental Property Investor · Madison, WI · Member since 2013 · 629 posts · 339 votes
    7y

    Need to take a break to deal with two ice dams. Roof leaking and water is coming in. Both at a rental a couple of hours away from here, and also another one closer.

    Ugh.

  • Rental Property Investor · Madison, WI · Member since 2013 · 629 posts · 339 votes
    7y

    Window sills are next! Tomorrow's fourth of July project.

    Mid August we'll have the hardwood floors refinished.  Will post a photo after that's done.

    Bathroom is fully functional- we've already had guests stay up in the space, on three separate occasions!  We built both the vanity and the linen closet. Haven't ordered doors for those cabinets yet, but that will be soon.

  • Rental Property Investor · Madison, WI · Member since 2013 · 629 posts · 339 votes
    7y

    One window is a little crooked, it turns out. Beyond what we can compensate for with the window trim. The contractors came back to fix today, and tomorrow we will install the last window casing!
    Floors are sanded and finished this Thursday. We are excited. I will post a photo next week.
    Then we just have baseboard, closest shelving, closet doors. And to cut open the final wall to put in those french doors mentioned above. 
    We'll be moving our bedroom upstairs, so have been shopping for furniture for our current bedroom (that will be the new guest room). Found a nice used platform bed frame for $25.  :-)

    Our building permit lasts two years. Those two years are up in November. Three months from now.....We can finish by then.

  • Rental Property Investor · Madison, WI · Member since 2013 · 629 posts · 339 votes
    7y

    As promised- floors are finished! (and so is window trim)

    Next, baseboards!

  • Rental Property Investor · Madison, WI · Member since 2013 · 629 posts · 339 votes
    7y
  • Rental Property Investor · Madison, WI · Member since 2013 · 629 posts · 339 votes
    7y
  • Rental Property Investor · Madison, WI · Member since 2013 · 629 posts · 339 votes
    6y

    Finished the baseboards. Hung the bathroom door. Today we install railings. Yesterday marked two years from the start of the project.

    Building permits last two years. We're hoping to have the final inspection this week (???!!!!)

    More photos once we're all done

  • Rental Property Investor · Madison, WI · Member since 2013 · 629 posts · 339 votes
    6y
  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    6y

    Looks good!  like the wood floors and beams.

  • Rental Property Investor · Madison, WI · Member since 2013 · 629 posts · 339 votes
    6y

    Passed final inspection!

    Now we move furniture up there :-)

  • Rental Property Investor · Madison, WI · Member since 2013 · 629 posts · 339 votes
    6y

    Someone from the assessor's office comes tomorrow morning, so then we'll get our new value and what kind of increase we'll see in our 2020 property taxes. Then we close the books.

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