***TIP FOR OTHERS****---We started getting estimates for everything at the beginning of January, and it wasn't until about mid February that the electric began to be worked on. It was march/april before the plumbers got started. The contractors took forever to get back to me on estimates for all the work, and many of them did not get back to me at all. I asked a bunch of different guys to get back to me in January but I think the job was just too overwhelming maybe and they knew it would be a lot of work with the home being so old.
- The first improvements were to the electrical. I had an idea of about what it would cost to update the box and the service, but it ended up about $1200 more than I anticipated because I didn't realize how many more receptacles the house needed to be functional in today's world. Total investment was about $5400. They didn't rewire the home completely, but rather updated the service, added about 10 outlets, added a microwave outlet, and fixed some problem areas throughout the home that were needing updates (incorrect wire splicing, etc).
-Next, and probably the biggest expense so far throughout the home, came the plumbing. My original intention was to leave the current plumbing and just add onto the existing line to eventually add a second bathroom. I also wanted to add a new hot water heater since the existing one was 30 gallons and I new I wanted to add a dishwasher and possibly a second bathroom.
When the plumbers came to look at the lines he told me that they were leaded pipes and that they would not guarantee the work they would do to add onto the existing line. They suggested that we put in a new service line from the street to up the diameter of the pipe from 3/4" pipe to 1" pipe, and update to PEX pipe instead of copper and lead (existing). I agreed and they began work on replacing the lines. We also began to work in the bathroom.
-Anyway, we got started on the plumbing and we unfortunately realized that the floor in the bathroom was not stable. My original plan was to incorporate a closet into the bathroom and use the existing flooring, but just tile over it. Once we started breaking things up I found 6" of concrete base under the tile, and rotting joists from a combination of a leaking bathtub, termites, and water coming in from a vent in the crawl area under the house. We then knew we had to tear up the entire floor and rebuild the entire bathroom from scratch- walls, floors, fixtures, etc. We decided to do it ourselves (we being my girlfriend and I). Luckily we had help from both our fathers- hers a retired carpenter, and my father had worked in construction as a teenager extensively and knew what to do.
Here is the original Bathroom- By now we had already removed the plaster from the closet (which was attached to the beam on the left) along with the pink sqaure tiles that were along the base 1/3 of the room.
Once we started tearing up everything, here is a progression...
Above is my Girlfriend's Dad cutting the joists from the old closet.
Once we identified that the studs/joists in the floor were rotten, we scabbed on to the ones that were bad with new 2 x 10 boards and supported them with a crossbeam underneath. We then put supports in about every 13-24 inches so that it ended up looking like a checkerboard. This is my Dad helping...
Once we had the plywood floor base down, we then laid the cement backerboard overtop to tile. Before doing that though, I took pictures. Not only to have for reference as before/after, but also so that I knew what was behind the walls/floor and where in case something needs to be worked on in the future.
After bringing in the new space from the old closet and moving some things around like a rubix cube, we added a second vanity to make it more spacious and easier for two people to operate.
I decided to put this little shelf in on the backside of the tub rather than use a soap dish or corner dish. It looks nicer and is actually easier to install for a DIY'er without the worry of water leakage down the line.
Next was to lay the Tile. We contracted that out. The estimates ranged from $1100 to $750 for the same work, and we were actually the most comfortable with the least expensive guy. He did a great job. Would recommend him any day. His name is Charles and he works for Memphis Tile Installers. Give them a call if you need some work done.
The Red is the Waterproofing membrane that I put on before he started tiling...
Finally after about 3 months of working on and off, getting the plumbers to work, tile guy to do his job, and us to build, paint, insulate, level and shim, we ended up with a final product which we are really proud of. I wanted to sort of keep with the age of the house in the design, hence the subway tile, wainscoting, and small floor tile. It may not be 100% on point with the design of the time, but it looks nice. We also incorporated a transum window, which we removed from the kitchen, into the back wall of the bathtub.
The Bathroom is really what took us the longest to accomplish, since we were doing it ourselves and trying to work with the plumber to matchup our timelines on when things would get done. i have learned that scheduling things and matching up your time with theirs is often the hardest. I can definitely see the value in a contractor that does electrical, plumbing , and GC work.
This is the (nearly) final Product (walls are navy Blue):
After the Bathroom came the Kitchen...
