Well, Here is what I have been up to all summer. I got this house (which is my first house) from my Grandfather. He bought it years ago to make into a rental property, but never got around to it. He did use it for storage for about 5 years though. Before that, it was vacant for about 10 years. I knew it was going to be alot of work, but it was too good of a deal to pass up.

It is still a work in progress. I got it one month before my lease on my apartment was supposed to end. I attempted to sign another 6 month lease so I could take my time with the house, but for some reason the property management stopped doing leases less than 1 year.They did however allow me a one month extension. So that gave me two months to get it from this to liveable.

The house is only 24x32, and had two bedrooms. I gutted the house and combined both small bedrooms into one (still small) bedroom. This also allowed me to put in a closet, which the house originally had none of because it was a weekend home.

Here is what I started with....

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70829Medium.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70830Medium.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70831Medium.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70833Medium.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70835Medium.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70836Medium.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70837Medium.jpg

This was originally a large window my Grandfather filled in....

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70838Medium.jpg

The "kitchen" area....

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70839Medium.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70840Medium.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70841Medium.jpg


The plumbing nightmare....

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70843Medium.jpg

Bedroom(s)....
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70846Medium.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70847Medium.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70848Medium.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70849Medium.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70850Medium.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70851Medium.jpg

And here are the after/in progress pictures. I am living in the house even though it isnt finished so dont pay attention to the mess. I have some storage/organization issues to work out. Anyway, here are the pictures....

new outside shot after I replaced all of the windows. I also got Home Depot to match the original paint so I could make the patched in siding match for the time being...

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00629Medium.jpg

My new kitchen with Whirlpool appliances and maple cabinets...

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00630Medium.jpg

the pantry I added. It also houses the heat pump inside unit...

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00632Medium.jpg

shot of living room from kitchen...

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00633Medium.jpg

the one bedroom made from two...

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00634Medium.jpg

marble floor in bathroom...

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00635Medium.jpg

my temporary office/ TV area in living room. THe TV cabinet is a spare sink base from the kitchen...

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00636Medium.jpg

porcelain tile in kitchen...

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00637Medium.jpg

new hallway, bath to the left, bed to the right...

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00638Medium.jpg

my awesome sink that comes all the way to the edge of the counter....

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00639Medium.jpg

I prewired the house for satellite and HDTV over cat5 to the bedroom.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00640Medium.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00641Medium.jpg

kitchen from living room....

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00642Medium.jpg

my little shed..

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00643Medium.jpg

new front windows, front repainted same color....

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00646Medium.jpg

new front door, which is on the side of the house...

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00648Medium.jpg


large pile of granite tile scraps I was going to use for a mosaic floor. These were free, but I ended up not using them...

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00650Medium.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00651Medium.jpg

Now here is my probelm; I have no idea what to do to the outside. I like the cottage look, but the outside is just ugly. I was planning on replacing the siding with Hardie plank siding, but I am not sure that is going to be enough. I am up for just about anything, just give me some ideas. Photoshops or sketches whould be great :)

just for reference, here is the house from the driveway...

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00629Medium.jpg

I like it, quite a bit.

You made a good move. The work looks good. It's a great 2 person home.

Here is one idea I had. It would be pretty easy to make the front window in the living room a new front door. Then I could add a front porch that would extend about 10' forward. I also plan on enclosing the side porch (which was originally a boat storage carport)..

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00653Medium.jpg

:eek: WOW! Great work! You really made it into quite a home! Some basic plantings can go a long way with the outside.

I just found some construction pictures I didnt know I had....

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70926Medium.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70924Medium.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70923Medium.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70922Medium.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70921Medium.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70920Medium.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70919Medium.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/STA70918Medium.jpg

Here is one idea I had. It would be pretty easy to make the front window in the living room a new front door. Then I could add a front porch that would extend about 10' forward. I also plan on enclosing the side porch (which was originally a boat storage carport)..

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00653Medium.jpg

Cool project - great job!

The siding looks good. Adding a another gable end/porch would go a long way to break up the flat wall, as would a new front door (contrasting color and/or wood.)

A dormer or two in the roof would break up the roof line also. If you build a real dormer, the light from the window will brighten up the inside quite a bit.

You have many options for the outside. You could use brick, stucco, vinyl siding, interlocking vinyl panels or shingles. What about styrofoam under wonder board, then cover the sides with marble or granite tiles?

That's a helluva project for two months!! Looks great!

{Fat Bastard voice on} Farst things farst: Where's ya' shittar??{/voice}

My suggestion for the outside was going to be the hardy siding (or another cement-board equivalent... there are a few out there nowadays). Partially enclosing the 'porch' would be great too... think about replacing that single entry door on that side with some nice french doors off the living room once you install the door on the 'front' per your sketch.

If you do install that one, you'll want some sort of overhang for it as well... Trying to come in a fully exposed door like that when it's raining/snowing kinda stinks... Makes a heckuva mess!!

Looks great so far!! Good job!!

Nice work so far. How about cedar shaker shingles for the exterior? Gives it a nice cottage look.

http://www.tlcmodularhomes.com/images/large/OutsideLandscaped.jpg

...Very nice...:biggthump

...What brand of cabinets are those???...As mentioned, the new entry would become a mud porch which could be a good thing...

...Are you trying to get a porch area to relax on and stare out at the view or are you trying to just enhance the aesthetic's???...A combination of the 2 would be of greatest value...Are you going to leave the 2 trees that are right next to the house where you want to add the front entry???

Wow, you did a great job man, that is a lot of work in a short amount of time.

As far as the outside goes, plant some grass and put in a flower garden in front of the house. A little goes a long way when it comes to that stuff.

Again, wow.

Great job Justin! You brought it a long way in a short amount of time. Whatever you do for the outside in terms of siding, try to make it low maintenance.


When are you going to build a garage? It looks like you have a decent sized lot.

As far as the outside goes, plant some grass and put in a flower garden in front of the house. A little goes a long way when it comes to that stuff.

Again, wow.

I am going to plant some winter grass soon. I hope to be able to do some yard work in the spring..

...Very nice...:biggthump

...What brand of cabinets are those???...As mentioned, the new entry would become a mud porch which could be a good thing...

...Are you trying to get a porch area to relax on and stare out at the view or are you trying to just enhance the aesthetic's???...A combination of the 2 would be of greatest value...Are you going to leave the 2 trees that are right next to the house where you want to add the front entry???

The cabinets were some RTA (ready to assemble) cabinets that I found online- total price for all including freight: ~$1450

Adding the porch to the front would be more for aesthetics; but also acting as buffer to the weather for the front door. I plan on removing the trees that are on the front of the house. I have so many trees as it is that the house rarely sees full sunlight.

You've done an amazing job in such a short time frame. I say leave the exterior alone and focus on building a garage though. You have to have somewhere to work on that twin turbo project don't you:D

Wow, great job! How many miles away is the nearest street? :D

Excellent work Justin! The beginning just looks small with a lot of ope walls and space to work with. That looked better to deal with than a completed interior etc. You did great work with selecting and finishing the interior. I have no doubt you can do just as well with the rest. I would concentrate on weather protection, the roof, walls, and landscaping near the house. Do you have enough land to be able to move walls out at all? If the lot is big enough you could add rooms and rebuild the roof. I suggest that because of how well you accomplished the interior work. If that is a decent location for a home then all time and money invested would bring more in value to the home. Very nice,

Looks like you've already go the idea covered, but putting a railing around the porch would make it look better.

I think some evergreen shrubs would be good around the house too, help hide the foundation.

Then I would say make the yard a little more...grassy and lawn like. Beyond that, my only suggestion is to put a flowerbed or something similar in the yard somewhere.


I like what you've done with the place. The interior is really nice! You would never guess how nice it is from looking at it. Looks like a great house! How secluded is the location? It looks like it's a ways from anything, but looks can be deceiving.

. I would concentrate on weather protection, the roof, walls, and landscaping near the house. Do you have enough land to be able to move walls out at all? If the lot is big enough you could add rooms and rebuild the roof. I suggest that because of how well you accomplished the interior work. If that is a decent location for a home then all time and money invested would bring more in value to the home. Very nice,


The roof is new- Grandpa replaced the roof before he started using it for storage. The house sits on two lots, but I am in the process of buying the lots on either side. I am not sure I want to add much on to it because I dont know how long I will be living in this area. I may enclose part of the porch to make a new entryway and a second bedroom though...


Thanks for the compliments guys!!

You're doing a great job. I like the idea of a dormer as mentioned earlier. And for the siding. What do you think of either a fake vinyl of real wood log cabin style siding similar to this?

I talked to my Mom today and she talked me into building some shutters. I plan on making them out of four 1x4's butted together with a cross piece on top and bottom to connect the 1x4's. I have been looking into colors, and I think black would be the best match to the house. I made a rough drawing on Paint and black shutters actually seem to liven up the front of house.

This is the style shutter i am going for....

http://www.therightproducts.com/images/pvc_shutter_01.jpg

I closed in the carport/porch this week to make it seem more like a porch. Eventually the whole thing will get this treatment, but I just did the front for now. It plan on painting the rail when I get more time...

I drilled holes in the concrete so I could put a pin in the bottom of the post to secure them. I also used some adhesive..

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00670Small.jpg

added the top rails...

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00669Small.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00668Small.jpg


Filled in the gaps...

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00674Small.jpg

finished product...

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00675Small.jpg

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00678Small.jpg



And here was another part I havent shown off yet. It makes plenty hot water- so much that the knob is mostly to the cold side when taking a shower. It required a separate 60amp circuit and #6 wire. The thing works great, but it does make the lights dim as it turns on and off to regulate heat.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00679Small.jpg

:thumbsup:
endless showers--

:thumbsup:
endless showers--

You can hear the power meter groaning when it is running though :D

And here was another part I havent shown off yet. It makes plenty hot water- so much that the knob is mostly to the cold side when taking a shower. It required a separate 60amp circuit and #6 wire. The thing works great, but it does make the lights dim as it turns on and off to regulate heat.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00679Small.jpg

Can't really tell from the pic... is the wire run in conduit? I think code may require that, so you'd probably want to make the change before you try and sell the place...

So jealous.... I would LOVE to have one of those next to my shower....

Can't really tell from the pic... is the wire run in conduit? I think code may require that, so you'd probably want to make the change before you try and sell the place...

So jealous.... I would LOVE to have one of those next to my shower....

We dont have building codes in my county for residential structures. Which wire are you asking about? The wire running to the disconnect is not in conduit, it is run through the studs like normal outlet wiring. The disconnect is only about 5 feet from the breaker box though. And the shower is actually on the back side of the wall the heater is mounted on :)

We dont have building codes in my county for residential structures. Which wire are you asking about? The wire running to the disconnect is not in conduit, it is run through the studs like normal outlet wiring. The disconnect is only about 5 feet from the breaker box though. And the shower is actually on the back side of the wall the heater is mounted on :)

Click the image...

http://uploads.screenshot-program.com/th00a00064003e80-7535548903.jpg (http://uploads.screenshot-program.com/my.php?image=upl7535548903.jpg)

I'm thinking that to meet the national electrical codes, that wire should be in flexible conduit... If nothing else, it makes it safer... I don't think they allow live wiring to dangle like that unprotected. (But I'm no electrician...)

Even if it's not required, it should be protected from the disconnect to the heater IMHO. Whether that through a flexible conduit like Seal-tite, or run through the wall, shouldn't matter, but bare live wire dangling in the open I would doubt would pass any thorough home inspection.

Click the image...

http://uploads.screenshot-program.com/th00a00064003e80-7535548903.jpg (http://uploads.screenshot-program.com/my.php?image=upl7535548903.jpg)

I'm thinking that to meet the national electrical codes, that wire should be in flexible conduit... If nothing else, it makes it safer... I don't think they allow live wiring to dangle like that unprotected. (But I'm no electrician...)

Even if it's not required, it should be protected from the disconnect to the heater IMHO. Whether that through a flexible conduit like Seal-tite, or run through the wall, shouldn't matter, but bare live wire dangling in the open I would doubt would pass any thorough home inspection.


The heater is designed to be installed like I have it. The wiring pigtail comes on the unit- and the way it is designed, you cant attach conduit to the unit. If you open the unit, you void the warranty. Every single installation I can find online, including the video from the company, shows it installed with the wire bare to the disconnect.

Interesting... just surprising, that's all... Like I said before, I don't claim to know everything... just seemed odd the way it was, that's all. :)

I'm still jealous though....

I know that according to the local codes when I live, the wire could run like this up to 6 feet, but it has to be accessible (not buried within an enclosed wall with no access).

I have finally got some more work done on the house since it has gotten warm. I have put on all new siding. It is James Hardie cement siding. I also replaced all of the trim with treated lumber. There is still alot of work to be done, but it seems like it is raining everytime I have free time. In this picture, the front has color- the trim is just in Kilz at this point. I am also adding some knee braces for the overhangs made of 4x4 material at the peak and at the end of each wall. Also, I will be building shutters out of cedar which will likely stay in the raw finish. I need to make one to see how it looks first though. Here is a picture from last weekend before we cleaned up a little.

When we finish painting, I will finally be building forms for the slab for my new shop. I also want to enclose the ceiling of the porch.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC01000Medium.jpg


I also got some work done on the inside. I got some new furniture and got my home theatre setup.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00757Medium.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC00758Medium.jpg

I also cleaned up my computer setup by building this aluminum rack to hold mine and my wifes computers. I am doing anything I can to save space in this very small house :)

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/computer%20mods/DSC00829Medium.jpg
http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/computer%20mods/DSC00836Medium.jpg

That looks very nice and clean. :thumbsup:

...That is shaping up really nice...Pretty soon, you won't want to leave your house...:biggthump

I'm familiar with James Hardi cement backerboard, but I've never heard of cement siding. Do you have a link with more information? Could you post a picture of one of the individual pieces?

..They are the world's leader in fiber cement siding and backerboard...;)
http://www.jameshardie.com/

A lot of their products are not sold on the East Coast. A couple of months ago, I was trying to get 5/8" Hardi backerboard, and the company gave me a list of distributors to contact. Not one of them had it in stock or could order it unless I prepay to have an entire pallet mailed as a special order. The manufacturer doesn't sell retail, and could only recommend going through a retailer.

A lot of their products are not sold on the East Coast. A couple of months ago, I was trying to get 5/8" Hardi backerboard, and the company gave me a list of distributors to contact. Not one of them had it in stock or could order it unless I prepay to have an entire pallet mailed as a special order. The manufacturer doesn't sell retail, and could only recommend going through a retailer.

I can buy it here at Lowes or Home Depot. What I used is basically cement T1-11 style 4x8 sheets. They also make it in a stucco pattern. The cool thing about it is that I get the brick rate on my homeowners insurance because of it.

Backerboard sheets in Lowes or Home Depot here come in 3 X 5 in 1/4" or 1/2". These boards seem to be more durable than Wonderboard. The local lumber yards don't like it for some reason, and only sell Wonderboard.

...3'x5' is an industry standard and we can get either Hardi-back or wonderboard out here...I have a nibbler for cutting it and it is the bomb...:biggthump

...I also order the 4x8 sheets of the 1/4"...:dunno:

Backerboard sheets in Lowes or Home Depot here come in 3 X 5 in 1/4" or 1/2". These boards seem to be more durable than Wonderboard. The local lumber yards don't like it for some reason, and only sell Wonderboard.

Some of the homedepots around here will sell the 1/2" in 4x8 sheets.


Looking nice Justin.

4 X 8 sheets are not available here (except for sheetrock or plywood). I guess the west coast has things that we can't get. I think it's possible to get sheetrock in a larger size in upstate NY.

Very nice Justin, you have come a long way quickly there.

Thanks for the compliments guys. I still have alot more work ahead of me.

Color looks good. Brighter than I would have thought of, but turned out nice. I like that you used that James Hardie siding. I just saw it in a magazine and looked good, durable with little maintenance.

Now, on what other projects you should do:
-add shudders, like the ones on the previous page,
-add the door in your skech where that window is,
-xtend the roof over the door, like an entry porch, with the area under the
roof because of the sloping ground either be a wooden deck or another
concrete apron like the carport converted to a porch.
-landscape to the left and right of the front door
or
-another idea for a front door. Have a door between the two windows in the front.

Because I am not very good with computers, I'll sketch my ideas and take pictures of them and then post them.

-Marc

I am posting this picture for reference- I need some ideas for shutter color. My wife wants cedar shutters, but I am not sure.


http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s97/justinb3325/house/DSC01000Medium.jpg

Make them white to match the trim.

The same green as the gable end. That would be nice.