Introduction: Howard House (c1910 Rockwood TN)
Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2017 4:09 pm
Hello,
I've been a member for some time now but have never posted anything. Guess I felt I really didn't have much to contribute since I was new to OLD HOUSE ownership. Well, after being an owner of an old house MONEY PIT for nearly 3 years now, I believe I'm at least ready to introduce myself.
My wife and I purchased our current home about 3 years ago with the expectation of a quick rehab before we moved in. The single family home was converted to apartments many years ago. When we purchased the house there were 5 apartments, 2 on the first floor and 3 on the second. There were originally plans for 3 more on the third but fortunately little change was made up there.
Many of our friends suggested leaving the apartments and opening a B&B. Not our plan...we wanted the apartments gone and the building restored to a single family home.
Now I'm not a skilled tradesman just a handyman fascinated with old things, including houses. The only thing quick about our rehab was how QUICKLY that plan fell apart. Finding professional tradesmen in our area capable (and willing) to take on this project proved fruitless. Frustrated, we started on it ourselves.
Every project we started spawned several others. The carpenters, plumbers, and electricians were not kind to the house as they were modifying the structure to install the bathrooms and kitchens necessary for the apartment conversion. This, as well as the fact the building had been vacant for many years with broken/missing windows and roof leaks created much water damage...plaster falling from walls and ceilings, lath, joist and stud damage. Not to mention damage caused by the apartment tennents over the years. As Nicole Curtis would say, "Why in the h?!! would you cover that up?" Tiles and wood work painted (many times).
So, here we are nearly 3 years later, still rehabbing so we can get in and live there while we finish the job over the rest of our lives.
I've been a member for some time now but have never posted anything. Guess I felt I really didn't have much to contribute since I was new to OLD HOUSE ownership. Well, after being an owner of an old house MONEY PIT for nearly 3 years now, I believe I'm at least ready to introduce myself.
My wife and I purchased our current home about 3 years ago with the expectation of a quick rehab before we moved in. The single family home was converted to apartments many years ago. When we purchased the house there were 5 apartments, 2 on the first floor and 3 on the second. There were originally plans for 3 more on the third but fortunately little change was made up there.
Many of our friends suggested leaving the apartments and opening a B&B. Not our plan...we wanted the apartments gone and the building restored to a single family home.
Now I'm not a skilled tradesman just a handyman fascinated with old things, including houses. The only thing quick about our rehab was how QUICKLY that plan fell apart. Finding professional tradesmen in our area capable (and willing) to take on this project proved fruitless. Frustrated, we started on it ourselves.
Every project we started spawned several others. The carpenters, plumbers, and electricians were not kind to the house as they were modifying the structure to install the bathrooms and kitchens necessary for the apartment conversion. This, as well as the fact the building had been vacant for many years with broken/missing windows and roof leaks created much water damage...plaster falling from walls and ceilings, lath, joist and stud damage. Not to mention damage caused by the apartment tennents over the years. As Nicole Curtis would say, "Why in the h?!! would you cover that up?" Tiles and wood work painted (many times).
So, here we are nearly 3 years later, still rehabbing so we can get in and live there while we finish the job over the rest of our lives.
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Beautiful house you have there!
- the joke was on us. Although we didn't have the apartment scenario to undo as you did, we have experienced the same problem of finding good tradesmen in this area who are even willing to tackle a project of this scope.