|
Fix It Up
Some of us can never resist the chance to imagine how a property would look if we just made a few changes, or maybe more than a few! Alix Myerson, one of the Service You Can Trust partners, was a major practitioner of this amusing mental game until a few years ago when she began a renovation business. In the last several years, she's had a chance to learn first-hand just how big a gulf there is between simply imagining and an actual renovation/rehabilitation. Here's a glimpse of the renovation process of house on Capitol Hill completed a while ago.
The house was one of the first built in the Northeast quadrant of Capitol Hill. It was a simple two story frame structure, with clapboard siding. The original owners were employed in the construction trades; their descendants retained ownership for ninety years. The house was purchased in a bank auction with the express purpose of renovation and resale. At the time, it was essentially derelict although the previous owner had been living in it. Now it is one of few surviving examples of this type of construction and style remaining in the City.
Before |
After |
Sad - crumbling chimney, aluminum siding, plastic shutters, no landscaping.
|
New wood siding, shutters, redone chimney; new gutters and downspouts and a bit of landscaping.
|
|
|
A sort of porch where Brandy the previous owner's pit bull lived.
|
Brandy's porch has been decked!
|
|
|
The view from the back door toward the alley
|
The view from the back door across the deck toward the alley
|
|
|
Dark, chimney closed up
|
A wall of custom cabinetry enclosing the revived fireplace.
Note: original heartpine floors
|
|
|
A nightmare!
|
A dream!
|
|
|
Rubble
|
Space, light and a new railing.
|
|
|
Unspeakable!
|
Clean and spacious!
|
Renovation Resources
Why is everyone doing it? Partly because improved property equals higher equity, but also for reasons of convenience, comfort, and appearance. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) annual survey of "Cost vs. Value" continues to show that money spent on all levels renovation, from minor kitchen remodeling to roof replacement adds value as well as enjoyment to a home. The process, however, can easily add aggravation and distress and make you wonder why you ever started this in the first place. On the other hand, WOW!
No matter the size of your project, there are essentially four phases: planning, hiring a contractor, the money, and getting to completion. We have a nice summary piece on the process from the October 2003 issue of This Old House Magazine. Send an email to info@serviceyoucantrust.com with your address and we'll be happy to share it with you.
This fall, in commemorating the 25th anniversary of This Old House, Max Alexander wrote an article for the magazine entitled "Why Didn't Somebody Tell Me? 25 Things You Need to Know Before Starting a Remodeling Project." From 1 - Assume Nothing through to 25 - Surprises Aren't All Bad, it's a terrific list of do's and don'ts. Let us know if you'd like a copy. Just remember, from idea through the final doorknob, it's an emotional roller coaster of highs and lows, satisfactions and frustrations.
|
