Insulation Day



Looking toward the kitchen

                                                 



Arrived this morning to see most of the house outside on the driveway.  There was a little bit of batting type insulation but most of the stuff is the blown in variety.  There is the big hose in the background of the picture above which goes into the house for them to suck out all the fluff. 



We are suppose to get a real hit from the hurricane/nor'easter this weekend but the inside of my cottage is looking more and more like storm damage every time I enter the front door.  I figure there is a good chance that "Sandy" might just blow it down!  Wonder what my homeowner insurance will have to say about that?! 
Notice the flecks of what looks like snow in both interior pictures, just insulation floating around. 

 

My bedroom and bath area.

Good news, the roof is nailed into plywood so at least there is proper building material in a part of the cottage. 
Was talking to a friend this afternoon who is also a builder.  He has always encouraged me to do the renovations on the cottage, telling me that it is only money and to spend it.  When I told him I am doing a very good job of that this year he decided that I am personally funding the "Shoch Stimulus Package".  The government should be glad! 
Don't know what else they can tear down, oh yes, so they will tackle the chimney.  The house will definitely fall down when that goes! 
Am going to make a drink!

Day 1to 3 - Let the Renovations Begin!

Cottage Empty, Crowbars in Hand!  Problems Loom!






October 21, 2012 - The cottage is empty and
ready for the renovations to begin.  As I arrived in the morning, the view convinced me again that this is a good idea.  The sun was gleaming off of the water and the heron is in the marsh.  I DO want to wake up looking at this view for the rest of my life!

Brendan removed all the trim work.

Then came the walls.  The house looks amazing even all torn apart.  The sunshine just pours in and the view is amazing.

Bathroom and my bedroom and the guestroom beginning to be one room too.  My bedroom will be the kitchen.  all facing the water. 

 Next to be tackled is the removal of the fireplace.  When that happens the entire cottage will be one big room.  Cannot wait to see that.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ALERT
I knew it was going to smoothly, things just needed to heat up a bit.  I went over to the cottage after lunch today, Wednesday, and here is the news...are my walls plywood, are they wood at all...no...my walls...that would be the outside walls holding up the house and the siding is...drum roll...tar paper covered Sheetrock!  So you can only guess how we are going to fix that...$$$...that's right, take off the siding, the Sheetrock and install plywood.  As I say, $$$$.  Guess it would have been easier and probably less expensive to just tear down the cottage and begin anew.  Looks as if that is about what we will be doing after all.  Russ, my builder said that he has only seen this building design once before.  He is not sure what we are going to do to solve this issue, will keep everyone posted.  I can't help but think that I am just doomed to buy homes where builders have taken shortcuts when building my homes.  My PA house has ceilings lower that code, a mix of leftover tiles in all bathrooms and hardwood floors installed improperly.  All done by a local Bucks County builder.  Now I am rectifying building errors in another state.  Don't think I am going to be buying another home anywhere else in the states!  So much for having homes inspected before you buy!
 

First Bump in the Renovation Road!

Everything or almost everything, is packed and ready for the boys to arrive this morning to move to the garage across the street.  Not to happen, a sick baby who need to go to the hospital has put the move on hold.  Guess it will give us more time to sift through all my stuff and get more of it back to the "dump" rather than move it.  Let's hope this isn't indicitive of things to come! 


Notice Bloomie on the bed in both pictures!

Moving Forward!

     After much thought and interviewing other builders, I have found a builder who will renovate my cottage for me.  I have signed the contract and as of the 21st of October, demolition begins.  The project is much more modest and therefore less expensive.  There will be only two bedrooms and two baths, a great room and a deck.As soon as I can figure out how to scan and post the plans, I will. 
     After writing checks to the builder and the down payment on the appliances, we have done nothing else but pack up the cottage.  A daunting task if I do say myself.  How can one collect so much stuff in 5 short years.  Guess I have visited the "dump" one too many times. 
The moving crew is coming on Saturday to move all the furniture to my neighbors two car garage. 
    

 

Sunporch ready for company!Box storage!

 Kitchen