[JayDoesIt]

Hello everyone, I'm new around here and thought no better way to introduce myself then to start a showcase thread. This was my entry house, picked it up for $6000.00 plus $850.00 closing cost.

The house was a red sticker getting ready to be condemned and knocked down me being the DIY kinda guy I figured better not pass on the opportunity. So i purchased it, The first thing I done was call out my woman's uncle a licensed builder, who after 20 minutes of looking around said I made a mistake and probably bit off more then I could chew. He said he didn't see me completing it and I should have probably let them bulldoze it.

Instead of letting that ruin my spirits I decided to use it as motivation to see it to fruition. So I immediately scratched the notion of looking for guidance and jumped right into drawing build plans and pulling the permits as the homeowner and getting this project started.

After a couple days of drawing up plans and paying associated permit fees my plans were approved and I could finally begin the remodel.

I pulled the following permits and was required to get the corresponding inspections.

Rough ins
Electrical
Plumbing
Hvac
Plumbing top out
Framing
Insulation

Finals
Electrical
Hvac
Plumbing
Building

This will be a multi post showcase, I still have to make some slideshows and get the photo's all organized as I proceed. However I will continue posting details until it's complete. The project took me a total of 18 months to complete. I was working on it during the evenings and weekends most of that time. While working to finance the materials as needed.

I know my build plans look like crap but I'm no artist and it was my first attempt and they were approved, so they were good enough for me...

 

[JayDoesIt]

The first order of business was the roof. The house has a slate roof but it wasn't properly maintained so it was in deteriorated condition.

Me being a roofer by trade I decided to keep the slate roof, and immediately repaired over 80 slate, and did all new chimney flashings and painted the ridge roll. I will upload some pictures before and after soon.

 

[JayDoesIt]

After getting the roof done, the next crucial step was repairing the foundation.

Someone had attempted to stucco it but they did a very poor job and all of the stucco was lose and falling chipped and broken. So I took a hammer to it and broke it all off to reveal the mess beneath.

After removing all the old stucco, I purchased some type s mason mix and chicken wire and I started by first filling in all the holes and solidifying the wall back up. Then I proceeded to attach the chicken wire to the walls and do the scratch coat.

I built some temp 2x4 support walls around all the old wooden window frames to support the joist while I pulled all the old wooden frames and found I had to remove several block and replace them because they were just to deteriorated to keep.

I built all new block glass windows and after I got them inserted I poured solid mortar around 1/4" over the lips of the block glass windows to secure them in and poured the outside sloped down on the bottom to divert any water that may reach the area. All in all probably not the professionals choice but it sure has held up for the past 7 years with no sign of troubles to come.

 

[JayDoesIt]

After tackling the foundation issues, and getting that solid. I moved right into windows and doors. I installed all new front and rear entry doors with security doors. I bought all solid core doors for the interior. I didn't want to do a bunch of framing work so I bought replacement windows that were sightly smaller then the opening and used cut pieces of 2'x4' as shims to support the new windows.

I was cheap so I bought just double pane vinyl windows and framed them myself. Really basic stuff but come out pretty nice at the end.

21 windows in total including the block glass windows in the basement.

 

[JayDoesIt]

Now here is where I made my first mistake.

I had the experience and for sight to avoid it but I opted to go ahead with the electrical at this point, I should have finished the exterior and new siding instead. However I wanted power and I had a generator stolen out of my truck so I just proceeded to get electric service established and turned on so I didn't need to rely on generator power.

The house originally had a 100amp electric service and probably didn't truly need anymore then that, however I planned to live in this house and save all that wasted rent money up for future investments and opted to upgrade to a 200amp service. Which required new meter box new weatherhead and service lines. I also went ahead and installed a new copper grounding rod. The plumbing was being redone but I hadn't yet installed it so instead of 2 ground rods, considering I was going to be running all new copper, I only installed a single ground rod. With the intent to tie in and jump the meter once I got the water lines completed.

The fact that I needed power to work and someone stole my generator I was rushing and decided to not wait until the rough in electric was complete to call out the inspector and get approved for service. He come out and we bickered back and forth a bit because he didn't want to approve service because I only had the one ground rod installed and tied into the panel. After some arguing he decided to approve me for service and fail me on my rough in, I thought fair trade that is all I wanted I just
needed power so I could continue work without relying on generators and extra hassles.

Second mistake cost me 150.00 in the end because although my permit provided me with 2 inspections 1 rough and 1 final, I now had to use my final inspection for my eventual rough inspection. Which left me having to pay for the final inspection. I figured it to be cheaper then replacing the generator and so that is what I did

First mistake not redoing siding before I started attaching conduit and electrical boxes. Being in a pinch and already annoyed by the generator being stolen I just ran it in knowing it would bite me in the arse later.

Second mistake hand in hand with first, not completing the entire rough in before calling out the inspector, Knew better before hand but needed power so figured it to be fair enough trade.

I went with a QO square D 200 amp load center. I installed a whole house surge protector on a double pole 15 in slot one and 2. Then proceeded with everything else. Don't laugh at my temp tack using the sheathing from the service line. On the conduit I had dropped the clamps out of the bag and didn't realize it until I was already up there so I ran with it and clamped it down properly at a later date.

 

[JayDoesIt]

After completing the electrical rough in I moved onto plumbing.

Originally this house had only 1 bathroom on the second floor. It had a large dining space and a small galley kitchen. Built a 1/2 bathroom where the galley kitchen used to be.

So in my plans I moved the kitchen from the small galley space, to the original dining space and built an eat in style kitchen. The plumbing was all new I had to cut the main stack and replace the old stack with new pvc. All new 3/4" copper hot and cold lines reduced to 1/2" before each outlet all new drains and vents.

I had to buy a bunch of inflatable balloons for preparing the drains and vents for the pressure test. I passed that and the plumbing rough was complete.

Also got the rough electric inspection the same day.

 

[JayDoesIt]

With the plumbing & electric roughs complete I called out a contractor to price a new furnace and air conditioning system, Keep in mind I required all new return ducts and all new heat ducts and I wanted to finish the attic space so I needed a cold air return and heat duct in it also.

I got quoted $11,500 and $9,750 by 2 different contractors. The under 10k option was 80% unit I certainly had no desire to get installed.

So I called in a favor from my womans uncle the licensed builder. He called in the order for me a new 95+ furnace and air conditioning system. I was able to with no license go to the place tell them I was their for "Her Uncles Company" to pick up an order for a ducane furnace A coil and compressor.

It took me some time but I managed to get it done and 7 years later its still running strong. New 95+ unit all new duct work new return plenum new heat plenum and all new duct work through out the house. I had to build a couple walls for duct work to travel in but otherwise I brought it up to modern standards cold air return for each bedroom living dining and also the attic in my case.

Funny I passed my rough and final hvac on the first call, I had already installed all the return ducts and heat ducts and it was fully operational when I called the rough in inspection and he just signed off on the final that instant.

 

[JayDoesIt]

Before insulating and closing the walls in I decided I would go ahead and tackle networking and cabling. I hated when I rented having to have cable installers always drilling holes for new lines and cabling so I opted to do it all conveniently with a smart panel.

Now only 1 service cable line needs to enter the house and connect into the distribution panel where internet phone and cable is distributed behind the walls. I also took this time to install a security system wired and through the wall cavity.

With that complete I had built in ethernet plugs distributed throughout the house as needed. I also had a hidden dvr box with and hdmi hookup in a wall plate for my security system.

 

[JayDoesIt]

With the electric complete, all the duct work complete and all the electrical and additional cabling complete, It was time for insulation.

For insulation I chose closed cell spray foam. Well only spray foam products were used. I used fire retardant spray foam for fire blocking, I used closed cell spray foam for the wall cavities I did it in 3 to 4 passes about 1" per pass until filled this took me bouncing back and forth to the same cavities over and over until filled in.

I used open cell window and door insulation around all doors and windows.

 

[JayDoesIt]

After insulation was complete I started putting in all new stairs. some of the stringers were good so I reused if it was usable, if not I cut new stringers.

I used pine for the treads and the risers. I hand routed all the treads and the trims to match. For the basement I just used all pressure treated 2x for the treads and risers.

All the stairs for basement 1st and attic space were redone. I had to extend the staircase to the attic because the way they had it built the door frame was way to low and you would knock yourself out trying to take the first step in and out of the doorway.

So all new stairs throughout the property.

 

[JayDoesIt]

Now for the drywall, I hung the first 2 rooms using a step ladder and my head, after the first 2 rooms my head was throbbing even with cushion to hold. So I gave in and bought a lift to finish it.

If you notice a lot of low standard mud work, please forgive me because my daughters were helping me and I allowed them to do as much as they wanted to. So you will see inconsistent mud work. They are only babies so forgive them.

 

[JayDoesIt]

Bathroom #1 will take 2 post to upload the photo's. Some stuff may or may not be finished in all the photo's until I make some slides that I can add all the photo's I'm uploading enough to get the general idea.

I installed a jetted tub and a stand up shower in bathroom #1. I built a custom storage cabinet to house toilet paper and towels. I chose marble tile for the floor and went with slate for the tub surround with a recessed marble insert for the faucet fixtures. I know everything isn't up to standards of the pro's but I am more or less skilled in some area's then I am others. Although with time and experience I'm improving on each project.

 

[JayDoesIt]

Bathroom 1 continued.

 

[JayDoesIt]

The 1/2 bath was a new addition built into the former galley kitchen.

 

[67IreneRoad]

Beautiful! Great job and hats off to your determination to finish. You have added a lot of value.

 

[JayDoesIt]

The old dining room, turned new eat in kitchen originally had pocket doors and they were old so I replaced them and installed new pocket doors. So the kitchen is eat in and open concept with ability to close it off from the living room.

 

[JayDoesIt]

Kitchen continued!

 

[JayDoesIt]

The attic got foam insulation but I used some vents between the rafters before filling the cavities in with open cell spray foam not closed like the walls.

The living room got a nice fan, and the former kitchen now mud room and half bath got can lighting with a dimmer.

 

[JayDoesIt]

Some of the flooring before trim. The finished mantle with a cheap electric insert to fill the unused chimney space.

 

[JayDoesIt]

The pocket doors, carpet and some of the finished cable/network/phone connections. I'm not a fan of the color selections but my children choose and I accept. Daddies world revolves around them.