remodeling

Phase 1 remodeling 2013

I just started phase 2 of my long-term home remodeling project; the kitchen, laundry, and half bathroom.  Next year it will be the stairs and the second floor.

This house wasn’t a bad buy back in the Fall of 2008 but it also wasn’t exactly what I wanted either. One thing that immediately struck me were the carpets.  The previous owner had put in new carpets to bump up the value of the home to prospective buyers.  I knew from experience how quickly carpets could get dirty and sure enough after a few years they looked terrible.

I was all set to start remodeling in 2011 when the great Texas drought ruined my foundation and all plans had to be put on hold till I got that sorted out.  Call that Phase 0 remodeling.  In many ways that was even harder to take as the repairs took the better part of a month to finish.  Then in 2012 I had to replace the air conditioner.

But I finally got around to doing the first floor last year.  I was extremely pleased with the results but I realized that the linoleum in the kitchen looked terrible next to the new wood floors and it had to go next.  I had several other changes that I not only wanted but needed to make so that this would truly become my home.

It’s not just a matter of making the place look better, but of actually making it more functional and an appealing place to be in.

We often think of houses as inert pieces of the background but in many ways a home is a living breathing entity that needs to have care and maintenance lavished upon it to keep it living and working properly.  It’s not cheap or easy but it is worth it in the long-term.

It’s always a daunting process when the day arrives and the work crew starts working on your home.  Up to that point I don’t think you really realize that people are going to be literally tearing into your living space with hammers and crowbars.

Once the process starts however you feel better and as the old is ripped away and replaced with the new you start getting a sense that things are going to be much better once it’s done.

I can’t wait for the last of the major remodeling projects to be done next year.  I will finally feel that I’m home.