Garage Roof

This weekend project turned out to be more difficult than we had planned for.  We fought with poor weather, lack of electricity, and Menards.  After measuring out our materials and picking them up, we unloaded everything at the house Friday night.  While unloading in the pouring rain, we noticed one package of shingles from the pallet was red instead of black.  Lucky for us, we had a family member who could make the trip to Menards for us.  The nearest one to our house is over an hour away.  

We began working early Saturday morning and soon realized that our generator was not going to work, no matter how hard we wished.  This resulted in using a handsaw for 2x4s, 1x4s, and plywood sheets.  I thought for sure we would never finish this all in a weekend.

Luckily, we had a lot of help.  With four people on the roof and two more helping around the yard and house, we were able to finish the entire garage roof in 9 hours.  Some of the beams were beginning to become soft, so we constructed new supports and trim.  We laid new sheeting, tar paper, and architectural shingles.  It was a big job, but we are very happy it is done with!  

This weekend we also learned that our house is only set up for 60amp electricity service.  That can not even power an electric stove or dryer.  We will soon be upgrading to 200amp service so that we won't have to worry about any more generator issues and can get heat for the winter, which seems to be fast approaching.  

Our next big project: the first bathroom.  We will be working hard at plumbing and then wall construction.  I will be very grateful to have a bathroom in the house!

Yesterday we began our long journey of renovating the Watersmeet house.  After some discouraging news from the neighbor, we were still able to get a lot done.  As we began mowing the lawn (which hasn't been mowed in a LONG time) the neighbor came over to let us know we are the 5th group of people to try and renovate this house.  No one has lived in it for years.  After thinking about it for a while, we decided that as long as we have the motivation, we can get this house renovated and looking good.  


We started by working on the lawn and backyard.  There were 4 piles of garbage and construction material piled higher than us in the backyard and behind the garage.  The lawn had grass nearly 3 feet tall.  

BEFORE

After a long day of mowing and trips to the dump, we finally have a cleaner looking lawn.

AFTER

AFTER

AFTER

After some outside work, we moved indoors.  We tore down the bathroom walls (made of 2x2s).  We will be moving the bathroom so that our kitchen will be larger.  This will involve moving the side door, but will allow us to have 2 bathrooms total and a much larger kitchen.  We were also able to tear out all of the carpet in the house this weekend.  Now we have an empty slate to start working on.

BEFORE

AFTER

Next weekend we plan on working on the garage roof.  The garage is nice, but needs a new roof before the snow comes.  We will also be looking to finish off our electrical work (most of which is already done).  Hopefully next weekend can be as successful as this weekend was.

Closing Day

Today is our closing day!! The title company received our paperwork and we are ready to go.  We can finally pick up the keys, if there are any.  Ryan and I have a wedding to attend this weekend (congrats Ron  and Kate!!!).  We will have to wait until next weekend to start tearing out carpet.  We are incredibly excited to start our project house.  We will keep the blog updated with projects and pictures, so check back soon!  

Friday is the big day!

We will be closing on our new house Friday, September 9th.  Then the project begins!  We hope to get a lot done before the snow flies, such as boarding up any broken or leaky windows.  Once the house is ready for winter, we can begin the tearing out and cleaning process.  Since we both still live in Stevens Point, WI all work will have to be done on weekends and vacations, but we are very excited for our new projects. 
 For those who have not seen the house yet, here are a couple pictures: