Remodeling Pictures - Renovating a Home
We Will Never Forget 2013
On June 1st of 2013 my husband and I began our biggest DIY venture yet......the remodeling of our 640 square foot cottage.
I suppose I was a bit naïve about the timing, but I didn't realize when we began that we would be living at my inlaws for three months. Yep, it took a very long, hot summer (actually three months) before we had progressed enough to move back into our cottage.
When that day came the beginning of September we decided to take some much needed time off this DIY project. This extensive job was draining on the mind, body and our finances so this break was very welcome.
Time has flown by. Two days after moving back in, we had family visiting from the mainland. Two weeks after that, more family came. Surfing season came early this year and since this is my husband's lifelong passion, it looks now like it will be early Spring before we finish up the detail work on our cottage.
Here are a few highlights during the renovation. (I plan to publish another page once the job is complete.)
All photos on this page are my own: Pam Irie
Where To Put Stuff???
We Begin.....
Two weeks prior to moving out of our cottage, I had to go through all of our belongings to determine what was important to keep and what we would be replacing.
A lot of necessary purging was completed. Many, many items were donated to our favorite charities and some furniture pieces were sold via Craigslist. Everything else was wrapped, boxed up, labeled and either put under tarps outside on our covered lanai or taken to be stored ceiling high in the spare bedroom of my in law's home. We used a lot of packaging tape before the packing was completed.
There it remained for the 3 month duration. Whatever wasn't in our overnight bags we didn't see until we moved back in.
Preparing for the Big "Temporary" Move
I don't exactly know why, but moving can be very tasking no matter how well you've planned. Over the years of this lengthy marriage we've moved several times and learned a few things. One of the best products we discovered were furniture mover sliders. Those things truly can alleviate a lot of stress by making you better prepared.
Remodeling Checklist
- Demolition - Remove Existing Ceiling, Gut the Kitchen and Bathroom, Remove all Remaining Staples from Ceiling Framework
- Haul Away Rubbish
- Take Accurate Measurements and Order New Building Materials
- Install 1/2" Plywood as new subfloor over original hardwood flooring (original hardwood too worn to refinish)
- Frame Walls, Windows and Doorways, Frame Out New Bathtub
- Install New Single Hung Windows
- Rough in plumbing work in bathroom and kitchen area
- Install bathtub and shower surround
- Secure new interior 2x4 framing to existing exterior walls from the outside in
- Add hurricane straps on wall studs to secure roof inside (Hawaii building code)
- Install heat deflecting shields in attic rafters
- Rough-in electric work
- Final inspection for electrical, etc before closing up interior walls
- Apply insulation between wall studs
- Drywall guys come in and hang, Mudd and texture ceilings and walls
- Cut opening for vent for new exhaust fan over the stove
- Prime paint all interior walls and ceilings. Top coat ceilings and walls with finish coat.
- Install new hardwood flooring throughout home.
- Install new ceramic floor in bathroom, attach pedestal sink and install toilet
- Begin interior finish carpentry by installing baseboards, framing windows and doors
- Build frame work for kitchen cabinets using new Kregg Joint System. It's awesome!
- Apply kitchen countertop, hang new exhaust fan in kitchen, install recessed lighting, ceiling fans and light fixtures, and electrical covers.
- Move back in. Take a much needed break!
Demo and Framing
Click thumbnail to view full-sizeShould YOU Do It Yourself?
Start small and work your way up in DIY.
Pick up new tools as you progress in skill.
Quick Birthday Break
After two months of work we were ready for the drywall guys to come in and do their magic. This is one job my husband and I opted out of. Drywall is one job we both absolutely hate plus the professionals are fast and they do great work! Neither of us have the patience for the taping and drywall mudding and sanding work, not to mention how heavy those drywall sheets are.
So, while the drywall guys were doing their thing, I flew to Oregon to celebrate my 58th birthday with our daughter and left my husband home to deal with the crew.
It was a relaxing trip. When I came back to the islands, it was time for clean up. We still had the flooring to install but this basically marked the beginning of what we call the "pretty work".
The Renovation Continues.....
Click thumbnail to view full-sizeTwo Days Left to Work
We had only two days to get our kitchen up and running and we did it! We built the base frames of our cabinets (with the exception of the clearance-bought corner cabinet) in a very short time using our new Kreg jig. It makes the strongest and fastest joinery in woodworking.
The doors aren't on the cabinets and there is a space waiting to be filled with a dishwasher, but the water is running and the appliances are in place.
More Cooks In The Kitchen!
You can see there is still paper taped to the windows, but the new exhaust fan is installed, the pots and pans are hung up. We now have a working kitchen for the foodie members of our visiting family.
Time to Play!
It's time to play. The finishing details have been put on hold temporarily. For all intents and purposes, the main job is done.
The pretty stuff will just have to wait a bit. Stay tuned for an updated page!