Handy Home Owners

Since purchasing our fixer upper in November of 2007 my husband and I have worked to fix up our home and make improvements that were needed. With the exception of the roof we have done all of the work ourselves. We began with new carpets and paint throughout the entire home after the air ducts were cleaned and it went on from there. Here are some of the projects that we have done.

The first thing we did was rip out all of the old carpet and trash that was left in the house.

The bathroom in the basement was TERRIBLE to say the least. That square on the wall shows the amount of smoke damage from the lady who owned the home for more than 30 years. We couldn't clean that room fast enough.

Our jetted tub found for less than $200. Glad I married a handyman who could add the jets to the soaker tub.

Add some tiles..(I will have to get a picture of the finished project to add.)

The kitchen floor as we were adding the laminate flooring.

What to do with a small kitchen? Cut a hole in the wall of course. New pantry cabinets for Kelly. I am one happy baker now!

Our lab Harvey had to give his approval of the job.

Pull out drawers, I think I'm in heaven!

The house was in need of a new paint job. Luckily the front of the house is mostly brick. Unfortunately, the back is two stories.

Out with the old, single pane, aluminum windows and in with the new double-hung windows.

Before

After

The backyard needed some work. Trees were very over grown and in need of help. We had our own Dr. Seuss tree that leaned procariously.

We have a much better view of the yard with the tree cut down.

The back yard has a creek that runs through the middle of it. The back half has a significant slope that was difficult to keep maintained.

Before

We do get a lot of water through the yard with big storms so the solution was a tricky one. We had to be sure that our hard work didn't get washed away.

 

Our solution was to terrace the hill and add some plants.

First we had to dig a trench for a French drain so the water wouldn't pool at the top of the hill any more. Then we started with the bottom level.

There was so much water at the top of the hill that we had to keep a dam at the top until we got it cleared out all the way to the creek. Once that dam was cleared it rushed to the bottom.

First tier complete!

Tier two in the works.

Our two biggest helpers always by our side.

The chimney boards were rotten so they too needed repaired. Thanks to a little storm damage we started on it before we thought we would.

No ladder work around here. My husband decided it was time to invest in some scaffolding to work on this project.

We redid the deck too...

Our latest project was the front flower bed. Once we get some dirt to fill it in we will be good to go.

I wonder what the next project is going to be?