|
|
|
|
Before settlement I would imagine
different creative ways of improving the property. Some were
pretty interesting, above are some 3D models that I built showing my
thoughts at the time.
|
|
|
|
|
Well
was this the start of it all - my wish list. Before meeting
the contractors at Home Depot I went and took pictures of everything
that I wanted in the house. Printed the pictures and took them
along for the actual shopping trip.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| This
lower window was one of the last items, it was more expensive than
anticipated, but I really like the appearance and it brings a nice
light into the basement.
|
|
|
|
The
basement steps were just about to fall over when I acquired the
property. In order to make the steps full size a landing was necessary
at the base.
While taking this picture I learned the valuable lesson: Let the
Contractor hammering know that you are taking a picture with a flash
before shooting - fortunately no injuries.
|
|
|
|
|
| The
front door: Well originally I wanted stained glass, went to a stained
glass shop here and realized that wasn't practical for a rental. So I
decided to go with frosted glass - what a waste of money. 46.00,
driving 30 minutes away and you barely notice it. In the future
I will have them spray paint the back of a regular piece of
glass. The black and brass mailbox was a nice touch.
I bought the numbers for above the door but they were on a black
background, so I had my friend Emily cut them out with scissors.
I thought I could just replace the
door, but realized we needed to reframe the entire thing, although
much more expensive it is a nice addition. Unfortunately
we bought a door that opens in the wrong direction - oh well, live and
learn :)
|
|
|
|
| I
had intended to put a whole new kitchen in here. But my costs
were just getting out of hand so that will have to wait until the
property starts generating some cashflow.
|
|
|
|
| I
love this cieling fan, I think it just makes the room. I was
going to put in my contract that before settlement I could have a
contractor add the fan. I thought it would improve the entire
aesthetic so much, which it does. The entire house with the
exception of the basement has all new brass light fixtures.
|
|
|
|
| New
carpet on the first floor, fixed the walls and painted the trim.
They still need to do some minor touch up work on the trim.
|
|
|
|
| New
carpet on the steps, they originally put brown carpet on the steps but
I had them change it because it looked really bad against the blue on
the first floor.
|
|
|
|
| Heavy
duty steam clean of carpets on second floor, paint trim and walls and
grates and replace windows which you cannot see in this picture.
|
|
|
|
| Alright
maybe a bad idea in retrospect. When I would walk upstairs I
would hit my head, so I had the contractors rip out the ceiling and
reframe the closet so there is no longer a floor just and angled
carpeted shelf. I am not living here, it is for tenants, i have
to keep this in mind. Once they started knocking it out, I
realized it wasn't the best idea. Also, there was some
miscommunication, I only wanted to knock of the lower corner, not the
entire thing.
|
|
|
|
| The
front door from the inside, they still need to stain the
footplate. I bought the little rug for the negotiated price of a
dollar at the flea market, I thought it would make the place look
nicer.
|
|
|
|
| Never
know what you will find when you rip up these floors. This item
made the place look so much better. I really like the surround
and the trim on it. Having them scrape and re-caulk the tub was
one of the things I never took into consideration.
|
|
|
|
| Well
another mistake, I said I wanted a curve around carpeted stair case at
the base with a shelf for plants. It takes up too much space in
a small room.
|
|
|
|
| Well
they had to reframe most of the doors and doorways in the house.
The doors did not shut properly, were cut oblong, the frames did not
fit. An extra cost I never anticipated.
|
|
|
|
| When
I bought it I worked my numbers based on the fact it had replacement
windows. Well the windows were not put in the frames right and
were so old they did not stay open, so here they are reframing and
adding some new windows - live and learn :)
|
|
|
|
| I
had them put the original steel door from the front on the back to
replace the wooden one.
|
|
|
|
|
Yeh, this speaks for itself, it looked gross
so I just had them replace it.
|
|
|
|
|
| I
didn't really figure rebuilding the deck into my costs but it needed
to be done.
|
|
|
|
| See
that wood on the ground, It was liquid nailed down. I told the
contractor to remove it, he said I might be sorry it is there for a
reason. Well it lacked concrete underneath. So they poured
the concrete. I had them paint the back wall and drywall the
ceiling, point some of the brick and put carpet down. Final Images
coming soon.
|
|
|
|
| just
a grate :)
|
