Almost finished

Not quite there, but oh so close. Over the last two weeks (working about 1 1/2 days a week) I got most of the floor in. The plan is to finish it tomorrow, along with putting in a bypass door, doing a few more painting projects, and one or two other odd jobs. The tenants move in this coming weekend. Sweet.

Getting ready to put the floor down.

The first few rows are in.

So close. Just a few more things to get done. Oh, it looks so much better. I can't wait to not have to rent it out.

Basement Updates

We have new renters. They came last night to pay the deposit and sign the rental agreement. They move in the first weekend of November. Happy day.

So, what's been accomplished lately with the basement? My progress has slowed considerably, simply due to the nature of what's left to do. But here are some updated pics. I've had quite a bit of family and neighbor help.

Finished the bathroom.

Did some re-wiring.

Finished mudding the new wall.

Scrubbed the kitchen floor, walls, cupboards, and refrigerator.

Put in a new light fixture.

Got new carpet in both bedrooms.

So what's left? Some prep work on the living room sub-floor, then lay down the Pergo laminate flooring, replace one door, and paint a few last areas.

Unfortunately I've reached my stupid point. I now no longer have the tools or skills to move forward. I'll do what I can today, and then I'll have to start begging again.

A New Wall

I did warn you, after all, that I would likely be dragging you down into the basement with me.

Yesterday was a good day. We got quite a bit done.

Removed a wall.

Framed up a new one.

Got help from the boys putting up drywall.

Now we have a new wall - that 8 inches makes a big difference.


We also got a good start on the kitchen...

And painted another bedroom.

Today we add finishing touches to the wall, buy carpet for the bedrooms, and continue cleaning the kitchen.

Basement Progress

As promised, here are pics of the basement, right after the tenants moved out, and after doing some work on it.

Today, the plan is to tear out a wall, and re-build it a little further back, to give more room to access the basement. That will be fun.

Stairwell to the basement

Entrance of the basement and dog urine (and other things I'm sure) stained carpet.

Bathroom, with mildewy floor.

Stairs down to the kitchen.


After a little work, stairs down to the basement. That wall at the bottom is the one we are going to move back about 8 inches or so.

Living room after tearing out the carpet. I like it better. :)

Bathroom with a new floor and clean appliances. Getting ready to put the new toilet in.

Stairs down to the kitchen. Ready for some new carpet.

I'm Obsessed

No, not possessed, but sometimes it kind of feels like that, too. This entry has nothing to do with nature or anything outdoorsy. It's my basement. For those who know me personally, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, but truly, I am obsessed with getting this done.

For the past several months we (the upstairs residents of our little home) have really wanted them (the downstairs renters) to be gone. They were bad-mouthing and threatening our neighbors. They were messy. They got a new dog that wasn't truly house trained like they claimed. But they paid rent on time every month. And our budget isn't quite at the point of total self reliance with the mortgage payment. So they stayed.

But then something wonderful happened. "They" called me and said they were looking for a home to rent because they needed more space. One month later, September 1, they were gone. We couldn't be happier. The basement apartment couldn't be more disgusting. Time to clean, and fix and get it ready to rent again. Though we wish we didn't have to. But there it is...

So the obsession of cleaning and fixing and reclaiming the basement began. With a limited budget, most of the work will be done in-house. Some wonderful neighbors have offered to help do some of the more technical stuff, like tearing out and re-building a wall, and supplying needed tools.

I will be posting progress photos. I just need to download them first. Not right now.

First, here is a re-cap of what has been done thus far:

1) Tore out all the carpets (living room, two bedrooms, stairs)
2) Cleaned walls in the living room, bathroom, and one bedroom
3) Purchased Purgo flooring for the living room
4) Removed the toilet and vinyl flooring from the bathroom
5) Laid new flooring in the bathroom, painted the bathroom, bought a new toilet
6) Began painting one bedroom, and priced carpet remnants
7) Hauled out truckloads of trash, and piled up more for later hauling

Yet to do:
1) Install the new toilet
2) Clean the refrigerator (gross)
3) Wash the walls in the kitchen (gross)
4) Scrub the kitchen floor (I know it used to be white)
5) Paint the bedrooms, and the kitchen
6) Lay carpet in the bedrooms
7) Lay purgo flooring in the living room
8) Tear out a wall, and build a new one for easier access to the basement
9) Carpet both sets of stairs
10) Replace and/or add floor boards where needed

So, I spend every free minute downstairs working on this or that. When I'm at work (currently) my mind often drifts to the basement and how I would rather be there than here. When I sleep, I dream of working on various basement projects. My days off are spent in the basement. So don't be surprised if I drag you all down there with me in these blog posts.

You have been warned.