Home Improvements

[beepbeep]

Chris are you doing Home Improvements as a form of income? And if you are, is the price of real estate holding up in your area enough to make a profit doing that?

We were originally going to do that, but have put it on hold right now. I have always wanted to get into home renovations, but the economy just isn't there for it right now.

[Granny]

We tried to get in a weekend project but it's going to take longer...

First we had to get an inspector.



Top notch supervisor on the job...



Then the clean up crew!





Still needs steps and lattice.

[beepbeep]

Very nice, Granny!!!

[Emilie@GZP]

That looks so much nicer!!

[SilverBullet]

Does anyone have any experience adding a second story addition? I have two bedrooms that are side by side, and I want to lengthen both of them about 15' off the back into my backyard. Then, I want to add a room above those two rooms which would become a playroom with a half bath.

I'm trying to figure out if my existing slab foundation is stong enough to hold the extra weight, and if my existing walls can hold the weight (2x4's). The half bath would go above an existing full bath, so all I'd have to do is extend the plumbing up the same wall into the new half bath.

[UTRacerX9]

When was your house built? Do you have a basement? Typically the average ranch house in the south is poured with the same foundation thickness you'd find in a two story house, so you'll probably be fine on that part. With a basement though, I have no idea.

Either way, to do something like this you'll need to get an inspector and permits to do this, so they will look at that and tell you if it is ok.

[beepbeep]

Either way, to do something like this you'll need to get an inspector and permits to do this, so they will look at that and tell you if it is ok.

I don't have any experience so far, but we are planning on converting the attic to livable space. The main thing I wanted to say was make sure you get permits and hire licensed contractors for what you will not be doing yourself. I don't know what your state laws are, but getting permits for this stuff is very important!

[SilverBullet]

When was your house built? Do you have a basement? Typically the average ranch house in the south is poured with the same foundation thickness you'd find in a two story house, so you'll probably be fine on that part. With a basement though, I have no idea.

Either way, to do something like this you'll need to get an inspector and permits to do this, so they will look at that and tell you if it is ok.

It was built in 1988, and no basement. However, on the room I'd like to add I will probably include a small storm shelter, so that would probably be considered a "basement" type area..

[SilverBullet]

I don't have any experience so far, but we are planning on converting the attic to livable space. The main thing I wanted to say was make sure you get permits and hire licensed contractors for what you will not be doing yourself. I don't know what your state laws are, but getting permits for this stuff is very important!

I'd be doing most everything myself, except for the concrete. I have a cousin though that is a saleman for a huge concrete company here locally, and he'd be able to provide a lot of guidance and I could do all the forms and rebar myself, just not the actual pouring. I definately would get permits, inspections, etc.