Not all scrap piles are as photogenic as this one. I look at these pieces, and wonder about the craftsman who installed them originally. Is he still alive (virtually all construction was and is done by guys -- unfortunately or other wise). What would he think of what I am doing?

walls

The joy of remodeling is the wonder of what is inside that wall!

The lady wants to widen what was a door. That means taking out some studs. I am not worried about strength. It is not a weight bearing wall. Along the way I need to run a power line for a light. Not really difficult, there will be more holes in the sheetrock and more repair.

So this morning I will take my faithful reciprocal saw (the remodelers gift from the tool gods). I’ll saw nails and studs and sheetrock and when I am finished it should make the lady a happy lady.

Then, there will be shelves. The last ones (there were 4) were supported by various pieces of narrow wood nailed to the wall.  Since I am not capable of doing anything that simple I’ll make thin tall cabinets with adjustable shelves and all the trimmings of little (One bank is 3” deep others 9") cabinets. There will 40 or 50 shelves!

That will keep me going for a few days.

ouch

One of the hazards of being a contractor is understanding what the customers really wants.

You think you have it figured out what they want. But there are no drawings or photographs for reference, but you are pretty sure you are on the right page.

Then you discover you did not even find the right book!

Being married to the customer does not make it a lot different, by the way!

my tiny

The front of my tiny house as it neared completion. At 300 square feet it is workable for one person, but not for two! It is located at my daughters house in Washington State.

We looked at three houses yesterday.

The first was not too far from my home. It was built in the 20’s and has been remodeled a time or two. It has a garage in the back yard that would make a fine studio/shop. The lot is small (a plus) and it is fenced. The downsize is that the house is 1200 square feet. Could Shar fit into that space. The price was right but it is essentially a one bedroom house with an office.
Verdict: If Shar can fit it would work well for us.

House two was 10 or 11 miles away. Same vintage, but much larger.
Two story with a quaint rather diminutive kitchen. Two baths, but not terribly wonderful. A small two story garage that looks totally out of place. The lot is big, wrapping around the neighboring tiny house.
Great project for someone with ambition and a bit of cash. We have some cash (very finite) and less ambition than we might have had a decade ago.
Verdict: Not for us.

House three was on an acre lot. It had a carport by the house, a barn and a nice sized metal shop. The lot was fenced with a block wall across the front of the lot.
Some previous owner had spent a pile of money putting on new stucco. But the house had been vandalized and would require a lot of work to get it habitable, and it was in a deteriorating neighborhood.
Verdict: No. Definitely.

But, Shar keeps bidding on  a house around the corner from where I live now. Three bedroom 60’s. Two car garage, parking and a decent metal shop. The downside is that the occupant seems to be a hostile renter, meaning that you might have to force them out, and while they are paying no rent the forcing process can take some time.
And because the renter is not cooperating (or seems so at this point), we cannot see the inside.
Verdict: It seems to be a decent house for us.

So the search and the financial gymnastics continue. Shar purchased the house we live in now from a bank last June. She had spent several months fencing with the bank before they arrived at an acceptable price.

I like little houses that have a lot of character.
Share likes them larger with lots of space.
We are working on that one!