A Major Home Expansion Renovation

[Fishindude77]

I'm curious about complete renovation versus teardown. Everyone i've talked to has said tear down is always cheaper or moving to a different homes than a complete renovation. Mostly because you can't get exactly what you want in a renovation usually and if you do it's super expensive. And with older homes (ours was a 1880s victorian) there are so many problems and upgrades and suprises that it never stays to budget.

So tell us what is the budget and timeframe and work being done? I agree by the way I hope you talked to a ADA specialist and are making double wide hallways, doors to accomodate either a walker or wheelchair. Also to make it one level mostly so you can age in place. Also making it accesible and easy for an elderly person to maintain. There are lot of things you don't think about when youa re 62 and a great age to buy/build the home you live in the rest of your life.

You're not incorrect. I'm confident we could build a new home or buy elsewhere for pretty close to the same price or less than what we are spending on this big gut out & renovation.
We like the old farm house look and will be saving some of the architectural features, the biggest being a huge field stone porch that would be really tough and expensive to duplicate. It's also on a large tract of land that we aren't leaving.

The budget is sitting at $550k right now which is all inclusive and covers everything clear down to the light fixtures, window blinds and appliances. I spent 40 years as a general contractor so understand how to put a complete project together and how to control cost.
Have included a generous "slush fund" in the budget for hidden surprises also. I don't have anything yet budgeted for new furniture and rugs, and I'm sure there will be some of that.

Builder tells me start approx. April 1st, done approx. Oct 1st.

Regarding ADA, again leaning on past experience. The main considerations are to have all door openings 36" width, no steps to enter / exit the home, a walk in shower with no step over, plus grab bars and ADA height toilet fixtures. There is an upstairs but just bedrooms and another bathroom up there for kids, grand kids or guests. Everything we need, including the master bedroom will be on ground floor. I'm not doing a wheelchair access kitchen or anything like that, those look weird and ugly.

[riverwed070707]

How much would it actually cost to set up what you'd need for a mobile home onsite? Since you still need to be present to maintain the property, that seems like the more logical route.
That has it's own set of challenges:
* Finding, buying and moving in a mobile home
* Prepping ground anchors, perimeter skirting and access steps / deck.
* Utility feeds; water, septic, gas, internet and electric
* Removal and selling the unit, then cleaning up site, terminating utility feeds, etc.

It absolutely is an option. It's just not one you want to do. No one said to relocate or move a new house.
True, I've said from the get go, this is a want, not a need.
The place has some pretty cool historical / architectural features it would be shameful to just destroy. Hard and costly to duplicate.

Rather than a mobile home, what about buying/building a little cabin or tiny home that you can use during reno and keep as a guest house (or even rent out?) after renovations are complete? Not sure on the cost to permit and run utilities but companies like Clayton Homes deliver you a whole house for around $70k.

[Fishindude77]

Rather than a mobile home, what about buying/building a little cabin or tiny home that you can use during reno and keep as a guest house (or even rent out?) after renovations are complete? Not sure on the cost to permit and run utilities but companies like Clayton Homes deliver you a whole house for around $70k.

I think we have come up with a plan.

We've got a big barn / shop right by the house that has my finished "man room / bar", a restroom and full utilities in one side of it. Going to buy a big travel trailer camper and set it up inside the barn where we can hook up power and water. Step out door of camper and short walk to the shop restroom. Camper will basically serve as bedroom, living room (will get TV & internet hooked up), a place to get a shower, and do some light cooking. Already set up to do some basic cooking in my bar and have a grill outside. Biggest shortfall will be not having a full size oven, and will also have to go to the laundry mat.

I think we can make this work for six months and then simply sell the camper when the job is done. We've got a lake home near where one of the kids family lives, so I suspect my spouse will spend quite a bit of time there during construction.
It's going to be a summer we will remember

[disneysteve]

I think we have come up with a plan.

I love that plan. I think that makes a whole lot more sense than buying and furnishing a house somewhere else that you'll have to resell in a year.

I wonder if you even have to buy the camper. Could you do a short term lease of some sort? It might cost a bit more in the end but you won't have to deal with selling it later.

[bjl584]

I love that plan. I think that makes a whole lot more sense than buying and furnishing a house somewhere else that you'll have to resell in a year.

I wonder if you even have to buy the camper. Could you do a short term lease of some sort? It might cost a bit more in the end but you won't have to deal with selling it later.

Check with Airbnb or Vrbo hosts.
Many of them will entertain the idea of having a longer term tenant

[Fishindude77]

I love that plan. I think that makes a whole lot more sense than buying and furnishing a house somewhere else that you'll have to resell in a year.

I wonder if you even have to buy the camper. Could you do a short term lease of some sort? It might cost a bit more in the end but you won't have to deal with selling it later.

Plus, we won't have to move furnishings a couple times.
Asked about renting one, haven't come up with anything.
Security is also a concern if we were living elsewhere.

[disneysteve]

Plus, we won't have to move furnishings a couple times.
Asked about renting one, haven't come up with anything.
Security is also a concern if we were living elsewhere.

You can probably find a nice used one. At least then, the resale value likely won't drop much over the short time you own it, especially since you won't actually be traveling with it and it will be stored in a barn the whole time.

[Fishindude77]

You can probably find a nice used one. At least then, the resale value likely won't drop much over the short time you own it, especially since you won't actually be traveling with it and it will be stored in a barn the whole time.

Actually did a little looking yesterday at a couple dealers, and the good used ones aren't a big savings over the new ones.
Must be about like the current used automobile market?

[disneysteve]

Actually did a little looking yesterday at a couple dealers, and the good used ones aren't a big savings over the new ones.
Must be about like the current used automobile market?

I also think RVs have seen a big surge in popularity because of COVID. People are looking to travel differently to avoid contact with others, avoid hotels, crowds, shared common spaces, restaurants, etc. I'm sure that's pushed up their prices.

[scfr]

I think we have come up with a plan.

We've got a big barn / shop right by the house that has my finished "man room / bar", a restroom and full utilities in one side of it. Going to buy a big travel trailer camper and set it up inside the barn where we can hook up power and water. Step out door of camper and short walk to the shop restroom. Camper will basically serve as bedroom, living room (will get TV & internet hooked up), a place to get a shower, and do some light cooking. Already set up to do some basic cooking in my bar and have a grill outside. Biggest shortfall will be not having a full size oven, and will also have to go to the laundry mat.

I think we can make this work for six months and then simply sell the camper when the job is done. We've got a lake home near where one of the kids family lives, so I suspect my spouse will spend quite a bit of time there during construction.
It's going to be a summer we will remember

It sounds like quite the adventure! Good luck!

[LivingAlmostLarge]

can't wait to follow this build.

[Fishindude77]

A little progress update. Builder is supposed to get started approx. April 1, so we are getting down to the wire. Progress to date:
a. Have new living quarters (27' camper) set up and ready to go in barn, could move in anytime we want.
b. Had two huge sycamore trees removed and stumps ground out as well as trimming a number of other trees in the area of construction.
c. Have a new well installed (old well was in area of addition) hooked up and functioning.
d. Appliances have been purchased and are stored.
e. Gas fireplace has been purchased and stored.
f. Cabinet layout has been finalized, wood selected, still figuring out the stain color(s) and quartz tops selections.
g. Will have to start looking at flooring soon and get it purchased.

Last several weeks have been spent cleaning out clutter an stuff from living in the home for 30+ years. Have a 20 CY roll of dumpster in drive and when in doubt, we throw it out. Getting all of the things we are keeping boxed up and properly stored for the duration.
Have gotten a bunch of boxes from a local store and have also purchased about a dozen huge Tupperware containers for storage of items. All of the big furniture that is staying is getting properly stored. We've got some help coming this weekend to get the last of the big stuff out.

Will have some appliances and a few furniture pieces to sell. Have given lots of stuff to local mission.
Coming down the home stretch and soon to be moved out. Looking forward to getting the contractor(s) on site and started.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

A little progress update. Builder is supposed to get started approx. April 1, so we are getting down to the wire. Progress to date:
a. Have new living quarters (27' camper) set up and ready to go in barn, could move in anytime we want.
b. Had two huge sycamore trees removed and stumps ground out as well as trimming a number of other trees in the area of construction.
c. Have a new well installed (old well was in area of addition) hooked up and functioning.
d. Appliances have been purchased and are stored.
e. Gas fireplace has been purchased and stored.
f. Cabinet layout has been finalized, wood selected, still figuring out the stain color(s) and quartz tops selections.
g. Will have to start looking at flooring soon and get it purchased.

Last several weeks have been spent cleaning out clutter an stuff from living in the home for 30+ years. Have a 20 CY roll of dumpster in drive and when in doubt, we throw it out. Getting all of the things we are keeping boxed up and properly stored for the duration.
Have gotten a bunch of boxes from a local store and have also purchased about a dozen huge Tupperware containers for storage of items. All of the big furniture that is staying is getting properly stored. We've got some help coming this weekend to get the last of the big stuff out.

Will have some appliances and a few furniture pieces to sell. Have given lots of stuff to local mission.
Coming down the home stretch and soon to be moved out. Looking forward to getting the contractor(s) on site and started.

Did you decide on living on property in a RV? And why aren't you managing the project yourself as a General contractor if it's up your wheel house?

[Fishindude77]

Did you decide on living on property in a RV? And why aren't you managing the project yourself as a General contractor if it's up your wheel house?

Yes, we have a 27' camper set up in a barn, hooked up to utilities.
After having spent 40 years as a GC, I understand the value of having a good GC run the project. It's not worth the small savings for me to be around every day babysitting every single trade.
I'm retired and have plenty of other things to do, plus we take off on lots of short trips. Need someone there every day, full time, looking after the project.

[scfr]

Thanks for the update!
Were you able to get your first choices in appliances, or did you have to go with alternates due to supply issues?

I know you're a pro at this, but my tip having just gone through a build is: pick the floor(s) first, then the stain & quartz.