A couple of years ago we decided to move back to Hawaii. My dad had passed away and my mom wanted our help and company. Our plan was to buy my mom's house and build on top. We hired an architect and then started to look for a contractor. That's when reality hit. It was going to cost way more than we could afford so we did what we said we'd never ever ever do again. We'd have the contractor build the exterior of the house and Art (with a little of my help) would finish up the inside.
We did the same thing in Illinois over a couple of decades ago but had a ton of friends who were extremely handy with hammer and nails who came and helped throughout the seven years it took to finish it. But it was hard and we thought we'd NEVER have to do it again.
Never say never. Here we are again but this time it's a nice retirement project. Hmmmm? Did I say nice? It's a challenge. However, here in Hawaii I do have a brother who is handy also. He's also an angel with hammer and nails as well as the computer. (He's the one who retrieved Art's deleted memory card photos.) We also have lots and lots of understanding neighbors who are being kind about the noise and dust we might create. They were totally amazing during our construction period bringing food and encouragement throughout the 9 months we were building the outside.
Art is learning how to put up doors again and keeps reading up on it on Internet. He's starting the first set of folding doors for the hallway closet. Hmmmm? Should he have started with the bedroom? Or bathroom? After that, he'll be working on the floors... the trim... the windows.... siiighhhh.........
Hello Kay !
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a hard work to build himself a house... Cool if You are lots of friends...
Ha ve good day, and good work...
See You later.
Oh gosh, I remember your pre-blog days e-mail series on your construction work. I was and am in awe of your industrious spirit.
ReplyDeleteSend me a ticket and I'll come and help. LOL
Love the expression of Art's face. What's that on his neck?
Good luck. Someday it will be done.
Oh my word, what a project to take on. Is it common in your part of the world for people to build their own houses? Here in the UK it's almost unheard of. The only people who build new houses are property developers. Building land is fiendishly expensive and the weather is so unpredictable that few people ever take such a mammoth task on.
ReplyDeleteOh no, Amanda... It's not common at all. It is rather a gargantuan task if you're not a carpenter by trade. Art is a retired engineer. He figures he can learn whatever he needs to from books or the Internet. Everytime I've thought he can't possibly get something done, somehow he's managed it. Still...there have been those trips to the emergency room from his ummmm... accidents.
ReplyDeleteDina, that thing around his neck is probably his ear plugs for when he's pounding or sawing.
ReplyDeleteI think you have the patience of a saint!!There's something to be said for your husband's initiative[sp?]. Good luck and I hope it goes smoothly for you.
ReplyDeleteNothing puts me over the edge as quickly as living in a construction project, which I've done when my husband remodeled our kitchen, added dormer windows to the roof, added a family room, put a bow window in our livingroom...all at our first house. And no two of these projects were done simultaneously. My heart goes out to you as you live in Art's projects! He sounds very ambitious and determined, so I'm sure he'll get everything done in time.
ReplyDeleteI know how this feels too! But the final product will be worth it. Hang in there!!!
ReplyDeleteKnow just what you are going through! We built our first house and moved into it before it was finished. We never did get it done and ended up selling it first. I swore I'd never go through a house remodeling again either, and we did that yet again as well. Hang in there! And count yourself lucky that your brother is nearby and handy with tools!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by.
Oh wow, I wish we had that kind of talent. The 'handy' gene stick didn't hit us over the head that's for sure. I applaud you for tackling this and the rewards when finished will be a beautiful home thanks to all your own hard work. The feeling will be incredible.
ReplyDeleteHi Kay-I too went through a similar situation years ago. What started as a simple project turned into months of disarray and upheaval, and three children ages 3,10 and 15 at the time! Doors disappeared, plastic was hung everywhere and people slept wherever there were no construction piles! But by gorry we still had Christmas in the midst of all and the tree was gorgeous all done in white-from the construction dust! I admire you and Art for tackling such a project and you will have a lovely home when done. Isn't that what retirement is for?
ReplyDeleteWow Kay that is quite an undertaking! Good luck and hopefully it won't be a 7 yr. project!
ReplyDeletehe will be busy and you also I suspect...it helps to have a major project especially for men they go through quite a transition without work to do or a hobby. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteWhen Tom's family built the new beach house on Whidbey Island, We also had it rough finished to save money. Tom and his cousin, both retired, did all of the finishing, with help occasionally from skilled friends and family. They learned so much in the process. My only requirement was that we not move into it until it was finished. Without a timeline, these things can go on forever.
ReplyDeleteObviously you have no choice, but it sounds like you are well on your way.
Oh my...that is too much dust and upset for me..how can you stand it and this is the second project. Ours would be an interesting house since my husband's favorite repair item is ducktape or is it ductape...? LOL
ReplyDeleteOh, I identify so with this. We often have renovated in the past and just this summer turned an old back porch into a garden room. We hired carpenters but my husband did the inside finishing himself. It took a while but we were rewarded with the results, especially now when we have a lovely, warm back room filled with windows to watch the birds from.
ReplyDeleteBuilding our house was my husband's dream, but his health wouldn't allow it. I don't know if I'm jealous or worried for you. It sounds like you have some good help, and I'll bet that it ends up beautiful and more special to you as you did it yourselves. I think a lot of jobs are harder in the thinking than in the doing.
ReplyDeleteI remember my addition and doing some of the stuff myself to save money. One being wiring the house. My friend, who is an electrician, fired me before I even started. Not one to be fired, I got right back into it. It did work out well, but I got on his nerves by cleaning up behind him.
ReplyDeleteArt looks very capable at the task at hand. Hang in there. It will be well worth it when the work is complete. Lisa