I never understood that mind set. Why buy a house that is not badly in need of repairs or something similar if you are just going to dump money into making it something very different from what it is currently?
With all the time that’s used doing laundry, I would place the laundry room so it had a good view!The living room would have the TV then – that could be in the basement!
Nothing like having a mortgage then getting another loan to redo the house. No wonder people go under. I waited till the mortgage was paid to do the house. The good thing is all the improvements are NEW. If I had done them originally, they’d be out of date.
This reminds me of a story: We had a cabin once, which needed a window sill replaced. When we removed the window sill, we discovered there was rot in the wall, so we had to remove the wall. With the wall removed, it seemed foolish to not take the opportunity to add a small bathroom. (We had been using an outhouse, which, with two small kids, was never a “convenience.”)
In the local Lynn Lake garbage dump, where many good items were “stored,” we found a fancy, “clean-waste” toilet, which heated up so deposited materials could be removed from the bottom in powder form. This we installed—without first using it to see how it worked. It heated up so much that it was actually dangerous. Later, we were told that the previous owner, while indisposed, had managed to burn some valuable “private parts.” Thus, the discovery, of what we called “The Wonderbiff,” in the dump. Armed with this vital information, we were determined to make the contraption work. With the Wonderbiff installed, we were now an indoor toilet family. Everyone used the biff, and as the contents heated and were turned to powder (actually a disgusting kind of crust which had to be chipped off a sort of hot plate inside), we noticed an odour we had not perceived before. Our neighbour, who was familiar with lakeside living, advised us to install a “stink-stack” on the roof of the cabin, to disperse any disagreeable smell.
We returned to the dump where we found pipe and flashing. The dump was our “Home Depot”; a place where you could find everything from good furniture to fine used clothing. We called it the “exchange.” On the roof of the cabin, we discovered more rot, loose shingles, and a large squirrel’s nest. A portion of the roof had to be replaced. We thought that real soffits might make a difference, and these we ordered from a catalogue. With the wall and window replaced, the roof repaired, the bathroom added and the Wonderbiff installed, we had spent an entire summer, and a huge amount of cash, all because a window sill needed replacing. This, I’m sure, is a saga cottagers and homeowners everywhere can relate to: the ripple effect of a simple repair. *Sigh*
I guess I’m the exception here,I don’t mind going downstairs to do the laundry.Matter of fact,the basement is my favourite place in the house! It is where the library,workshop,computer station,,aquatic centre,gym,sauna,and best of all the man cave are all located!All that’s missing is the fridge.
I actually enjoy doing the laundry! Except for everything that comes after I stuff the wet cloths in the dryer.My wife looks after that the next day when it’s her turn.( I make sure I’m out of striking distance of course)
AS newly weds, we went looking for a house…Three hours and three houses later we found it…A $250 deposit and it was ours…I felt comfortable here…that was 44 years ago…Only major changes were due to a 6.7 major earthquake! We are over due for a bigger one…The house next door just sold for a $1,535000.Mine is worth much more, in so many ways….
Lynn, you reminded me of the wonderful things my dad used to bring home from the public dump. Workers there separated usable items and put them to one side where anybody could have them.
Templo S.U.D. over 8 years ago
No, Con, not that kind of “raise the roof.”
Argythree over 8 years ago
Maybe the need for all these alterations was one of the reasons why Elly didn’t think Connie would be interested in the house?
KenTheCoffinDweller over 8 years ago
I never understood that mind set. Why buy a house that is not badly in need of repairs or something similar if you are just going to dump money into making it something very different from what it is currently?
pelican47 over 8 years ago
I’m not a fan of laundry in the basement.
thomas.hviid.thorn over 8 years ago
With all the time that’s used doing laundry, I would place the laundry room so it had a good view!The living room would have the TV then – that could be in the basement!
NeedaChuckle Premium Member over 8 years ago
Nothing like having a mortgage then getting another loan to redo the house. No wonder people go under. I waited till the mortgage was paid to do the house. The good thing is all the improvements are NEW. If I had done them originally, they’d be out of date.
Under Dog Premium Member over 8 years ago
Do not move the laundry room to the basement you will regret it when you are older. Those steps are getting more difficult for my wife and I.
Mumblix Premium Member over 8 years ago
Lynn’s Notes:
This reminds me of a story: We had a cabin once, which needed a window sill replaced. When we removed the window sill, we discovered there was rot in the wall, so we had to remove the wall. With the wall removed, it seemed foolish to not take the opportunity to add a small bathroom. (We had been using an outhouse, which, with two small kids, was never a “convenience.”)
In the local Lynn Lake garbage dump, where many good items were “stored,” we found a fancy, “clean-waste” toilet, which heated up so deposited materials could be removed from the bottom in powder form. This we installed—without first using it to see how it worked. It heated up so much that it was actually dangerous. Later, we were told that the previous owner, while indisposed, had managed to burn some valuable “private parts.” Thus, the discovery, of what we called “The Wonderbiff,” in the dump. Armed with this vital information, we were determined to make the contraption work. With the Wonderbiff installed, we were now an indoor toilet family. Everyone used the biff, and as the contents heated and were turned to powder (actually a disgusting kind of crust which had to be chipped off a sort of hot plate inside), we noticed an odour we had not perceived before. Our neighbour, who was familiar with lakeside living, advised us to install a “stink-stack” on the roof of the cabin, to disperse any disagreeable smell.
We returned to the dump where we found pipe and flashing. The dump was our “Home Depot”; a place where you could find everything from good furniture to fine used clothing. We called it the “exchange.” On the roof of the cabin, we discovered more rot, loose shingles, and a large squirrel’s nest. A portion of the roof had to be replaced. We thought that real soffits might make a difference, and these we ordered from a catalogue. With the wall and window replaced, the roof repaired, the bathroom added and the Wonderbiff installed, we had spent an entire summer, and a huge amount of cash, all because a window sill needed replacing. This, I’m sure, is a saga cottagers and homeowners everywhere can relate to: the ripple effect of a simple repair. *Sigh*
Alberta Oil Premium Member over 8 years ago
Moving the laundry to the main floor was number one modification when we moved into this house 10 years ago.
Alphaomega over 8 years ago
I guess I’m the exception here,I don’t mind going downstairs to do the laundry.Matter of fact,the basement is my favourite place in the house! It is where the library,workshop,computer station,,aquatic centre,gym,sauna,and best of all the man cave are all located!All that’s missing is the fridge.
Alphaomega over 8 years ago
@ Linguist
I get my exercise going up and down those stairs,believe me!
Alphaomega over 8 years ago
I actually enjoy doing the laundry! Except for everything that comes after I stuff the wet cloths in the dryer.My wife looks after that the next day when it’s her turn.( I make sure I’m out of striking distance of course)
chain gang charlie over 8 years ago
AS newly weds, we went looking for a house…Three hours and three houses later we found it…A $250 deposit and it was ours…I felt comfortable here…that was 44 years ago…Only major changes were due to a 6.7 major earthquake! We are over due for a bigger one…The house next door just sold for a $1,535000.Mine is worth much more, in so many ways….
Asharah over 8 years ago
Connie is a medical radiologist, so I assume she makes good money.
LuvThemPluggers over 8 years ago
Lynn, you reminded me of the wonderful things my dad used to bring home from the public dump. Workers there separated usable items and put them to one side where anybody could have them.