volcamp
Member
My Gawd....you are tallented. Great job all around!!
Farm House remodeling/renovation project
- Thread starter riptides
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EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
Refinisihing wood floors isn't all that dificult a job. Sanding is the hard part and if you rent a large vibriatory sander, it's pretty simple. Those belt floor sanders can be dificult to use, and if you make a mistake, they will ruin a floor. I wouldn't want to learn to use one on my floor.
Then getting all the dust upis a big job, but again, it's not dificult. Just sweep and sweep until you think you got it all, the vacume several times to get ther rest. Finish cleaning by wiping every thing down.
Stain goes on real easy.
Finish coat is pretty easy too. Just get the good applicator, take your time and plan it out so you don't end up in a corner.
The next hardest part, but the simplist is keeping it off limits until it dries.
I did my first job from a video put out by the folks at Home Time and after that first one, have done a few more for clients.
Eddie
Then getting all the dust upis a big job, but again, it's not dificult. Just sweep and sweep until you think you got it all, the vacume several times to get ther rest. Finish cleaning by wiping every thing down.
Stain goes on real easy.
Finish coat is pretty easy too. Just get the good applicator, take your time and plan it out so you don't end up in a corner.
The next hardest part, but the simplist is keeping it off limits until it dries.
I did my first job from a video put out by the folks at Home Time and after that first one, have done a few more for clients.
Eddie
It looks like your project is coming along great. I know how hard it can be. We bought our farm about 4 years ago and I have been redoing things inside the house a little at a time. I wish I could finish our master bath though. I got the asbestos flooring all gone and down to the plywood subfloor and every time I go at it again something else on the farm breaks and requires my attention. I actually quit my full time job over a year ago just to better take care of my business and the farm. Now I do my business and the farm full time. I guess it's nice that I don't have to leave any more.
We had asbestos tile flooring from the 50's every where in here though that was covering up the really nice solid oak flooring. All I have left to do now is a final sanding and stain and seal the entrance way. There was bright orange carpet on top of all that too. It looked just like something out of an old 50's TV show.
This winter I hope to finally finish the big walk in shower in our bathroom and tile it all again in a more modern style. By spring I will be putting in an AC system myself too. We have a swamp cooler now with two propane furnaces. It's almost not even worth using. It is running about 800 bucks a month during the winter to heat with propane and the swamp cooler makes my guns rust.
I just need to make up my mind on the AC system to use. I'm leaning toward a big package unit or two big heat pump systems.
The house is an old methodist church and is 3500 sq feet so it needs to be a big system whichever way we go.
After that ripping out all of the panelling and replacing the windows will be next.
Luckily I have gained a lot of experience doing this stuff over the years. The only thing I would here someone for would be cleaning the sceptic tank. I've done that before too on Navy ships and I will NOT be doing it again.
We had asbestos tile flooring from the 50's every where in here though that was covering up the really nice solid oak flooring. All I have left to do now is a final sanding and stain and seal the entrance way. There was bright orange carpet on top of all that too. It looked just like something out of an old 50's TV show.
This winter I hope to finally finish the big walk in shower in our bathroom and tile it all again in a more modern style. By spring I will be putting in an AC system myself too. We have a swamp cooler now with two propane furnaces. It's almost not even worth using. It is running about 800 bucks a month during the winter to heat with propane and the swamp cooler makes my guns rust.
I just need to make up my mind on the AC system to use. I'm leaning toward a big package unit or two big heat pump systems.
The house is an old methodist church and is 3500 sq feet so it needs to be a big system whichever way we go.
After that ripping out all of the panelling and replacing the windows will be next.
Luckily I have gained a lot of experience doing this stuff over the years. The only thing I would here someone for would be cleaning the sceptic tank. I've done that before too on Navy ships and I will NOT be doing it again.
EddieWalker said:
Eddie, I just don't have the time to tackle this job. I probably could do it, but unfortunately, I have limited time and the other projects will be more return for me. A good reference says he can do the project in five to seven days.
Another unfortunate is I have zero expeience with sanders, and if I am looking at it, daily, I'd like to get it right. But then, gosh, you have to look at the floors and say, how could I do anything wrong with them.
My reference was truely impressed with them. Very excited to bid the job. Thought they would turn out fantastic. I liked his ethic.
-Mike Z.
Rara Avis
Veteran Member
EddieWalker said:
Yeah, I found a neighbor who needed assistance refinishing his floors...I did my OJT on his floors...
Well after three plus years we got our final permit. Yippie!
All I can say is that I'd do something like this once at a much earlier stage in life if one could afford it. An old farm/farm house restoration seems like a neat idea, but reality quickly sets in.
I think we have seen it all. Some of the scary issues with electirc and plumbing were real eye openers. I guess people just try and make due.
In any case, all that is left in the old farm house is to refinish the original floors, and a few closet doors and do some drywall refinishing work. That should be another year, so I am spot on with the five year plan.
I actually worked on another out building this past w/e instead of the farm house. Back to the barn is scheduled for summer time, after the swallows vacate for the year.
Maybe in a years time, all I have to do is cut grass.
All I can say is that I'd do something like this once at a much earlier stage in life if one could afford it. An old farm/farm house restoration seems like a neat idea, but reality quickly sets in.
I think we have seen it all. Some of the scary issues with electirc and plumbing were real eye openers. I guess people just try and make due.
In any case, all that is left in the old farm house is to refinish the original floors, and a few closet doors and do some drywall refinishing work. That should be another year, so I am spot on with the five year plan.
I actually worked on another out building this past w/e instead of the farm house. Back to the barn is scheduled for summer time, after the swallows vacate for the year.
Maybe in a years time, all I have to do is cut grass.
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
With free labor, it's doable, but very time consuming. I get clients who have old homes on their land and want me to tell them what it would cost to fix them up or make them livable. In every case, I tell them to burn it down and start over fresh. So far, no fires, but I've never heard from those people again either. I probably shouldn't be so blunt about it, but fixing up an older building is a huge investment in time, money and emotions.
I admire your perseverance in this and look forward to seeing pictures of your progress. It's always a shame that when you are done, nobody will have any concept of what you did, or what was involved in making it like it is. They will smile, maybe say a few things about understanding, but in all honestly, they wont have a clue.
Congrats on your achievement and continued progress!!
Eddie
I admire your perseverance in this and look forward to seeing pictures of your progress. It's always a shame that when you are done, nobody will have any concept of what you did, or what was involved in making it like it is. They will smile, maybe say a few things about understanding, but in all honestly, they wont have a clue.
Congrats on your achievement and continued progress!!
Eddie
czechsonofagun
Elite Member
What a project, but I really like the end result.
