Hello Everybody. [Archive] - Home Construction Forums

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joelpat
10-30-2004, 09:10 PM
I just wanted to introduce myself, since it appears I may make some use of these forums.

I will be buying my first house in the next month or two, and the renovation will commence shortly thereafter. I only have about $400k to spend (those of you in the DC area understand how little this gets you), so right now we are looking at rehab houses in marginal neighborhoods. I grew up in old houses and around the farm, so I know how to swing a hammer, but I'm sure I'll be asking lots of questions anyway.

My girlfriend and I are both in our mid-20's, with no kids and no family within 3000 miles, so we are hoping we can devote a lot of time and do a major remodel in the course of 6 months.

The place we are looking at currently is a 1917 row house in the Ekington neighborhood of DC. It's not a crack house, but it's only a couple steps above that. It appears to be structurally sound, but it has (essentially) no kitchen. It's going to be pretty much a full gut. It looks like we will have $75-90k to work with.

At any rate, given that this is my first foray into such a big project, I'm open to reality checks on anything I post. This forum is a great resource, and I'm sure I'll learn a lot from it, so thanks in advance.

Off to go post my questions.

Joel

roger g
10-30-2004, 09:21 PM
Welcome. I assume that the house is made of brick? I would gut the inside and rewire,re plumb and insulate. It's much easier to gut it than to try working around pieces you want to leave. A new heating system is much more difficult ( read expensive) to install when you are tring to work around stuff. Flooring is quicker and better done before the kitchen and bath tub are put in. In fact so easy you can probably do that your self. Lotsa work for you but worth it.

roger