Renovation with Green, Efficiency and budget in mind

Egress windows are one of the best ways to increase the usable space in a home as well as one of the best ways to increase a home’s value (IMHO.) One thing people forget is the landscaping and the look of the well itself. Jason Stinson from Minneapolis’ Stinson Builders and Stephen Mastey, from St. Paul’s landscaper, Landscape Architecture Inc., have been very helpful in discussing these factors. [Read more →]

Landscape Architects Inc.

Stephen Mastey, Principal at Landscape Architecture Inc. Came over today and discussed fixing the grading on the East side of the house. The current situation is dire with a deep recession in the middle and a high berm in the front and elevated area in the back. This is a recipe for disaster. The only reason that the basement is dry is because of the fine sugar sand below which drains like the dickens. [Read more →]

As we did our original walkthrough, Kris, from Stafford Home Services, said that recessed lighting would make a dramatic difference in the space, especially in the bedrooms. Boy was he right. Today the Stafford Home Services Electrical guys installed the lighting in the bedrooms and hallways. What an amazing difference. The ceilings are not short but they certainly seemed lower with the old ceiling units in there. [Read more →]

Stafford Home Services has come in and torn out the old HVAC system. They will be installing a new, 95% energy efficient Bryant furnace and AC unit as well as new ducts. Dan, a partner at Stafford, will be focusing on energy savings and as well as space saving designs. Stay tuned as he has some interesting ideas.

Stinson Builder roughed in the space in the rear addition for the three windows that will be going in next week. We have selected three energy efficient, 6′ wide Marvin Integrity windows. Each window consists of one large 5’x6′ fixed pane with two 20″x3′ awning windows on the bottom. Two will be along the left of the NW corner, with a double patio door to the left to them and one other on the adjacent corner.

The guys from Stinson Builders did wonders again today. They took out the last vestiges of the old walls, on either side of the kitchen, and inserted headers to support the load of the roof on one side and the ceiling on the other. They did this by sawing into the ceiling, taking out a slot and placing LIM headers.

The work looks amazing.

The rear addition had sunk up to 1.5″ in places and needed to be leveled out. Sinson Builders did an amazing job of creating a floor I can spin a top on all day! Is it just me or is a perfectly flat floor a thing of beauty? (maybe it’s just me.) [Read more →]

Fast and furious framing! Brandon and his team bumped out the kitchen wall, made a new stairway (after removing the old), framed the new bedroom wall and the basement (as well as added Foamular insulation panels) and moved two windows. Watching those guys work was quite a wonder. [Read more →]

Demolition has started. We have been tearing down just about everything. Fortunately I have wonderful friends who have broken their backs, punctured their flesh and generally made themselves miserable to bring this house some new life. First I would like to thank those who helped: [Read more →]

I met with the brilliant people at Landscape Architecture inc. today and went over their designs and ideas. It’s amazing seeing the level of creativity and knowledge these people have. We had met once before; walking around the property and me babbling on. [Read more →]