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Decided to tear down the basement and rebuild.

My father-in-law is doing much of the work, having worked as a contractor most of his life.
Filled a container with scrap to start with and then the building started.
We found cracks in the foundation but nothing major and no infiltrations. We did have them fixed.

Here are a few photos I took.

   

Older photos...

I'd done construction work (small projects) before and liked it but I loved during this.
So much so that I'm asking for a 3-month vacation from my current job (DBA) on Tuesday and going with my father-in-law to Québec for a large renovation project.
I'll be paid more than what I'm currently getting and (don't tell the tax guys)... it's all cash.

We could make this a renovation discussion thread.

   

Holy! That's a ton of work. Looks fantastic though!!!! I actually enjoy projects like that too. Except for the mess.

My goal now - find an adorable old character house (fixer-upper) and redo it. I just have to find one, and then convince QBC that it's a good idea!

   

Good pics Ray, and looks like your project is coming along nicely. A great sense of satisfaction eh! I know Brennie is doing a major reno right now. She has lots of pics. I'm in the middle of a major reno as well. Couple years ago I bought an old Eatons Catalogue house that was built in circa 1920. Completley gutted, rewired, energy efficient,insulated, plumbed, windows doors, hardwood, marble etc. All the while living in it! And I'm only really about 1/2 done. Except for the gasline work, some of the wiring, and 12 sheets of gyprock, I've been doing it myself.

   

I got one for ya! Top floor almost done, basement "has GREAT potential!"

   

GREAT potential = crappy right now

One of the best investments was having polyurathane sprayed on the floors and walls. We could feel the difference as soon as that was done.

On a side note:
My GF was the first one to use the new shower today.
I like that it's completely transparent.

   

Yep
(but 1700 sqft of crappy )

   

I had the curse of the teleposts. The owner who did the basement did it cheesy psuedo-spanish complete with textured walls and cheesy archs. He did solid work on the walls though and paid the extra for an 8' ceiling in the basement. He skimped on the lighting (too few and too poorly placed) and didn't put much thought into the layout. Topped it off with a really dark photo wallpaper mural and blood red short shag carpet everywhere.

I have learned to hate cheap doors and trim, carpet staples, tacking strips and textured ceilings.

   

   

If you look at the overall price difference between cheap doors and trim and the good stuff (compared to the price of the home), you'd go with quality.

I hate wall to wall carpeting, even for a basement. My sister works for a carpet company but they sell quality rugs ($3000 for a 10*12 wool carpet), I have a couple in the house but these were given to me.

How to you wash textured ceilings?

   

Killex and paint!

   

Well then... f**k textured ceilings!!!

Oops, wrong thread.

   

Yeah, the suck, but they look good. And, it's not like you have to do it often.

   

This one is for Snookums... just because she asked.

   

Nice work so far

BTW- that shower is really cool

   

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