The Kitchen Diary: Day Five

[Jenise]

Day Five: In which the word 'progress' takes on new meaning

The wet bar, old pantry and old kitchen are now gone. We're at the stage in every project where every piece of drywall that's removed causes the workmen to say, "Uh oh, this isn't good" or "what the hell was the guy who built this thinking?" 'cept I'm saying it nicer than they do. The air's as full of expletives as it is dust. There's so much rot that we're now going to have to take down the den ceiling (which, like the kitchen, is underneath an upstairs deck), and we're calling in a roofer.

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Sorry to hear that this is turning into more work as they go. I guess that's the nature of major re-models, but it's frustrating.

It is a good thing you can be there to supervise and keep them honest. Good luck.

Wow, Jenise. Just.Wow.

[Jenise]

Sorry to hear that this is turning into more work as they go. I guess that's the nature of major re-models, but it's frustrating.

Especially if you buy your home from lying bastards who fail to disclose the true extent of a prior problem and the totally cheap and crummy job they did of fixing it, which of course didn't really fix it at all. If ROY AND CAROL NICHOLSON ever google their name, I wouldn't mind them finding this.

Sheesh. You'd think that people who owned a home like that wouldn't skimp on repairs when they were warranted.

We found stuff like that during our remodel...which was not as extensive as yours. Just small stuff but it added to the cost, naturally. Gene is painting the inside of the house and we are finding mysterious things. Our front entry way has a custom designed area rug and when Gene lifted it out of the room, he discovered a large water stain on the backing. How it got there is anyone's guss. I'm guessing the housekeeper got the floor too wet and just laid the rug down over the water. Since we've had a handfull of them the last twenty years...who knows.

I've had the same "housekeeper" for over 35 years...she just don't like hired help messing with her stuff.

[Jenise]

Sheesh. You'd think that people who owned a home like that wouldn't skimp on repairs when they were warranted.

They were similarly cheap in the inspection/repair-on-sale stuff. One mandated repair, estimated to cost about $5000 (and which is directly connected to the problem we've discovered), they tried to cheap out of and do a small patch repair, authorizing the contractor to only spend up to $600. We discovered this and refused to close, something quite within our rights since our sales contract explicitly spelled out the method and extent of repair. Uhnfortunately if we'd then removed about three more boards (the exterior is skinned in cedar panels), we'd have uncovered the full-extent of the cause of the problem we have now. Looking back, their panicked and rude behavior over getting caught in the first 'lie' now makes sense.

I feel for ya, Jenise. Nothing like buying someone else's problems. The sad thing is that most of these McMansions that most folks buy anymore have problems like that the first time they are sold by the builder. We've a friend who does part-time wallpaper hanging in new houses (high-end houses, mind you) in Arkansas, and she says it's a rare room that has 4 square corners. Makes for a lot of extra trouble for the paper-hangers.

Our house has had several occupants over the years, and we have found problems in it too.

Roof problems and foundation problems can be the worst to deal with. And mold?

[Jenise]

We found stuff like that during our remodel...which was not as extensive as yours.

A certain amount of that comes with the territory whenever you buy a home second-hand, or at least the potential for it does. But we have proof that these owners knowingly lied about and attempted to cover up the issues. Looking back, about two weeks before escrow closed we found out that they were buying another home about a mile away--which belied everything they said about hating to leave, etc etc. We wondered what liability they might be trying to rid themselves of, but we were too in love with the house to give it much more thought.

The sad thing is that most of these McMansions that most folks buy anymore have problems like that the first time they are sold by the builder.

Robert,

I think I have heard you use the term "McMansions" before. What exactly is a McMansion? That term is unfamiliar to me. Is it a house that is comprised of cheap products but is large in size?

I've had the same "housekeeper" for over 35 years...she just don't like hired help messing with her stuff.

ROTFL!! I have had the same "housekeeper" since I was 17. While he may take a couple sips out of the bottle while cleaning, his work is excellent and he has never ruined anything or stolen jewlery. That housekeeper is me.

Uhnfortunately if we'd then removed about three more boards (the exterior is skinned in cedar panels), we'd have uncovered the full-extent of the cause of the problem we have now.

It certainly is not your fault! I'm surprised the owner at the time even let you remove any boards at all to take a look. Not your fault at all.

The sad thing is that most of these McMansions that most folks buy anymore have problems like that the first time they are sold by the builder.

Robert,

I think I have heard you use the term "McMansions" before. What exactly is a McMansion? That term is unfamiliar to me. Is it a house that is comprised of cheap products but is large in size?

McMansion is a term I've been hearing for a few years now, referring to these new home developments consisting of big homes on ridiculously-small lots, usually brick, at most 3 floorplans used in the entire development, not a tree in sight that wasn't planted by the developer. They go up seemingly overnight on a former cowpasture (around here, anyway) and are usually bought by doctors, attorneys, or other folk who want to outdo the Jonses next door. They look like little assembly line mansions, hence the name.

I wouldn't live in one if you paid me to.

Jenise,
Sorry you are having to deal with this unexpected problem. You always anticipate unforseen issues when remodeling but this sounds pretty major. The end result will be fantastic. From the previous pictures it looks like the whole kitchen will be open to those beautiful new windows. Is it a west exposure ?

[Jenise]

Christina, you're right. We knew going in there would be hiccups--in a 30 year old house in a cold wet climate some are inescapable, but certainly we didn't anticipate anything major like this.

The kitchen's open wall faces south to the water view. Presently, there are only two tiny windows in the kitchen and a door to the front courtyard (north side). The door comes out and will not be replaced. The two tiny windows (you can see them in the second photo) will be replaced with non-opening obscure glass ('narrow reed' style) and will become secure natural light providers to the new pantry and appliance bar which will be against the back wall where you see the cabinetry (now gone and where all this water damage is) in this photo. And a new 5x5 kitchen window will be installed over the kitchen sink from which to enjoy the courtyard we relandscaped last summer. So the new kitchen will not only be larger, it will be much lighter. I keep asking my architect to email me a copy of the floor plan so I can post it here--he keeps forgetting. But it will give you a better idea what we're planning.

Jenise

I share your pain - nothing to do now but power through and make it right. I think you have the financial staying power to do that - imagine if you didn't. We bought an 1810 farmhouse in CT 6 years ago that had one wing which had been substantially renovated. That renovation job is absolute crap - every passing year that comes more to light - it is almost like you have to knock it down and do it over.

I am pretty sure the owners did not know that so I am Ok on that front - but in the end it will probably cost me several hundred thousand to fix the issues.

For some reason I thought you lived in Japan. Best of luck with renovating the house in CT.

[Jenise]

Jenise

I share your pain - nothing to do now but power through and make it right. I think you have the financial staying power to do that - imagine if you didn't. We bought an 1810 farmhouse in CT 6 years ago that had one wing which had been substantially renovated. That renovation job is absolute crap - every passing year that comes more to light - it is almost like you have to knock it down and do it over.

I am pretty sure the owners did not know that so I am Ok on that front - but in the end it will probably cost me several hundred thousand to fix the issues.

Ouch, John, that makes our mess--now estimated at about $30 grand--sound tame. Thanks for the sympathy--and the perspective!

[Jenise]

Wow, John, that makes our little mess seem pretty puny. Thanks for the sympathy--and the perspective.

For some reason I thought you lived in Japan. Best of luck with renovating the house in CT.

Dave

I do live in Tokyo but we kept our house in CT. I have been here 3 years but someday we will move back. We also kept our beach house in MA - and i keep asking my wife shouldn't we sell one of these or at least rent it out? She likes the "flexibility" to use either one when she is back in the summer!