Attic/Studio update...again

So we are almost completed as we install the remainder of the finishes, woodwork, etc. I gotta tell ya, running wire through flexible conduit is not possible without an electrical fishing reel. (at least that's what I call it) I mean - its difficult as it is, but its impossible without it. Google it. The entire premise for the space was the removal of clutter - no wires, minimal furniture, built-in items, etc.




The floors turned out alright. Due to the fact that the previous owners had mental block and didnt look to take advantage of the wonderful wood floors, we had to deal with the fact that it has natural staining from the previous room configuration and I couldn't sand it out without boring a hole through to the ceiling below.









I decided to build a desktop and work/art desk for the girls' area as opposed to buying one. Rather frustrating yet gratifying idea knowing it wasn't built in Sweden.












My chrome spray-painted vent pipe came from Essex Foundry in Newark, of which the owner's son, George Harder, and his new wife went down in the Titanic in 1912. Google it.

Light trough over drawing table. Basically, the studio is complete aside from a door handle here and there. I've come to realize that when one is pinching for the budget of a project and you re-use shelves, cabinets, and such from the previous space that the end result is always different when all combined. Basically, I will eventually replace all the furniture.

Stay tuned..

Attic / Studio update

So we passed all inspections and floors are being finished this week. The finished product is growing on me more every time I look at it, but theres a lot of detailing work that must be completed still

These shots are from my cellphone camera, so not the greatest quality..

construction update

attic update:









framing inspection tomorrow & electrical lines being run

..Update - studio construction

Ok - so the latest run down is that we've been trying to concentrate on the house now instead of the warehouse for one main reason: my mom has moved in. And she needs her space pronto. I mean - real pronto.
So I've switched the gears since September and finalized the house plans. Sent them out for contractor bids and awaiting the sticker shock.
...
That was approximately three weeks ago when both of us actually had steady incomes. Now - being victim to the ecnomic shit-storm, only one of us are employed. Naturally, this puts a fairly significant kink in our project, as the more we attempt to make strides to move forward with this project, the farther it seems to loom.
However, being the persistent (more like annoyingly hard-headed) person I am, we've decided to piece-meal the project and begin with the attic. The attic has gone through various different design/use modifications - at first, we were going to dormer the roof on both sides, opening up to the south to use the southern exposure light. The "town" stated since this is a noncormity, we would have to apply for a variance. Variances in total cost about 3G's ($3,000). So - that was out. We were left with the greatly sloping roofs, which still allow a good deal of space, but would have benefitted greatly by the additional head-room of a dormer. Now it will be the same -my studio and (ahhem) "family storage", but just smaller. We have almost entirely demolished the interior partitions and will begin framing and roughing in lighting and electrical fixtures this week.
On the warehouse side, since its blistering cold outside, all construction is on hold, but the plans for the 12ft garage doors has been implemented and before summer's up - those bad boys will be in! Since last post on the warehouse, we've installed two toilet rooms, installed a working sink, finished the floors, removed the rusting ducts, painted the furnace fire-engine red, and re-painted all the walls white.

Basically - it almost looks exactly the same.

Running in place

Has anyone ever really thought about the intricacies of going for a variance? I mean, I'm reviewing the 24 page application packet when I realize by the 12th page that I had forgotten what was required to submit from the 1st page. Not to bore ya, but - for example - I have to have 4 to 5 different documents basically stating that there are no taxes owed or liens on this property. And then I have to have every person's name that owns a property within a 200ft radius of my property in case any of them choose to object to my changing this warehouse into a residence. Sheesh..

So.. to shake that off, we're at the stage where its us vs. the city of Garfield.

I'd like to take this moment and point out a couple thangs about this little town I chose to rock the boat in. Garfield is a small town in the county of Bergen, one of the wealthiest counties of NJ. It just happens to be on the non-wealthy end of it. Not that its run-down - not at all. Its just a simple, quiet town where there aren't many standout reasons to remember driving through it. The population is mostly Italian, Polish, then Hispanic, and African Americans - in that order. Needless to say, these people work hard in this town and rarely complain. In other words, no waves are made. Its rare (if at all) to find anyone making any large expression of individuality. Houses like the one pictured below are numerous. And quite eerie if you really think about inhabiting these places. As in almost every other NJ town, there is this language of normalcy that seems to have overridden any ideas of self-expression - leaving anyone in the creative realm either desperate to change, or desparate to get the hell out while ya still can.

I chose to change.

So we're going at it with Garfield to let me renovate these buildings. After the 4th revision to the warehouse plans, we've gotten to a resolution that maximizes the living space while offering a multi-use space for renting to family or close friends, or for business ventures in the future.

Its more than likely going to change, so don't pummel it yet.

just a much needed update

so its been a while. expect it - i'm busy.

We've decided that the best way to tackle this enormous project is to split it into two projects - the warehouse, and the house. The warehouse we're going to wait on and see if we could get the variance to change from an industrial zoned building to a residential. The house we've already begun work with, but due to the levels of occupancy will be a three phase thing. Okay... it also (mostly) has to do with funding as it comes.

Since we're actually living in the house at the time, we're at the point of updating the house with the gritty repairs necessary for renovation to even be considered. For example - we upgraded the electrical system from that of an antiquated 80amps to 200amps to handle all of the modern appliances we want. Besides, my studio alone will yank about 80amps on full blast.

Electrical work is always risky and I never recommend a homeowner going at it solo. Always procure the services of a professional Electrician. However, when my Electrician isn't around, I don't just sit there and wait for him to get things done, so I've begun to run the 12/2 gauge wire up and down the house for the anticipated areas of need. I've even installed a light and upgraded a couple of outlets. You have to realize at some point that drilling 7 holes through beams in your basement doesnt take a licensed Electrician. Even more so that you know your house and could decide to modify things on the fly based on where you want wires running. Think about it - your Electrician is going to charge you for him having to drill through beams, run wires into your existing walls which are most likely plaster and lath (ugghhh..), and demo holes into your walls to snake the wire through.

Newsflash: you could do it yourself!

Get yourself a flexible Electrician who could guide you the right way and save yourself the cash. Leave the complicated wiring up to him.

just when you think you've arrived

So, at the closing, we found out that the warehouse used to be a mill for textiles that manufactured tapestries and heavy linens - I'd say back in the 50's and 60's. How it lasted this long without someone knocking it down is beyond me, but to think that we own a mini-hangar is mind-blowing.

So here's a couple keys for a successful closing: be ORGANIZED.

We set up a excel spreadsheet with all of the costs in it. We even added costs that weren't stated to be added.

A truth-in-lending statement from your loan officer is crucial to compare what you were told at the beginning from your loan instutution, and your good faith estimate. Even if they try this line, "Well, here at blah blah bank we usually dont give the TIL until you're signed on and paid your loan application fee.. " Tell them you'll take your business to the other potential lenders - they should bend. If not, actually follow through.

Remember this: your HUD 1 statement cannot lie to you. This is a document ordered by the government requiring that your lender show you exactly what you're getting into before your closing. I believe its 5 days prior to closing date.

We also continuously harrassed everyone involved with the process - I mean 4~5 calls a day to the attorney who would try her best to duck our calls. I mean getting your real estate agent's cell phone number on speed dial as well as their office number and email - and use all three simultaneously to get a message through - including text messaging at 12am when you have a question. Not kidding...you can't communicate "too much" in this process. Get a folder and separate it into all the categories that have to do with the property. One of those big 'ol accordion types that could carry the book of legislature with room to spare? yeah - one of those.

If you get to the stage right before closing and could gain access to the property with your agent, I recommend getting an architect or engineer friend go in and assess the place for you. Measure it, and give you a preliminary floor plan that could help you out in the near future. This could be done in conjunction with the survey which you have to do anyway. Then there's the home inspection, the title work - all this needs to be addressed WAY before closing. Getting an estimated cost on these is not impossible, although difficult to obtain. At the same time, try to get plumbers, electricians, and all the utility companies to go and take a look at their respective areas to give you estimates. Its usually free since their pining for your business anyway.

Theres always one thing you have to have in mind in this process: Almost everyone is going to make a lot of money off of your purchase, so for all intents and purposes - they're working for you. So if someone's getting paid for the service of delivering a home purchase experience to you - make them WORK for it and make them do it correctly and expeditiously.

Heres an example - I felt my title company was charging too much (internet info - gotta love the web!) so I went and found another company who instantaneously gave me an online quote that was about $300 less. When I told the original title company this - they lowered their price immediately. Just have a "take no prisoners" attitude.

So the day we walk in, we find ourselves feeling satisfaction for all but 10 minutes - just long enough to realize that we've just bought the world's largest fixer upper. Just when you think get there - you realize that ya haven't even started....