Completed Rehab

For those who didn't believe a horrible house could be made new, here are the rehab pictures.   The rehab is done and only the sawdust remains in these pictures.  Total cost for this major project:  $50,000 which included insulation, siding, windows, furnace, water heater, upgraded electric from fuses to circuit breakers, refinished wood floors, wall repair, complete kitchen and bath remodel, entire house plumbing, regrading the exterior, and some minor cement work. 

Here is the bathroom, clean, fresh and sweet smelling.  The same space now sports a full tub surround instead of plastic tile, a handicap height toilet, and a vanity.  The window that was formerly in the tub area was removed and finished with an exhaust fan installed as its replacement.  GFCI outlets and water that really works are a novel idea.  The final change to the tiny bath was turning the entry door so it opened out of the room instead of into the room, giving the occupant of the room the ability to open and close the door without straddling the toilet or climbing in the tub.

The new kitchen.  An additional set of cabinets up and down were added on the right side to allow space for a dishwasher next to the new sink.  New flooring matches the bath.  The fresh paint and new lighting brighten the small space.  Craig's List provided the 4 year old bisque stove and 1 year old dishwasher for $275 totally.  Again, new plumbing and electrical brought the space up to code with no changes to the footprint.  Blue would not be the color used for rehabbers planning to flip this house, but the owner made the color choice.  While the space is not large, there is lots of countertop space and it is efficiently designed.

Protecting the floors is a must once the project is done. As a result drop cloths, cardboard pieces, and rugs are strewn about until the final cleaning.  Contractors don't like removing their work boots when they come in to do the small things on a final punch list.  The new door and windows greatly improve the home.  The living room will be painted a beige color found in the flecks in the countertop and in the flooring which will define the spaces without causing a conflict in colors. 

Despite how hopeless it looked before, the owner of this home has started a new year with a new living space.  City funding made it possible with a rehab loan that accrues no interest and is only due upon resale of the home.  The expertise of a rehabber, the skill of a craftsmen, and city funding took a horny toad of a house and turned it into a shining prince.