The Home Expo
I'm not even sure when I first about it...or how I even heard about it, but I realized this morning that the annual Springfield Home Builders Expo was taking place downtown this weekend. I have never been (and never even had a desire to go), but while drinking coffee this morning, I checked to see what vendors would be there.
Greentree Waterproofing...
Woods Basement Systems...
Heli-tech...
Yup, I'm going. For $6, I could talk to all of the local basement specialists. No more phone calls, no more driving around. I had already talked to one of the companies on the phone. Now I was going to arm myself with photos and a face-to-face.
The expo was about what I expected. Lots of builders with really fancy and expensive design ideas. Several remodel companies touted new siding and windows. Other higher-end companies showed several Before and After photos of remodels or new builds. One thing was certain: big money.
I first talked with Greentree. The two guys didn't seem to keen on the 153-year-old foundation. They said they could come take a look, but neither was overly thrilled about the job. I was kind of frustrated at my first experience! It was almost like a "Yeah, you've got yourself a big problem on your hands."
The Heli-tech experience was much more positive. The guy was receptive, eager to see pictures. Of course, he also wanted to come out and take a look, which I expected with everyone. He took my name and number and said he would follow up with me after I purchased the home. He recommended keeping the cellar doors.
Woods Basement Systems was an absolute delight. He not only enjoyed talking about the property, but he had a game-plan for the house. "Yeah, basically, we are not going to be able to water-proof the foundation from the outside. So we'll just tackle it from the inside. We'll build a channel all along the perimeter of the foundation wall and channel water to a three-pump sump pump." He was eager, confident, and happy to sell a product! ha!
Unfortunately, NONE of the companies do the brick work. I was shocked. With foundations either being poured, cinder block, or brick, (plus my rare limestone!), I figured a basement company would specialize in the actual brick. Nope, none of the companies had a brick guy. They all sub-contracted the work out. Hmm.
I talked to several remodel contractors, and the result was nearly the same with all. Remove the cement board siding. Put up house wrap. Install vinyl. One high-end company recommended a new product that was basically plywood covered with a thick painted surface guaranteed for 25 years. The cost? "At least 3x the cost of vinyl."
From a historical standpoint, I like the idea of the original wood siding. From a contractor standpoint, none of these guys really likes the wood. One guy finally said, "Yeah, if you do it all yourself, keep it. Our labor costs will be extraordinary with wood." He mentioned that each board would have at least two nail holes in it from the cement board being attached. So true. Each would have to be filled in.
All in all, it was a pleasant experience. I'm not sure that I walked out of there with any NEW knowledge, though. Everyone said, "It's going to cost money."
That was the whole conclusion. ANYTHING can be done with money. It just depends how much you want to put in to it.
Now that I almost have the house, I am getting closer and closer to just being content with most of it! ha! I would LOVE to restore it to its former glory, but part of me just says take your time. Enjoy the process.
And so for now the process is going to be simple: get a basement guy out there and figure out how to best keep the basement dry.
But as one said, "I've seen houses like yours have a stronger foundation on limestone than today's homes. As a matter of fact, I just did a project on a 10-year-old home where the poured concrete bowed in so bad that I could stick my arm above the top of the foundation and the house."
It's been standing for 153 years old. Maybe I shouldn't disturb too much of it at all!
Greentree Waterproofing...
Woods Basement Systems...
Heli-tech...
Yup, I'm going. For $6, I could talk to all of the local basement specialists. No more phone calls, no more driving around. I had already talked to one of the companies on the phone. Now I was going to arm myself with photos and a face-to-face.
The expo was about what I expected. Lots of builders with really fancy and expensive design ideas. Several remodel companies touted new siding and windows. Other higher-end companies showed several Before and After photos of remodels or new builds. One thing was certain: big money.
I first talked with Greentree. The two guys didn't seem to keen on the 153-year-old foundation. They said they could come take a look, but neither was overly thrilled about the job. I was kind of frustrated at my first experience! It was almost like a "Yeah, you've got yourself a big problem on your hands."
The Heli-tech experience was much more positive. The guy was receptive, eager to see pictures. Of course, he also wanted to come out and take a look, which I expected with everyone. He took my name and number and said he would follow up with me after I purchased the home. He recommended keeping the cellar doors.
Woods Basement Systems was an absolute delight. He not only enjoyed talking about the property, but he had a game-plan for the house. "Yeah, basically, we are not going to be able to water-proof the foundation from the outside. So we'll just tackle it from the inside. We'll build a channel all along the perimeter of the foundation wall and channel water to a three-pump sump pump." He was eager, confident, and happy to sell a product! ha!
Unfortunately, NONE of the companies do the brick work. I was shocked. With foundations either being poured, cinder block, or brick, (plus my rare limestone!), I figured a basement company would specialize in the actual brick. Nope, none of the companies had a brick guy. They all sub-contracted the work out. Hmm.
I talked to several remodel contractors, and the result was nearly the same with all. Remove the cement board siding. Put up house wrap. Install vinyl. One high-end company recommended a new product that was basically plywood covered with a thick painted surface guaranteed for 25 years. The cost? "At least 3x the cost of vinyl."
From a historical standpoint, I like the idea of the original wood siding. From a contractor standpoint, none of these guys really likes the wood. One guy finally said, "Yeah, if you do it all yourself, keep it. Our labor costs will be extraordinary with wood." He mentioned that each board would have at least two nail holes in it from the cement board being attached. So true. Each would have to be filled in.
All in all, it was a pleasant experience. I'm not sure that I walked out of there with any NEW knowledge, though. Everyone said, "It's going to cost money."
That was the whole conclusion. ANYTHING can be done with money. It just depends how much you want to put in to it.
Now that I almost have the house, I am getting closer and closer to just being content with most of it! ha! I would LOVE to restore it to its former glory, but part of me just says take your time. Enjoy the process.
And so for now the process is going to be simple: get a basement guy out there and figure out how to best keep the basement dry.
But as one said, "I've seen houses like yours have a stronger foundation on limestone than today's homes. As a matter of fact, I just did a project on a 10-year-old home where the poured concrete bowed in so bad that I could stick my arm above the top of the foundation and the house."
It's been standing for 153 years old. Maybe I shouldn't disturb too much of it at all!
Comments
Post a Comment