Today is the end of Week 3 in the Project Pimp My Basement timeline. The original estimation for completion was five weeks, so — in theory — we should be getting close.
I should be saying the following: More than halfway! Encouraging signs of progress! Such excitement over the new digs!
Right?
Well.
This is what it looks like today.
Is it just me, or is it not feeling quite like “Hey, we’re more than half way”? You noticed that too? OK, good. Sometimes I can be accused of pessimism, so I have to sanity check my reactions now and then.
In fairness, Irene derailed us a bit with the flooding. Then there were other “developments,” which we were told to expect with a 100-year-old house.
{Note: “developments” is code for “exorbitantly expensive and unexpected add-ons.”}
But we’re doing well here in the house where the ground shakes all day. Even if my hands tremble constantly from the jackhammering. Oh, and I’ll never complain about doing laundry again. Because, when you can’t do laundry at home, it’s not pretty. Good thing toddlers don’t get their clothes dirty. Ever.
And then, there was this “development” {see note above} last night. It started when P got home from work and said, “Just wait until you hear about the call I got from the contractor today.”
{Wine pouring ensues.}
Basically, the contractor suggested that there may be a way to remove the unsightly but structurally necessary support beams in our basement. For the sake of a visual, they look like vertical poles (you can see one in the photo above) — and they literally hold up the house. Our contractor proposes the following:
–Cut a hole in the front and back of the house.
–Slide a giant steel beam in from front to back to hold up the house.
–Remove the existing vertical support beams from the basement.
–Voila. House still standing. I think.
It’s at this point of the P’s description that I notice I’m essentially gulping my glass of wine and grasping tightly onto its stem. I’m looking at my husband with my head at a 90 degree angle of disbelief. He, as always, is calm and steady. He’s “willing to consider” this idea.
Just to be clear: They want to slide a beam into my house and then remove the ones that are now supporting it. The place where we live. It feels an awful lot to me like the old remove the tablecloth while keeping the plates on the table trick.
If we proceed, I feel the need to evacuate the kids and me from Project Keep The House Standing.
There are far more qualified minds than mine thinking about this. I’m sure it’s done all the time. But this “development” is one that feels a little out of scope to me.
I guess I’m learning that, while I love to watch HGTV, I don’t like to live HGTV.
{Gambling note: If you want to officially update your wager on total project time, please do so.}
Looks done to me. What’s with all the fuss?
I know — I’m so high maintenance.
Looks like you have also decided to add in a moat? nice touch!
we have done a MAJOR project in house every year for the last 5 years. My sympathies!!
ps we did the whole “beam” thing but on the main floor in our house…wasn’t pretty, but it sure was worth it! (it took 12 BIG men to even think about assisting the crane with that thing…)
Yes, we are moat-friendly here, especially post-Irene.
And wait — you did the old beam switch successfully? There is hope.
I like the tablecloth pull analogy. But I don’t picture your contractor looking like Penn OR Teller. Although, in reality, the steel beam would indeed hold the house up. But did they say anything about the possibility of having to jack the house up a few inches in order to do this? (This may necessitate the purchase of more wine…).
Hmmm….no support beams versus the stresses induced in order to have no support beams…which way is P leaning?
Jack the house up a few inches? Are you trying to make me pass out?
P, ever so methodical, remains in due diligence mode. Still undecided. I am drinking in the meantime to prepare.
By the way – my pick is 8 weeks and 2 days.
OK, your bet is noted. I am hopeful that you are right. Except for the developments that occurred after I posted the entry. More to come.
Um, that looks like 12 weeks to me. But then again I’m a pessimist. But then again the small “3 week job” renovation we did in our apartment to get it ready for the babies arrival? Took 3 months. And I nearly gave birth to twins with no functional kitchen or bathroom.
Good luck!
Thanks Varda! 12 weeks may not be a stretch. Especially if the house falls while moving the beams.
I’m sticking with my 9-week prediction. Hang in there. It will all be over soon.
Thanks Margaret. Wager duly noted.
i’ll take 7 weeks 2 days. good luck. i know everyone says renovations take forever and totally suck, i was hoping yours would be the exception.
Mine will be the exception in the sense that it will probably break world records for complications and “developments.”
We kept our poles~Good luck! ; )
I like the way you think.
Even in HGTV land it takes double the time, so my estimate is ten weeks and 1 day.
The homeowners just look so much less annoyed on HGTV than in my basement. Do you think they have an ongoing wine supply?
No…they have a vodka IV drip!
But if you take the poles out, however will you practice for your upcoming debut at the… juice bar?
The bar will prevail, don’t you worry.
Um, yeah, sorry. I’m getting that same not-half-way-done vibe. Wow. But just think of how awesome it will be when it’s finally done! Keep your eyes on the prize!
Glad it’s not just me.
Eye on the prize. Eye on the prize. Eye on the prize…