The Master Plan

The remodel will be broken into several stages.

Breaking the work into stages will help spread out the funding (since part of the budget won't be available until we sell our house in Carrollton).

Phase 1: New Addition

The house is roughly rectangular with a small extension into the back yard on the east side.

The plan is to add a master bedroom and bathroom which will extend an additional 30 feet into the back yard from that extension. This will require adding a wall in the back bedroom to create a hallway to the new addition (which will make that bedroom a bit smaller).

Re-roof the entire house and replace guttering as part of adding the new addition.

Phase 2: Remodel the Existing Space

Remove the wall that separates the two living spaces. (If the wall is load bearing, this will require adding a beam across the space to carry the load.)

Move the heating and air handling unit and the water heater up into the attic. Replace the water heater with a tank-less water heater as part of the process.

Remove the wall that separates the kitchen from the living areas to create an open living area.

Redesign the kitchen layout and replace all cabinets, counter tops, and appliances, including a gas cook top.

Remove all paneling and existing wall boards and replace with new sheet rock and plaster. Replaster all ceilings. Repaint.

Rewire the electric circuits, plugs and switches as needed.

Replace all lighting fixtures.

Remove the HVAC vents from the walls and reroute them into the ceilings.

Gut the existing full bathroom and replace with new sink, shower (no tub) and tiling.

Replace all windows with new, energy efficient replacement windows.

Replace all the floors throughout (wood floors in bedrooms, kitchen and living spaces, and tile in the bathroom).

Remodel the utility room for a stack-able washer and dryer and room for an extra refrigerator. (Possibly remove the door that currently goes from the kitchen to the back yard to create more wall space that can be used in the kitchen and utility room remodel).

Repaint the exterior of the house.

Phase 3: Outdoor, Fencing and Pool

Add an eight foot, board on board fence around the back yard.

Add a pool and hot tub in the back yard.

Various landscaping and flower beds in both front and back yards.

Next Steps

We have already had an initial meeting with a local construction company (TriStar) with whom we walked through the house and discussed our master plan.

He suggested that we meet with a local designer who can help us figure out how we want to layout the new addition and the remodel of the existing space, and create drawing from which he (and other companies from whom we want to get bids) can produce cost estimates.

We have scheduled a meeting with the designer.