Chronicles of an Airbnb Hopeful – # 3

We are “still swimming”… in dust, overwhelm and in half finished projects. But alas, progress has been made. Before progress, expect growing pains.

Any renovation project will undoubtedly include unexpected setbacks. Always work additional time into your renovation schedule to compensate for these. This week Scott picked up our replacement windows only to find out that the order was confused with another contractor’s order. Our new refrigerator was also carelessly put in and scratched during the day of installation. Of course, this means further delays.

One of the more time consuming tasks and even larger unexpected setback was realizing that what we thought was an acceptable subfloor underneath the carpet was actually particle board. Particle board looks like large pieces of sawdust put together. When wet, it swells and therefore is not conducive to laying down hardwood floors. Anyone who has had an old vanity in their bathroom and watched it fall apart will have a good understanding of particle board. This added an extra week of work.  We spent two days ripping up the particle board and three days installing the new sub floor.

Now for some roses instead of thorns. To our surprise, we discovered oak wood treads underneath the carpet on our stairs! We assumed there was plywood here too. Although this will not match the hardwood flooring we chose ( hickory), we may just run with it on the stairs to save some money. Scott has also just about completed the bathroom renovation (excluding shower tile). Lastly, we continue to be grateful for the help we have had!

My mom along with her partner John slaved at our house while I held up the fort in MA. Scott referred to the older generations as workhorses. Together they painted, cut down trees, installed subfloor and easily put in 12 hour days. They don’t make them like they used to! Brian Trombly won the tedious task of painting trim in the bedrooms. According to my husband, most people would rather see their dentist than paint trim at their own home, let alone someone else’s house. Dave Kasregis put in a full days work reconstructing the railing system which is currently not up to safety code on the catwalk.

A friend asked me recently, “Knowing what you know now, would you still have purchased the property?” I told her the best person to truly answer that question is Scott since most of the work has fallen on him. So I asked him. Without hesitation, he said “Yes!” And I agree (most days).

Each night Scott and his “help” have started the tradition of taking a break just in time to see the sunset. We take a walk down to the lake, visit with the locals and take in the beauty. What a gift it is to slow down and take in nature. 

Check out additional photos below of our progress and stay tuned for more.