a new project = a messy house!!!

United States
May 30, 2009 6:44pm CST
Ok, what I mean by this is that we started yet another project on our fixer upper house... it is a small house and was built in 1950 with very few updates since then.... We moved in 4 yrs ago, and every Memorial weekend we start a new project. The first year we moved in we put in a new floor in the kitchen and painted the interior of the house, and had a big "BBQ house warming" Party.... the second year, we demo'd the living room and did all the necessary updates and drywalled the room and ceiling, put in recess lighting and tore out the wall from the kitchen/living room and made a larger open floor ...the third year we did my sons room... basically the same thing, demo'd the room and did new drywall/insulation, flooring... lighting, ... last year we put new carpet in the living room and painted the kitchen... and this year we started on our bedroom.... it has been a week today and the room is about 80% done... and hopefully we can put stuff back in that room in the next two day... I am hoping!! Since nothing can be in that room during the construction it is scattered throughout the house.... there fore my house is a MESS!!! At first I was ok, but now its crazy as we only have a walking path through most of the house since it is a small house. so a new project + a messy house.... do you have this problem too?? It can be any project or any part of the house... what was your experience??
3 people like this
7 responses
@dreamr802 (985)
• United States
31 May 09
I don't have a house yet but that is a really good way of upgrading your house by doing one big project a year. Plus that makes it financially reasonable. That's really cool. I remember when my parents turned our two attics into an in-law apartment for my grandparents. Now that wasn't fun. We had to empty both attics, which were unbelieveably full...10 years later, my mom still hasn't gone through everything that was moved and it's all now in the basement. So I bet my mom definitely knows how you feel :-p
2 people like this
• United States
3 Jun 09
oh yeah I am sure she does!!! ...we have moved alot of the stuff back into the bedroom even though it isnt quite finished yet... but we had to get more room going through the house.. thanks for the response and have a great night!
1 person likes this
• United States
31 May 09
I am very fortunate to live in a home that was kept in really good shape. The only thing we have done in 3 years is paint our bedroom. other than that it has been easy living! we have been here almost 4 years now and in that time we have had kids move in and out and that has been the only craziness because at times all the boxes and extra stuff has been nuts. i think we finally are settled- no one coming or going. now we can enjoy.
• United States
3 Jun 09
that is great tht you get to enjoy it now....our house was not updated very much... it was liveable compared to the other houses we looked at... we have done alot and there is still so much to do of course. we started with our kitchen and now 4 yrs later we need to do some more stuff to it... someday!! thanks for the response and have a great night!
1 person likes this
@schulzie (4061)
• United States
30 May 09
I think that is admirable how you are able to do several major projects on your home. It is nice because it is decorated, etc. according to what you like. It sounds like you will be enjoying your "new" bedroom in no time. Just hang in there and enjoy your beautiful home! Have a great day and happy myLotting!!!
• United States
31 May 09
thanks schulzie.... it will be great when we get back into our room... as it is we are sleeping in the living room and having "campouts" with our kids... it is fun, but oh I want to get back to sleeping normal again....LOL it is nice that we get to do the work ourselves, but it is a slow process because my hubby does this for his job so he only has time to do our house when he gets home. thanks for responding and happy mylotting.
2 people like this
@thezone (9394)
• Ireland
31 May 09
Hi bookreadermom08, I am a pretty good DIY person and always love doing a bit of home improvement but I am terrible with the mess. Paint cans and tools everywhere, it drives everyone mad lol. But I truly believe before there can be a finished project there must be mess. My Dad taught me everything I know about DIY and as a kid I grew up around such a talented person and thanks to my Dad I save a fortune. I most recent project I have done was a loft conversion and now it is a great little study and office
2 people like this
• United States
31 May 09
Yes, we have saved a ton of money by doing the work ourselves... the mess that comes along with it is just part of the project and searching the house for our clothes is just a new adventure everday!! oh that sounds so cool!!! I would love a loft but it wouldnt do well in our little house....maybe the next one!! LOL thanks for the response.
2 people like this
@chemcdow (149)
• United States
31 May 09
my family decided to put in hardwood flooring ourselves in most of our main floor. This was the kitchen, living room, and the hallway/entry way. this turned out to be a huge project, and the house was a mess for awhile! Furnature was all stuffed into the front room- and we had wood panels stacked up everywhere! At the same time we were also painting- so those things were spread around. After the project was finished, everything got cleaned up, and we were able to appriciate our hard work. You too will get to apriciate this, just wait and see once the projects are completed!
2 people like this
• United States
31 May 09
oh yes we will enjoy it when it gets done, it is just the frustration right now while I am living in the mess.... , at least I can get to my computer so that part I am happy with!! that sounds so nice, I bet you really enjoyed it when it was done and the house was back to normal... thanks for sharing your story and happy mylotting.
2 people like this
@anniefannie (1737)
• United States
31 May 09
i bought this house 10 years ago and i have being working on it on and off and it can get messey.what was the worse is when i got someone to put a new floor in the bathroom it took him 3 weeks and my washer and dryer was in there so i could not wash cloths i had them put in another room..i know what you are going threw.put it was worth it all in the end.
2 people like this
• United States
31 May 09
I am dealing with that as well... I cant get to my washing machine/dryer since I have so much stuff in front of it...but tomorrow I am going to have to move some of that stuff just so that I can get to do a load or two... my son has school on monday and I will need clothes for him...LOL thanks for sharing that, I cant wait to be done with this project...or at least far enough where we can put stuff back in the bedroom. happy mylotting.
2 people like this
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
31 May 09
I never have had to remodel a house. I'm sorry I'm not much help. My daddy built this house in 1959. I inherited it when mother passed away. It sounds like you have a cute little house, though, and I bet it's going to be pretty when you finish it. I bet the BBQ house warming part was a lot of fun. Kathy.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Jun 09
the house already looks alot different from the time we moved in... we have done alot to it...and yet there is still so much to... the bbq house warming party was alot of fun and I was glad that it didnt rain that day.. we have 52 people at the bbq!! thanks for the response and thats good that you havent had to do any remodeling...it is a big mess to live with until the projects are pretty much done!!
1 person likes this