Our First To-Do List Update

Before we even closed on BHH, we were busy making to-do lists. I like to make lists, but I refuse to be a slave to them. When I practiced the Getting Things Done (GTD) method of productivity, I became a master list maker. GTD is a system which includes making each project into a shining star, and then exploding that star into a supernova of minute tasks. I daresay that the method appeals greatly to type-A people who strive to have complete control over every aspect of their lives. For type-B me, it felt a whole lot like working harder, not smarter. Making, and following up with all of those lists was cutting into my “Let’s drive down this road just to see what’s at the end of it,” time with my family.

GTD did teach me to reign my wayward brain in a bit though, and the takeaway ended up being the ability to make a goal project list that yields actual, attainable results. I am satisfied with a big-picture to-do list, and I am content to let the details of each project sort themselves out as the process unfolds.

Here is the original To-do List:

1. Upgrade the electrical panel – Electrician
2. Fix the unknown plumbing leak on the second floor – Plumber
3. Create washer/dryer area – Andy/Plumber/Electrician
4. Roof repair (approximately 1/3 of the full roof) – Stacy
5. Evict the squirrel that might be living in the attic! – Andy and Stacy/Pest specialist
6. Improve outside drainage – Stacy
7. Dry Rot Repair/Trim Painting – Stacy
8. Window Pane replacement – Stacy and Andy

More information:

Upgrade the electrical panel – DONE! Before we could close on Blake Hill House, our homeowner’s insurance company, State Farm, required that we have the panel upgrade scheduled. Upgrading the electrical panel moved from a want to a need. Getting the work contract required a bit of stressful scrambling in the last few weeks prior to closing. Being new to the area, we did not have a list of reputable repair people that we could call. We ended up getting three bids on the project, and we went with the highest one. Who does that? We chose the highest bidder because they have a long-standing business in our small community. I appreciated their prompt, courteous communication regarding the project. They took care of all of the required permits, and the extra money was worth it to us to ensure that the project would be done properly and on time in order to satisfy State Farm and keep us safe.

The total cost was $3600. Gulp. That included the new 200 amp panel, disabling a second small panel that they found tucked away in a dark corner of the basement, and running two new, dedicated outlets to our laundry room and under the kitchen sink for a future dishwasher and garbage disposal. We will not hesitate to call the same company for our future electrical needs. They were fantastic. If you are local, shoot me an e-mail, and I will pass along the company name.

Fix the unknown plumbing leak on the second floor – This is not done, but we think it is unnecessary. After living here for nearly five months, we have determined that the signs of a leak must be from a previous situation that has been corrected.

Create washer/dryer area – DONE! Right now, we have a very basic set-up which is far superior to no laundry hook-up at all. Future work will require permits. We are holding off on that until we re-do the kitchen in a couple of years.

Roof repair (approximately 1/3 of the full roof) – This remains on the to-do list. We intended to repair the roof ourselves. I pored over roofing books and articles, and nearly over-dosed on YouTube video tutorials. However, when it came right down to it, we determined that this job was not a safe one for us. Our roof is over 20-feet off the ground, and the pitch is steep. We work so slowly that the rental cost of safety equipment such as scaffolding or a bucket lift would be very high. We will leave this job to the professionals. I am currently too afraid to call for bids. I know that is silly, but we know it will be a big job that will come with hidden costs as the true condition of the roof is revealed. I am guessing it will be in the $20,000-$25,000 range. The idea of that amount of money nearly gives me heart palpitations. We will have it repaired in the spring. For now, we are just crossing our fingers that it will hold for the winter.

Evict the squirrel that might be living in the attic! – Not Done. We thought we were off the hook for this one because we did not hear anything all summer. Our luck turned when a little Eastern chipmunk loaded up his suitcases and nut supply and moved into the walls of the house. Currently, he is busily hoarding more food stores and moving around freely within the walls and the basement. Millie is tormented on a daily basis, and we in turn are tormented by Millie as we work on keeping her from tearing up the walls as a form of pest control. Our current plan is a live trap. We will update when we have more news.

(Photo credit: Gilles Gonthier at Flickr.)

Improve outside drainage – Partially Done. I have written several, mostly unread posts about our drainage. Apparently, people want to read about BHH’s drainage about as much as they want to read about nasal drainage. Imagine how fun I must be at parties? I find drainage fascinating, but knowing your audience is an important social skill.

We improved downspouts, and we diverted rain runoff further away from the foundation. When the roof is done next spring, we will have some gutter work done as well. We want to add another downspout or two, and have the ineffective sections replaced.

Dry Rot Repair/Trim Painting – Partially Done. This will definitely be an ongoing project here at BHH. As you know, we recently tackled the front porch and pillar.

There are several basement windows below that porch that need to be repaired due to rot. In addition, there is a large section on the back of the house near the lower roof of the greenhouse. It will be a big project. I plan to work on it next summer, and it will likely take the entire summer to complete. New sections that need repair will probably crop up as we become more familiar with the nooks and crannies of the exterior.

Window Pane replacement – Not Done. This is not only not done, we have not even started. This initially seemed like a priority, but I find myself not caring about it at all right now. I believe I stopped caring somewhere in the middle of the porch rot project. Suddenly, the fact that there was glass in the windows at all seemed like enough. Perspective is everything, friends.

So, that is the to-do list wrap-up. We feel good about what has been done so far. Now that the weather has turned cooler, we are moving towards more indoor living, and inside projects are moving to the forefront. The blog content may naturally shift to smaller tasks as we spend our days living like modern-day pioneers in this big, old house.