/diy/ - Do It Yourself

The family members staying there now are trashing the place!!! I have to get in there soon. There are holes in the walls, the carpet is ruined, and every towel rack has been ripped off the walls. Also, there appears to be a mouse in the attic.

Need to move in ASAP.

>>111272
I see your point. The permit idea is probably a smart one. They don't need to know someone is living there.

Wow...I actually got a $5.00 donation to help towards this. Wasn't expecting anything.

>>111004
The person who inherits the house (still being paid for, btw) is the person who is caring for her disabled brother....in other words, my wife.

>>109932
Am I too late for you, Scroton?

>>110411
I am not sure how to get access to this area...the entire attic is very low and does not allow me to stand upright. I am thinking the vent there leads to the attic....I could take it out and put stuff up there if it fits through the hole. Packing peanuts? Spray-in insulation? Ideas?

Most likely, this is what I am thinking about as far as a door and window. The reason being that I would probably use a pre-hung door, and the dimensions of the one I am going to use call for a rough opening of 38 1/2" X 82 1/4"

I was going off of memory, so some of my details may have been off. Measurements are exact, though....I reconfirmed this upon going over there today. Suggestions? Where the hell do I start?

And do you guys know anywhere/way I could make a quick $1200? *crickets*

I already have the ceiling fan and lighting fixtures I need to replace these with. Something slightly nicer and more....internal.

As you can see, the roof slants a bit.

This tool shed should work just fine as closet....I just wanna fumigate it; kill any bugs.

The 4x4s seem like they are not really attached to the concrete or penetrating it.

There is electrical in the brick so that shouldn't be an issue. Can brick be painted? Would spray paint work?

I noticed that one of the 4x4s that are the support for the roof is cracked, and appears to be bowing out a little bit.

I'm really pissed...everyone in the family is resisting everything we are trying to do. They are all assholes. Pretty much, they are all upset my mother-in-law isn't dead and leaving them money.

Here's another view, different angle....really hoping I don't get flood detection or muted.

Everyone has been so nice. Thanks guys. Setback on funding...the family members who offered to help are backing out now that I am prepared to start construction. I will still be able to do it just at a slower pace, since it is my own money. May get a second job to help speed it along.

I can frame it now...do you guys think it would be a problem to leave the frame exposed for about a month or so?

Also I am in deep south Texas, so while I sincerely appreciate offers for help I think it would be too far out of the way for any of you. Pic related.

>>109082
wow that is incredibly nice of you. I am about 9 hours south of Dallas so not really worth your drive time. But thank you so much. The next time you are in the Rio Grande Valley, drop me a line so I can buy you a beer.

>>108765
>Probably not, but is there a gas hookup nearby that could be moved without too much hassle?
No gas hookups, but this house is 100% electric....gas is not common in our area.
>How cold does it get where you are? If it' doesn't get to freezing you might want to go with a ac unit that has heating also, it would save a bit of hassle. If it does freeze though they won't be able to handle it.
It gets to freezing or just below about once a year, usually for 12 hours. Average summers are around 95-110F, winters vary wildly. Today, it was 80F outside...tomorrow, it should be about 45F.

E-mail is nicktheshifter@gmail.com

Dimensions are from post to post on the long side, and from post to brick on the shot side.

110in x 83 in, 110in x 83 in, 108 in x 83 in, and short wall is 118 in x 92 in (highest) sloping down to 89 in (lowest).

>>108991
I intend to.

>>108765
Absolutely, any help I can get. Would love a drawn-up design. Some of my funding fell through, so that just means this project may be stretched out into a couple of months rather than being completed in a few days.

Porch is enclosed on two sides, one by brick and the other by a tool shed built as part of the house that will serve as the closet.

There are three vertical posts, 4X4, going across the longer area. These are at the edge of the foundation. Roof hangs over a bit, as you can see in the picture.

>Are the window ac unit and whatever heating you end up with included in the 1500-2000?
They aren't but I have a 10K BTU portable A/C I can use and a space heater will work just fine, as this is south Texas and it doesn't get cold...just HOT AS BALLS.
>If possible to build this so that (while probably not completely to code) it could be a permanent structure, would you want to?
Yeah, I wouldn't mind this being permanent...I can turn it into an office or game room.
>Is the roof over the porch a continuation of the rest of the roof (which it appears to be) or is it a freestanding add-on? (What I'm getting at is whether or not the roof shares attic space with the rest of your house)
It is a continuation and it does share attic space (although very little).
>It looks like it, but can't tell from the pic cause the grass is kinda in the way, but are those 4x4's anchored into the ground or on the slab?
I believe they are into the slab...I need to dig down and check out what the slab looks like (thickness).
>Is the slab brush finished or polished?
I am not sure what that means...the slab looks identical to the garage. Relatively smooth.

Holy crap, my thread is still going. Thanks guys.

Let me ask this...would it be cheaper, easier, or more likely to pass code if I simply bricked the whole damned thing? I am assuming it would be more difficult.

I seriously doubt anyone will come inspecting. Nobody has EVER done that to this house...the neighbors did something similar to their house, nobody ever looked at it, and SOLD it that way. I live very close to Mexico, so it generally assumed people will do whatever the hell they want with their houses and there is no point to fighting that.

I have managed to secure a helper...a coworker. Construction begins Monday. I'm excited. I'll post before and after pics and let you guys know how it goes.

>>107393
Actually considered that but the wife nearly crapped a sofa. There is absolutely no way to convince her of that. Plus, lack of electricity, insulation, ventilation, etc etc make it virtually impossible. Trust me....it just ain't happening that way. I don't get enough tail as it is.

>>107394 I have a young child and want to put a swing set in the back yard, so access actually is pretty necessary. Fortunately, I DO have the previous door to the house, a cheapo metal door that will do. It's just a matter of figuring out framing on it.

Here's a big question...how the hell do I frame for windows and a door? There needs to be a door to the back yard for letting the dog out, plus at least one window. Thinking I might also create a vent hole of some sort for a portable air conditioner, or just use the window for that....not sure.

Also, should I dig a trench and pour more concrete around the edges to prevent leakage, or try to figure out another drainage system?

My most recent trip shows that the 3rd 4x4 (not showin in picture) is bowing inward slightly. That makes me wonder if there isn't something wrong.

>>107344
>>107349
Excellent suggestions. Thank you very much. I feel I can do this with just a bit of study...I understand things like sheet rock and the like, I was just concerned about the actual building of the walls (never done that), electrical (really don't think I need any on outside walls cause we have plugs in the brick), and siding (probably plywood).

How the hell do I attach the frame to the cement foundation? That's a concern for me.

Looks are not overly important...this it the back yard and nobody looks there except us. The inside can be made nice.

Generally, I'm a handy guy....I've replaced all the internal light fixtures in the house, some of the faucets, thermostat, etc. Also built some bookshelves. This is WAY beyond that, but I might be able to get some manual labor help for cheap (this is south Texas, I can get 20 guys in front of home depot).

>>107331
I am assuming I would frame it with 2x4s? Has to hold up to Texas heat, winds of about 20 MPH on a regular basis, have access to back yard, and be waterproof and bug proof.

Also need to be able to heat/cool it, so thinking a window unit air conditioner and occasional space heater.