Have you ever dreamed of adding a 2nd story addition to your rambler? How hard can it be, right?
Well let me tell ya.
I'm starting this blog to document what's become the single most important decision of our life, and to share what professionals refer to as the church of the trade... the special tricks and tips pros use that turn construction into art.
I've been learning to remodel my entire life. First with my own dad, then with my father-in-law, a carpenter by trade.
My father was like so many dads... turning our basement into a family room. He was thorough and quite careful. I remember his tours to visitors. I probably went on the same tour 30 times, and enjoyed each one like it was my first. I was very proud of my dad, who was the son of a carpenter. Grandpa, as I've been told, didn't work for himself, but was THE GUY on the framing crew, in charge of designing hand-framed roof-lines and unusual staircases. Dad, who lived alone with Grandpa after his mom died when he was 5, would wake up in the middle of the night to the sound of Grandpa shuffling through blue prints, diligently planning the next day's work.
I remember reading over and over again a Family Handyman article that chronicled the construction of a sprawling ranch in a rural part of America (I forget exactly where). It doesn't sound unusual, but consider that I was 8 or 9 years old. I would stare at the pictures, dreaming of the day I could build my own home.
So that brings me to here. My dream has come true. Along with a VERY supportive wife and with the help of family and friends, I am turning a 1000 square foot rambler (built in 1955) into a 2900 square foot two-story home. Let the ride begin.
