Enough of COVID...what are you doing to the house?

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mimico_polak said:
It’s a great idea but the problem is parents that aren’t clear with their plans.

One month - they’re selling
Next month - they’re keeping
Next month - they’re selling
Next month - they’re keeping


And on and on and on.

I’m not putting any money into it unless a plan forward is created and confirmed. Because putting in money now, only to have them change their mind later…

🙅‍♂️
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Given that the cottage market currently has it's teeth kicked out, it's not a horrendous time to trigger deemed disposition. If you own it, that also allows you to use the renovation to increase your cost base and lower future taxes.
 
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timtune said:
Removed some cracked grout and regrouted. The next day when it dried the Squeeze noticed the colour was different. I had used the wrong leftover bag. Removed non cracked grout and re-regrouted.
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Sounds like my process for spooning on tubed tires.
 
mimico_polak said:
recommendation on how to make this a living space.

Full size dimensions are : 28ft x 25ft x 77” (LxWxH).

It’s the cottage basement and doesn’t have an entryway from the house and is currently just storage.

Figure it may be much cheaper to remove one of the bedrooms upstairs and build a stairway into the basement to make 2 bedrooms, then rip it all down and build up or out.

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Before @GreyGhost asks the water is from the plants I watered 10min ago.
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you’re not gonna like the headroom, 77” goes to 76 with ceiling and flooring, then 66 under ductwork.

If it were me, id jack the place up by at least 1 course of block. It’s relatively easy to do on that small a space, 2 x 20 ton bottle jacks, you have a center beam, you can jack using spreader beams on the walls parallel to the center beam. 1 course of block is easy… more than that is borderline DIY.

As for a staircase, I add these to a lot of small houses we remodel. I usually stick a 1/4 turn with max rise and min run - it’s surprising how compact they are.

Here’s a couple we did recently (not yet stained before you ask)

Took a corner from the kitchen, this house had an outdoor staircase to a second story addition. I moved it inside as we combined both units into a sfh.


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This one had an outside entrance to the basement (like yours). I clipped a bit from a kitchen to add it too.
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crankcall said:
Start your plan with where the egress window can go . Preferably in the new bedroom. You want multiple ways out .


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I think this basement is well above grade, existing windows outbuildings comply with egress.
 
Mad Mike said:
you’re not gonna like the headroom, 77” goes to 76 with ceiling and flooring, then 66 under ductwork.

If it were me, id jack the place up by at least 1 course of block. It’s relatively easy to do on that small a space, 2 x 20 ton bottle jacks, you have a center beam, you can jack using spreader beams on the walls parallel to the center beam. 1 course of block is easy… more than that is borderline DIY.

As for a staircase, I add these to a lot of small houses we remodel. I usually stick a 1/4 turn with max rise and min run - it’s surprising how compact they are.

Here’s a couple we did recently (not yet stained before you ask)

Took a corner from the kitchen, this house had an outdoor staircase to a second story addition. I moved it inside as we combined both units into a sfh.
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Would be awesome to raise it, but I don't think it's worth the effort / money for such a small space.

The more I think about it and plan around it, the less likely it seems that it's worth the effort here.

I'll need to re-measure as I can't remember if the 77" was my already calculating in the drywall / subfloor or bare current state.

I'd almost consider going modular. Demo the whole floor and just add 1-2 stories on a modular pre-fab as the foundation is already there and ready to go.
 
mimico_polak said:
That’s a def option. Was thinking of how to link the two.

Upstairs is old and dated and if parents decide to pass it along I’d like to expand it for our family (and guests).

Building up or out is gonna be expensive and not worth it. Making basement livable may be an option.

Selling and buying different may also be an option, but that’s a much pricier proposition.
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IMO make shift renos don't attract big buck buyers. Go big or go home. The financial math will be tricky.

A friend topped his bungalow and it looked 100% modern from the street, first and second floor. The low basement told the truth.
 
mimico_polak said:
Would be awesome to raise it, but I don't think it's worth the effort / money for such a small space.

The more I think about it and plan around it, the less likely it seems that it's worth the effort here.

I'll need to re-measure as I can't remember if the 77" was my already calculating in the drywall / subfloor or bare current state.

I'd almost consider going modular. Demo the whole floor and just add 1-2 stories on a modular pre-fab as the foundation is already there and ready to go.
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My 2 cents: Financially, what direction is the neighbourhood going long term?

Go with the flow. Don't build a McMansion in a story and a half hood. Don't build a story and a half in a upcoming McMansion hood.

100% for your own long term use, whatever lights your fires.
 
nobbie48 said:
My 2 cents: Financially, what direction is the neighbourhood going long term?

Go with the flow. Don't build a McMansion in a story and a half hood. Don't build a story and a half in a upcoming McMansion hood.

100% for your own long term use, whatever lights your fires.
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His house is an an area with big lots and side splits. Mostly renos so far but I won't be surprised if maximum building envelope houses start popping up in the not to distant future.

Cottage is harder. Big lots, small dwellings but not directly on the water. I'd think of a future buyer as someone wanting a primary dwelling and not necessarily a cottage. Low height basement bedrooms may turn some of those buyers off. I think he'd have trouble breaking even on any major renovation/rebuild but as you said, if he personally sees the value for his families use, then the future financials are less important.
 
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GreyGhost said:
His house is an an area with big lots and side splits. Mostly renos so far but I won't be surprised if maximum building envelope houses start popping up in the not to distant future.

Cottage is harder. Big lots, small dwellings but not directly on the water. I'd think of a future buyer as someone wanting a primary dwelling and not necessarily a cottage. Low height basement bedrooms may turn some of those buyers off. I think he'd have trouble breaking even on any major renovation/rebuild but as you said, if he personally sees the value for his families use, than the future financials are less important.
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My house is a slightly smaller version of MPs. Side splits are difficult to make into anything else and look / work right, stairs everywhere.

Making it right would cost more than tearing it down and building new unless setbacks came into play.

The first few conversions set the pace and it takes years to see if it's a trend.
 
nobbie48 said:
My house is a slightly smaller version of MPs. Side splits are difficult to make into anything else and look / work right, stairs everywhere.

Making it right would cost more than tearing it down and building new unless setbacks came into play.

The first few conversions set the pace and it takes years to see if it's a trend.
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My only regret with my current house in Mississauga is going with a side split. Never again.

Not sure what the hell we were thinking, but no full basement, hard to go in either direction with big dollars.

If it wasn't for the area we love...I'd be moving in a heartbeat. Unfortunately with today's rates, and even with my equity...we'd need to move the hell out of the area to get anything that we can justify in paying. So we're staying put.

nobbie48 said:
My 2 cents: Financially, what direction is the neighbourhood going long term?

Go with the flow. Don't build a McMansion in a story and a half hood. Don't build a story and a half in a upcoming McMansion hood.

100% for your own long term use, whatever lights your fires.
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Cottage is 33ft x 27ft on a lot that's about 70/80ft x 200ft or so.

Plenty of space.

Neighbour on one side cleared the lot, built a nice 2 story house and sold for 700k or so.

Neighbour on the other side is on track to clear the lot before he sells (although he slowed down so he may be dead for all we know).

Other than that, it's a dead end street, and all the other built lots are small bungalows similar to ours...with 1 or 2 slightly larger.

Can't even legally rent out for short term rentals as Wasaga is militant with their fines and we're not zoned for it.
 
Hey any of you had to deal with Boxelder bugs?
I've got them all over the front of the house. So much I started to vacuum them, but there are still a lot.
Sprayed some bug soap, we'll see if that does anything.
 
sburns said:
Hey any of you had to deal with Boxelder bugs?
I've got them all over the front of the house. So much I started to vacuum them, but there are still a lot.
Sprayed some bug soap, we'll see if that does anything.
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I've seen them around the past few years. Not enough to be a problem. I'll stomp on em when I get a chance.
 
Flat roof to peak roof takes place later next month. This has been going on since September last year. Permits didn’t come through until recently. Trusses being fabricated currently.

Looking forward to getting a leakproof house.
 
sburns said:
Hey any of you had to deal with Boxelder bugs?
I've got them all over the front of the house. So much I started to vacuum them, but there are still a lot.
Sprayed some bug soap, we'll see if that does anything.
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Every year for the last 2-3 years or so, and it’s getting worse.

I see some of em today near our trees but those bastards will multiple 1000x.

I just accept them.
 
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