The good news is that the sidewalk from Hick House to the street has been replaced. The bad news is that it took 18 bags of concrete. Hick had to go back for more. It's not even a long sidewalk! Hick had planned on it taking four bags, until HOS dug out all the broken parts, rather than just patching on top. That's one more thing off the list that would prevent the inspector from declaring Hick House up-to-snuff for habitation.
Monday, Hick painted the window trim on the back porch. Not sure if that was on the list of original repairs, but it's something Hick thought might hinder a passing grade from the inspector.
As you can see, Hick set the bucket of the tractor so he could stand in it to paint. HOS was using the other ladder on the siding. Siding for the back of the house will have to wait until HOS has time after move-in, since it wasn't on the list from the inspector. Also, Hick told HOS that he'll have to paint the upstairs windows (one from each bedroom), because aged Hick isn't going to climb up there. He has his limits, that apparently being standing in a tractor bucket to paint four windows.
That's the back porch area behind the kitchen, with the door that walks out on the deck Hick built. I have no idea what's hanging on the tree in the first picture, nor did Hick, and he was there. He mentioned seeing a hose and maybe a funnel for catching rainwater, so that's his best guess. Without city water until after the inspection, Hick and HOS are left to their own devices for coming up with water for scrubbing. Hick did take a 55 gallon barrel of water over there last week.
The siding is done now. It's not exactly beautiful. Washing it off is hard to do without running water. You can't actually carry a bucket of water up a ladder to scrub. I imagine the cleansing will come when a garden hose can be hooked up, once the inspector okays it for habitation and water service.
Replacement of the former patchy, peeling asphalt siding on this portion of the house was high on the inspector's to-do list. I don't think a little mud on the siding will be a problem.
More expensive, but I think re[lacing broken pieces is a better fix than just patching on top.
ReplyDeleteI'll bet the neighbors are happy with the clean up.
Hick's issue was that HOS broke out more of the old sidewalk, way down deep, necessitating forms. According to Hick, it could have been done right by leaving a lot of that deeper stuff in place. Some of it was solid, and HOS did needless work breaking it, and incurred extra expense. According to Hick, that is. To him, it was more the wasted time that could have been devoted to more pressing tasks, rather than the $4 a bag for the concrete.
DeleteIt always takes more than you think. At least in my world. I am falling in love with this house and with Hick. A man that can do something? What a blessing.
ReplyDeleteYes, Hick had the same problem with his calculations for the metal roof on his Freight Container Garage. Hick is a very handy man!
DeleteIsn't it amazing how much difference a bit of paint can make? The window trim really spruces up the place :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Hick knows when to bow out of doing something because of age, can't imagine the stress you'd be under if he had to sit around at home with a broken leg or something.
The inside of the house amazes me with the paint makeover. If Hick was laid up with a broken leg, it would hurt ME more than it hurt HIM!!!
Deleteit's coming along nicely. will be a cozy little home when it's finished. well done Hick and HOS
ReplyDeleteThey have done wonders with a $5000 house. So far, renovations have gone slightly over the budget of $2500. I'll try to remember to get the amount from Hick when he's done. There are a few pictures still to come.
DeleteWhat a little jewel this house has turned into! About the only thing that HeWho will over buy is bags of quickcrete, then leave them exposed too weather and they are rendered useless! Well, until his crafty wife turns them into big rocks around her garden.
ReplyDeleteYou never waste a thing!
DeleteAt least your man knows to stay off high ladders. Mine takes doctor's and wifey orderes as mere suggestions. House is coming along nicely.
ReplyDeleteYes, Hick delegates the high work to more spry individuals. HOS hurt his shoulder, and was unable to finish the high siding for a few weeks. Hick saw some guys putting siding on a house down the street, and was going to offer them cash to put up the last 5-10 pieces. He was really disappointed that they were gone when he went back.
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