The House Remodel: 52 Days In

Timeline

• Nov 12-13 — Closed on house, got keys
• Nov 14 — Sewer line replacement. Borrowed backhoe from Tempest, done in 4 hours with Curtis and Hayden
• Nov 22 — Bathroom demo started, Ramboard down
• Nov 26 — Bathroom design mockup finalized
• Nov 29 — Front yard tree removal (chainsaw work)
• Dec 6 — Found faster wall scraping tool. Built stone path in front
• Dec 8 — Ordered bathtub and toilet
• Dec 10 — Wall demo in bedrooms and bathroom for electrical
• Dec 15 — Professional tree removal (Timber Ridge). Removed all overhang
• Dec 17 — Third Life Health helped finish walls. Patched earthquake cracks with mortar/mesh
• Dec 22 — Stump removal with backhoe. Saved $1k vs grinding quote
• Dec 24 — Backyard leveled. First time property felt like a good investment
• Dec 26 — Plumbing began. New PEX lines. Removed ancient crawlspace system
• Dec 29 — Stripped kitchen countertops and backsplash
• Jan 2 — Current state. New Ramboard. Kitchen decisions in progress

Progress

The Gameplan: 64 Days to Move-In

Working backwards from March 8th. This is the critical path.

Phase 1: Plumbing & Rough-In (Jan 4-19)

2 weeks. Nothing else can happen until plumbing is done.

• Replace all drain lines (kitchen, bathroom, toilet → main sewer)
• Move toilet drain to new location
• Replace cast iron with HDPE
• Move bathroom ductwork to floor near door
• Finish electrical rough-in for bathroom and living room

Phase 2: Subfloor & Walls (Jan 20 - Feb 2)

2 weeks. Get everything closed up.

• Install new plywood subfloor in bathroom
• Put up go-board in wet areas, sheetrock elsewhere
• New drywall in office closet and master bedroom
• Joint compound on all walls (allow dry time)
• Finish windowsill mortar repair

Phase 3: Tile & Fixtures (Feb 3-16)

2 weeks. Bathroom becomes functional.

• Tile bathroom floor and walls
• Install floor heater if doing it
• Frame and install tub
• Install toilet
• Order vanity (if not already)
• Install bathroom electrical (cans, switches)

Phase 4: Kitchen Decisions & Work (Feb 17-28)

~10 days. Make the calls, execute.

• Final decision on cabinets (IKEA one side? both? keep existing?)
• Final decision on countertop (concrete, butcher block, or temporary)
• Finish sanding cabinet doors
• Install whatever cabinet solution you choose
• Cap/reroute kitchen vent

Phase 5: Finishing & Move-In Prep (Mar 1-7)

1 week. The home stretch.

• Install vanity
• Sand and oil windowsill boards
• Install baseboards
• Install door trim, reattach doors
• Install living room cans
• Final cleanup
• Move in March 8th

What Can Wait

These don't block move-in:

• New front door
• Exterior paint
• Roof coating
• Landscaping / sod
• Laundry room upgrades

Kitchen Strategy: The Honest Take

Here's the reality: you're 64 days from move-in, money is tight, and the kitchen is the biggest unknown. Here's how I'd think about it.

Option A: The "Good Enough for Now" Path

Cost: ~$500-1,000. Time: 1 weekend.

• Keep existing lower cabinets (they work, just ugly)
• Finish stripping and sanding the doors you've already started
• Paint or stain them a single color (matte black, white, or natural wood)
• Butcher block countertop from IKEA or Home Depot (~$200-400)
• Leave uppers as-is or remove the weird framing and add open shelving
• Simple tile or peel-and-stick backsplash

This gets you moved in. You can do a full remodel in 1-2 years when you have budget and aren't racing a deadline.

Option B: The "One Side Now" Path

Cost: ~$3-5k. Time: 2-3 weekends.

• IKEA cabinets on one side only (uppers and lowers)
• Keep opposite side as-is for now, paint to match
• Butcher block counter on the new side
• Plan to match the other side next year

Looks a bit mismatched but functional. Some people can live with asymmetry, some can't.

Option C: The "Full Send" Path

Cost: ~$10k. Time: 2-3 weeks.

• Full IKEA kitchen (Emma's design)
• Ceiling-height cabinets
• Concrete or butcher block counters
• Relocate stove if it makes sense

Best result, but risky with your timeline. IKEA delivery can take 2-4 weeks. Assembly takes longer than expected. If anything goes wrong, you miss March 8.

My Recommendation

Go with Option A.

• It's the only path that doesn't risk your move-in date
• Butcher block is actually a great look for a 1956 mid-century home
• Painted or stained existing cabinets can look surprisingly good
• Open shelving above is trendy and easier than new uppers
• You'll have a functional kitchen on day one
• Full remodel becomes a 2027 project when you have time and money

On Countertops

• Butcher block — Warm, fits mid-century, easy to install, can cut yourself. ~$200-400. Needs oiling occasionally.
• Concrete — Cool look but DIY is tricky. Cracks, stains, heavy. Not recommended under time pressure.
• Laminate — Cheap and fast. Not glamorous but functional. Can upgrade later.

Butcher block is the move. It matches the era of the house and you can do it in a day.

On the Stove Relocation

Don't do it now. Moving gas lines or adding electrical for a new range location adds complexity, cost, and time. Use what you have. Revisit when you do the full remodel.

Remaining Tasks

Lessons Learned

• Demo takes forever — Stripping plaster, removing baseboards, scraping. It's been two months of this.
• Concrete primer matters — Didn't prime one windowsill. Mortar shifted and cracked. Had to redo it.
• Joint compound thickness — Too thick and it crunches as it dries. Still figuring out the right approach.
• Bubs Disposal — Mid-range pricing but same-day delivery. Text in morning, dumpster that afternoon.

Future Projects

• Exterior paint — Wood siding needs attention
• Roof coating — Aluminum paint, darker gray
• Landscaping — Sod front and back, need to plan deck first
• Laundry room — Stacked washer/dryer, folding table, mudroom bench
• Living room expansion — Long-term goal
• Additional bathroom — Maybe convert laundry or add with master expansion

Photos

88 photos documenting the first 52 days. Click to enlarge.

On Style

We've realized we might prefer a modern aesthetic, but this is a 1956 house. We're probably going to lean into mid-century modern when we decorate. It'll be a chance to get things that feel like ours rather than just combining what we each brought.

— Mason (with notes from Emma)

Want to help out? Materials and coffee always appreciated.

Venmo: @buildmase