The past week has confirmed that this is one of the crazier things that I’ve done. I’m big on planning. I don’t really rush into things without a game plan. But this whole buying a fixer upper thing has definitely been outside of my comfort zone.
Certainty means comfort, security, predictability, everything that is helpful in making big financial decisions. Uncertainty means costs, delays, unwanted repercussions. I don’t know exactly where the past week falls in this spectrum. I now know what the solution is to pretty much ensure a dry basement. I now know how much it will cost me to make it so. I now know what I have to give up to make that happen.
What I don’t know is if this entire enterprise will be a profitable one or a money-losing proposition.
So here is how things are going to shake out, as far as I understand it. The rear area will be dug down to the footings under the foundation. Drain tiles will be laid across the width of the townhouse and graded such that the water will flow down to the drain at the bottom of the egress window well. Concrete will be broken up in my basement to create another well which is where the sump pump will be placed. Somehow the window well drain will connect to the sump pump well. Then a discharge pipe will be lead out from the foundation wall and run down my back yard and into the street. The details of the system still have to be worked out, but I believe it will look something like this.
There was also a mix up with the lender, which delayed transfer of the first payment to the contractor. This has caused a delay of a few days, but the matter was cleared up in a day or two. Hopefully, that transfer will be made this week and work will continue. Like I was once told by a military guy, the secret to leadership is to pick a plan and stick with it. It doesn’t matter if it’s the right decision. It’s a decision. So no turning back now. No regrets of what has been done. It’s just a matter of pushing the ball forward for another first down. (Sorry for the mixed metaphors!)
On the lighter side, literally, I ordered a bunch of light fixtures.
I also got my kitchen hood vent.
On the DIY front, I did some minor demo downstairs. Since I won’t be replacing the stairs to the basement, I decided to make some improvements on it.
I have plans for a medium term fix to my stairs issue, but that will be after the pit has been filled in and overflowing with my bills and credit card receipts.
