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It's time for another Do It Yourself home improvement story....weekend cottage edition This will prove to y'all that maybe you DO NOT want to have a weekend place....as it can just become another money pit
Background: Here is the subject cottage and it's porch....as experienced by a good number of
Diagnosis: The cottage was built in 1920 and the porch decking had only had one minor repair project....around 1970. 88 years of rain and snow attacking the edges had made some sections of decking (total 320 sf) spongy and unsafe. And what about the condition of the timber framing that was lurking underneath
The Plan: Hire our nephew (small contractor from TN) to join me for several days of intensive repair in the middle of June. To make the most of Matt's time, I spent Saturday and Sunday doing as much of the demo as possible. Matt arrived late on Sunday eve....and here's what we saw on Monday morning at the "project meeting"
^^^ same corner where Matt_in_VA is sitting in earlier pic
All of the old decking has been removed except a narrow path to the door.....
It's time for another Do It Yourself home improvement story....weekend cottage edition This will prove to y'all that maybe you DO NOT want to have a weekend place....as it can just become another money pit
Funny your timing. We've looked at two cottages this week, one tonight in fact, that were built about the same time. I just don't understand why there are no real deals on the newer ones. We'd love a small place on a lake but everything is over valued or junk. I have a lawyer friend who wants to sell me a place that is great and priced right considering but it's lake access only as he bought it for the land in front of it for additional space to his cottage. I've seen first hand how risky access only can be when someone builds in the view you thought you had. Our search and debate goes on. Best wishes on the remodeling.
^ I think nice waterfront property is in demand these days no matter where it is located. Only so much of it and lots of retiring (or near) boomers looking to buy. So owners who aren't forced to sell just wait for that one sucker to come along.
Jerry - Good for you to be going the DIY route. I've never been a DIYer, but I have lots of respect for those who have the ability and inclination. What I am good at is visualizing what I want and finding good peeps to carry it out!! The only downside to DIY is that you can't write off your labor (for home improvement) on your taxes (when you go to sell) as you can if someone else does it.
Impressive demo, Jer., who knew? I've got the perfect antique rocker for it when it's finished. Of course I have to try it out on your new porch in person to see if it fits or works.
Tex?
.....The only downside to DIY is that you can't write off your labor (for home improvement) on your taxes (when you go to sell) as you can if someone else does it.
Good point, Deb....I should have had my nephew "hire" me....in stead of vice versa
I considered Trex but the cost is between 3X and 4X higher than regular Pressure Treated SYP. Thus, my decking material cost ($500) would escalate to betw $1500 and $2000.
As the pics show, it's mostly covered by the roof and the standard PT stuff will last longer the owners of the cottage From an energy standpoint, I would be interested to see an analysis of the TOTAL cost of producing the composite recycled plastic stuff....vs. harvesting the sustainable Yellow Pine and throwing it in a vat for a day or so.
Jerry's DIY Porch Renovation....
This will prove to y'all that maybe you DO NOT want to have a weekend place....as it can just become another money pit 
The only downside to DIY is that you can't write off your labor (for home improvement) on your taxes (when you go to sell) as you can if someone else does it.
Of course I have to try it out on your new porch in person to see if it fits or works. 
with Deb. Waterfront property always maintains its value because it is a finite resource.
From an energy standpoint, I would be interested to see an analysis of the TOTAL cost of producing the composite recycled plastic stuff....vs. harvesting the sustainable Yellow Pine and throwing it in a vat for a day or so.
