Today is a big day for our little dilapidated farmhouse. The last thread is here
http://davesgarden.com/place/t/580625/
We bought the place last Dec. and have been doing plenty of mental work and interviewing contractors and reading, trying to figure out an approach to saving what we can and rebuilding this 175 acre farm with its early 1800's farmhouse.
The compromise we're trying is:
1) Remove the summer kitchen from the excavation area on skids. This is todays project. It may collapse. If not, DH and I will work on dismantling and salvage
2)Dig out the remaining area in an exact footprint of the main house AND summer kitchen, in an area abutting the current north wall of the main house
3)Pour a basement using insulated foam block, with provisions for downstairs bathroom, laundry, etc. This will be a walkout daylight basement on the north side.
4) Pick up the main house and set it on its part of the basement. Repair the sills and winterize.
That's all we can afford to do now. Eventually, we will rebuild the summer kitchen area with a new modern kitchen, which will accommodate the plumbing and electric needed, and remodel the main house which has four little farmhouse bedrooms, a keeping room and a parlor and pantry. Then add a wraparound porch which will be a deck on the north side. The north side will have windows for the expansive meadow views. It's too beautiful to miss!
I am heading up to photograph the adventure, and will post the results!! Fingers crossed!!
