Cheapest Remodel I've Ever Done

[Ninn]

After an argument with my landlord this week, I decided that I just had to post this. We were 3 days late getting him the rent this month-he was on vacation and not available. I will not just leave cash lying around, so I mailed him a money order instead. He threw a fit! Wanted to know why I thought he would believe we were having financial problems when I was remodelling the house. So, I proved to him just how many times I called his cell to make an appt. to pay the rent (15!!) and showed him the date on the money order receipt. (2 days before due). Then I showed him the receipts for my remodel. I am turning a bedroom into a laundry area, and expanding another bedroom right next to it. Total expenses so far? $60. Yup. $50 for some used cabinetry that I purchased from a friend remodelling his house. $10 for screws and spray foam insulation in a can for the seams of the windows. That's it. I am pulling the old wall down by taking the screws out and re-using the existing panels and studs. There is nothing wrong with them, they just are not where I want them! Fiberboard insulation for between the laundry room and the bedroom was free-a gift from my husband's boss. (saved me $300-gave me enough to do the exterior walls with too) When I am finished, I will have moved my dryer out of the living room and into the laundry area. Moved the washer out of the bathroom into the laundry area. Turned the feed pipes on the washer around and faced them through the wall and back to the washer. I will have mounted the cabinets on leftover 1 x 1 strips that I found in the closet! I will have vented the dryer out through the floor, to help keep my water pipes from freezing where they come out of the ground. I will have moved that wall 5 feet back from where it is, and possibly done a 90 degree left turn with it. My son's room will gain some space, and my laundry area will be finished. There will be room to actually sit in my living room without the dryer. There will be room for cabinets in the bathroom for prep storage. ( got those too-same friend!)

Needless to say, landlord is now apologizing profusely. Seems that somebody told him we were whining about money troubles. (for a change, we are ok) Told him-whining about TRUCK troubles-it flooded out and won't start. DH, trying to help, disconnected something and now can't get it to turn over at all, so can't take it to the garage. (I love that man, I really do.) THAT is my issue this week. Lot rent was never a problem-just the lack of a person to pay it to!! (he doesn't like it mailed to him)

Anyway, whatty'all think of my remodel? Not a bad idea, huh?

[georgec]

It is not a good idea to vent the drier below the house. The drier will be putting out a lot of warm moist air which will condense on everything down there. It won't take long and you will have some serious rot. I have seen a drier outlet dehumidifier, that allows you to do this; but I don't think they are cheap.

[Ninn]

I live in a trailer, there should be enough ventilation under there that it should counteract the moisture, I hope. I had planned to run the vent hose right through the floor and have it opening about 4 inches from the water pipe, right at ground level. The heat should still get there, but give a chance for the moisture to gather on the ground before there. That happens to be the only spot I have that freezes, and I was hoping this would help. If not, then I will vent it out the side wall, and be able to use the heat indoors this winter with my little dryer box.

[rambler]

I'd not pay anything cash these days. One wants a paper trail, as you have seen from this example. Don't really understand the landloards issues with all that.

'Here' it is odd for the rentor to be doing the remodeling, you must have worked that out beforehand with him. Kind of a fragile relationship, the structure belongs to the landlord, you are renting the space. Modifying the building can cause you or him issues down the road with inspectors, agencies, who paid for what, etc.

Venting moisture out the bottom would be a bad thing here in Minnesota, but things might be different where you are. This would be one of those 'issues' of not doing things to code, and the rentor is on the hook for your mistakes.....

As to the work, sounds like you have done a lot with a little, will have improved your living conditions.

--->Paul

[zookeeper16]

I am thinking its just "lot" rent and that she owns the trailer.

[edcopp]

Sounds like Ninn forgot to tell the landlors who is in charge. I wonder when she will demant the deed to the property.

[Michael W. Smith]

Sounds like you need to get a new landlord - or else buy a place yourself. (Try to find someplace where you can rent to own.)

You have put lots of time into remodeling (and while it does benefit you (for now) it will also benefit the landlord down the road (and he doesn't seem to be appreciating it.)

You need to find a new place and surprise your landlord by telling him you are leaving. (Good renters are hard to find and it sounds like you are a good one and the landlord doesn't appreciate you.)

[Alice In TX/MO]

I've had several renters who do remodeling work for me. Even have a certified electrician in one of my houses now! It's great. They get income so they can pay the rent, I get rent income so I can pay for repairs. Keeps the economy going. LOL

[AngieM2]

I believe that Ninn owns the abode, and rents the lot. Same as I do.

Angie

[mousebandit]

Sounds like you did an awesome job on a shoestring budget!! Way to go!! I bet you will be MUCH happier with a proper laundry room now!! CONGRATS!

Tracey Mouse

[rambler]

Originally Posted by zookeeper16

I am thinking its just "lot" rent and that she owns the trailer.

Ahhh....... I'm not used to mobile homes or renting, so never thought of that....

Rest of my message holds up better then.

--->Paul