I just noticed that we have barely started the project and we are already up to 819 posts! This is going to be a long one
Starting to hustle on planning the remodel and addition. One of the key things that I need to do is get on top of the roof of this house to determine if adding a story will regain the panoramic views. There are several issues with trying to get up there. First, we have newer concrete tile roof and I am very worried that we might break or crack one of the tiles walking around up there. Second, the roof pitch is very steep and it is difficult to get up.
So, I send up the youngest agile guy who happens to be a surfer - figured he would know what type of view we are looking for versus the inland cruiser low riders. He literally could not stand up on the roof so he had to crouch down. His verdict… huge views. I have no choice but try to get up there myself because I need to know how to orient the views. Where do I need to put the rooms, windows, decks, etc??
First I try to go up on the top of the 8 ft regular ladder. I almost started crying because I was too scared to get up on the steep steep roof. Then they tried setting up the super long adjustable ladder at a low angle. I am climbing across this thing on my hands and knees and still could not bring myself to get on roof. I just could not do it, I wimped out. I am now resigned to the fact that I may have to hire some kind of crane just to lift me up to the potential floor level of 2nd story.
We are going to keep working on ways to get the old lady up on top of the roof!!
Can you send your young guy up on the roof with a cell phone or camera to take pictures and video for you?
Can you rent a drone to fly up and around the roof? I know lots of real estate listings include drone videos now. Or perhaps a roof repair company, or a company that strings holiday lights, would have equipment you’d feel comfortable climbing up on.
Fear of heights is a tough thing. Might be cheaper to get some scaffolding than get a bucket truck, unless you know someone with one.
A periscope? Not the app, a real periscope. A big one. Your guys can build one. But the drone is a better idea.
Trying to figure out howto integrate a second story into that house is really a job for an architect, not just that draftsman, it seems to me. This really seems like the kind of project that would benefit from careful advance planning. ，exciting about all the interest!
It would be worth investing in a drone. You can also use it in future projects to get a good look at the roof condition.
CB, its time to rent a tree picker crane for a day.
It can be manipulated to go OVER the roof and who ever is in the cart can safely take pix, without having to go ON the roof.
Sending someone onto a steep roof is asking for a lawsuit, since the probability is great that they will fall and break their necks…
NOT kidding about this…
I’m working with a draftsman just to get the current floor plan defined and to identify our current load bearing walls and foundation structure. Then I need to make decisions on what I want to have upstairs before I work with architect. Unfortunately I cannot find an architect that will solely consult, design and draw elevations. They want to be hired for entire package all the way to going through permit process. That is not a wise spending of money for me
I think a drone might be a great idea because I would like to place it in different positions to figure out potential obstructions
Its not really that I’m scared of heights. I have a stupid fear of ladders and getting on and off them at top of ladder onto something this steep
Trust your fear–heights should be respected. Neither you nor any of your crew can afford to be injured. A drone could be ideal and when you are ready, you could hire some equipment to give you a proper perspective SAFELY!
cb, I hope you can stay within your budget. That should give you lots of room for some nice profit.
To make pictures, borrow or buy 12’ telescoping branch pruner
http://www.wayfair.com/Fiskars-Incorporated-Wallace-Telescoping-Tree-Pruner-with-Saw-93936965-AVG1011.html
attach camera or cell phone to it, put a ladder against the outside wall of the living room and get a guy on the ladder to slowly rotate the pruner while making a video.
There is even a 19’ model but it is probably an overkill.
https://jet.com/product/detail/48692b1e175647bbb281da8c8d9ecefb?jcmp=pla:bng:nj_a1_all:all_products_other:na:na:na:na:na:2&code=PLA15&k_clickid=kenshoo_clickid
Just a telescoping pole will do too:
http://www.doheny.com/poolsupplies/Aluminum-Telescoping-Poles.html?utm_source=bingpla&utm_medium=cpc
But a drone would be so much more fun!
If CB can get a drone where you can program an address of the property for sale and fly it out to send video back in real time that would be huge. Also make it fly under the house to check sewer pipes.
What a shame that this house went into such disrepair. I’m wondering if the local sister will come to see it restored to beauty. Hoping the brother forgets the address!
I had the same thought, thumper1. If I were the sisters, it would do my heart good to see the rejuvenation of their home.
You know, when we moved into our current house about three and a half years ago, we knew right away that we’d be redoing the kitchen and adding a deck/patio to the back yard, and we’ve done those things. We also plan to renovate the upstairs bathrooms in the next year or so. The adult children of the woman who owned this house live in town. I’ve sometimes wondered if they would like to see the house now or if that would be upsetting to them.