John Steinke
09-20-2010, 01:23 PM
While, strictly speaking, not relevant to this forum, I thought I'd share with you guys my latest project.
I just bought a house. With land. For less than $2000.
As you might guess, you can't expect much. I was surprised to find the roof present, all walls standing, and only one pane of glass broken. Water heater and appliances gone, but the bath fixtures are present and the plumbing appears intact. Bath floor is sverly rotted, and the electrical service has been gutted (PoCo cut power at the pole). I assume termites are present. It never had any sort of HVAC - common around here.
As I figure it, I can have the place 'habitable' and reasonably secure before winter, for perhaps another $6K
Even if the electrical service had been present, I would have replaced it. The meter was on the north wall, with a cotton-wrapped cable (no overcurrent protection) going around the corner to the west wall, where it fed a fairly recent breaker panel. No main breaker there.
The new service is going to be interesting .... I'll use an 'all in one' panel, something that I don't think this town has ever seen. Square D# SD1020M100S, for those who don't know what I mean. For that matter, I doubt they've ever seen strut or 2" masts (with additional bracing, no less!)
2BR, 1 bath, 1000 sq ft, and a side yard just big enough for a shipping container and my car.
It will be a step up from my accustomed 400 sq. ft, 30-amp service, 2-circuit accomodations.
At least I won't have to worry 'is it new, or just a repair?' Not only is this job a complete gut .... most of the gutting has alredy been done.
One might say that this was one sale that did not need the services of an HI; everything is bad!
As for the neighborhood .... while not a garden spot, it's a lot better than most places I've lived. Here the kids actually play outside!
I just bought a house. With land. For less than $2000.
As you might guess, you can't expect much. I was surprised to find the roof present, all walls standing, and only one pane of glass broken. Water heater and appliances gone, but the bath fixtures are present and the plumbing appears intact. Bath floor is sverly rotted, and the electrical service has been gutted (PoCo cut power at the pole). I assume termites are present. It never had any sort of HVAC - common around here.
As I figure it, I can have the place 'habitable' and reasonably secure before winter, for perhaps another $6K
Even if the electrical service had been present, I would have replaced it. The meter was on the north wall, with a cotton-wrapped cable (no overcurrent protection) going around the corner to the west wall, where it fed a fairly recent breaker panel. No main breaker there.
The new service is going to be interesting .... I'll use an 'all in one' panel, something that I don't think this town has ever seen. Square D# SD1020M100S, for those who don't know what I mean. For that matter, I doubt they've ever seen strut or 2" masts (with additional bracing, no less!)
2BR, 1 bath, 1000 sq ft, and a side yard just big enough for a shipping container and my car.
It will be a step up from my accustomed 400 sq. ft, 30-amp service, 2-circuit accomodations.
At least I won't have to worry 'is it new, or just a repair?' Not only is this job a complete gut .... most of the gutting has alredy been done.
One might say that this was one sale that did not need the services of an HI; everything is bad!
As for the neighborhood .... while not a garden spot, it's a lot better than most places I've lived. Here the kids actually play outside!