New England B.S. Thread

I haven't really done any big projects since I've owned this house. I think the house's value is kind of capped by the size, land, and area, so what I'd get out of improvements would be minimal. I didn't want to dump a lot of money in that I wouldn't get back out because I wasn't sure how long I'd keep it (original plan was 5-10 years) - everything I've done has been sub $5k.

Now, we're starting to plan things because we're most likely staying put. Some are things we have to do no matter what, like we're setting aside cash for a roof and roof-up chimney rebuild for either next year or the year after. Then there's the optional stuff that won't be super noticeable but will help out like I'd like to do a new service entry and main breaker panel because mine is very old, I have a few large windows that are original wood and my thermal camera proves they're horribly inefficient compared to the vinyl replacements throughout the rest of the house. Two of our exterior doors are also kind of sad and should go. Then there are the actual improvements like the bathroom could desperately use a remodel. Kitchen isn't as bad as the bathroom, but could use a remodel too. We'd like to put a small deck off of the dining room, too.

There's always something with a house!

 

New headlights installed today and brought out my old bike as my kids are growing lol.

 

Oh then you are blessed, this house was almost unlivable. No shingles on the back of the house, no insulation in some of the walls, old wooden windows that rattle to beat the band, wiring was all 40 yrs old or so...shall I go on? Haha.though nothing in our price range wasn't a project. Having to fix some things that weren't done right was a nice bonus. Our value is capped somewhat as well being a one bathroom 2 bedroom.

Roof, think about metal. I was determined to do that with mine anyway due to ice dams but worked out not much more than doing shingles and will last much longer.

We tried to do as much as we could ourselves, fortunately a couple of people I know are trade folk so that worked as well. The kitchen in 2015..well, let's just say "working vacation" was a real thing in here. But did it all for 12-15K and did as much as we could ourselves.

Houses are the gift that keep on giving, for sure. I can see why people who can afford to do it buy new.

Bout time you busted out the Haro again!

 

This is also 2 bed/1 bath, but 1500 sq ft. Lots of common living space. We don't want kids, so no need for more bedrooms.

One of the reasons I don't want to go metal is the garage doors are slope-side and I don't want large amounts of snow dumping in the driveway because it'll inevitably happen whenever it's least convenient. I have friends with metal roofs and similar situations and they complain about it constantly because it packs so bad when it falls and it's very difficult to clear. One has half his roof dump onto his driveway all the time because the driveway runs alongside the house. I also don't like how they look - except the metal ones that mimic shingles, but those are super expensive.

 

Same here, it's enough for us. I wouldn't mind an extra room for my pool table and a garage I could actually get my truck under though.

My garage I had done a few years prior in shingles, it doesn't run right into the main roof and I never had the damming issue there. We don't use the rear main door to the house and that's the only one that is under the metal..though I get what you mean, my brother in law learned that one the hard way after doing solar panels on his house!

And yes, the estimates were around 8K for shingles (which I wasn't doing, just wanted a reference point), 11K for the metal I got, about 20-22K for the interlocking ones you mention. Overimprovement in my book..though the metal I went with doesn't look awful either.

 

Nice. Congrats Drew.

Went to a different darkside myself. But, Tiff has taken over the Tacoma for the most part.. so, no issues here

 

8k is a great price - do you remember the area of your roof? I am setting aside $20k for the roof plus the rebuild from the roofline up of a very small chimney and it'd be nice to have extra, or at least not be short and have to dip into regular savings. I measured my roof at one point and came up with about 25 squares and a 5.5/12 pitch.

 

Top of my skull I think 22-23 squares? This was also in 2020 or 2021 so not ages ago but probly not still accurate.

 

Thanks! What'd ya get?

 

21 WRX. Just wanted to enjoy driving again. Be engaged, etc. Checked the right boxes, and price was good.
Will remain unmolested with the exception of the Borla that was delivered today(I can't even get under the car to install it).

 

I don't like the sound of most exhausts on WRX's. I bet a borla would sound pretty good though. They do their homework

 

I miss the shit out of my 04 regularly, just stay on top of that maintenance and it'll take care of you

 

Well if you want some bolt on mods send me a text. My buddy had one and had a ton of discounts with Perrin and some other manufacturers

 

Yeah, exhaust is tough. Wanted more than stock, without being LOUD, obnoxious, and definitely didn't want drone. It was between this, and AWE, but, I've read enough build quality inconsistencies, that, I stayed with Bolra. Borla has never let me down.

Exactly. And I'm beyond diligent with maintenance. My buddy and his crew will be taking care of it, since... I dojnt have a lift or garage.

I'm still sorting through it. Might do the Perrin clutch camper delete. Maybe some other stuff.

Ill say this. I've driven my whole life. With a few years here and there without one. These last few since I sold my Frontier.
Haven't driven anything... Sporty with a stick since...08. Just trucks.
The combination of just a touch of numbness(I guess is the right word) in the clutch pedal, and the rev hang... makes me feel like I'm learning to drive all over again.

But, it's fun to drive. Without being.. high strung.
Doesn't stand out.
Now, we can go to shows in Boston, and not worry where to put the Tacoma... lol

 

Yup for sure, parking with a car is waaaaay easier. I did like that about the corolla. Yea all the new manuals have the rev hang and what not, I still drive smoothest on an old cable throttle body setup. The Corolla was cool, could turn on :Intelligent Manual Trans" (iMT button) and it would rev match on down shifts for you and there was a hill start assist button to hold the car, or if it that wasn't on and you pushed the clutch in while holding the brake down it would hold for about 3 seconds

 

So... on the test drive, this lady starts creeping up the hill.. so, I do what I've always done, and ease off the brakes, to let it roll back a bit... and it doesn't move... wasn't prepared for THAT. Kinda cool. Kinda wish I could turn it off....

 

Yup thats how i felt but you get use to it after driving it for awhile. Sorta nice not rolling back, also takes away from the experience in my opinion

 

Yep.

Just wish I could get under it to get this catback installed. The whole job would probabky take an hour.

Probably gonna cave and have my buddy it on a lift.

 

Way back when I was still learning to drive I was riding with dad and got to a stop sign at a T intersection, guy pulls up riiiiight behind me. I'm still green as hell and panicked, couldn't get it into gear fast enough and gave him the tiniest love tap haha. He got out the car angry until he saw what it actually was and was apologetic afterwards. Spent a bunch of time practicing later that day and I don't think i ever rolled back into someone since