EPISODE 4 – Home Renovation in Tacoma, WA

First 30 day accomplishments!

One month into my home renovation and I’m really happy with the progress we’ve made in the first 30 days. The exterior of the home is ready for our winter months. The cedar siding is freshly painted, new windows have been installed, 50-year architectural roof installed and tuck pointing plus rain cap installed on the chimney! The house is ready for the rain, but I am not! 😭

Inside, The demolition is complete and we are working on the “guts” of the home; electrical, plumbing and structural changes. Having the demo work complete has helped me visualize the new space and plan for the finishings we are going to be selecting. Picking out paint colors, cabinets style and specifics does not fill me with joy (to the say the least). It’s been great to soak in the changes and plan for the interior upgrades that we will soon be making.

What has been my biggest hurdle?

Getting the building permit with the City of Tacoma has been my biggest opportunity. The City of Tacoma has been very communicative and responsive and frankly a pleasure to work with. The drawings my architect created did not include the level of detail that the City expected. Lesson learned – use a architect that is well versed in working with the City of Tacoma. Call them and ask if they have any architects they highly recommend! The City of Tacoma is here to make your home renovations easier not harder!

How much have I invested in the renovation?

The home itself I purchase for $480,000 in October of 2018. I was able to do this through a 1031 EXCHANGE. My budget for the renovation is $140,000. This is a home that I plan to own for a long time. Because of that, I’ve budgeted a bit more you usually see. I prioritize quality and locally sourced material and product and I know that quality local items usually cost slightly more!

What is next?!

Next we’ll be completing the electrical, plumbing, installing the cabinets, flooring and insulation! Phew. Thanks for following along. 🏡