Quote:
Originally Posted by herlichka
I can see a new owner, out of frustration or bewilderment, just gutting your house and installing conventional technologies (heating, cooling, and plumbing).
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Yea, this was me two years ago (still is). When I bought my house, I knew it was going to be a fixer-upper. I knew the wiring was DIY because of the unsheilded and exposed inside plug that was serving as an outside plug
RIGHT NEXT TO THE SPRINKLER MANIFOLD. So I gutted the house and rewired it.
I'm glad I did because of what I found, and I also wished I had walked away from this fixer-upper. With the walls down I also found structural defects, asbestos, amateur ventillation supposedly done by pros... the list goes on. For the most part, the major stuff is done. Now I get to customize the house to my taste.
Quote:
Originally Posted by herlichka
One way to ensure that your efforts aren't wasted is to keep excellent records of your projects: parts lists, vendors, installation and instruction pamphlets, warrantee info, wiring diagrams, and even a written description of the operation of the system. Imagine, as a new owner, trying to figure out a heating system that features a blend of solar hydronic, mini-split, natural gas furnace, woodstove and maybe even a few baseboard electrics?
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This is an EXCELLENT statement. I've been doing this from the start. I just got my house appraised for a refi. Sadly the market is still dropping and it didn't come in at the price I needed, even with all of the renovations. However, if and when I decide to sell, all the potential buyers will see a notebook outlining (with pictures) step-by-step, exactly what has been done in this house. The lucky new owner will not have to do any guess work as to what's on the inside of those walls.