Home Upgrading

We always did our own maintenance, painting, construction, deconstruction, simple plumbing and electrical, concrete, landscaping and grass cutting. We did all the home maintenance and construction we could do. We did hire contractors as needed. We owned 3 homes.

Our first home in St. Charles County Mo. required a lot of upgrades and we did those ourselves including planting trees and shrubs, replacing doors, installing a larger septic tank drain field, pouring a concrete driveway and large patio, installing central air conditioning and upgrading the plumbing and electrical.

Our second home in Salina Kansas didn’t need a lot of upgrading, but we painted it, added attic insulation and built a sandstone wall to shield the house from the storm sewer flow.

Our third home was in the Atlanta Georgia suburbs. We bought a 6 bedroom two story Colonial home in Dunwoody GA in 1983. It was a brick front and side with Masonite siding in the back. It was built in 1976 and had dark paneling in the basement, family room and garage. The original owners added a 15x25 foot screened porch to the back. It was at the end of a cul de sac on a 0.9 acre lot. Over the years we upgraded this house. The first thing I did was to buy a 40 foot ladder so I could paint it.

In 1984, we began removing unnecessary trees from the front yard to improve curb appeal. I also removed dirt from the small crawl space in the basement and had it covered over with concrete to prevent mold. Over the years we had dead trees removed from the woods in back.

In 1989, we replaced our stove, microwave and oven for $1500.

In 1991, we added a garage door and opener for $935.

In 1992, I expanded the driveway parking pad for $800.

In 1995, we removed the dark paneling from the family room and garage and had it replaced it with drywall for $900..  We added a white oak floor in the kitchen to have hardwoods on the main level for $2000.  We also added an irrigation system for the yard for $500.

In 1996, we replaced the 1976, 20 year-old 3000 square foot roof with a 35 year Elk Architectural roof for $5223. The shingles were $4580 and the installation cost was $643 including plywood replacement where needed. When it needs to be replaced, I will get GAF-ELK.

In 1999, we got Model 600 a Sub Zero Refrigerator for $3700 and had it built in with Cherry Cabinet fronts. We had Kitchen Fronts of Georgia replace all built-in cabinets with Light Cherry fronts for $14,000. We added Corian counter tops in the kitchen and laundry room for $1500.

In 2001, we removed the dark paneling and drop ceiling from the basement and replaced it with drywall raising the ceiling and installed can lights.

In 2002, I built brick patios on the back and side yards with 13 tons of granite sand, a French drain and 14 pallets of brick for $2200 in material cost.

In 2004, I built a fireplace surround with marble and a wood mantle for $300 in material cost. We also had a heavy storm door installed for the front door for $238.

In 2005, we replaced the end-ground outdoor gas grill with a Napoleon grill for $750.

In 2007, we added 2 outdoor electrical outlets for $500 and added up-lighting for $200.

In 2008, we replaced our wood stockade back fence for $3200.

In 2011 we replaced our sewer pipe and water line for $5,000. We had Gutter Guard installed for $4000 and all wood floors refinished for $1400. We had top soil delivered for $900.

In 2012, we replaced 2 failed concrete pads for $3200.

In 2013 we replaced our hot water heater for $700.

In 2014 we replaced the Masonite siding with Concrete Fiberboard and had the house painted for $12,000.

In 2015 we had a closet modified for #1223 and a bedroom window Awning installed for $600.

In 2018, we replaced the Sub Zero freezer condenser for $2200. We plan to keep maintaining the Sub Zero.

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Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader