Kastle - Outside

This house project (not yet quite done) has taken almost a year - I'd have never thought it possible.  I had really been down about the house and it literally falling apart! I'd hoped to do something one day...when, if, etc.  Then a close family friend stepped in and assisted with getting the roof replaced and that lit a fire. Getting the roof done was the catalyst for the whole house, inside and out.  I started on the inside, praying about the siding.  Then an offer came in the mail.  

I had the big name company come by and give me a quote on the siding - they'd offered 2 years same as cash - and when the sales person came out they were more interested in selling the company than the work - and wanted me to pay dearly for it too!  Their lowest figure put me in tears.

Fortunately my oldest son had begun working with several contractors and was learning how to do a myriad of home repairs.  He's now in business for himself (A360 Repair) and obviously does a stellar job!

Here are a few shots prior to the outside renovation:

This is in the front - a shot through the spindles.

This is what the deck looked like prior.

Another view in the front.

 One end side of the house.

 Backside - notice the steps outside the back door.

One more shot of the back before the work began.

The other end of the house - it was in bad shape.

And the last lap around the house for another front shot.

One more full shot of the deck. Notice the dangling porch light.

First, let me say, I did NONE of this work!  My oldest son, his wife and her family came to my house and worked - almost non-stop!  We were blessed with men from our church who came and helped one day - ALL DAY LONG!  They helped tear down the rest of the skirting, level out the ground, dig a trench to put in a cement footer, place 2x4s in place to hold the Durock, help hang the insulation and begin the siding installation.

I ought to have taken more in between pictures, but didn't!

This is the south end - notice the ramp 'peeking' out to the right.

Around back - remember the steps?  Steps to the right, easy access to my NEW clothesline! and ramp to the left.

The backside of the house - clothesline arms awaiting a new line.  Durock skirting almost done! 

 Front of the house.

A better view of the ramp!

Completed backside.

And...I forgot to get a picture of our church men who helped - but here's a shot of my daughter-in-love, son and her family.  Even the little people worked!  The Brodock family is Teaching Good Things (literally!)  I am extremely blessed by these folks.  God has been extremely good to all of us!

I'll have the rest of the photos from the inside up later...dining room, living room, 2nd bedroom, master and then finally the master bathroom!  Slowly its coming together.  Now to save up for the a/c and heat unit!