Welcome back to another exciting update from the Calderwood Cottage renovation! After a brief hiatus, my amazing sister Julie and I dedicated another intensive three and a half weeks to transforming this project house. Our enthusiasm was through the roof, and we arrived with a meticulously planned schedule, determined to make significant progress. The ultimate goal, as always, is to have this house ready by the time Julie wraps up her third visit. To kick things off and capture the initial buzz, I filmed a short video on Day 1, setting the stage for what was to be an incredibly productive, albeit challenging, period of work.
Our journey began with renewed vigor. Day two saw us fully immersed in the nitty-gritty of renovation. Our trusty trailer, a veteran of countless material hauls, was packed to the brim with supplies as we embarked on our daily trek to Calderwood Cottage. Every nail, every plank, and every tool represented a step closer to realizing our vision for this charming home.
Picking Up Where We Left Off: The Subfloor Saga
Stepping back into Calderwood Cottage felt like pressing pause and then play three months later; the house was exactly as we had left it. Our immediate priority was addressing the old subfloor in the hallway and bathroom area. This wasn’t merely a repair job; it was a full-scale replacement, a foundational step crucial for the structural integrity and future aesthetics of these key spaces. The previous subfloor, a relic of an older construction method, comprised diagonal strips secured with formidable 5-inch long nails, spaced an intimidating two inches apart. This wasn’t going to be a quick task.
The demolition phase, often thought to be over, proved to still have a few surprises in store. Replacing the subfloor in these sections presented a unique set of challenges. The area beneath was excavated to a depth of approximately seven feet, meaning we had to carefully balance on the existing floor joists as we meticulously worked our way backward. This precarious balancing act, combined with the sheer effort required to remove the old flooring, demanded immense concentration and physical endurance. Each diagonal strip was a battle, firmly anchored by those giant, five-inch nails.
Pulling these exceptionally long nails from the aged wood was an arduous task, testing every muscle. It was genuinely hard work, made even more challenging by the unseasonably warm weather. For several days, temperatures soared into the high 70s and low 80s, turning the interior of the cottage into a humid workshop. My glasses constantly fogged up with sweat, a small but persistent nuisance in the midst of heavy labor.
On the second day of this nail-pulling marathon, I had an epiphany: instead of laboriously prying each nail out, why not simply cut them off? This strategic shift proved incredibly effective, saving immense time and effort. While many of my helpful followers on Instagram suggested an angle grinder for this particular job, my trusty reciprocating saw handled the task admirably. It carved through those stubborn nails with surprising ease. Perhaps an angle grinder would offer more maneuverability in tight spaces, but for now, the reciprocating saw was an unsung hero. It’s a tool I might consider acquiring in the future, but frankly, my current setup works wonders.
Once the old subfloor was finally vanquished, our attention turned to removing the outdated walls. One wall, identified as load-bearing, required careful planning. To safely proceed with its removal, we constructed a temporary support wall, ensuring the structural integrity of the cottage remained uncompromised. With the space cleared and secured, we were then able to lay down the new subfloor, a tangible step forward in creating a fresh foundation for the reconfigured spaces.
I took pleasure in cutting the new subfloor pieces outdoors, basking in the beautiful, sunny, and pleasantly warm 73-degree weather. It was a welcome contrast to the strenuous indoor demolition, offering a moment of calm and connection with the pleasant surroundings, even amidst a bustling construction project.
Strategic Framing: Building New Spaces and Collaborating with Trades
With the new subfloor firmly in place, the exciting phase of framing began. We meticulously constructed a new wall precisely where an old one once stood, but with a significant modification: the door to the master bedroom was strategically relocated. This wasn’t a spontaneous decision; it was part of a broader plan to reconfigure the entire flow of the house, optimizing bedroom entrances and enhancing overall functionality. This intricate dance of demolition and reconstruction required precise measurements and foresight.
Almost every task we undertook during these three and a half weeks felt like choreographing a complex performance, carefully moving between and around the essential work of our subcontractors. We had to ensure that the correct walls and subfloor sections were in place to allow the plumber to rough in their pipes efficiently. Yet, at the same time, we deliberately left certain areas of the subfloor open. This provided crucial access for the plumber, and later the electrician and HVAC technicians, allowing them to install their components without the confined struggles of maneuvering through our tiny crawl space. It was a delicate balance of progress and preparation, anticipating the needs of each trade to keep the project on schedule.
Plumbing Perfection: A Smooth Subcontractor Experience
The plumbing phase was a testament to efficient planning and professional execution. The plumbers arrived, performed their rough-in work, and departed exactly as scheduled. They estimated two days for the job, and true to their word, they completed their critical tasks within that timeframe. This seamless process was a huge win for our timeline, demonstrating the value of clear communication and skilled tradespeople.
While the plumbers were busy connecting the vital arteries of the house, Julie and I capitalized on the time by tackling additional framing on the opposite side of the cottage. This parallel workflow allowed us to maximize productivity and keep the momentum going on multiple fronts.
Once the plumbers had successfully completed their rough-in, Julie and I strategically installed just one piece of subfloor. This critical section was laid precisely where we needed to build the master bedroom wall, providing a solid base for its construction. The remaining areas of the subfloor were intentionally left open, serving as essential access points for the upcoming visits from the electrician and HVAC specialists. This staged approach ensured that each trade could work unhindered, preventing bottlenecks and potential delays.
With the subfloor foundation set, we proceeded to frame the master bedroom wall. As you can observe in the picture below, the entrance to the master bedroom is now located on the far side. This placement wasn’t arbitrary; it was the result of our optimal design plan, carefully considered to improve the flow and functionality of the entire living space, creating a more private and efficient layout for the primary suite.
Beyond the main floor, we also dedicated time to framing the wall that cleverly divides the new loft area into two distinct sections. The rear portion will naturally form the cozy, elevated loft space, perfect for a reading nook or creative studio. The front section, however, is being designed to be something truly special – a feature that we are incredibly excited about and believe will add significant character and value to the cottage.
Navigating HVAC: Design Challenges and Innovative Solutions
The journey through renovation is rarely without its twists and turns, and the HVAC planning certainly provided one. The engineer’s initial proposal included placing a large, aesthetically unpleasing return vent right in the center of our “super cool” upper loft section. Both Julie and I immediately and emphatically rejected this idea. Preserving the visual appeal and functional integrity of the loft was paramount. We promptly offered an alternative solution, meticulously explaining how our proposed placement would maintain optimal air circulation without compromising the design vision. To our relief, the engineer recognized the validity of our suggestion and accepted it as a perfectly viable option.
This positive resolution, however, came with its own set of adjustments. Our accepted HVAC solution necessitated moving the door to the bedroom once again and building a dedicated closet to house the ductwork in the area where the door had originally been planned. This iterative process of adapting plans on the fly is a common reality in renovation, requiring flexibility and problem-solving skills. We also faced the challenge of figuring out how to integrate the return grill seamlessly, ensuring it wouldn’t detract from the overall aesthetic of the space where we suggested it go – a design puzzle we look forward to solving later.
Furthermore, this new HVAC configuration required a substantial amount of ductwork to reach its updated location. This meant one thing: digging a significant trench.
When we inquired about the required depth for this trench, a slight moment of confusion arose. The engineer stated a measurement, and while Julie firmly recalls him saying 18 inches, I, perhaps caught up in another detail, wasn’t paying close enough attention at that precise moment. Regardless of the exact number, the message was clear: a deep trench was needed, and time was of the essence.
With only a single day allocated to complete this excavation, Julie and I wasted no time. We grabbed our shovels and got straight to work, tackling the earth with determination. The project at Calderwood Cottage continues to evolve, presenting new challenges and rewarding us with visible progress at every turn.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of our Calderwood Cottage adventures, where we delve deeper into the construction progress and reveal more exciting transformations!