Post by percypeaks on Oct 7, 2009 12:28:57 GMT -5
The work weekend at Kamp Kirk proved to be fruitful. We had ten folks and two dogs come out to volunteer and/or look over the proceedings.
We were able to put up the composting latrine (although it wouldn't be ready for use until the spring), run several temporary sills, clean the place inside and out, cover the big shed with a tarp, cover the kitchen with a tarp, mow the lawn, take down a tree next to the porch, improve the upper driveway, and create a small parking area.
We accomplished almost all that we set out to do. But the building is in very poor condition at the ground level. It needs concrete piers, all new sills, all new floor joists, a new floor, an entirely new kitchen wing, a new porch, a rebuilt shed, a second floor emergency escape, more structural timbers throughout, a new deck, some site work, more parking, and interior finishing.
That's quite a tall order. If I had to estimate, it would take anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000 to make the necessary improvements, paying for both materials and some professional labor to handle the heavy work...and there's quite a bit of heavy work to be done.
Volunteers can certainly handle some aspects of the job, but pros need to tackle the tough stuff.
But, as with many of our volunteer weekends, this one proved to be a fine one, particularly because Yvan brought his grill and cooked up a terrific luncheon for all. What would we have done without him?
We're all fat and happy now.
percypeaks
We were able to put up the composting latrine (although it wouldn't be ready for use until the spring), run several temporary sills, clean the place inside and out, cover the big shed with a tarp, cover the kitchen with a tarp, mow the lawn, take down a tree next to the porch, improve the upper driveway, and create a small parking area.
We accomplished almost all that we set out to do. But the building is in very poor condition at the ground level. It needs concrete piers, all new sills, all new floor joists, a new floor, an entirely new kitchen wing, a new porch, a rebuilt shed, a second floor emergency escape, more structural timbers throughout, a new deck, some site work, more parking, and interior finishing.
That's quite a tall order. If I had to estimate, it would take anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000 to make the necessary improvements, paying for both materials and some professional labor to handle the heavy work...and there's quite a bit of heavy work to be done.
Volunteers can certainly handle some aspects of the job, but pros need to tackle the tough stuff.
But, as with many of our volunteer weekends, this one proved to be a fine one, particularly because Yvan brought his grill and cooked up a terrific luncheon for all. What would we have done without him?
We're all fat and happy now.
percypeaks
