ReadyMade: Instructions for everyday life

“Always say please when asking your wife for a tool,” scour Craigslist for building-bust bargains, and other intelligence from Anthony Tammaro and Cristen DelBove, who are working this weekend—and the next one, and the next—on a major renovation of the colonial home they bought seven months ago in Conshohocken, PA.

So, what’s your name?
Anhtony Tammaro and Cristen DelBove.

And what’s your project?
It’s a colonial style former farmhouse. Two stories with attic. In Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia.

When did you buy it?
January 2009.

What drew you to it?
Location. School system, Price, Stable roof and strong foundation.

How much did you pay?
Very low 2s.

What work have you already done?
We demolished the entire second floor and attic. Replaced most of the windows. Refinished the floors (6” knotty pine!). Emptied the basement filled with random junk junk junk.

What remains to be done?
Wiring, insulation, studs, drywall, bathroom, closets, lighting, AC, two more windows.

Do you have a budget (money and/or time) for the work?
10K was our material and demolition labor budget for the second floor. Before summer was our time to complete the second floor.

Think you’re going to stay on it?
We needed to replace Cristen’s car so the money budget went down and the time budget was extended. It’s been wet and cool so an uninsulated attic and second floor is not too bad.

What’s your end goal for the house?
No flipping here. We plan to stay for a while. Our design plan is to create an eclectic open plan with a lush exterior garden space. It’s a long way off.

Who’s doing most of the work?
We have a friend who is doing the electricity for a great price. Other than that it’s all us.

What are the skills that are required, and where did you pick them up (or what
are you doing to acquire them now?)
Patience is huge! Working with wood, metal, researching products and techniques, straight cuts, plum studs, lift with the legs not the back! Know when the stress meter is in the red. Always say please when asking your wife for a tool.

We have lived in number of “studio” spaces that we had to make livable. Also lots of day labor jobs after college. Going to art school was a plus too. Learned to work with our hands. Internet research also helps.

What are your day jobs and how are you squeezing in the work?
Cristen works full time as a surface designer at a flooring company. I work part time as a jewelry designer. I have two free weekdays for my art and the house. Weekends are for the house and the dogs and all these summer weddings!

What’s been the funnest/least fun part so far?
Least fun: watching three trucks get stuck in our back yard trying to haul our dumpster out. What a mess.
Most fun: Getting a fat check for the damages. Also installing our beautiful Marvin windows.

You said you were finding a lot of great stuff on Craigslist. Tell me about
 that!
There is so much new stuff on Craigslist. Since the building boom went bust, builders are unloading everything for really great prices. We found doors, windows, insulation, bathroom sink, and a claw foot tub (used in excellent condition). We found a builder who needed to clean out his warehouse…free windows! It’s amazing what you can find if you have patience and are willing to compromise just a little bit.

Since we don’t have a big budget we plan to build out to a certain point then leave the luxury items for later. IE, Euro lighting, period wood trim, black chrome tub hardware, etc.Our new goal is to have the entire second floor finished by September. We will probably wait a while to demolish the first floor. Cristen needs a beach vacation next summer!

Do you have a renovation or other weekend project you’re working on? Send it along, with “Weekend Warriors” in the subject line, and you might be blogged here next.