PORTFOLIO

The house and what the owner wanted

This is a 1,024 square foot house on Iowa Street in Ashland. The owner wanted more out of the same footprint: a third bedroom, a second bathroom, and a kitchen in a better spot.

Partway through, the garage joined the project. The owner wanted it taller, finished inside, and closed with doors that keep out weather.

What was built

Kitchen and living area

The kitchen moved and now opens to the living and dining area. It has white shaker cabinets, New River White granite counters, and an island with a raised bar on decorative brackets. A microwave hood sits over the range, and recessed lights run down the room.

Bedrooms and bathrooms

New walls made room for a third bedroom inside the existing house. The back bedroom window was enlarged so it meets egress rules (a window big enough to climb out of in an emergency).

The house now has two bathrooms, each with a new vanity and mirror. One has a patterned tile floor and a floating vanity, mounted to the wall with open space below.

Heating and comfort

Ductless heat pumps now heat and cool the house. The house got new insulation, and the work qualified for a City of Ashland energy efficiency rebate.

Garage

We raised the garage ceiling and framed a taller door opening. New carriage-style doors that swing out close the front, and they seal against air and water. The garage has new windows and a new side door.

Inside, there is a new concrete slab, insulated walls and ceiling, drywall and paint. The washer and dryer now live in the garage. Out front, a long drain across the driveway and new driveway concrete meet the doors.

What made it interesting

Some of the old drywall tested positive for asbestos. An asbestos removal crew took it out before the rest of the demolition started.

The taller garage ceiling meant removing an old interior room and the old ceiling framing. The new ceiling framing was sized by calculation to span the garage. Garage plumbing drains through a new pump that lifts the drain water up to the sewer line.

Cost context

Whole-house remodels in our area run about $200 to $450 per square foot today, or $205,000 to $460,000 for a house this size, before the garage rebuild. See our cost guide.