Dragt Videos

I know it s been a long time, but here s a complete update of where we re at. All the inspections went well and I ve insulated and hung around 4000 square feet of drywall. I m currently working on hanging the cabinets and priming as my drywall finisher wraps up rooms.

It was once the Creston Branch of Old Kent Bank, it was also the Creston Library, now it s the Red Ball Jet Cafe. I was able to catch up with Greg Gilmore and ask him a few questions about the Gilmore Collections latest effort in the Creston / Cheshire neighborhood of Grand Rapids.

Norandex delivered 23 new windows yesterday and since my Dad was over today helping out, I decided to get a few installed

A lot has been happening (I m spending 50+ hours a week right now)! we ve got windows coming this week and I ve been meeting with insulation contractors to try to work a way to use foam. I ve got my electrical inspection scheduled for thursday morning (cross your fingers) and Gina has got all the wall paper off in the girl s room. I also tackled the smaller back roof and flat roof over wendy s room a couple of weeks ago (yes it was the hottest week of the summer - sheesh)

I ordered a 1500 Watt steamer and went to town on the layers of vinyl and linoleum. Watch the video to see the result. If you d like more info about this process, leave a comment and I ll do my best

I know it s been a little while, but I m still working away here s a little of what s been going on.

Video I caught up with Brice Bossardet of Virgin Soil Development and had him show me around their latest project. Personally, I feel sorry for the contractors Brice can keep an eye on them from his home across the street

I got together with developer Mary Witte to talk about Tall House, an exciting condo project located at 45 Ionia Ave, Grand Rapids Mi.

Here s the second video of the Monday Double Feature. My little attempt at a how-to video. Here s how I get wires through walls and celings that are still covered in plaster. God bless the person that invented the fish tape!

We re hard at work re-wiring the whole house, but I still have a few framing tasks here and there to finish up as well. Here s the first of two video uploads tonight. enjoy!

I started dismantling all the old electrical service and circuits. Have I said that I m glad to be re-doing all the electrical from scratch? Well, I am find out why by watching the video.

I happened to mention the possibility of opening up a pass-through between the kitchen and the dining room. Of course, once I mentioned it, I had to follow through and actually do it. Here is the process from start to finish

Sometimes you love the house you re working hard on and sometimes you don t today, I love our house.

John Green and the Elevation group throw a Pre-Grand Opening Party for their student housing project in Downtown Grand Rapids. This is a very exciting project downtown and I personally love the integration of public transit that is built in to their plan.

Terra Firma Development and Second Story Properties are revitalizing the very unique Anheuser-Busch Icehouse located at 72 Grandville Ave. Thanks to Justin Hood and Eric Wynsma for the tour and updates on construction and marketing activity.

After working a few long days, I'm tired! I am not used to this. I remember being tired the first week every summer working construction but, I have a feeling this is a little more than that...One dumpster down and another empty one waiting to be filled tomorrow. And, in the process of tearing out a few walls, I found some treasure! Well technically it was under the vanity in the downstairs bath... but spectacular non the less!**CURSES ON GLUED DOWN PADDING BACKED CARPET!!!**

Today was a big day. I finally got to start working on our house! I thought that the first thing I'd do was to fix the leak in the small section of flat roof... but there was a slight problem with that plan. So, I turned my energies elswhere and started ripping into the water damaged room under the flat roof. Gutting a house is FUN! Maybe I can fix that roof tomorrow...

So, my family and I are embarking on a little development project of our own. We bought a HUD house that needs a lot of TLC.  So I m starting another vlog to chronicle the my Do-It-Yourself renovation adventures on This Old GR House . We re not exactly going to be flipping this house but we do intend to sell it in a couple of years.  I hope you ll follow along and maybe learn something from the many mistakes I m sure I ll make along the way

This week, I had the opportunity to tour the Uptown Village development on the corner of Wealthy and Diamond. Special thanks to David Allen for showing me around and answering a few questions. Bravo to Lighthouse Communities, this one is turning out to be spectacular! I re-cut this piece for use on Rapid Growth s site you can check that version out here. Music: George Fletcher - Ain t Nobody

Today I was walking by the new Grand Rapids Art Museum (on my way to lunch at the Olive Express - mmmmmm). I shot some clips of the work going on and the current state of construction to share with y all. Enjoy