Shed Resurrection, Part 1

I've finally heeded the advice of Fran "The Wisest Old Bastard in Wisconsin" Rademacher. The shed will not be demolished and a new one built in its place. Instead, it will be saved and given a new soul. It took about three years for me to realize that he was right; the shed has character and to erase and replace that would not be right. Just like women and Englishmen sheds too have complex feelings.

During Thanksgiving in Waupaca a committee will be formed to discuss the mission. Beer will be swallowed and cards will be played while unholy hushed banter will pivot around what is to be done with that shed of mine.

Clara and myself spent some time today doing a site inspection and drafted a list of sequential action items for the committee to review later in the month. See below. Dunne & Daughter, Inc. is new to the building trade so we’ll be relying heavily on the advice of the committee. Fran has plenty of barn building experience from the 1970’s which is a well we may draw from often but more significantly he has a shed of his own. He saved this shed from being reclaimed by nature a few years ago so he is close to the emotion of what this project involves.

The preliminary plan of attack, pending committee approval of course:

Phase 1 - East
A. Demolish and remove add-on section.
B. Create foundation.
C. New sill plate.
D. New studs.

Phase 2 - West
A. Remove double doors.
B. Create foundation.
C. New sill plate.
D. New studs.
E. New door. Don’t need double doors since our cars won’t be kept in the shed.

Phase 3 - North
A. Lift entire side a few inches. Some four-ton screw jacks are on order already.
B. Create foundation.
C. New sill plate.
D. Straighten structure by pulling toward house using cable hoists. It has a nasty lean in it that has to be fixed.
E. Brace east and west ends to permanently hold straight.

Phase 4 - South
A. Lift entire side a few inches using jacks.
B. Create foundation.
C. New sill plate.

Phase 5 - Luxury Items
A. New siding
B. New doors.
C. New windows.
D. Insulation.
E. Electrical.
F. Wood stove.
G. Fridge full of beer.

I'm as excited as fuck about getting started.