Two years to the studs.

The entire frame was exposed and reviewed by structural engineers. Wall framing was reinforced where needed, and every second-floor joist was strengthened with newly added 2×8 members.

The old staircase and a secondary kitchen chimney were removed to enable the open-concept first floor. The staircase was relocated, freeing meaningful living area on both floors.

• Frame fully exposed; engineer-reviewed
• Second-floor joists doubled with 2×8 members
• All subfloors removed and replaced — the originals were heavily damaged
• Old staircase + kitchen chimney removed
• New staircase relocated to open the plan

The blown-in insulation was removed so the second-floor ceilings could be raised. New ceiling ties were set at ten feet, and a steel sub-frame was added to give the rafters the depth needed for two layers of insulation and a radiant barrier.

The first-floor walls were also re-insulated. The result is a tight, quiet house — measured in winter at sixty-five degrees with one zone idle.

• 10-ft vaulted ceilings raised on the second floor
• Steel sub-frame for code-compliant insulation depth
• Two insulation layers + radiant barrier
• First-floor walls re-insulated throughout

All gas appliances were removed. The old A/C, ductwork, and gas furnace went with them. In their place: a multi-zone, inverter-driven Senville AURA mini-split system — six indoor units, three outdoor compressors, rated to deliver heat at minus twenty-two degrees Fahrenheit.

Removing the ductwork freed the basement; the headroom is now over seven feet.

• All gas removed; no fixed gas connection charge
• 6 indoor heat pump units / 3 outdoor compressors
• Heating guaranteed to −22 °F
• Old ducts gone — basement headroom > 7 ft

The full energy story →

The original partial knob-and-tube wiring was fully removed. A 200-amp service was installed with two interior panels — a subpanel that shortens the runs through the house. AFCI and GFCI breakers throughout, per current code; smoke alarm wiring renewed.

• Knob-and-tube fully removed
• 200 A service · 2 interior panels
• AFCI / GFCI breakers throughout
• New low-voltage and smoke alarm wiring

All old plumbing was removed and replaced — drain, waste, vent, and supply. A smart heat-pump water heater serves the house. Hot-water supply lines were intentionally kept short, so the wait at the tap is shorter and the standing loss is lower.

• All new drain, waste, vent, and supply
• Smart heat-pump water heater
• Short hot-water runs by design
• Low-water-consumption fixtures with Grohe fittings

All flooring is new — wide-plank engineered hardwood across the main living areas, laid over new plywood subfloors. New three-panel solid wood doors at every interior threshold. Calacatta-style quartz countertops in the kitchen and the baths. Energy Star egress windows added on the upper floor. Fresh drywall and paint throughout. A four-camera Ring security system, remote-monitored.

• All finish floors and subfloors replaced
• Wide-plank engineered hardwood · main living areas
• Solid wood three-panel doors
• Calacatta-style quartz tops · kitchen + baths
• Energy Star egress windows · upper floor
• Four-camera Ring security · remote-monitored
• Low-emission building materials throughout