Image by PoPville flickr user hipchickindc

Dear PoP,

You recently posted my question about best practices in basement renovations (http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2011/12/dear-popville-basement-renovation-advice/#comment-438830). I got some great information and have talked to numerous people that responded. I’ve since realized that in order to move further I need to hire an architect.

Could you ask PoPville for recommendations? Despite it being a basement, I have great exposed brick and wooden ceiling beams throughout the entire ~1100 sq ft space. I’m hoping to go for a modern “loft” feel accenting the existing brick and wood, and I think there’s definitely room for some cool unique accents, which with the right architect, could make it a showpiece project.

Dear PoPville,

I’m looking to do a major renovation of the unfinished basement of my townhouse in Adams Morgan. This will need to include excavation, repointing the exposed brick interior and complete installation of electric, water, gas and HVAC.

Would it be possible to open a discussion thread to get general advice on the process in general, recommended contractors or lessons learned?

Back in Jan. ’10 we were lucky enough to have a reader share his experiences digging out a basement. But if others have lessons learned, contractor recs or other advice – please leave it here.

Photo by PoPville flickr user idit.

“Dear PoPville,

Does anyone have experience either removing the asbestos insulation that covers the hot water pipes that go to the radiators, or repairing that type of insulation? The coating of our insulation looks like it has a few small tears in it, but also some exposed sections around the pipe joints. Someone suggested plastering over the insulation and painting the plaster, but I’m not sure this is something we want to do ourselves or if it is the right solution. Any contractor recommendations and/or estimated costs would also be helpful.

Thanks!”

“Dear PoPville,

I had a question about renovations on a Petworth Row House. The area in question I don’t know the name of. It’s the are at the back of the house under the sun room build out. I find that trash, leaves and animals tend to accumulate under that space and I was wondering if you know or seen any interesting renovations that people in the area have done to make it more appealing?”

Anyone have a similar space? Did you do anything to close it off/beautify it?

“Dear PoPville,

I recently bought my very first home, in Trinidad. I’ve been there two months, and so far I love it! The house is a very modest, small rowhouse, with a new-ish brick facade someone put up over the original, clapboard front. (Some other houses on the row have also been bricked, some are still clapboard.) Whoever did my facade did it very simply, without even little brick frames or details around the windows. I see all those really neat Victorian-era brick homes with the lovely wooden appliques over the doors and windows and think, “Hey, that’s something simple and affordable I could do to spruce up my place a little!”

So, what I’m wondering: is it really a simple and easy job to put up these kind of decorations? I’ve found several sites that sell door surrounds, plinths, and window trim, but they all look so modern and generic. Are there any architectural-reclaim-type businesses around that might actually have some of those gorgeous Victorian decorations, or are those almost always destroyed during demo/renovations? Is this something I could do on my own with a ladder and a brick drill bit? If not, are there any contractors that readers would recommend for this kind of work? Any info would be most welcome. Thanks!”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

“Dear PoPville,

I am planing on replacing all my windows soon (14 windows) do you have any recommendation for good contractor?”

A couple of other folks have also written in about replacing windows. So in addition to recommendations for contractors – how do you know when/if you need to or should replace them?

Photo by PoPville flickr user hipchickindc

“Dear PoPville,

After a very long search and several unsuccessful offers, my husband and I finally bought our first home! Hoorah! We have purchased a renovation project and will be using an FHA 203k renovation loan. We would love to get recommendations on HUD Consultants and FHA approved contractors that others may have used and had a great experience with. Thanks!”

Wow, this is a much bigger project than I originally thought. You can see what the building originally looked like (13th and Girard St, NW) back in March ’11 here.

It looks like they might be keeping the murals too:

Photo via Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division

“Dear PoPville,

The house at 4 Logan Circle (John Logan House) was documented in 1973 as being in a “dilapidated condition” (you think?) for the Historic American Buildings Survey. (picture from Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. Not too long after that, part of the house on this side (13th St), collapsed into the street.”

At the end of last week took a look at this great reno and in addition to the cool history above – I got some details on the plans for the building. According to listing agent Michele Topel from TTR Sotheby’s International Realty:

“There will be four two bedroom condominiums, between about 1500-1700 sq ft with high end finishes, outdoor space and parking. They will initially be offered as rentals at prices around $5000-$5800 per month and we are just waiting for occupancy permits to begin tours of the property, which we hope to have in 30 days.”

I asked Michele when she thought the properties might be sold and she replied 3-5 years. I’m def. looking forward to seeing what the inside looks like but in the meantime you can see the floor plans here:

Logan_Circle_Floor_Plans

And more history here:

Logan_House_History

Photo courtesy of Michele Topel, TTR Sotheby’s International Realty

We took a look at this awesome renovation back in April (when it was also raining) but a reader writes in about the railings and I got some better photos. Looks so good now. I’ll repost as a GDoN when the units go for sale.

And here’s the great railing the reader liked:

I’ve never seen a stone renovation in action like this. It’s pretty wild. It looks like they have to individual pick the stones and put them together like a puzzle? Is that right? I assume the second floor will be all stone as well? I hope to remember where exactly I took this photo for a follow up when it’s all completed…

Photo by PoPville flickr user dullshick

From an email:

“Historic House Toolbox

Saturday, October 8, 2011
All Souls Church, Unitarian
1500 Harvard Street, NW
10:00AM-1:00PM
Metro: Columbia Heights (Green Line)

Join DC Preservation League and Historic Mount Pleasant for the opportunity to receive FREE individualized attention from contractors and seasoned professionals who will answer your questions on a range of topics including: working with architects and contractors, roofing, wood windows, masonry, ironwork, painting, energy efficiency and much more.

Two on-site learning sessions will focus on researching the history of your property; and energy audits and greening your house without compromising its historic integrity.

FREE and Open to the Public

Click here to register.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user caroline.angelo

“Dear PoPville,

Like many rowhomes in the area, I have a basement with a low ceiling. Currently, the ceiling is exposed (i.e. can see the rafters and plumbing and electrical work). I’m looking for ideas on how to finish it off, without compromising height and maintaining some sort of access to the plumbing and electrical. Because of this, drop ceilings and drywall are out. Other suggestions I’ve heard are paint (either white or black), beadboard with access panels, burlap (yes, burlap), or just leaving it alone. Has anyone tried these options? Are you happy with them? Any other suggestions? Digging out the floor is not an option – I’m not looking to convert the basement into a money pit, just a semi-finished space for a rec room. I’m leaning toward painting it white, but am concerned about whether over time this will just serve to highlight dust on the exposed pipes.”

and somewhat related:

Photo by PoPville flickr user JosephLeonardo

“Dear PoPville,

I am in the process of finishing the basement in my Petworth rowhouse, and I haven’t yet installed a ceiling. Like most old D.C. basements, large, old radiator pipes (about 2″ diameter) hang about 8 inches below the joists in several spots. Instead of ultimately leaving the pipes hanging below the ceiling or enclosing them in awkward soffits, I would like to raise them in between the joists if possible. A friend told me that they could be replaced with much smaller copper pipes that could be hidden underneath the drywall ceiling. Anyone have experience doing this? About how much did it cost? Any recommendations for someone who does this type of work?”

Photo by PoPville flickr user C. Michael Poole

“Dear PoPville,

I live in Washington, DC and I was thinking about converting a den into a bedroom. It has a door and 3 windows for egress. I have the space to build a closet 2 feet deep 5 wide and 6 feet tall but does the room have to be a certain square footage or width/length to be considered a bedroom?”

Anyone ever successfully (legally) convert a den into a bedroom? Anyone what are the exact rules/language that defines a bedroom?

Photo by PoPville flickr user ekelly80

“Dear PoPville,

I am looking for a chimney and fireplace specialist and was wondering if anyone in PoPville had an affordable recommendation. I am not looking for anything fancy — my chimney needs work to function properly and safely, but it is out of view so I don’t care what it looks like or need any fancy brickwork. I also probably need some fireplace repairs, so someone that specializes in both would be great.”