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.

“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!”

“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?

“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:

“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: