The first step I suggest is to search the Papercreters old messages
for "Grannies"
I know that may not seem logical, but we have two members self
described as "Grannies" in West Virginia that are doing some major
renovations to a mobile home with papercrete. They have a web site
that they list in one of their posts.
I'm sure you have some of your own ideas and may not want to do
exactly what they are doing, but it can't hurt to learn from their
project. Maybe you can encourage them to post to our group and give
us all an update on their progress. The last update I recall is from
last year. It would be interesting to learn about their progress.
Mikey Sklar renovated a structure on his property in Truth or
Consquences. (search our archives for posts from our
member "mikeysklar"). I don't know if Mikey's original structure was
a mobile home or not, but the ideas and techniques he used would
probably adapt well to your structure. Keep in mind that Mikey lives
in a desert climate and your goals will probably be a lot different
than his.
Robert Merrill worked on a retrofit project. (search our archives
for "Robert Merrill retrofit"). Perhaps learning of some of his
techniques will be helpful. He's posted some pictures in this photo
album:
http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/papercreters/photos/browse/b13f
There probably are some other projects we have previously discussed,
perhaps someone will point those out. These are just the first 3
that popped into my head that might compare to your situation.
Don't just read the initial post on any of those past threads, read
all the responses and discussion. Scroll below the post to see all
the responses listed under it. Don't be shy about searching for any
ideas or terms that you find in those posts and learn more.
After this initial education process, the next step I suggest is for
you to make certain that it makes sense in your situation to rehab
the double wide that you currently have. Sometimes it can be less
expensive to start from scratch than to keep patching up a structure,
especially if it happens to be poorly built or has significant
problems. I know from experience with Habitat that working with the
wiring/plumbing/HVAC on mobile homes can be a nightmare. Are you
prepared for that?
For a small example of what can be accomplished when starting from
scratch, take a look at the photos of Cypress Sigman's very simple
but wonderful project:
http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/papercreters/photos/browse/53fe
I'm not trying to tell you to scrap your double wide, or keep it.
I'm encouraging you to think carefully about it and try to calculate
the expenses and other advantages/disadvantages involved either way.
Make absolutely sure you are moving in the best direction for YOUR
situation. Don't just guess at which direction makes the most
sense. Do your homework and prove to yourself what is best. Nothing
beats pricing materials, labor, tools, putting the numbers on paper,
and doing the math. Don't hesitate to estimate how many hours of
your own work will be involved with either project (then triple all
your estimates). Then you can move forward with confidence and with
your eyes wide open.
Hope this helps.
I wish you success.
--- In papercreters@yahoogroups.com, "inkpotgraphics"
<inkpotgraphics@...> wrote:
>
> I'm in Minnesota and seeking affordable home repairs. Situation is:
>
> I'm in about a 35-year old double-wide, without much peak on the
roof.
><snip>
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