Front Porch

The front porch was a real disaster.  The concrete was crumbling and had to be repaired -- but it was beyond repair so we had to bite the bullet, save up a ton of cash and have it completely rebuilt.  This took over a year and a half, a couple of different contractors and at least a couple of thousand dollars.  The first guy went AWOL -- but  not before he did some major damage.

Here's another view of it.  Pitiful. Just awful -- a real danger too.

The first guy got 3/4 of the way through.  He knocked down most of the old foundation and started to build up with new block. Lots of old block and rubble fill in what we have now.  He gave up when it came time to take down the stairs.  We never saw  him again.  Guy number two finished the base and built the stairs back up.  We also had him re-do the sidewalk leading up to the porch.

When we were finishing the exterior details, we learned that the job guy number one did propping up the porch completely pulled the overhang from the house.  It had to be re-attached.  That was a job and a half too -- but it's not going anywhere now!

This is the finished product. Guy number three worked with another guy to fix what the others weren't able to see through to the end.  With the iron painted, new posts up to add extra support, new light fixtures, a new mailbox and repaired fencing (it is now white), the house finally has the entrance it deserves.

The house now has two completely rebuilt porches and one that has been completely repaired (that is the back one that's already been shown).  Porches are not a cheap or easy proposition when it comes to repairs and we are very glad that the house is set for many more years in this regard.

ps.  If you look over the front door, you'll see a plaque we had made to commemorate the house's historic status.  It's really cool!