Nah, cover that alley up! The wall there is absolutely ruined and if you leave it as is or even replace it without covering it, the water will keep doing damage there. The light isn't worth having rotten walls now or in the future, your neighbors have the right idea.
I actually disagree here. Sometimes sacrificing practicality for individuality is worth it, and this might be one of those cases. The idea of having paired, identical rowhouses each taking different directions amid a renovation is... exactly what I love about cities. They're collective tapestries of individual decisions tailored to individual desires, and as a whole, those decisions create *beauty*. I think the idea @Hyathacg had is reasonable and interesting. Go with your gut.
It is certainly not ‘bearing with you’ . Not even in the slightest. We watch your videos with enormous pleasure. You are a very bright ray of light in a rather grey world . Many disheartening things conspire together before us in these times ,and to see that everything is not lost at all is a great relief . You are one of the wonderful young people I see with all those qualities of character that actually make this astonishing world bright and beautiful.I recall the words of a delightful three year old child of my acquaintance ,learning such difficult things as tying shoe laces, ‘ I easy can’ she bravely said. You are just like Rosemary.Faced with mammoth tasks you gird your loins and say ’ I easy can’ .❤
Your comment is beautiful, and I aspire to bring light into the world whenever I can. That is the best part of being a visual artist, to be able to share my perspective of the world, and the beauty I see in it. Thank you for following the project!
Funny, I predicted your plan before you actually said it! I did the same thing when I was about your age. Live in Pittsburgh. Didn’t need the OSHA certification back then. You will learn so much. Hire quality subs for everything you aren’t doing. Watch out for those that say they can do everything- they can’t. Beware of those that say they can start tomorrow. There is a reason they are available. Maybe even use your neighbors subs? Btw: used to live in Philly at 7th & South in the late 80s. Have renovated over a dozen or so houses since. Lots of luck to you!
I think your neighbor has the right idea. I understand wanting the windows, but any light you may get would be negligible. Personally, I would go for the full wall expansion 🙂 Love these videos!
Exactly we have lived in the house where such small 2 feet or 4feet distance was maintained from adjoining house wall to provide windows for ventilation and light,But this idea does not work at all. It's absolutely useless and one more thing only bathroom ventilation and light will be benefitted with exhaust fan, but kitchen window will remain in dark. I wish he follows the neighbours plan.😊
Take the time you need without worrying that viewers might get impatient with the process. Doing a gut to the studs reno is a big project. The unexpected and unplanned will always crop up. Also weighing opportunities (like the neighbor’s reno) are worthy of your time. You are clearly a creative and critical thinker and this country needs as many like you as we can get! Becoming your own GC is truly out of the box thinking. I like the compromise on the cantilevered wall. It’s a nice balance between more square footage and natural light. You’re doing great! Thanks for sharing all this.
Your first video of this series was a random TH-cam recommendation. Watching this process has been fascinating and I look forward to the day you finish this house!
Really fun to watch you analyze and describe your thoughtful decision making. You’re intelligent and good at thorough analysis. This gives me pleasure.
I think the best thing about this series is that you're fantastic at explaining complex processes in a digestible and informative process that has a holistic view over the whole process. I wait with bated breath every Monday to see what snags come up and what you'll do to overcome. I think your story is one of prevailing over setbacks and combined with your awesome personality I think that this is my favorite running series on TH-cam. It's easy to see this as bearing with you when you're dealing with the emotional burden of cost and bureaucracy but to us we're learning along with you and finding it inspiring how you come above. Keep up the great work!
I really appreciate your support! It took a whole lot of time making those diagrams about design at the end to clearly communicate what I'm thinking, and I'm glad you enjoyed them. Ultimately, that is what my education in architecture was all about, not only how to design, but how to communicate ideas visually. Thanks for following the project!
I really like your approach to this project in general, and having watched and followed many contractors and builders, I've seen them say that architects with hands-on experience in the field are invaluable to them. Oftentimes it seems that they believe (a bit hyperbolically) that many - if not most - architects (and structural engineers) create designs that are difficult to work with and actually put into practice. (Incidentally, I've seen the same tension with mechanics and automotive engineers/designers; it's probably a universal divide). If you decide to return to work as an architect in the future (even if it's for commercial construction), I have a feeling that your experience will make you very popular with the builders you end up working with. Of course it would also be nice if contractors could spend some time studying the basics of architecture and engineering as well, but any intersection of disciplines is valuable.
This series is more than just renovation. It's a good extended metaphor for life. Stuff happens, you figure out what you don't know, you adapt and overcome, and you do your best to make something beautiful out of the hands you're dealt. Keep on rocking Chris.
I’ve been loving every single video in this series, super informative and entertaining. Whatever happens with the plans I’m excited to see so thank you!
Thanks for following the project! I am comfortable with the joys of the design project, but having the extra level of involvement being the client makes every design decision all the more stressfull!
This is quickly becoming my favourite channel on TH-cam. I have watched too many renovation series to count and it is so refreshing to see something new and honest in the space. Keep up the great work.
I have a rowhome with a similar layout to your final plan and love the idea of expanding the bathrooms. One thought for you is... SKYLIGHTS! A skylight on the top floor bath/hall is an amazing way to maintain privacy and get natural light. Perfect for our philly row homes. Cant wait to see how it goes :)
From the perspective of the viewer, your plans are unfolding as you go more deeply into the process. Take the time you need to fully assess and make this work a reflection of your greater understanding of the environment of row houses, in the past and in the future.
I like the new design. Don’t forget skylights and lightwells. A terrace in the top of the kitchen is a great opportunity for light into the second floor and more outdoor space. Getting your contractor’s license is a brilliant solution and glad it’s doable for you. Sounds like you’ve developed a great partnership with the contractor who is not doing the job. There’s no telling how having this knowledge might benefit you in the future. Best of luck moving forward.
The amount of effort that you put in your projects, and trying to be your own contractor for calling this house your home is phenomenal.. I just love watching your videos because you show me that every problem has a solution, and try to take every setback with a smile is something i'm learning from you✨️..
I appreciate your support! Going back isn't an option, so I have to just take things in stride, and keep moving forward. These little delays will feel like nothing when I'm looking back on the project in a few years. Thanks for following the progress!
You take as long as you need to in order to create a lasting home that you will be happy with. Loading up the front end of the project with thinking and planning and revising will make the actual work so much easier. If some viewers don't like the fact that every episode isn't filled with "work", that is THEIR problem. You aren't doing this project so that people have an entertaining video to watch (well, that is a great side benefit but not the main reason!). Don't take shortcuts; they'll come back to bite you in the end. I'm enjoying that you share your thought process with us and look forward to the actual deconstruction and renovation work when you are ready. :-)
I admire from afar both your gumption and your ability to engage in analysis, but without the paralysis that often accompanies it. As we said back in the day, it's your thing, do whatcha wanna do...
Hello. Greetings from a townhouse owner from Germany. I would also build the wall like the neighbor. Daylight from the long sides of the house is sufficient and a bathroom with a frosted window does not outweigh the advantages of a split wall in terms of energy saving. A neighboring wall 1.5 m away from the window doesn't provide much light and causes problems such as moisture that doesn't dry out. A mossy, non-drying part of the backyard is also not used and is wasted space. For more daylight in the house, look for mirrored tubes that direct daylight from the roof into the rooms below. Thanks for your videos, I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. Greetings Marek
That’s great news that you can be your own GC! I think the compromise you came up with for the wall is a great idea! Hopefully you can navigate through all of that red tape soon. Good luck moving forward!
Thanks for supporting the project! I am diving into another month at least of red tape unfortunately. Its going to be crazy to demo big sections of the house right as winter is approaching. It scares me
I love this. I've done a lot of the work in my house, and I have ended up with a good relationship with our town's Board because of it. And I've had a few board members, as well as some subcontractors, tell me throughout the years that *I* should become a General Contractor because I do this so well. I never did know HOW to do that though, I was totally cheering you on to be one yourself in the beginning, and cheered when you said that's what you're gonna do! Good on you!
Thanks for sharing your experience. Maybe you can do the same and get the license! I've been so deep in city paperwork that it seemed less daunting to just go all in and get the license too. Excited for the future of the project!
I don't think you'll ever regret the time you spend thinking/considering/planning your project. Many have plowed forward for the sake of progress only to regret not taken a little more time to consider their options. Future you will write Thank You notes to you for your patience.
Thanks for your feedback! I have been deliberating a lot of this stuff for many weeks. It is paralyzing at times to make decisions when they have such profound effects on budget / process for a big project like this, but I think I'm happy with the choice.
dude this is cool. If i didnt have school i would volunteer to work on your project. I know nothing about construction but i find it so fascinating. These videos make make me itch to dive deeper into this topic.
Thank you for your support! The progress has been slower than I would like, but that is the reality of doing this for the first time! I appreciate you following along with the process,
An odd creative idea you could go for. Instead of only going half of the back alley. You could go the full back alley. And to get more of the natural lighting in the bathroom you could take a page out of the old design book they used to use for these houses and put a window above the doorway to the bathroom. I know it was a thing they used to do more commonly in old office buildings. But I have seen some really old homes have those doors window combos too. It will get some natural lightning from the big sky light over the stairwell you plan to put in. Might honestly be an interesting choice for all of the doors facing the big sky light stairwell. Just an interesting thought I had. I'm excited to see your project shape up. and I hope you have good luck moving forward.
We have this “odd” thing called building codes. Going that full back alley would eliminate windows except for the front and back walls. By code, a bedroom must have a means of egress, usually accomplished on upper levels with windows. By eliminating those windows on the side, there will be more floor area but fewer legal bedroom spaces.
Absolutely brilliant! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the license and permitting all go well for you. I'm looking forward to seeing this project build actually getting started. I've only been to Philly once in my historical travels, it's a great place. Let's GO! 😬
Thanks for your support! I hope the channel takes off once the project really gets underway, and only the early viewers will know what it took to get to that point! I appreciate you following along with the process.
“Borrowed” light can offer the opportunity to design characterful interiors while helping to solve the issue of a lack of windows. I recently worked on an en suite bathroom built into an existing bedroom of an old Georgian building, the area designated to the bathroom had no windows so I built a glazed wall with colonial bars (I believe they’re called muntin bars in the US) and textured privacy glass. It worked really well and suited the period building.
He's already planning around this for the open stairwell with skylight. I wonder if there is a way to borrow some of that stairwell light for the bathrooms, or maybe even sacrifice a little bit of space for a shared light well for the bathroom stack. A light pipe skylight could even be routed to the first floor bathroom.
Thanks for another fascinating video! I totally agree it's better to wait one more month to think things over because you'll hopefully live there for *decades*.
Love your sharing of the issues of making a project happen. Your documentation can be tedious but it helps give context and is actually enduring to the audience. I think people are kind of tired of the “move that bus “ style of videos.
Glad you could become your own GC. And the deal with your buddy GC will be great! I don't mind waiting. Your videos are still very interesting and I love seeing your art!
God i love the meandering paperwork hell that you’re enduring. This is so interesting and real, seriously thanks for making this series i look forwards to it every week!!!
I think the half connection to your neighbor is the way to go. I think that's such a unique thing to do, and I think you don't want to make just a simple box. In your collection of rowhomes, all of them are so unique and interesting. Having the opportunity to leave your mark in Philedelphia, by making something cool is way better than making something efficient
Thanks for your support! I have been taking in so much info regarding the permitting, hurdles and restrictions, and trying to thoughtfully navigate them. A time consuming process! Happy to be able to present all the info I've been turning over in my head in a clear way through the video. Thanks for following the project!
Good for you on becoming a general contractor! In addition to a full-time job as a professor, my dad was a GC. He taught me a lot. I really like your new plans. They make sense and are worth the wait. Good luck with the city administration.
I was born in Philly, lived in Philly, and now live outside of Philly now. I would love to do this, if houses weren't so much. They all need a lot of TLC. And you will be able make it your own! Good luck dude!
@@ChrisHytha Thank you for the videos! I look forward to watching them every week. If you ever need a fellow Philly Web dev for any website projects, let me know!
Thanks for you're support! Committing to the new plan soon. Just have to give the engineer the go ahead and submit to revise the zoning permit then we are off!
This is a fantastic project, and I really enjoy seeing the construction plans you're presenting. Another solution for lighting that we use here in Montreal for a similar type of house is the skylight. It allows for shared walls with neighbors (excellent, as you mentioned, for preventing heat loss in winter - and we know a lot about winter in Montreal!) while bringing natural light into the rooms - typically the bathrooms. Et voilà ! Keep up the great work !
Man, this is beautiful information to hear from a person who cares about this channel and your dream. Take your time, make the wise, long lasting, fore thinking, best decision for longevity’s sake that you can. Rely and trust the people around you who care. (partners/friends and neighbors👀) It sounds like you’re already headed down that path👍 keep going
I’m so excited to see you go through the process of getting your license!! It’s so amazing that you’ll get to say that you did ALL the big things and not have to compromise with being able to do certain things
Wow, good moves with getting your GC and partnering with a GC for skill sharing. Cantilevering the third floor walls seem like a good idea, but I'll wait till you have finalized the plans to jump up and down. But with that I am enjoying what you are doing and cheering you on. You got this, keep up the good vibes.
We renovated our SFH and had a good 12 feet to house next door. We ended up getting rid of a window because it would have just been a view of our neighbor's siding and having the extra wall space made configuring things way easier.
I'm really enjoying you're new plans for the house as well as you're going ahead with becoming a licensed contractor! This is a great idea, not only for this home but also any future endeavors that you may do🤷♂️. Definitely looking forward to following this project to its completion😊.
Kudos to u for becoming GC. Consider this a learning path to making it a potential career. An architect designer who is GC. As you go along this project consult with that GC who is willing to help. Establish your connections with subs. You may come out on the other end with more than just one reno rowhouse. You will have invaluable experience on how to actually have things done and be able to offer it to others along with your visions. Go for it!
The awful problem with this whole series is that I just found out about it with this video pushed to my feed. Now that I've seen all of the videos, I have to wait for more, so... keep up the good work! Can't wait to see some construction going on. Love from Brazil.
I wasnt thrilled with your compromise idea for the cantilevered area at first, but i think thats actually a great way to go. Really smart idea on becoming your on GC! See ya next week.
Awesome outcome that you'll be able to do the work yourself. Great that you're considering new options as well. Must be so frustrating waiting to do things!
Good luck man, I grew up in a 1600s farmhouse just outside Philadelphia. My parents and I spent a lot years of restoring it, some of the things we found were eye-opening to say the least.
Your proposal is WAY better than your neighbours! It would be great if they could agree to the same as you. Loving the vids, defo better to take your time and make things the way you want.
I really like the hybrid cantilever design you created. Square footage isn't everything, especially since you will be living there, not flipping it. You are creating a space for you, not the real estate market, I for one appreciate that. The shower window will be excellent!
You can do the whole extension and place a window in the wall between the bathrooms and bedroom! That’s something I’ve seen in very many houses and it really helps with the light and because this window doesn’t serve ventilation purposes it’s also a cheaper and simpler frame. Plus, a warmer bathroom is nice. Essentially you can make it any shape, maybe even while wall height somewhere in the corner. Your idea makes total sense also of course, just seems like if you’re going through all that trouble might as well take full advantage. Including those two feet in the bedroom!!
You've already learned that a GC knows more than you about what's wrong with a house and yet you don't see the value of one. Really an architect is optional. People can just draw their own plans and forgo an architect... Anyway you'll learn a lot. Glad you have an experienced one helping.
@@ChrisHythaThose with a short attention span may wander off. Those of us who are committed to watching a good story unfold are all in. I love that it is not standard, high volume, in-your-face content. It can be savored. That compels me even more to stick with you!
I’m glad I found your series. I have enjoyed watching the whole process (Yes, the permit issues and becoming a contractor too). I believe that a lot of the problems are glossed over on other channels but, it is important to know all the steps involved. Can’t wait to watch you continue to get your hands dirty.
The plan is awesome in design. I would say one word of warning here. Have you researched what the neighborhood would tolerate in the area of improvements? There is such a thing as “over improving” a house. Unless you have some intangible connection to the neighborhood, like your whole family lives there and you are never going to leave…then be careful to do your homework. If the projections for the neighborhood support the plans … plow forward. It’s what This Old House always says … be careful of the “might as well’s”. If I am doing this, I might as well do that, too! Also, if you reach a point where you want a SUPER house (compared to the neighborhood), you might feel you want to upgrade the location as well. Not that Fish town isn’t great. But, even the best neighborhoods have competition. Great idea about the General Contractor license. You will use this skill again.
Becoming your own GC might be the dopest twist of the series so far
I would have never expected this twist when I started in the beginning. Hope it all pans out!
Nah, cover that alley up! The wall there is absolutely ruined and if you leave it as is or even replace it without covering it, the water will keep doing damage there. The light isn't worth having rotten walls now or in the future, your neighbors have the right idea.
Yeah making that compromise will only ad complications and costs.
I'm not taking any stand on this because I'm not there to actually see the situation.
Skylight Windows will solve light problem? So you could copy your neighbour?
I actually disagree here. Sometimes sacrificing practicality for individuality is worth it, and this might be one of those cases. The idea of having paired, identical rowhouses each taking different directions amid a renovation is... exactly what I love about cities. They're collective tapestries of individual decisions tailored to individual desires, and as a whole, those decisions create *beauty*. I think the idea @Hyathacg had is reasonable and interesting. Go with your gut.
It is certainly not ‘bearing with you’ . Not even in the slightest. We watch your videos with enormous pleasure. You are a very bright ray of light in a rather grey world . Many disheartening things conspire together before us in these times ,and to see that everything is not lost at all is a great relief . You are one of the wonderful young people I see with all those qualities of character that actually make this astonishing world bright and beautiful.I recall the words of a delightful three year old child of my acquaintance ,learning such difficult things as tying shoe laces, ‘ I easy can’ she bravely said. You are just like Rosemary.Faced with mammoth tasks you gird your loins and say ’ I easy can’ .❤
Your comment is beautiful, and I aspire to bring light into the world whenever I can. That is the best part of being a visual artist, to be able to share my perspective of the world, and the beauty I see in it. Thank you for following the project!
Agreed, and well put, Linda.
Yes, agreed, and thank you for saving me the time in writing a similar passage, but not so eloquently as yourself.
Funny, I predicted your plan before you actually said it! I did the same thing when I was about your age. Live in Pittsburgh. Didn’t need the OSHA certification back then. You will learn so much. Hire quality subs for everything you aren’t doing. Watch out for those that say they can do everything- they can’t. Beware of those that say they can start tomorrow. There is a reason they are available. Maybe even use your neighbors subs? Btw: used to live in Philly at 7th & South in the late 80s. Have renovated over a dozen or so houses since. Lots of luck to you!
Happy to have someone experienced in the comments. Glad to hear I'm on the right path. Thanks for following the project!
Sounds like solid advice to me!
I think your neighbor has the right idea. I understand wanting the windows, but any light you may get would be negligible. Personally, I would go for the full wall expansion 🙂 Love these videos!
Thanks for your feedback! It is a tough choice. Still debating. Another factor is that I want to keep the historic joists to expose in that section
Yes, that’s it the right way to do it. Perhaps use a skylight in the bathroom
@@ukyo6195 A tube skylight might work great. The water issues being solved would be huge as well.
Exactly we have lived in the house where such small 2 feet or 4feet distance was maintained from adjoining house wall to provide windows for ventilation and light,But this idea does not work at all. It's absolutely useless and one more thing only bathroom ventilation and light will be benefitted with exhaust fan, but kitchen window will remain in dark.
I wish he follows the neighbours plan.😊
Makes a lot of sense becoming your own GC instead of paying someone when you're already going to be doing 80% of the work of a GC
Bro growing with the crib.
Take the time you need without worrying that viewers might get impatient with the process. Doing a gut to the studs reno is a big project. The unexpected and unplanned will always crop up. Also weighing opportunities (like the neighbor’s reno) are worthy of your time. You are clearly a creative and critical thinker and this country needs as many like you as we can get! Becoming your own GC is truly out of the box thinking. I like the compromise on the cantilevered wall. It’s a nice balance between more square footage and natural light. You’re doing great! Thanks for sharing all this.
Thank you for your support!
Your first video of this series was a random TH-cam recommendation. Watching this process has been fascinating and I look forward to the day you finish this house!
Glad you found the project one way or another, and thanks for sticking around! Things will get interesting this summer!
That's exactly how I got here too. Random recommendation. But I'm here for it!
Agree with the above but is add, no hurry, research and plan, we can watch. 👍 🤞
That's what makes this series so good; you're showing us all the hoops you need to jump through on a project.
Really fun to watch you analyze and describe your thoughtful decision making. You’re intelligent and good at thorough analysis. This gives me pleasure.
Thanks for watching! Glad the videos are insightful. I think communicating my thought process through the vids helps me understand too.
Very smart working with an established GC for consulting help.
They will be invaluable! I probably would not have gone this direction if not for having good help along the way.
I think the best thing about this series is that you're fantastic at explaining complex processes in a digestible and informative process that has a holistic view over the whole process. I wait with bated breath every Monday to see what snags come up and what you'll do to overcome. I think your story is one of prevailing over setbacks and combined with your awesome personality I think that this is my favorite running series on TH-cam. It's easy to see this as bearing with you when you're dealing with the emotional burden of cost and bureaucracy but to us we're learning along with you and finding it inspiring how you come above. Keep up the great work!
I really appreciate your support! It took a whole lot of time making those diagrams about design at the end to clearly communicate what I'm thinking, and I'm glad you enjoyed them. Ultimately, that is what my education in architecture was all about, not only how to design, but how to communicate ideas visually. Thanks for following the project!
I really like your approach to this project in general, and having watched and followed many contractors and builders, I've seen them say that architects with hands-on experience in the field are invaluable to them. Oftentimes it seems that they believe (a bit hyperbolically) that many - if not most - architects (and structural engineers) create designs that are difficult to work with and actually put into practice. (Incidentally, I've seen the same tension with mechanics and automotive engineers/designers; it's probably a universal divide). If you decide to return to work as an architect in the future (even if it's for commercial construction), I have a feeling that your experience will make you very popular with the builders you end up working with. Of course it would also be nice if contractors could spend some time studying the basics of architecture and engineering as well, but any intersection of disciplines is valuable.
This series is more than just renovation. It's a good extended metaphor for life. Stuff happens, you figure out what you don't know, you adapt and overcome, and you do your best to make something beautiful out of the hands you're dealt. Keep on rocking Chris.
Thank you for your support! Agreed on the metaphor, and all you can do is just keep moving, and learning along the way
I love that you show the whole process, planning and all! Its nice to see the entire thought process and not just the demo and build!
Thanks for following along!
I’ve been loving every single video in this series, super informative and entertaining. Whatever happens with the plans I’m excited to see so thank you!
Thanks for your support!
this!
One thing I've always loved about the design process is those lightbulb moments. Definitely seeing the wheels turning and enjoying every minute of it.
Thanks for following the project! I am comfortable with the joys of the design project, but having the extra level of involvement being the client makes every design decision all the more stressfull!
@@ChrisHytha tough being your own client lol
This is quickly becoming my favourite channel on TH-cam. I have watched too many renovation series to count and it is so refreshing to see something new and honest in the space. Keep up the great work.
Cheers! Thx for the support (:
I have a rowhome with a similar layout to your final plan and love the idea of expanding the bathrooms. One thought for you is... SKYLIGHTS! A skylight on the top floor bath/hall is an amazing way to maintain privacy and get natural light. Perfect for our philly row homes. Cant wait to see how it goes :)
From the perspective of the viewer, your plans are unfolding as you go more deeply into the process. Take the time you need to fully assess and make this work a reflection of your greater understanding of the environment of row houses, in the past and in the future.
I like the new design. Don’t forget skylights and lightwells. A terrace in the top of the kitchen is a great opportunity for light into the second floor and more outdoor space. Getting your contractor’s license is a brilliant solution and glad it’s doable for you. Sounds like you’ve developed a great partnership with the contractor who is not doing the job. There’s no telling how having this knowledge might benefit you in the future. Best of luck moving forward.
It's a brilliant solution. Well done.
Thanks for your support!
The amount of effort that you put in your projects, and trying to be your own contractor for calling this house your home is phenomenal.. I just love watching your videos because you show me that every problem has a solution, and try to take every setback with a smile is something i'm learning from you✨️..
I appreciate your support! Going back isn't an option, so I have to just take things in stride, and keep moving forward. These little delays will feel like nothing when I'm looking back on the project in a few years. Thanks for following the progress!
@@ChrisHytha yes I totally agree with you! Can't wait to the house to be done and coming out way better and much beautiful than you think✨️
Ever watch Meet the Robinsons?
You take as long as you need to in order to create a lasting home that you will be happy with. Loading up the front end of the project with thinking and planning and revising will make the actual work so much easier. If some viewers don't like the fact that every episode isn't filled with "work", that is THEIR problem. You aren't doing this project so that people have an entertaining video to watch (well, that is a great side benefit but not the main reason!). Don't take shortcuts; they'll come back to bite you in the end. I'm enjoying that you share your thought process with us and look forward to the actual deconstruction and renovation work when you are ready. :-)
Beyond this house, your experience set ten years from now is going to be off the chain. Keep going! I'm excited to see where you end up.
Thanks! that was def a consideration in going forward with the licenses, and osha 30 course. Might be handy in the future.
I admire from afar both your gumption and your ability to engage in analysis, but without the paralysis that often accompanies it. As we said back in the day, it's your thing, do whatcha wanna do...
Thanks for your support! It sometimes feels like a bit of paralysis, but somehow I'm able to just keep moving forward.
Hello.
Greetings from a townhouse owner from Germany.
I would also build the wall like the neighbor.
Daylight from the long sides of the house is sufficient and a bathroom with a frosted window does not outweigh the advantages of a split wall in terms of energy saving. A neighboring wall 1.5 m away from the window doesn't provide much light and causes problems such as moisture that doesn't dry out. A mossy, non-drying part of the backyard is also not used and is wasted space.
For more daylight in the house, look for mirrored tubes that direct daylight from the roof into the rooms below.
Thanks for your videos, I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. Greetings Marek
That time of the week! Thank you for the info in to all the red tape in building in the city!
I have a window in my shower, I love it, a fresh breeze while showering is nice.
That's what I'm looking for! I think it will be nice. Also love the idea of natural light and maybe some humidity loving plants in the shower
@@ChrisHytha
Have you thought about a skylight in the bathroom instead of a wall light?
That could solve both issues.
This is such an educational process that you're documenting and sharing with the rest of us. We wait for the next update.
I think most of us are as excited as you are to get started!
That’s great news that you can be your own GC! I think the compromise you came up with for the wall is a great idea! Hopefully you can navigate through all of that red tape soon. Good luck moving forward!
Thanks for supporting the project! I am diving into another month at least of red tape unfortunately. Its going to be crazy to demo big sections of the house right as winter is approaching. It scares me
I love this. I've done a lot of the work in my house, and I have ended up with a good relationship with our town's Board because of it. And I've had a few board members, as well as some subcontractors, tell me throughout the years that *I* should become a General Contractor because I do this so well. I never did know HOW to do that though, I was totally cheering you on to be one yourself in the beginning, and cheered when you said that's what you're gonna do! Good on you!
Thanks for sharing your experience. Maybe you can do the same and get the license! I've been so deep in city paperwork that it seemed less daunting to just go all in and get the license too. Excited for the future of the project!
I don't think you'll ever regret the time you spend thinking/considering/planning your project. Many have plowed forward for the sake of progress only to regret not taken a little more time to consider their options. Future you will write Thank You notes to you for your patience.
Dude no sweat. We'll be here to watch it when you're ready. It's been great to see how things have evolved already!
Thanks for your support!
I think the half wall idea is perfect. Big bathroom but natural light is INPORTANT
Pretty smart solutions to the contractor and alleyway construction issues.
Thanks for your feedback! I have been deliberating a lot of this stuff for many weeks. It is paralyzing at times to make decisions when they have such profound effects on budget / process for a big project like this, but I think I'm happy with the choice.
You are refining your design. No one ends up with what they originally started with. Congratulations on the GC title.
i love how committed you are to this project it exciting to see it grow
Thanks for following the project! I have no choice at this point but to just keep moving forward! Excited to see where this project goes.
@@ChrisHytha well I will be here watching every video I can supporting
dude this is cool. If i didnt have school i would volunteer to work on your project.
I know nothing about construction but i find it so fascinating.
These videos make make me itch to dive deeper into this topic.
Love the work ethic!
I agree with your decision on becoming a GC. I can’t wait to see your journey unfold!
Just want to say-- what you're doing here is very inspiring. Keep up the awesome work, and I can't wait to see where it goes!
Thank you for your support! The progress has been slower than I would like, but that is the reality of doing this for the first time! I appreciate you following along with the process,
Another good listen to entertain me during lunch
An odd creative idea you could go for. Instead of only going half of the back alley. You could go the full back alley. And to get more of the natural lighting in the bathroom you could take a page out of the old design book they used to use for these houses and put a window above the doorway to the bathroom. I know it was a thing they used to do more commonly in old office buildings. But I have seen some really old homes have those doors window combos too. It will get some natural lightning from the big sky light over the stairwell you plan to put in. Might honestly be an interesting choice for all of the doors facing the big sky light stairwell.
Just an interesting thought I had. I'm excited to see your project shape up. and I hope you have good luck moving forward.
We have this “odd” thing called building codes. Going that full back alley would eliminate windows except for the front and back walls. By code, a bedroom must have a means of egress, usually accomplished on upper levels with windows. By eliminating those windows on the side, there will be more floor area but fewer legal bedroom spaces.
@@stevebabiak6997 The bedrooms would still have windows. The only rooms losing windows would be bathrooms. if I remember his floor plans correctly.
I'm glad you enjoy making these vlogs as much as we all enjoy watching them.
Absolutely brilliant! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the license and permitting all go well for you. I'm looking forward to seeing this project build actually getting started. I've only been to Philly once in my historical travels, it's a great place. Let's GO! 😬
Thanks for your support! I hope the channel takes off once the project really gets underway, and only the early viewers will know what it took to get to that point! I appreciate you following along with the process.
“Borrowed” light can offer the opportunity to design characterful interiors while helping to solve the issue of a lack of windows. I recently worked on an en suite bathroom built into an existing bedroom of an old Georgian building, the area designated to the bathroom had no windows so I built a glazed wall with colonial bars (I believe they’re called muntin bars in the US) and textured privacy glass. It worked really well and suited the period building.
He's already planning around this for the open stairwell with skylight. I wonder if there is a way to borrow some of that stairwell light for the bathrooms, or maybe even sacrifice a little bit of space for a shared light well for the bathroom stack. A light pipe skylight could even be routed to the first floor bathroom.
Way to carve through the bureaucracy. Brilliant idea to become a licensed GC.
Thanks for your support! Just requires patience
Thanks for another fascinating video! I totally agree it's better to wait one more month to think things over because you'll hopefully live there for *decades*.
Exciting news! Can't wait to see what happens next!
Hang in there! Get the contractors license. Thanks for sharing your project!
Thanks for your support!
Love your sharing of the issues of making a project happen. Your documentation can be tedious but it helps give context and is actually enduring to the audience. I think people are kind of tired of the “move that bus “ style of videos.
take as much time as you want, we'll watch regardless of what you decide
you should cover the alley up though
Can’t wait to see the new designs and your remodel continue.
Very good decision to become your own contractor. My friend did the same when he built his house.
Glad you could become your own GC. And the deal with your buddy GC will be great! I don't mind waiting. Your videos are still very interesting and I love seeing your art!
Thanks for your support! I do dream of the day that I can get a crew in there to start real work. But I have to have patience.
God i love the meandering paperwork hell that you’re enduring. This is so interesting and real, seriously thanks for making this series i look forwards to it every week!!!
Thanks for your support! Lol building a house of paperwork before building an actual house.
I think the half connection to your neighbor is the way to go. I think that's such a unique thing to do, and I think you don't want to make just a simple box. In your collection of rowhomes, all of them are so unique and interesting. Having the opportunity to leave your mark in Philedelphia, by making something cool is way better than making something efficient
It is so informative and fascinating to be taken along the realistic timeline, bureaucracy and all.
Thanks for your support! I have been taking in so much info regarding the permitting, hurdles and restrictions, and trying to thoughtfully navigate them. A time consuming process! Happy to be able to present all the info I've been turning over in my head in a clear way through the video. Thanks for following the project!
Build as much as you can now is my take. I love the videos, keep them coming
Good for you on becoming a general contractor! In addition to a full-time job as a professor, my dad was a GC. He taught me a lot.
I really like your new plans. They make sense and are worth the wait. Good luck with the city administration.
Thanks for your support! Hoping to have the new plan submitted late next week, once I have the drawings from the engineer.
I was born in Philly, lived in Philly, and now live outside of Philly now. I would love to do this, if houses weren't so much. They all need a lot of TLC. And you will be able make it your own! Good luck dude!
Thanks for your support!
@@ChrisHytha Thank you for the videos! I look forward to watching them every week. If you ever need a fellow Philly Web dev for any website projects, let me know!
I am loving this series, Chris. Everything about it. Thank you. I love the new plan.
Thanks for you're support! Committing to the new plan soon. Just have to give the engineer the go ahead and submit to revise the zoning permit then we are off!
This is a fantastic project, and I really enjoy seeing the construction plans you're presenting. Another solution for lighting that we use here in Montreal for a similar type of house is the skylight. It allows for shared walls with neighbors (excellent, as you mentioned, for preventing heat loss in winter - and we know a lot about winter in Montreal!) while bringing natural light into the rooms - typically the bathrooms. Et voilà ! Keep up the great work !
Thanks for following along with the project!
Man, this is beautiful information to hear from a person who cares about this channel and your dream. Take your time, make the wise, long lasting, fore thinking, best decision for longevity’s sake that you can. Rely and trust the people around you who care. (partners/friends and neighbors👀) It sounds like you’re already headed down that path👍 keep going
Cheers, thanks for your support, and thanks for following along!
Becoming a GC is a fantastic idea! Hoping for all the best! 🙏🏾✨
Thanks for your support!!
I’m so excited to see you go through the process of getting your license!! It’s so amazing that you’ll get to say that you did ALL the big things and not have to compromise with being able to do certain things
Genius move with the GC license!
Wow, good moves with getting your GC and partnering with a GC for skill sharing. Cantilevering the third floor walls seem like a good idea, but I'll wait till you have finalized the plans to jump up and down. But with that I am enjoying what you are doing and cheering you on.
You got this, keep up the good vibes.
Thank you for supporting the project! I appreciate you watching the series.
We renovated our SFH and had a good 12 feet to house next door. We ended up getting rid of a window because it would have just been a view of our neighbor's siding and having the extra wall space made configuring things way easier.
Great solution for the remodel. I love light too.
I'm really enjoying you're new plans for the house as well as you're going ahead with becoming a licensed contractor! This is a great idea, not only for this home but also any future endeavors that you may do🤷♂️. Definitely looking forward to following this project to its completion😊.
Kudos to u for becoming GC. Consider this a learning path to making it a potential career. An architect designer who is GC. As you go along this project consult with that GC who is willing to help. Establish your connections with subs. You may come out on the other end with more than just one reno rowhouse. You will have invaluable experience on how to actually have things done and be able to offer it to others along with your visions. Go for it!
Love the Money Pit inserts!
The awful problem with this whole series is that I just found out about it with this video pushed to my feed. Now that I've seen all of the videos, I have to wait for more, so... keep up the good work! Can't wait to see some construction going on. Love from Brazil.
Very exciting!
Congratulations on your new license!
I haven't got it yet, but I should by the end of this week!
I wasnt thrilled with your compromise idea for the cantilevered area at first, but i think thats actually a great way to go. Really smart idea on becoming your on GC! See ya next week.
Awesome outcome that you'll be able to do the work yourself. Great that you're considering new options as well. Must be so frustrating waiting to do things!
Bought a print! So excited!
Thanks for your support!!
the workshare idea with GC partners makes so much sense. hopefully their businesses will see growth with your help and expertise!
I hope so too! They are cool, excited to share more about them.
This is really interesting! As someone who wants to restore a house in the future I enjoy learning this new information ❤
Hope you can learn from my mistakes, or maybe gain confidence to tackle your own project!
Your style is working, now that you have plan. get to work. we will watch ;)
I'm hooked. I've been watching since the beginning about 2 or 3 months ago.
Thanks for following since the beginning! Its slow going, but I think we are getting somewhere.
@@ChrisHytha Totally. I'm here for the ride.
So many choices! :)
Good luck man, I grew up in a 1600s farmhouse just outside Philadelphia. My parents and I spent a lot years of restoring it, some of the things we found were eye-opening to say the least.
The joys of renovating an old home. You never know what you're going to get!
Your proposal is WAY better than your neighbours! It would be great if they could agree to the same as you. Loving the vids, defo better to take your time and make things the way you want.
Thanks for your support! It will be fabulous when it's all done, can't wait
I’m just sitting here at work watching on my lunch break. Can’t wait to see the next video!
Thanks for watching and following along with the project! Enjoy your lunch (:
I really like the hybrid cantilever design you created. Square footage isn't everything, especially since you will be living there, not flipping it. You are creating a space for you, not the real estate market, I for one appreciate that.
The shower window will be excellent!
The changing plans just make the process more interesting.
Interesting and time consuming. I think it is the right thing in the long run though!
New ally plan sounds good! You could add glass to the top of the ally to keep your walls dry but have some light there
You can do the whole extension and place a window in the wall between the bathrooms and bedroom! That’s something I’ve seen in very many houses and it really helps with the light and because this window doesn’t serve ventilation purposes it’s also a cheaper and simpler frame. Plus, a warmer bathroom is nice. Essentially you can make it any shape, maybe even while wall height somewhere in the corner. Your idea makes total sense also of course, just seems like if you’re going through all that trouble might as well take full advantage. Including those two feet in the bedroom!!
Love this utube.....look forward to.
You've already learned that a GC knows more than you about what's wrong with a house and yet you don't see the value of one. Really an architect is optional. People can just draw their own plans and forgo an architect... Anyway you'll learn a lot. Glad you have an experienced one helping.
So this is a win-lose situation.
We get more of your awesome videos
And you get to work more 😂
lol, at least someone is wining! I just hope that people can manage to stick around while progress is slow as the city processes things
@@ChrisHythaThose with a short attention span may wander off. Those of us who are committed to watching a good story unfold are all in. I love that it is not standard, high volume,
in-your-face content. It can be savored. That compels me even more to stick with you!
That was a twist for a beginning of this video
I’m glad I found your series. I have enjoyed watching the whole process (Yes, the permit issues and becoming a contractor too). I believe that a lot of the problems are glossed over on other channels but, it is important to know all the steps involved. Can’t wait to watch you continue to get your hands dirty.
Thanks for following the project!
The plan is awesome in design. I would say one word of warning here. Have you researched what the neighborhood would tolerate in the area of improvements? There is such a thing as “over improving” a house. Unless you have some intangible connection to the neighborhood, like your whole family lives there and you are never going to leave…then be careful to do your homework. If the projections for the neighborhood support the plans … plow forward.
It’s what This Old House always says … be careful of the “might as well’s”. If I am doing this, I might as well do that, too!
Also, if you reach a point where you want a SUPER house (compared to the neighborhood), you might feel you want to upgrade the location as well. Not that Fish town isn’t great. But, even the best neighborhoods have competition.
Great idea about the General Contractor license. You will use this skill again.