Monday, May 26, 2014

Our Experience Building a Simplex Modular Home

Image
Our 160 year old Cottage we decided to demolish and build a Simplex Modular Home using the same septic and well sites.
Image
We salvaged the original hardwood random width plank floor boards.  Seth is going to make some amazing farmhouse tables out of them!
Image
Before demo we had to remove the asbestos siding.
Image
After siding removal, we could see widespread rotting to the original wood siding.  
Image
Original fireplace.  Eventually, that was the only thing standing.
ImageImageImage
Image
Image
In the Cottage there is was joy.

Image
Digging the foundation, we hit solid shale and needed to use additional equipment.

Image
Poured basement walls.

ImageImage

Image
Day of delivery was July 15th 2013.  The house came in 5 sections, on the beds of 5 trucks.  The kids in front of the front porch section.  They parked it at the fire station overnight.

Image


Image
Back of the same section in the firestation parking lot.


Image
Crane rental and operator are separate from Simplex.

Image
We had a 5 man setting crew, also separate contractors from Simplex.  They were responsible for setting each piece.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
Video of section being set.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image
Family room looking into dining room before the finishing crew was done.
Image
Family room after drywall, painting, completed.
Image


Image

Image
We had over 20 people come over and help us paint.  The base color I used throughout the whole house (ceilings too) is Benjamin Moore's Gray Owl.  We went through 16 gallons of paint in four days with 20 people painting.  
Image

Image
Our Contractor Dale, teaching Josh how to drywall.
Much depends on having a good contractor.  Since the contractor is the middle person between the client and Simplex, you have to have a person you can trust.  Dale went above and beyond every time an issue came up.  










Image
Image

Image
Magnetic Chalkboard wall in kitchen.  Use at least 3 layers of magnetic paint for it to hold a magnet.  Then 2-3 layers of chalkboard paint over that.  
Image

Image
To see the floorplan for this model click here we altered some of the floorplan as you can with any Simplex model.  As long as it is structurally sound, they will work with you to get the layout you want.  



Image
The front porch beams and floor are still unfinished.  I love the front porch because it is 8 feet deep.