Describe the most ambitious DIY project you've ever taken on.

Describe the most ambitious DIY project you've ever taken on.

Two ambitious projects come to mind that I (with my wife and a friend) have taken on.

The first is a project where I completely remodeled a living room. This was ambitious because it involved different skill sets, none of which I have any formal training on. This included insulation, drywall, electrical work, finish carpentry, flooring, masonry, and painting. I removed cheap wood paneling, added ceiling lights, and made and installed a new fireplace mantel and slate veneer. My wife and I laid the solid wood flooring. A friend helped lift drywall for the ceiling. In the end, it was successful.

For the second ambitious project, I completely replaced the stairs to our basement. This was ambitious since it was a structural change to the house and I wanted to make sure they were safe. The previous stairs must have been designed to older building codes but were coming apart. The treads and risers fit into a routed slot in the stringer and so were supported by about a half inch on either side of the stair. One of the stringers had moved apart and the stairs were becoming loose. I had to determine how to replace this design with stringers directly supporting the stairs from below. I ended up building supporting structures underneath. I cut stringers from 12-foot-long 2x12s. I salvaged and refinished oak treads from a church cut risers from oak-surfaced plywood and put it all together.

This was also a successful project. The stairs are strong. I no longer have to gingerly walk on the last few steps for fear that they will collapse. The foot of the stairs are securely attached to the concrete floor and the walls next to the stairs are braced as well.

Answer to: “What is the most ambitious DIY home repair/improvement project you've taken on, and was it successful?”