After much deliberation, our laundry area is finally seeing some action. Well hello there, washer…. shall we take this to the bedroom?
No, literally — we moved it into the bedroom. JEALOUS?
It’s been a busy week around here (mostly with unrelated book work), but we’ve also managed to make real progress upstairs. Long story short: after a lot of thought and encouragement from readers, we decided to do more of the work ourselves while managing a few trusted subcontractors directly.
Our second contractor estimate came in at $3,300, which was a lot more manageable after the initial $5,000 quote. That contractor mentioned an upcoming vacation and actually encouraged us to handle a good portion of the work ourselves. So we reached out to tradespeople we’ve worked with before: the framer who helped on the sunroom, the electrician we always call, and the plumber from the showhouse project. Many of them were available this week, which meant we could get a small, reliable team together quickly.
With the pros lined up, it was time to start demo. I practically declared, WITH MY BARE HANDS. Not literally — we used proper tools — but a few walls did come down. That first phase of demolition always feels dramatic: removing drywall, pulling up baseboards, detaching trim, and taking down anything obstructing new layouts. Demo gives the most immediate sense of progress, and it’s also the stage where you discover hidden issues that guide the next steps.
Our demo plan was simple and deliberate. We focused first on removing non-structural walls and cabinetry to open the space and make room for the washer and dryer relocation. Electrical fixtures that needed updating were taken out so our electrician could re-route circuits and install new outlets in the appropriate locations. The plumber disconnected the old water lines and prepared the rough-ins for the new washer hookup in the bedroom. Throughout, we kept loose items and salvageable trim aside for reuse whenever possible. Minimizing waste and preserving materials for potential repurposing is part of our approach.
Coordination has been the name of the game. Instead of hiring a single large contractor to manage everything, we’re orchestrating a small crew of pros while doing much of the labor ourselves. That gives us better control over budget and scheduling, and lets us learn more about the work as it progresses. The framer will help with any structural changes and door framing once demo is complete. The electrician will complete the circuits and lighting updates after the framing is framed and inspected. The plumber will finish the rough-in and final connections after the floor and wall work are set.
We’re documenting each stage so we can share clear updates: demolition, framing, plumbing rough-ins, electrical rerouting, insulation, drywall, trim, and finally finishes and appliances. It’s our hope to have framing, plumbing, and electrical updates wrapped up by Monday, though scheduling can shift if inspections or supply needs arise. We didn’t want a full week to pass without a quick laundry update, so this is our brief check-in to keep everyone in the loop.
On a lighter note, Sherry wanted a Team Sonja joke here about mystics and dog psychics, but I REFUSE TO WATCH REAL HOUSEWIVES. Okay, fine — the famous leg scene made me look up for a second, but that’s it.
For now, the house is on an underwear ration until further notice. #nolaundryproblems While the relocation is temporary and a little inconvenient, the payoff will be worth it: a more functional laundry setup, better flow, and an opportunity to refresh the space with smarter storage and improved finishes.
We’ll share more photos and a step-by-step rundown of what we did during demo day once the crew finishes the current tasks. Fingers crossed we’ll have framing, plumbing, and electrical updates to show on Monday. Thanks for following along — your comments and suggestions have helped shape how we approach this renovation, and we can’t wait to show the next phase of progress.