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Progress Report on the Home Renovation

Bob meets up with general contractor Ron Gan to discuss the progress on the project. The plaster has been taken off the load bearing wall to reveal the studs. The wall eventually will be removed to create a large open living and dining space. Down the hall an old hutch has been removed so the bathroom wall can be bumped out. Inside the bathroom Bob points out the old cast iron piping, which will be reused. He shows us how furring had been added in front of the two-by-four to create depth for the plumbing. Inside the former kitchen, Gan explains how the space will be combined with the back porch to create a large master bedroom. The wall will be taken out and replaced by a steel beam. The old hot water radiators will be replaced by cast iron baseboard heat. Where a tiny bedroom and pantry once were, a long galley kitchen and breakfast room will be created. Bob points out an archway that was added in the 1930s, which will be removed. The old wiring is still in good shape and will be saved while the receptacles will be replaced by new grounded outlets. Ron explains that the next step is to start shoring up the wall so it can be removed and replaced by a man-made engineered wood beam. More information