I started our widow maker home project, tearing my roof out (I can do that) and rebuilding a shed dormer (making the roof taller and less pitched; can’t do that) with the help of my dad and father-in-law. I have learned several valuable lessons.
1) When installing a toilet, it’s much easier to just get a bucket and chuck it out the window! (Hopefully your neighborhood is a recluse who never goes outside).
2) Drywall doesn’t support your body weight. There’s another project for later!
3) Building stuff sucks, but sometimes it’s funny. My dad said, “I’ll hold her, you nail her!” All I could think is that is probably an Appalachian marriage proposal.
4) I should have got a tetanus shot before we started this. I need to lose a few pounds though, maybe lockjaw isn’t so bad after all.
That’s about all I’ve learned so far. Another five years and I should be able to build a birdhouse in a month or two.