I have a workshop in my backyard that was built probably 25 to 35 years ago. It’s been a pit since I got it. The foundation has been dug up, the place had been soaked with rain from a leaking rooftop etc.

I pulled down all the drywall and got the foundation fixed. The siding was also covered in dry rot and coming down. I managed to patch it up, but it was just not on well, and we would seasonally have rats explore the building and even attempt to build nests inside.

Well that all ends this week.

We are getting this bad boy done up with new stucco siding, a new set of French doors and two giant windows to let in lots of natural light. This is going to add 360 square feet of space, and an HVAC system (ductless mini split) which will give me plenty of room to have my gym and business machines set up.

The stoke level is pretty high. The price tag is decent but reasonable, about $11,000 for the plywood siding, door and window install, and all of the stucco work.

I may just spend the extra dough and have them do the drywall and flooring. I’m thinking I’ll just have the concrete finished, and maybe add a small gas fireplace for aesthetic vibes. I’m considering adding a book nook for me to enjoy reading in and maybe even taking naps when the baby is young. K and I have a plan to split shifts but it seems like it may make sense for us to need a place for naps for the resting partner to get some sleep while the other watches her.

I’m planning to keep the workshop screen free but will probably add a sound system so that music can be enjoyed.

In the summer time I can see K and I and our baby hanging out on the backyard quite a bit and having the building open up to the yard we can eat dinner outside and play with the dogs, grill on our bbq, etc and still have a nice cool, private space away from the road noise inside to chill out and wind down before bed.