The House That Claire Built

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Christmas in July


Walking into the living room after work today was like walking into my ultimate after-life fantasy. In this fantasy, I exist somewhere in Heaven with my brother Francis, Aunt Patty, Gramps... and some other all-stars perhaps drinking a beer.  In this room I get to go to fancy room, nicely lined with shelves and belongings that once were my things, and somehow are lost or on a self guided tour. Those that know me understand that I've misplaced quite a few items. Anyway..... In this fantasy, I get to pick out on the shelves anything I want, as they are a lifetime of lost belongings on a shelf......that you get back! Wouldn't that be neat?

This ultimate afterlife fantasy happened today, we received all the salvageable items from the house fire- cleaned, ozoned, ozone-stored, barcoded, and returned in neat little boxes stacked in the living room. Dan and I are peeling through them like Christmas in July. Its weird to see all your belongings once lost, and now returned;  neatly organized, labeled and alongside a itemized spreadsheet. What would your spreadsheet look like?

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

A Newer Sewer

The sewer line needs to be replaced. I faintly remember a time my brother called me screaming while I was out of town that the main sewer line backed up into the basement on High Street; and a very horrible human smell was coming out of the drain pipe, including solid waste. Ew. $1000 later... Roto Rooter scoped the problem and tree branches were to blame. Ah the tree we love.....

I think now is a good time to rerun some pipe... replace the 100+ clay sewer drain with good old PVC. here is what the Maplewood inspector advised me as we watch MSD replace the pipe on Yale outside of my property:
As far as the sewer lateral is concerned, the city is part of the sewer lateral repair program in conjunction with St. Louis County. You pay $28 extra a year on your property taxes to help pay for the program. If the clay line you have now is in good condition and serviceable, the program will not pay for the replacement. That and the water line replacement would be on you. If your new house was going to have additional plumbing fixtures (extra bath, etc.) then by St. Louis County plumbing code the water service line might have to be changed to a larger line, based on the number of fixtures proposed in your new house.

How much does it cost? What a shitty job. 

Approved: Property Tax Appeal

Thank you St. Louis County Board of Equalization. I submitted a claim on June 3rd, and on July 20th I had my answer. My appeal was approved for land assesment value, my argument that a burnt up house does not equate to $136k income property, nor the taxes that come with that value.

A county appraiser came by and the new lot appraisal stands at $20k, a much more affordable tax rate.  I don't think im going to mention the tree in that new lot value, which is double.

The system works!

Monday, July 18, 2011

Approved! Wreck the Deck

This week marks a big week in financial progress. Now would be the time to officially state that I enjoy working with my insurance company due to quick response time and timely payments.

My outside field adjuster took some time away from the Joplin reimbursements to approve some bids I sent him. Here is what was approved, prepayment pending:
LaRue Landscaping:
      $850- Remove all dead burnt limbs from large Oak hanging over the house
      $50- Remove burnt limbs on wild cherry in front yard
      $75- Remove burnt libs on trees on west side of house
Commonwealth Construction
      $8500 Home demolition costs including/excluding:
      - barricades to be billed at cost plus 10%
      - Orange Safety fence $1.60 p/sq ft with wire $2.75 per sq ft
      -Backfilling of foundation to be billed as extra
      - Demo permit to be billed at actual cost
      - Asbestos removal (if needed to be done by others)
     - Removal of concrete footing 24" thick billed as extra
     - Removal of excessive rebar to be billed as extra


Thank you Travelers. Im glad you like those chocolate E'CLAIRES I sent you.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Toke to the Oak!

Photo by anniken don pedro

Photo by Anniken don pedro

Photo by Anniken don pedro
photo by Anniken Don Pedro

photo by Anniken don Pedro


When in doubt, hire an arborist. I said a tree prayer before I met Mr. Rocca, and really hoped he was going to give me the diagnosis I wanted to hear. He did, and he did with a vengance. Here is what Mr. Rocca taught me about my Shingle Oak Tree, slightly damaged by fire in the back yard;
-Species: Shingle Oak
Age- 150+ (fast growing type)
Base Diameter: 55"
 Height: 100ft
Branch Spread: 100 ft
The valuation method was used, as replacement cost method does not exist in this tree's case as it is IRREPLACEABLE. Here are some comments from the appraisal. " Good shade tree, medium growth rate, few pests, good root structure, well balanced top, good leaf color, a few branches damaged by fire on 5/19/2011. Well Placed in yard, acorns for wildlife, provides shade and lowered cooling bills, cleans air, holds soil, prevents erosion. Tree is in good condition and should be preserved during construction. 
Can I get a drumroll.......Estimated value $ 32,300."
Say What? The tree value is more then the lot itself? Yes he replied. You should get about $1000 each time a bulldozer or bobcat bumps into this big guy, he doesn't want to be disturbed, as he as a long life to live.