How do I convince my spouse to remodel!!??

Nicole Rast
by Nicole Rast
After 25 years we just retired from Army life, long story short, moved to SC into my husbands family home. well, I doubt I am joking when I say this but I think EVERY DRUNK in the family worked in this place. It started in 1896 as a salt box then comes other family owners, 6 families now us!
I say bull doze and start over. Hubs ignores me, I DON'T EVEN HAVE A CLOSET for God sake!
Honestly, I'm afraid for my children's health, I would bet anything there's mold, asbestos, lead paint, I know the floors are rotten, inside AND out! This house is about to end my marriage!!! HELP!!
  7 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 10, 2017

    Purchase a mold test kit ,asbestos kit and a lead paint kit

  • William William on Mar 10, 2017

    I agree with Janet. Purchase the test kits (all of them). Do the tests and show them to your hubby! If the test are positive explain the health dangers and hazards and that you and your children cannot live this way.. This may change his mind.

  • EVE EVE on Mar 13, 2017

    I agree as well these test are the market are not costly and give accurate results. Thank place the results on a plate(that you have every intention of tossing out) than state thisis what we are injesting in our bodies if we do not update the problems.

  • Mary Mary on Mar 14, 2017

    I think we have the greatest military in the world and they deserve a ton of kudos. That being said so do the families that follow them and move around with them and seldom get to see a plant bloom much less a tree grow. The career was their choice and now it is time for the family or other have to see the rest of their lives grow in one place and that place should be what they want for a change. The families of our military are just as deserving and seldom get credit. I thank you.

  • Eroque022810 Eroque022810 on Mar 15, 2017

    Is he just attached to his memories or you really can't afford to bulldoze house? But it sounds like an inspector would kick you out until things were up to code. Also don't forget radon test as well. I would go to a hotel with kids to show him your not just over reacting. No closet are you kidding, I never would have moved in why did you? No divorce just better communication.

  • Suellen Hintz Suellen Hintz on Mar 16, 2017

    Sometimes life IS so much easier without a man to deal with but is that what you want? The tests suggested above are great ideas, as well as an inspection. If the electrical is shipshod, you could die. Besides, old houses don't usually have good insulation. Take these steps, then find a designer or architect and get ready for a gut job. Like I tell my husband, you can't take it with you and I'm not going to scrimp just to leave our 🐷 bank behind, they can have the money from our house, etc. good luck! It's a hard situation to deal with but you need changes in the house, a different place to live, no husband, an attitude of not caring, or just get started on the job.

  • Linda Linda on Mar 18, 2017

    The reason many old houses do not include closets: Taxes were charged [at least in part] by how many closets you had. I get by with wardrobes [four of them, lol!]

    Hope everything turns out well for you and yours....house wise and marriage wise