complete reno cost

[engman]

Hello. I am a new member and wanted to run something by the seasoned folks who obviously know what they are doing with their AS. I have recently looked at a 1975 31 foot Sovereign. Nice bones, but obviously a complete gutt in my opinion. The seller said I can live in it for years, but not up to my standard, nor my wife's. So I am trying to price together what it will cost me to restore this thing. It's the back bathroom model. I pretty much want to rip everything out, sand all the furniture, paint it, remove the interior walls, replumb, rewire and then put everything new back in. New appliances, new flooring, new aluminium walls just like the newer units have. I have so far come up to about $9K in costs between new fridge, stove, AC, furnace, pump, sink, faucets, toilet, shower, floor, wiring, aluminum interior skin. Labour is free, I'd like to think I can handle most of the work. I have not included the axles, brakes (disc), wheels and tires. I think that would be about $3k. So I am up to about $13K.
My question is: is this a realistic budget or am I completely dreaming? I know that AS's are cool but if I approach $20K range, I might as well look for another aerodynamic box on wheels.
What do all the veterans think? The current owner does not claim it requires floor replacement, but I want to do it anyways...might as well do it since I will have come that far.

[Grrrwolf]

I hate to say this but that sure is a lot of money to pay to spend a year finding parts and doing all of the work yourself.

I certainly prefer the '70s style and functionality but that decade's prices are still pretty low for some darn fine units that are out there. People are still only throwing good money at the more popular pre 70s models it seems. If the price is right and you upgrade as you go and only upgrade what really adds to your experience and safety you could come out doing pretty well in the end. I still have under $6000 invested in this enjoyable little hobby, but my hobby doesn't necessarily include rivets or polish or restoration

BTW, I don't know this to be fact but I think '77 was the first year for trailer breaks, which could be very expensive to add properly after the fact. Also, from what I've read the rear baths had more issues with their rears drooping. I'd think for 13k you could easily find something now to use this spring. Good luck.

[J. Morgan]

About 15 K in this plus a lot of labor.



It could be done for less certainly, but there is very little of the stock 72 left inside.

[J. Morgan]

No major exterior or running gear work was required, about 4 feet of frame was replaced in the back, and about 5' of the floor plywood in the back and about a half a sheet pieced in around the front under the windows.

We stripped the shell and rewired, new cabinets, fixtures, etc. the a/c did not need replacing.

It is very comfortable though, I am laying down in the sleep number bed in Lubbock Texas as I type.....

I would do it all over again, fun project to build and even more fun to enjoy!!

[J. Morgan]

Oh, my 72 had brakes on both axles, and it helped my budget that they were in great shape.

[Splitrock]

15 - 18k + labor

[87MH]

Great thread here for budget estimates and actual renovation dollars:


http://www.airforums.com/forums/f372...get-45902.html