Ep 10. New Project, New Headache

In Rehab Addict season 1 episode 10, titled "New Project, New Headache," host and home rehab expert, Nicole Curtis embarks on a new project in Minneapolis which proves to be a complicated and challenging undertaking.

The episode begins with Nicole locating a neglected 1904 home in the city's historic district that had been vacant for over a decade. The large, four-story house had a lot of potential, but it was in a serious state of disrepair. The roof and windows were in terrible shape, and the inside was a mess, with mold and water damage. Nonetheless, Nicole saw the charm and potential of the house and decided to take on the challenge.

The first headache that Nicole faced was dealing with the city's Historical Preservation Board, who had very strict rules on what she was allowed to do with the property. The board demanded that Nicole preserve the historic integrity of the building while also bringing it up to modern safety codes. This added a whole new dimension to the already enormous task of rehabbing an old house like this one.

The next challenge that Nicole faced was that the house was situated on a busy street, making it difficult to get materials, equipment, and crews in and out of the site. Furthermore, access was limited, and the back of the house was inaccessible due to a steep hill that led down to a creek.

Despite all these challenges, Nicole remained determined to turn the property into a stunning family home while still maintaining its historic character. She began work on the house in earnest, starting with tearing down the front porch, which had serious safety issues. After that, she replaced all the windows, repaired the walls and ceilings, and gave the entire house a fresh coat of paint both inside and out.

The highlight of the episode was when Nicole discovered an old dumbwaiter in the house that used to be used by servants to bring food and supplies up from the kitchen to the upper floors. Although dumbwaiters are no longer used, Nicole saw the potential in this feature and decided to restore the dumbwaiter and transform it into a beautiful feature that would add some old-world charm to the property.

However, she hit a snag when she discovered that a structural beam had to be moved to accommodate the dumbwaiter. This meant huge costs and added weeks to the build.

Other highlights included the installation of a new roof, the renovation of the master bedroom and bathroom, and the construction of a brand-new kitchen. Throughout the process, the challenges kept coming, but Nicole remained focused, determined, and optimistic throughout. Despite the significant setbacks and obstacles, she remained upbeat and remained positive, knowing that when the project was finished, it would be well worth all the hard work.

In the end, Nicole succeeded in turning the old, rundown house into a stunning family home that blended the best of old-world charm with modern-day convenience. The house now had a new roof, new windows, new plumbing, electrical, and gas lines, a beautiful new kitchen, and a spruced-up garden area perfect for entertaining guests. Despite all the headaches and challenges, Nicole had proven once again that anything was possible with hard work, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

"New Project, New Headache" is one of the most awe-inspiring episodes of Rehab Addict season 1, showcasing the grit, determination, and skill that make Nicole Curtis one of the most sought-after home rehab experts on television today. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in home renovation and the challenges that come with it.