We Bought A Church - DIY Church Renovation and Home Makeover in Nova Scotia

We've done something a bit silly. We bought a 100 year old church in Nova Scotia in the hopes of doing a church renovation project to make this place our forever home.

I'm not sure if I'm trying to talk myself or Amanda into this project but it's too late now.

First things first, let's evict the squatters that have been living in our basement rent-free. They quickly become agitated when I toss them to the curb.

With a home makeover project like this, we're going to have to do a lot of the work ourselves and that means some DIY demolition - which is at the height of my skill level.

I take you on a tour of the belfry but Amanda becomes possessed by the spirit of the holy ghost when she encounters the old Hammond Organ that got left behind.

Do we have what it takes to complete this church restoration and how will I ever find the time to pursue my passion for landscape photography?

Hit play to find out. Then hit like, then hit subscribe. The play it again.

Hit play and then hit Like.

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Gavin Hardcastle - Fototripper

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[ThomasHeatonPhoto]

This is such an exciting project. I'm very envious. You can get so creative with the conversion. Can't wait to see it all come together. Nice one, guys.

[davidpearson]

Heaton and Gibbs do van builds…….Gavin says “hold my beer” and does a church build. 😂

[BruceMcGrath]

Hydronic heating is the only way to go Gavin. Circulation of hot water, underfloor heating, radiator panels and ducted air radiators. So as the cost of fuel changes you don’t have to change the heating infrastructure, just the heat source, be oil, gas, geothermal (would be my choice.. while you have the water drilling rig!!) or heat pump. All sounds very expensive…! Better sell a few more copies of “Chasing Awe” by G.H. …there’s a link…
In the description 😳 Good luck. Watch a few episodes of Grand Designs to see the traps of such an endeavour.
Cheers from down under 👍🏼❤️🍷🇦🇺🎪

[rogersteele]

As a licensed HVAC contractor I would start with a load calculation including upgraded insulation factor and windows that you’re going to have.

That will help size the heating load you will need and cooling load you will need to evenly heat the structure.
Then based off Heating sources available propane, oil, electricity, geothermal.

do the cost of operation and comfort expected.

It beings us an old remodel I would be thinking more long a Mitsubishi duckless with a possible ducted option for a large area they have the best HSPF for Heating and balance point.

This is a large subject and completely possible to cover in e-mail/txt

I have 24 yrs OTJ experience plus Bachelors degree in HVAC —. Can do a phone conversation to help.

[EugeneMaynard]

Exciting project! Amanda playing the keyboard was absolutely hilarious!😂😂😂

[davidhatton]

Garret, if you want to get an architect's opinion, you may want to rethink you design plans and consider making half of the church nave into a two story great room with a wood stove or fireplace chimney off to one side, leading your photographic eye to those magnificent timber rafters and ceiling decking. The other half could be a kitchen with an open loft (master bedroom/master bath for you and Amanda) looking down to great room below. It would be a shame to cover the beautiful ceilings with guest bedrooms only for your mother-in-law to enjoy. The other space would be more appropriate for bedrooms, baths, and storage. Electric heat pump with potential ground source seems to be your best route for heating/cooling. My 2 cents, but happy to advise more in exchange for one of your famous books.

[josephcooper]

I’m very happy for you guys. And I’m looking forward to seeing the landscape photography from the new location. Your landscape channel is probably the only photography related video my wife wife really enjoys. She doesn’t know a thing about photography but she says your channel is entertaining either way.

[angelriper]

Best heating Solution in my opinion would be to install a wood pellet boiler and underfloor heating.you would have to insulate the existing wood floor and then install the underfloor heating hose on the insulation.after that you lay screed on it.then you put your choice of floor on it.
Here in Austria this is a very popular way to heat old renovated houses.

[brianbills]

Holy Mother of Pearl... you bought a church! Man, now I have another YouTube channel that I have to watch! Wishing you two all the best. Looking forward to all of your new adventures.

[TerraPosse]

Heating engineer here. Heat pumps will work even in Canadian winters (they do in Scandinavia too 🤷‍♂) with 3 caveats.
1) Insulation
2) Insulation
3) Underfloor heating (UFH)
4) Did I mention insulation?
As we say in the trade, insulation is the cheapest form of heating.
However as you're in Canada, a biomass boiler may be the most appropiate system to use as wood should be available in abundance. They come in 3 flavours fuel wise.
Either system will require to install a wet system which works better than a hot air system anyway and as it is a conversion you may just as well do it properly.
Message me if you want some more detailed info on options.
Looking forward to your new adventures. 👍😺

[missionlook]

Gavin, you’ve been blessed with a jewel in Amanda!

[Stillfilm]

This certainly trumps those van conversions (mentioning no names)! The very best of luck to you both.

[solexnihilo]

waiting for the next vidéo, and watching this one again :-)

[donnahong]

My husband is from Canada, I am from the Chicago area and we now live in Georgia, here in Georgia many people have heat pumps and we had one for our basement family room. Yes, it heated the area but no I did not feel the warmth the same way as a gas furnace. The heat pump leaves you feeling cold. We are damp here and although we dry up in the winter I can't help but wounded if that may be a reason. If I had a heat pump I would most certain have a wood stove too, the fire cuts any dampness.
P.S. The 1998 ice storm in Quebec, the only reason so many survived was because they had wood stoves. I remember this as we were up visiting the Toronto area during this time. What I remember first hand is the news. Now, when you research it only negative reports of non maintained chimney fires and other house fires. That is the glibbest editing history, because as I remember it if these people did not have their fireplaces and wood burning stoves they would not have survived. I am just saying get a wood stove too for emergencies if nothing else.

[anthonymara]

Well, a wood stove or fireplace is handy. I've had my fill of oil furnaces, they work, but so terribly expensive, just like Gas. I took a bit of time to look into geothermal possibilities in Nova Scotia, and while it doesn't look like there's enough heat in the ground to produce energy, it does seem like there's the possibility of running a geothermal heat pump. It's worth looking into, possibly expensive to start up, but could be a project worth documenting for long term sustainability.

[judyann]

It doesn't get any cooler than this! I love Chasing Awe! Another book documenting the church renovation?

[JeffWeymier]

This is going to be 100 times better than anything DIY or HGTV has to offer. This looks epic!

[TheRoadLessPaved]

With a fractured rock basement don't forget to check Radon levels. Good luck finding building materials, recycling and upcycling what you already have will really help. Our house is much smaller and we heat with pellets, love the consistency of even predictable warmth. Beautiful ceiling, reminds me a Viking ship.

[StephenBridgett]

Well Gavin your project makes anything I need to do around my old house look like child's play. I would stick with electric - as we do, but keep the furnace for AC. Those old buildings can get stinking hot in the summer. Your other option is propane but if you want to be in the new moral majority, stick with electric. Your stove will also be cheaper as well a hot water tank. Glad you have the camper and each other, you will need to get away from time to time for photography. I am an enthusiast of your channel, I'll stay tuned. Any improvement in your situation is a big improvement at this point. I do admire your pluck. You two are the best

[playoflightphotographicsllc]

The possibilities of that church are endless! That ceiling is spectacular!