Watch as Jenna Phipps, Nick, discuss beams in renovated PNW house

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No matter how overwhelming your home improvement project may feel, chances are Jenna Phipps has fought through worse. Jenna and her partner Nick are in the process of renovating an abandoned home in the Pacific Northwest, and chronicling it all on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Each week, we’ll bring you some selections from Jenna’s YouTube page, with a portion of the summary created through the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists are involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.

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How they did it

Jenna and her partner Nick faced several challenges while working on their house. They began by stapling 2x4s to create a parit wall, which is essential for slanting the roof. Despite the snow, they managed to clean and prepare the area for roofing. They encountered issues when the roofers arrived with insufficient lumber, prompting them to shift focus to other tasks.

Jenna and Nick also discovered a significant mistake in their construction: They had forgotten to install key beams. This oversight required them to assess the structure and make necessary adjustments. They used shoring to support the beams while they were being installed.

As the roofing process continued, they learned about the importance of proper drainage and roof slope to prevent water runoff. The couple actively participated in the roofing work, even attempting to handle some tasks themselves. They faced weather-related delays, with rain preventing the roofers from working on certain days.

Throughout the project, Jenna and Nick maintained a positive attitude, tackling each problem as it arose. Their hands-on approach and willingness to learn were key to their progress, demonstrating their commitment to building their home.

What viewers want to know

If there were any doubts about whether Jenna and Nick have a team of professional builders guiding them through the renovations, this episode should dispel those.

“We made this mistake all on our own,” Jenna said.

Many viewers commented that mistakes, and resolving them, can be part of what makes do-it-yourself projects satisfying — when you’ve got the right partner.

“Your capacity for frustration tolerance needs to be studied bc the way my husband and I would’ve set the entire build ALIGHT,” one viewer wrote on YouTube.