Let's Talk Remodeling

[mickeysgal]

Is it just me being a cheapo or is landscaping that extemely expensive?

We haven't had to redo landscaping since we built 6 years ago, so maybe I'm out of touch. We just got our estimate in for the front landscaping that needs to be redone, the side, and a portion of the back which was never done. The front is also supposed to have a stacked stone wall and some bolders for sheer asthetics - not for any function. I'm hesitant to eliminate the wall - to me it's the jewelry on the outfit if you know what I mean.

The estimate was $17,000 :

There aren't enough smilies to cover how I feel.

It IS a lot of landscaping zones we're trying to do at once. BUT, is landscaping this high???

 

[shovan]

We did the silestone diana pearl. We want to lighten up the kitchen as much as we can. Let's see if I can get the pic to show up

Our new appliances come next week in Thursday. I am so excited. We got to save a good chunk of change on them through a friend of mine that works in construction. Can't wait to see them in the kitchen all in the right place.

So glad you were able to post it! It's really pretty! That should lighten up your kitchen quite a bit!

ok, here it is. This is the one I want. This is the master bathroom right off our bedroom, our bedroom is turquoise.

It's called Louise Blue. Our cabinets are dark.
I'm in love with this granite. Tell me what you think.

That is so pretty! It would look nice up against the dark cabinets!

Is it just me being a cheapo or is landscaping that extemely expensive?

We haven't had to redo landscaping since we built 6 years ago, so maybe I'm out of touch. We just got our estimate in for the front landscaping that needs to be redone, the side, and a portion of the back which was never done. The front is also supposed to have a stacked stone wall and some bolders for sheer asthetics - not for any function. I'm hesitant to eliminate the wall - to me it's the jewelry on the outfit if you know what I mean.

The estimate was $17,000 :

There aren't enough smilies to cover how I feel.

It IS a lot of landscaping zones we're trying to do at once. BUT, is landscaping this high???

Yes landscaping is REALLY expensive! But that sounds excessive! How large an area are you talking about?

 

[shovan]

I think it would be perfect for a secondary bathroom! It's very pretty, and like you mentioned, it has very clean lines.

I think I'm one of the few people who actually wishes her master bathroom was smaller. The room is too large, but also too long, which makes it a pain to configure a remodel.

My house is only 2,300 square feet, and I have this average (Too small in my opinion) sized bedroom, and this HUGE bathroom. I swear, a man designed this house. Not one storage closet in the whole house either.

My apologies to the men that read this thread!

I would love to have the room for the bathroom that we need! We'll be taking out 2 closets to get what we need to redo the bathroom & that will only give us the large walkin/rollin shower, I would kill to have the space for a whirlpool or garden tub!!! Are you going to turn any of the space into closet space? I was looking at your pic of the bathroom again & thinking about what a great price you got on the cabinets!!! Seems like a lot of cabinets for the price!

I looked back at the beginning of the thread, and here you & I are just getting started on our remodels we first talked about! What's up with that!

 

[mickeysgal]

Yes landscaping is REALLY expensive! But that sounds excessive! How large an area are you talking about?

I don't have a square footage to be able to say. We're on a corner, so the front and side of the house is completely exposed and needs help. The design is covering 4 major areas. Front, side, another part of the side/backyard around a huge retaining wall, and finally a area between us and the neighbor for privacy purposes. We're on a pretty steep lot, so a lot of it is meant to soften the stark look of the lot.

The prior owner did just the areas immediately touching the house in the front. He attempted this big center portion but it has gone horribly wrong. Its awful and needs to be ripped out.

We're going to have to start hacking at the cost to get it down out of the stratosphere.

Yes, we could do this in stages, but you know how that goes. You may not ever get to it again, costs will go up, you're paying labor twice for them to come out, etc.

I just never fathomed that costs would be this high. Silly me.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

No storage closets? Where do you put your vacumn, your swifter mop, a broom, basic stuff like that? No place to put coats? You poor woman!!

Not one. I have a set of built-in shelves in my closet (also way too small) that we stack towels on, and that's it. My vacuum cleaner, brooms and things like that, are in my utility room. Which again, is too small. Of course, I've got this HUGE living room.

Now tell me... doesn't it sound like a man designed my house?

Our bathroom has a rather long vanity as well. I think somewhere around 130 inches in length. Our closet is accessed through the bedroom and runs alongside the bathroom and is just as long as the bathroom, but narrow, narrow, narrow. We have things hanging on both sides and it feels claustrophobic in there. Oh to have the wall moved just a foot back. Or even 6 inches would make a tremendous difference.

Yours is actually longer than mine! I think mine is around 120 inches. The new one will be 99 inches, but will be so much more practical. There's also a 24 inch gap in between the existing counter and the tub and we plan to close the gap with tub decking.

I think we're going to look in California Closets for the closet. It desperately needs to be reorganized and I think that'll help with resale.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Is it just me being a cheapo or is landscaping that extemely expensive?

We haven't had to redo landscaping since we built 6 years ago, so maybe I'm out of touch. We just got our estimate in for the front landscaping that needs to be redone, the side, and a portion of the back which was never done. The front is also supposed to have a stacked stone wall and some bolders for sheer asthetics - not for any function. I'm hesitant to eliminate the wall - to me it's the jewelry on the outfit if you know what I mean.

The estimate was $17,000 :

There aren't enough smilies to cover how I feel.

It IS a lot of landscaping zones we're trying to do at once. BUT, is landscaping this high???

Yes. Yes, it is. I've gone through the same ---->

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I would love to have the room for the bathroom that we need! We'll be taking out 2 closets to get what we need to redo the bathroom & that will only give us the large walkin/rollin shower, I would kill to have the space for a whirlpool or garden tub!!! Are you going to turn any of the space into closet space? I was looking at your pic of the bathroom again & thinking about what a great price you got on the cabinets!!! Seems like a lot of cabinets for the price!

No, sadly my closet will stay the same size. If I knew this was the house for us, I'd totally bump out the back wall where my tub/shower is, and add a sitting room and fireplace to my bedroom and a much larger closet.

I looked back at the beginning of the thread, and here you & I are just getting started on our remodels we first talked about! What's up with that!

That's what I'm asking!

 

[mickeysgal]

Yes. Yes, it is. I've gone through the same ---->

Well, I was looking for the fainting smilie too. I could have used about a dozen or so of those.

 

[Syrreal]

I remember standing in my kitchen just staring at mine. I didn't have countertops, or doors on my cabinets, but those appliances sure started pulling it all together.

I am really excited about the appliances. The kitchen still has the original cooktop, oven, and dishwasher. They are all from 1980. They have actual push down buttons. The cooktop we got has a touchpad instead of knobs and all the appliances are stainless steel. They will match all the interesting (in a good way) hardware on the cabinets and the hood.

We also got our estimate for replacing the deck. It's going to be so expensive because it's such a huge deck (60 ft accross) but will at least be safe (instead of the deathtrap it is now). We had thought of only replacing what was rotten but the price difference wasn't so big between that and getting a new deck. Plus we are adding stairs (since the deck there now is really more of an astriturf covered wood balcony)

 

[Hixski]

Well, I was looking for the fainting smilie too. I could have used about a dozen or so of those.

Here is the fainting smilie:

In case you want to throw a fit I have the hissy fit smilie:

If remodeling prices make you think you need a drink I have this smilie:

Of course if remodeling prices make you sick I have this smilie:

FEEL FREE TO USE AS NEEDED.

 

[Ranatra]

Is it just me being a cheapo or is landscaping that extemely expensive?

We haven't had to redo landscaping since we built 6 years ago, so maybe I'm out of touch. We just got our estimate in for the front landscaping that needs to be redone, the side, and a portion of the back which was never done. The front is also supposed to have a stacked stone wall and some bolders for sheer asthetics - not for any function. I'm hesitant to eliminate the wall - to me it's the jewelry on the outfit if you know what I mean.

The estimate was $17,000 :

There aren't enough smilies to cover how I feel.

It IS a lot of landscaping zones we're trying to do at once. BUT, is landscaping this high???

Yikes!! I'm not sure the size of your wall, but wall building can get very expensive. DH just finished building our natural stone wall in the back and terraced the hillside. We've spent thousands in rocks, and I'm sure the labor isn't cheap. I would get some more estimates to compare.

 

[mickeysgal]

Here is the fainting smilie:

Yes, I need that one.
In case you want to throw a fit I have the hissy fit smilie:

And that one.
If remodeling prices make you think you need a drink I have this smilie:

Especially this one. Anyone want to join me?
Of course if remodeling prices make you sick I have this smilie:

And yes, I really needed this one yesterday.


FEEL FREE TO USE AS NEEDED.

Thanks for these! You know these are going to come in mighty handy.

 

[mickeysgal]

Yikes!! I'm not sure the size of your wall, but wall building can get very expensive. DH just finished building our natural stone wall in the back and terraced the hillside. We've spent thousands in rocks, and I'm sure the labor isn't cheap. I would get some more estimates to compare.

The stacked stone wall is actually two walls about 18" tall with a cap. The landscaper recommended two instead of one longer one saying it would save cost.

I have tried to get other estimates. I've had a parade of landscapers in here. One estimate was 10k and didn't have close to the level of detail this one did - plus he didn't listen to what I liked and didn't like. Not even close. The other, who we have a call into right now, upon looking at the areas, let the comment slide that we have over 25K worth of work here. But we're going to take that one to the finish line just to see if it does come in lower. (Yeah, right.) The rest of the parade participants have not gotten back to us. Apparently they don't need the work. I hate it when I have to dog them to call back. I don't like working with folks like that.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I am really excited about the appliances. The kitchen still has the original cooktop, oven, and dishwasher. They are all from 1980. They have actual push down buttons. The cooktop we got has a touchpad instead of knobs and all the appliances are stainless steel. They will match all the interesting (in a good way) hardware on the cabinets and the hood.

Mine were from the early 90's, but I swear, trends must have really changed in the last decade, because both my kitchen and my master bathroom looked very outdated to me.

I just hope now that I've remodeled my house for the most part, that trends slow waaaaaaay down!

We also got our estimate for replacing the deck. It's going to be so expensive because it's such a huge deck (60 ft accross) but will at least be safe (instead of the deathtrap it is now). We had thought of only replacing what was rotten but the price difference wasn't so big between that and getting a new deck. Plus we are adding stairs (since the deck there now is really more of an astriturf covered wood balcony)

I'd go for the new decking. I think if you didn't, you'll always be able to tell what was new and what was replaced. At least it'll all age the same way now.

The stacked stone wall is actually two walls about 18" tall with a cap. The landscaper recommended two instead of one longer one saying it would save cost.

I have tried to get other estimates. I've had a parade of landscapers in here. One estimate was 10k and didn't have close to the level of detail this one did - plus he didn't listen to what I liked and didn't like. Not even close. The other, who we have a call into right now, upon looking at the areas, let the comment slide that we have over 25K worth of work here. But we're going to take that one to the finish line just to see if it does come in lower. (Yeah, right.) The rest of the parade participants have not gotten back to us. Apparently they don't need the work. I hate it when I have to dog them to call back. I don't like working with folks like that.

Are they quoting you prices based off of larger plants? Maybe if you got smaller gallon sizes, it would cut back the cost some? In a few years time, it'll look mature.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Here is the fainting smilie:

In case you want to throw a fit I have the hissy fit smilie:

If remodeling prices make you think you need a drink I have this smilie:

Of course if remodeling prices make you sick I have this smilie:

FEEL FREE TO USE AS NEEDED.

You need to make yourself available as the thread's official welcome wagon, and pass these out to all newcomers. Goodness knows we've all needed them!

 

[DisneyPhD]

I wonder how dated we are going to find ourselves in 10 years. That is so 2007!

We are doing pretty well on progress. DH just finished the last piece of wood on the floor. Trim, molding and stuff needs doing, but it is coming together nicely. I get to put things back in cabinet today. I am not sure what I want where so I expect a bit of moving around until we find the right places for things.

I even cooked dinner last night. (spaghetti and meat sauce.) It was on the stove, and I had to do the dishes in the wash sink in the basement, but it was a home cooked meal. The storms were to bad to cook or eat outside.

DH is going to get all the extra junk out of the great room and we are going to have a dance in your socks party tonight before we fill it back up with stuff.

Can't say we are done until those darn counter tops go in. Still have a few weeks to go on that.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I wonder how dated we are going to find ourselves in 10 years. That is so 2007!

I don't know. I'm in denial that it'll ever happen.

We are doing pretty well on progress. DH just finished the last piece of wood on the floor. Trim, molding and stuff needs doing, but it is coming together nicely. I get to put things back in cabinet today. I am not sure what I want where so I expect a bit of moving around until we find the right places for things.

I still don't have my stuff where it all needs to be, and my kitchen has been done for a little over two years.

I even cooked dinner last night. (spaghetti and meat sauce.) It was on the stove, and I had to do the dishes in the wash sink in the basement, but it was a home cooked meal. The storms were to bad to cook or eat outside.

At least you have a basement sink! I washed dishes in the bathtub!

DH is going to get all the extra junk out of the great room and we are going to have a dance in your socks party tonight before we fill it back up with stuff.

Can't say we are done until those darn counter tops go in. Still have a few weeks to go on that.

Waiting for the counters, was by far the longest wait of them all. Once the counters were in, I think the kitchen was done in two days!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Mickeysgal, better late than never, I hope!

The tile guy on www.gardenweb.com is Bill Vincent. His screen name is: bill vincent. https://auth.gardenweb.com/members/bill_vincent

 

[Hixski]

You need to make yourself available as the thread's official welcome wagon, and pass these out to all newcomers. Goodness knows we've all needed them!

I have been "borrowing" these smilies from other people whenever I see them. I just put them in my photobucket account to use when necessary. Sounds like everyone could use them from time to time.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Well the master bath is pretty much done now!

Before

After