Let's Talk Remodeling

[shovan]

Thanks Galahad & mickeysgal!

I knew that others going through this stuff would understand my pain!

Our bad luck streak seems to be on going. The man that came out last night seemed very good & we think we could work well with him. He said he'd like to do the job, but will have to check with the owner. As it is a rather complicated renovation & they have so much work, they may not WANT to take it on!

Galahad, Sorry you are having more hiccups. I hope everything finishes up soon. I really can't wait to see pics of your finished kitchen!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Wow! Good luck. Sounds like you're on a streak of not-so-good luck.

Yesterday, our Kitchen contractor discovered that the electrician hadn't wired for the radiant heating units under the tile so they had to rip a hole in a freshly built wall. Boy I'll be glad when this is done.

Oh, no!

When we remodeled our kitchen, we replaced a wall oven, with a slide-n range.

It ended up being our most expensive mistake. It cost us $1k for the electrician to amp up the wiring for the slide in range.

It never crossed our minds that with the cook-top and the range now being in one place (previously the cook-top was on the island), that our wiring wasn't adequate.

Just keep saying, "This too shall pass."

 

[Galahad]

Oh, no!

When we remodeled our kitchen, we replaced a wall oven, with a slide-n range.

It ended up being our most expensive mistake. It cost us $1k for the electrician to amp up the wiring for the slide in range.

It never crossed our minds that with the cook-top and the range now being in one place (previously the cook-top was on the island), that our wiring wasn't adequate.

Just keep saying, "This too shall pass."

We had to "amp up" the whole house, since we are adding the Solarium which has the hot tub, etc. to a new kitchen with a double oven and the like. That came to $5000 that we didn't expect. Writing checks is just another hobby now.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

We had to "amp up" the whole house, since we are adding the Solarium which has the hot tub, etc. to a new kitchen with a double oven and the like. That came to $5000 that we didn't expect. Writing checks is just another hobby now.

OMG! I'll never complain about my $1k again!

 

[Galahad]

OMG! I'll never complain about my $1k again!

No, I think it's OK to complain about it. It's all relative to the size of your project really. I mean, DW is having me replace the electrician over $1,000 (and his unreliability). In the vast scheme of the project $1000 shouldn't matter, but it does in this case because of the "principle" I suppose.

 

[Galahad]

OK, here's a new twist. We had a lot of trouble getting our project off the ground. First we asked one contractor for a design of the Solarium that we rejected. That burned about 2 months or so. Then we got another contractor's design. We submitted it for approval from to Home Owner's Association last August and got Approval in September. The instructed us to verify that our room would meet the set-back requirements and to modify the location if it did not. So we took the design to a planning commission hearing to review and to get permission should be be too close to the back of the property. Turned out we were 2 feet too close, on one corner of the room, and some neighbors showed up to remonstrate so we lost that appeal and went ahead with altering the location. The neighbors that showed up though wanted to complain about the project happening in the first place, not to the "set back" issue. Well, the planning commission informed them that if it was approved by the HOA, they can't go to the planning commission and stop the project. Among other things they complained about was that if we had a solarium they would be able to "look into" our house and therefore it shouldn't be allowed.

So we start the project, as approved (in January - 6 months after we started). A month or so into the project, we got a notice from the HOA that our contractor's sign in our front yard was not allowed. We didn't think anything of it because there are contractors signs all over the neighborhood. So this week, we got a letter from the HOA's management company that we were in violation because we were adding on to our house without approval. So I've forwarded the approval (which is completely unambiguous) and such back to them. My suspicion is that our neighbors went directly to the management company, who simply turned around and wrote a letter. But it still makes us more than angry. I can't wait until this is done!!!!

 

[mickeysgal]

So we start the project, as approved (in January - 6 months after we started). A month or so into the project, we got a notice from the HOA that our contractor's sign in our front yard was not allowed. We didn't think anything of it because there are contractors signs all over the neighborhood. So this week, we got a letter from the HOA's management company that we were in violation because we were adding on to our house without approval. So I've forwarded the approval (which is completely unambiguous) and such back to them. My suspicion is that our neighbors went directly to the management company, who simply turned around and wrote a letter. But it still makes us more than angry. I can't wait until this is done!!!!

Galahad, I'm so sorry that this is happening to you. Nice neighbors! Are these people that you've associated before in the past? I'd be ticked. You're not degrading your property, you're enhancing it and most likely theirs also by default. Anyone who keeps up or improves their property is good for the neighborhood as a whole. Good grief!

Can you plant a row of spruce pines along your border so that you wouldn't have to look at them and them at you? Are you going to try to shield yourself from them in any way?

Thank goodness you have the approval in writing. They're just trying to aggravate you. It bothers me that the HOA is complaining about the sign when others aren't getting hassled for their contractor signs.

 

[Galahad]

Galahad, I'm so sorry that this is happening to you. Nice neighbors! Are these people that you've associated before in the past? I'd be ticked. You're not degrading your property, you're enhancing it and most likely theirs also by default. Anyone who keeps up or improves their property is good for the neighborhood as a whole. Good grief!

Can you plant a row of spruce pines along your border so that you wouldn't have to look at them and them at you? Are you going to try to shield yourself from them in any way?

Thank goodness you have the approval in writing. They're just trying to aggravate you. It bothers me that the HOA is complaining about the sign when others aren't getting hassled for their contractor signs.

Well the HOA acknowledged their mistake this afternoon. I'm relieved. This project is stressful enough without more administrative gunk. As for the neighbors, we didn't know them before they built their house about a year ago on the only vacant lot in the area. Very confrontational - even in the smallest things.

 

[shovan]

Galahad, I hope that issue is resolved! Sounds like you have some very petty neighbors. Your addition is going to be gorgeous, I don't understand how they could have a problem with it.

We are getting so frustrated with not being able to find someone to do this work. We have actually been out looking at property & considering building a new house instead of remodeling this one! I know we are probably crazy, right? If we can't deal with a remodel, how would we survive building a new home!

 

[binny]

Galahad I am so sorry we had neighbourslike that in our old neighbourhood makes you want to scream doesnt it?

Our HOA was useless as well. They would send out letters upon letters but never actually did anything to our neighbours who refused to keep up their lawns and let their old cars rot in the yard but my neighbours who did everything were late by ONE month on the dues ( one of those "oh honey I thought YOU paid it" deals) and they put a lein on their house!





well we are back on!!


Wahooo.



And check this out! I was at Ikea in Calgary last week and found these countertops, the ones that the contractor said would be THOUSANDS of dollars to do, for under $1000 for my whole kitchen this is actually what I was looking for, butcher block counters, I want to stain them a dark mahogany stain.

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stor...-1&categoryId=16273&chosenPartNumber=40091673

Anyway, we are back in business!

 

[Galahad]

Galahad, I hope that issue is resolved! Sounds like you have some very petty neighbors. Your addition is going to be gorgeous, I don't understand how they could have a problem with it.

We are getting so frustrated with not being able to find someone to do this work. We have actually been out looking at property & considering building a new house instead of remodeling this one! I know we are probably crazy, right? If we can't deal with a remodel, how would we survive building a new home!

You know there is a point of "diminishing returns" and I think we might be close to it. We've spent months on our remodel and because it's so extensive, we could have built or bought a pretty nice house for what we've spent on it. And, since the changes were so large, I'm not sure it wouldn't have been a better idea. When you start moving walls around and stuff you either have to accept the limits the structure of your house hands you or start spending large $$ to move beams around. We've done both for this project. If your remodel is large, it's GOT to be no more stressful to build a house (something we've never done).

Binny, those counters will look great! Glad you got a good deal!

 

[shovan]

Binny, You can't beat real butcher block counters! Glad you found what you wanted at a decent price. My Dad built wood counters in thier house years ago & they are still so nice!

Galahad, I so understand diminishing returns right now! One of the contractors that came out last week actually asked us if we really wanted to do this remodel! He talked about what a mess it was going to be & how long we be without that bathrooom. He really said " Are you sure you want to do this?" The big issue seems to be breaking out the slab to form a "roll-in" shower. Sounds like it's going to be such a mess, that living here is going to be Remodel H#ll!!!

Update: The contractor we met with last week that we liked, just called to say they don't want the job! He said it was too complicated a renovation & they just have so much work they don't want to take it on! I'm really bummed. Just two more contractors left to check out.

 

[bengalbelle]

Shovan I'm thinking good thoughts for you. I hope you find someone soon

Galahad, I hope all works out for you too.

Binny, glad you found the countertops.


We have the appraisal and inspection behind us for our new house, so now I'm just looking forward to the closing on May 15th. I'm starting to feel like it's my house! I didn't think we'd be doing anything but moving in, but I'm pretty sure I'll be doing some minor cosmetic changes, like painting and adding crown molding to the cabinets, stripping the wallpaper in the kitchen and painting the walls. I hope all of the talented do it yourself designers on this thread will help me out!

Before too long I hope to change the countertops and backsplash in the kitchen to either granite (1st choice) or ceramic tile. Can you have an undermounted sink with granite? I'd also like to rip out all of the carpet and install hardwood floors.

 

[Galahad]

Before too long I hope to change the countertops and backsplash in the kitchen to either granite (1st choice) or ceramic tile. Can you have an undermounted sink with granite? I'd also like to rip out all of the carpet and install hardwood floors.

We are putting in Quartz countertops with an undermount sink. I would think that if you can do it with Quartz you can do it with Granite.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Before too long I hope to change the countertops and backsplash in the kitchen to either granite (1st choice) or ceramic tile. Can you have an undermounted sink with granite? I'd also like to rip out all of the carpet and install hardwood floors.

I have an undermount sink with my granite. I love it! You can just sweep all the crumbs directly into the sink.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Update: The contractor we met with last week that we liked, just called to say they don't want the job! He said it was too complicated a renovation & they just have so much work they don't want to take it on! I'm really bummed. Just two more contractors left to check out.

Wow! I sure wish I could pick and chose what work I wanted to take!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

And check this out! I was at Ikea in Calgary last week and found these countertops, the ones that the contractor said would be THOUSANDS of dollars to do, for under $1000 for my whole kitchen this is actually what I was looking for, butcher block counters, I want to stain them a dark mahogany stain.

http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stor...-1&categoryId=16273&chosenPartNumber=40091673

Anyway, we are back in business!

Good choice! I like them!

I considered doing them on my island and doing granite everywhere else. I was never able to put the time into researching the wood, before it came down to crunch-time - so all granite it was.

 

[shovan]

Shovan I'm thinking good thoughts for you. I hope you find someone soon

I didn't think we'd be doing anything but moving in, but I'm pretty sure I'll be doing some minor cosmetic changes, like painting and adding crown molding to the cabinets, stripping the wallpaper in the kitchen and painting the walls. I hope all of the talented do it yourself designers on this thread will help me out!
Before too long I hope to change the countertops and backsplash in the kitchen to either granite (1st choice) or ceramic tile. Can you have an undermounted sink with granite? I'd also like to rip out all of the carpet and install hardwood floors.

No renovations uh!!! I can tell you are really starting to think of the new house as home! I had the same questions about granite. When we redid our kitchen we put in man-made stone with the seamless sink. I love it! It cleans so easy, no ridges or crevices to trap gunk! But I was thinking of granite with an undermounted sink in the bathroom.

I have an undermount sink with my granite. I love it! You can just sweep all the crumbs directly into the sink.

Wow! I sure wish I could pick and chose what work I wanted to take!

Don't we all wish we could be as picky as these guys are!!!

Am I There Yet, what did you put in the bathroom you remodeled, the granite? That's what you were going to put in the Master Bath, just wondering what you chose for the other one?

 

[Miss Jasmine]

We finished picking out stuff for our kitchen remodel and our masterbath upgrade. DH has expensive taste. Now I am working on the financing. Yipee. This whole process has me really freaked out, even more so than when we had the house built.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Am I There Yet, what did you put in the bathroom you remodeled, the granite? That's what you were going to put in the Master Bath, just wondering what you chose for the other one?

I have Absolute Black granite in the my hall bath (with a white porcelain undermount sink). Never again. Yes, for the granite, no to the black. It shows e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.

We're doing (if we ever get this stupid remodel off the ground) granite in the master too. I'll have it on the vanities, and also the tub decking. The apron will be mosaic tile.