Let's Talk Remodeling

[mickeysgal]

Isn't it fun?????

Did you ever decide on a tile design?

No, not yet. I'm sure I'm going to beat this decision into the ground as well.

We were in Las Vegas last week for a few days and yes, I'm guilty, I was taking pictures of tile in some of the swanky casino bathrooms. How tacky is that?

 

[mickeysgal]

So Galahad, when are you having us all over ?
It looks very nice!

OT for a minute, but Am I There Yet we're heading to Houston Thursday - Sunday for a girls' weekend to see Wicked and shop. We're staying at the Westin Galleria and have reservations to eat at Artista before the show. Good choices?

Can you recommend any "must" places for shopping or dining?

Great idea! That solarium is so awesome, that it needs a bunch of Dis'ers there to break it in!

Bengalbelle: Have a great time seeing Wicked. Its a great show.

 

[mickeysgal]

well the kitchen floor is HALF done it feels strange to walk in there right now LOL. It will look wonderful but I will definately need to rethink the butcher block counters I am also going to need some serious paint advice.

Binny, I bet the kitchen feels like a new room. Please post pictures when you can.

 

[Galahad]

Galahad, that solarium is incredibly beautiful. What a project. You've undertaken a major one there, haven't you? I'm not sure I would have had the stamina for that one although the pain of the remodel will surely fade when you enjoy that hot tub, thats for sure.

Just an update on our remodel. We had the granite people out to make the template for the basement kitchette. The contractor dropped off the quarter round and will install it in the next two weeks. We're getting close, yet seem so far off still. Once we move the furniture out of the garage area of the basement, the contractor can then get to the area where the storage room will be built. I will say I had a bit of a meltdown today - I'm frustrated with the clutter of everything seeming to be out of place during this remodel. It has affected both the main level, the unfinished part of the basement, and the garage. Today, I guess I just hit my limit. I'm better now though, I just had to get it out of my system. I spent a couple of hours this afternoon looking at bathroom vanites on ebay and websites. Its my hobby now.

One of the biggest stessors for me in the last few months is the "wait" between all of these steps. If the granite guy shows up to measure, there isn't a guarantee that the measurments will get to whom they need to go to to get the actual fabrication of the countertop started. The number of times I assumed that something in the project was being worked on when it really wasn't - - - - -- it probably burned weeks when all is said and done.

Good luck though. It'll be great when it's done!!!!!

 

[Galahad]

So Galahad, when are you having us all over ?
It looks very nice!

LOL! Everybody that's heard us regale them with stories of the project have pretty much made us promise to have them over for a hot-tub party as payment for listening to our long winded stories.

 

[tinah159]

We finished our master bathroom a couple of months ago. We came home from WDW and could smell mold. We had to gut the room to the studs and redo everything. We didnt have it budgeted so we did everything ourselves. I bought unfinished cabinets and stained those myself which allowed us to install a new whirlpool tub. I too almost fainted when I saw the price for the frameless shower surround as well. We ended up buying a shower kit but rather than use the surround and shower pan part, tiled it. The whole thing looks great and only cost $5000.00. We only had one bathroom for 2 months, but it was worth it.

We just finished the kitchen. I used Lowes unfinished cabinets and stained those. Saving about $1000.00. We did everything ourselves. I was surprised we could do it! I need to stop talking about this because my bedroom needs work and I will be headed to Lowes if I dont stop!

 

[mickeysgal]

We finished our master bathroom a couple of months ago. We came home from WDW and could smell mold. We had to gut the room to the studs and redo everything.

Where was the mold smell coming from? You had to redo everything?

 

[binny]

Yikes Tinah that is scary!

 

[mickeysgal]

One of the biggest stessors for me in the last few months is the "wait" between all of these steps. If the granite guy shows up to measure, there isn't a guarantee that the measurments will get to whom they need to go to to get the actual fabrication of the countertop started. The number of times I assumed that something in the project was being worked on when it really wasn't - - - - -- it probably burned weeks when all is said and done.

For those of you that have done granite, did you pick out your own slabs? We did with this kitchenette project. We were quoted a price per sq foot. My question is, were your prices the same no matter where on the slab you placed the template? The prettiest section of the slab we want to use is smack in the middle and most likely the fabricator won't get any other useful pieces out of it. If we moved the template down to the edge of the slab, maybe you'd get another useful piece out of it. I'm wondering if its common for the price to flucuate depending on how much you use up the slab.

 

[Galahad]

For those of you that have done granite, did you pick out your own slabs? We did with this kitchenette project. We were quoted a price per sq foot. My question is, were your prices the same no matter where on the slab you placed the template? The prettiest section of the slab we want to use is smack in the middle and most likely the fabricator won't get any other useful pieces out of it. If we moved the template down to the edge of the slab, maybe you'd get another useful piece out of it. I'm wondering if its common for the price to flucuate depending on how much you use up the slab.

We are actually doing Quartz so we didn't pick out a slab. I'm hoping they are busy making the countertops now - but we bought them through Home Depot and they aren't the most reliable in actually getting things done.....

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

For those of you that have done granite, did you pick out your own slabs? We did with this kitchenette project. We were quoted a price per sq foot. My question is, were your prices the same no matter where on the slab you placed the template? The prettiest section of the slab we want to use is smack in the middle and most likely the fabricator won't get any other useful pieces out of it. If we moved the template down to the edge of the slab, maybe you'd get another useful piece out of it. I'm wondering if its common for the price to flucuate depending on how much you use up the slab.

We picked our own slabs and then had them picked up and fabricated. It sounds like your granite must have a lot of flow to it.

We specifically picked Uba Tuba, because it does not have flow. We have one seam and it's undetectable. It also makes it easy to use scraps in smaller places, like behind the slide-in range, and to match up one slab next to another similar one.

If I'm not mistaken, you're going to pay for the whole slab, whether you use all it or not. It'll be your loss if some of it is unusable and ends up going in the fabricators scrap pile, and you have to purchase more to complete the job.

Did I just make sense. I'm posting on hardly no coffee.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

You had to redo everything?

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

So Galahad, when are you having us all over ?
It looks very nice!

OT for a minute, but Am I There Yet we're heading to Houston Thursday - Sunday for a girls' weekend to see Wicked and shop. We're staying at the Westin Galleria and have reservations to eat at Artista before the show. Good choices?

Can you recommend any "must" places for shopping or dining?

Ooooohhhh, fun!

Well, you'll be right by the Galleria, so there's your shopping avenue already! What kind of food do you like?

That part of town has just about everything, and has some of the finest restaurants in Houston!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

No, not yet. I'm sure I'm going to beat this decision into the ground as well.

We were in Las Vegas last week for a few days and yes, I'm guilty, I was taking pictures of tile in some of the swanky casino bathrooms. How tacky is that?

I sneak my camera into model homes all the time! I've also been known to take pictures off the walls to see who made them.

So... I guess we're both tacky!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

well the kitchen floor is HALF done it feels strange to walk in there right now LOL. It will look wonderful but I will definately need to rethink the butcher block counters I am also going to need some serious paint advice.

I think that's probably the right way to approach it anyway. You need something big, and you can't go much bigger than floor-space, to guide you in your other choices.

You're just doing the towel-bar syndrome on a much larger scale!

We're always glad to be arm chair decorators! Post pictures and we'll give you our "expertise".

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

We are actually doing Quartz so we didn't pick out a slab. I'm hoping they are busy making the countertops now - but we bought them through Home Depot and they aren't the most reliable in actually getting things done.....

Our counters, were our longest wait. I think from the time they came out to measure, it took another two weeks to fabricate them. Two weeks without countertops was really fun.

 

[mickeysgal]

We picked our own slabs and then had them picked up and fabricated. It sounds like your granite must have a lot of flow to it.

We specifically picked Uba Tuba, because it does not have flow. We have one seam and it's undetectable. It also makes it easy to use scraps in smaller places, like behind the slide-in range, and to match up one slab next to another similar one.

If I'm not mistaken, you're going to pay for the whole slab, whether you use all it or not. It'll be your loss if some of it is unusable and ends up going in the fabricators scrap pile, and you have to purchase more to complete the job.

Did I just make sense. I'm posting on hardly no coffee.

No, you're making perfect sense.

Yes, it is an African granite and has a lot of flow - its called Crema Bordeaux. This particular slab is quite pretty - more so than the others they have from a different lot number. The cabinets are by Diamond in cherry with a deep chocolate stain (not glaze). Very dark - almost black if you're not looking close enough. Cherry is the only wood that can accept a stain that dark. We were looking to do more of an entertainment kitchenette rather than a traditional kitchen since it is attached to what we're calling a media room. Being as dark as they are, I felt the counter tops needed color which is why we didn't go with a solid.

Thats what I thought - that it shouldn't matter where on the slab we place the template since we're most likely paying for the entire slab. We are able to fit it in one cut (its L shaped) so there will be no seams. Another reason we felt comfortable going with a slab with movement.

 

[shovan]

Galahad, That is some project! It really looks wonderful, I can't wait to see everything completed! You must have a very nice view in your back yard to have undertaken this big of a remodel. It is going to be fabulous!

Bengalbelle, Can I come? Sounds like a fun girl's weekend! I know I sure could use one!

We still have no prices from the two contractors that came by last week. Also found out that the one contractor that so far, actually wants the work does not have a very good reputation. My Aunt is in Real Estate & she found out that this contractor has filed bankruptcy several times! So that one is a definite no.

 

[Ranatra]

For those of you that have done granite, did you pick out your own slabs? We did with this kitchenette project. We were quoted a price per sq foot. My question is, were your prices the same no matter where on the slab you placed the template? The prettiest section of the slab we want to use is smack in the middle and most likely the fabricator won't get any other useful pieces out of it. If we moved the template down to the edge of the slab, maybe you'd get another useful piece out of it. I'm wondering if its common for the price to flucuate depending on how much you use up the slab.

We picked out our own slab. I believe we used it all, with our counters, fireplace mantle and window sills.
I would think in a case like that, (the prettiest section being in the middle)
you would be charged for the whole slab. Did you ask the supplier?

Galahad,
Enjoyed seeing your pics! Great project! Can't wait to see it all done!! (I know, you can't either! )

We started our Remodel project 2 years ago. Gutted the entire main floor and lived downstairs for a year. Ugh, don't ever want to do that again.
Our project also included the outside of the house, raising the roof, all new windows, skylights, new front porch, new back patio and walls.
As far as the inside, we still need to pick out our bathroom counter tops, and sinks, the vanities are in.
I'm having a hard time finding granite that I like for in there, so I'm procrastinating.

On the outside, the porch roof needs completed and in the back, DH needs to finish laying the fieldstone, finish the waterfall, (pond is in) and finish the natural stone walls.(they're mostly done)
DH is a contractor and has his own business, so he's done a lot of the work himself. What he hasn't done, he's contracted out to people he knows and works with.

I really enjoy seeing everyone's pictures! I'm glad I found this thread!

 

[Galahad]

We picked out our own slab. I believe we used it all, with our counters, fireplace mantle and window sills.
I would think in a case like that, (the prettiest section being in the middle)
you would be charged for the whole slab. Did you ask the supplier?

Galahad,
Enjoyed seeing your pics! Great project! Can't wait to see it all done!! (I know, you can't either! )

We started our Remodel project 2 years ago. Gutted the entire main floor and lived downstairs for a year. Ugh, don't ever want to do that again.
Our project also included the outside of the house, raising the roof, all new windows, skylights, new front porch, new back patio and walls.
As far as the inside, we still need to pick out our bathroom counter tops, and sinks, the vanities are in.
I'm having a hard time finding granite that I like for in there, so I'm procrastinating.

On the outside, the porch roof needs completed and in the back, DH needs to finish laying the fieldstone, finish the waterfall, (pond is in) and finish the natural stone walls.(they're mostly done)
DH is a contractor and has his own business, so he's done a lot of the work himself. What he hasn't done, he's contracted out to people he knows and works with.

I really enjoy seeing everyone's pictures! I'm glad I found this thread!

Wow! What a project. Our main floor was gutted first but they new floors and drywall and painting for all but the kitchen and the new solariums have been done for quite a while. Can't used those rooms yet because the last bit of "demo" is knocking outside walls down and it would just destroy all of that work if those rooms weren't "sealed" off.

We are doing our "total" remodel in phases. In about 2 years we will transform the library/utility room/half bath area into a main floor small master suite (within 10 years, DW won't be able to do stairs any longer so we need a room on the main floor). Then after than we re-do the original master suite.

So Ranatra, do you have any before and after shots?