Let's Talk Remodeling

[SplshMtn99]

OMG, I have to share this.

Our condo neighbor is about 65 years old & a contractor. Before he moved in, DH & I did ALOT of projects...and did them all ourselves. Ever since he's moved in, he has to get himself involved in our projects. I can't even begin to explain to you how bad his work is. I REFUSE to let him touch ANYTHING in our house. We are friends with him, but don't touch my house.

Today, he found out from DH we are doing the plumbing connections. Well, he shows up to see what we need & wants to go get his tools. I have to keep saying stuff like "we like to do it ourselves. It gives us time together. You are taking away our fun.". Ok, he finally gets it.

Then DH points out that the cabinets weren't very level so there are some shims now under the front of countertop. You can not see these shims unless you are on the floor & looking up. Neighbor is going on & on how he just bought something that is perfect to hide it & you won't even notice it.....blah, blah, blah.... I'm panicking. I'm saying stuff like. Its not noticeable. Leave it alone.

He comes over with this $5 package of white plastic "trim" rolled up that you put around bathtubs. You know the tacky looking stuff I'm talking about. I swear he would have opened the package & started putting it on if DH didn't FINALLY speak up & tell him NO!!! Can you imagine? White PLASTIC trim on oak cabinets under a brown/black $2400 stone countertop?


I have no idea why people hire him?

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

OMG, I have to share this.

Our condo neighbor is about 65 years old & a contractor. Before he moved in, DH & I did ALOT of projects...and did them all ourselves. Ever since he's moved in, he has to get himself involved in our projects. I can't even begin to explain to you how bad his work is. I REFUSE to let him touch ANYTHING in our house. We are friends with him, but don't touch my house.

Today, he found out from DH we are doing the plumbing connections. Well, he shows up to see what we need & wants to go get his tools. I have to keep saying stuff like "we like to do it ourselves. It gives us time together. You are taking away our fun.". Ok, he finally gets it.

Then DH points out that the cabinets weren't very level so there are some shims now under the front of countertop. You can not see these shims unless you are on the floor & looking up. Neighbor is going on & on how he just bought something that is perfect to hide it & you won't even notice it.....blah, blah, blah.... I'm panicking. I'm saying stuff like. Its not noticeable. Leave it alone.

He comes over with this $5 package of white plastic "trim" rolled up that you put around bathtubs. You know the tacky looking stuff I'm talking about. I swear he would have opened the package & started putting it on if DH didn't FINALLY speak up & tell him NO!!! Can you imagine? White PLASTIC trim on oak cabinets under a brown/black $2400 stone countertop?


I have no idea why people hire him?

Sounds like he has wonderful taste!

 

[Hixski]

What a difference! Thats a pretty color - do you know what color it is and from what manufacturer?

Thanks!! The paint color is Warm Muffin. It is Behr paint in eggshell from Home Depot. Covers like a dream too over the ivory color.

Hixski, I would love to paint the dining room a different color than the current porcelain while doing this project....BUT, if I do that, then the living room should be done, which leads to the stairs & hallways, and .......

I think I'll just wait to spring the idea of painting the house next year. DH can only handle so much at a time.

Besides, painting is the job he loathes more than anything else. BUT, he does an AWESOME job at it. He tapes everything REALLY REALLY perfectly. Then scrapes off any paint with an exacto knife if its on the wood.

He'll never hire a painter again after the last time I did that for the bathroom. DH just simply didn't have the time. I can't tell you how long I spent getting splatters off new sink, faucet & new floor & off the natural woodwork.

Again.....no one cares as much about the details than the homeowner does. If you haven't figured it out yet, we are ANAL!!!

DH is pretty anal too!! When he was trimming up around the ceiling he was so careful. I would be painting in a different area and I would hear

. I would tell him I was coming with the ceiling paint to touch up where he had got the paint on the ceiling. At least that only happened 4 or 5 times over the course of 3 days.

 

[SplshMtn99]

Yeah there's some swearing going on right now from under my kitchen sink. Really, its just his first reaction to everything, until he thinks it thru.

I'm up here where its safe looking for a filtered water faucet in a different finish. Chrome faucet seems to be the only finish they send with the water filters.

I'll go down in a little bit when its safe. lol And I have dishwasher spacing photos to post later tonight probably.

 

[mickeysgal]

Here's a little update.

Remember the $17,000 estimate for landscaping that prompted me to look for new smilies to describe my horror and disappointment? Well, we decided to give a section of the side yard a whirl by ourselves. We went out today with the plan in hand and went to our local nursery. We showed them what we had and what we'd like and they helped us pick out the easy stuff we could do ourselves. The bigger things (like trees) we're going to have to have the nursery deliver and plant. DH and our youngest son is out there right now planting. So far the tab for plants, soil, and root stimulant, etc. is around $300. We still need some more for this particular area, but even if we spend another $700 (at the most) - it's still a far cry from the approximate $5500 they wanted for just this section. And it's the same exact plants in the same exact sizes.

Of course this project takes us away from the punch list from the basement project, the doorway transom project (in final painting stage), the powder room project (new vanity due in next week), and the laundry room cabinet project (which are sitting in the living room waiting to be installed).

Hey - its always fun to stop and start a half-dozen small projects around the house, right?

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Here's a little update.

Remember the $17,000 estimate for landscaping that prompted me to look for new smilies to describe my horror and disappointment? Well, we decided to give a section of the side yard a whirl by ourselves. We went out today with the plan in hand and went to our local nursery. We showed them what we had and what we'd like and they helped us pick out the easy stuff we could do ourselves. The bigger things (like trees) we're going to have to have the nursery deliver and plant. DH and our youngest son is out there right now planting. So far the tab for plants, soil, and root stimulant, etc. is around $300. We still need some more for this particular area, but even if we spend another $700 (at the most) - it's still a far cry from the approximate $5500 they wanted for just this section. And it's the same exact plants in the same exact sizes.

Of course this project takes us away from the punch list from the basement project, the doorway transom project (in final painting stage), the powder room project (new vanity due in next week), and the laundry room cabinet project (which are sitting in the living room waiting to be installed).

Hey - its always fun to stop and start a half-dozen small projects around the house, right?

Yeah, but the indoor stuff can wait. The outdoor stuff needs to be in the ground and somewhat established before the first frost hits.

Plus, if you completed one project before moving on to the next, it would make me look bad. And feel totally inadequate, and that would just be cruel.

Did I help?

 

[Hixski]

Hey - its always fun to stop and start a half-dozen small projects around the house, right?

I have to show this to DH!! He is constantly complaining that I do this to him all the time.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I know you all will appreciate this...the spinoff projects!

We decided to replace my computer hutch with a new small desk (I have a laptop). I built the desk and chair from World Market today. It was a bit of a task, but let me vouch for the quality of their product.

Also, yesterday I ordered a new duvet cover, shams and duvet from The Company Store for our bedroom (ont at site they are called comforter covers and comforters). I am HOPING this is the LAST of the add-ons to our remodeling projects.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I know you all will appreciate this...the spinoff projects!

We decided to replace my computer hutch with a new small desk (I have a laptop). I built the desk and chair from World Market today. It was a bit of a task, but let me vouch for the quality of their product.

Also, yesterday I ordered a new duvet cover, shams and duvet from The Company Store for our bedroom (ont at site they are called comforter covers and comforters). I am HOPING this is the LAST of the add-ons to our remodeling projects.

I bought my nine year old step-daughter's comforter from their kid's division. Good, quality stuff!

 

[mickeysgal]

Plus, if you completed one project before moving on to the next, it would make me look bad. And feel totally inadequate, and that would just be cruel.

Did I help?

Well don't worry - we NEVER fully complete a project without jump starting another one. 23 or so years of owning now 5 homes and its never happened once.

Hey - you are my pace car as far as remodeling projects. Your projects turn out gorgeous - your taste is superb.

Now if I could only decide on those doorknobs for the basement and the rest of the house...

(Yes, thats still going on. Actually I have the knob and am shopping the internet for the best price.)

And yes, I think we finally decided on tile for the basement bathroom. It will be the 12" tile up to about 2/3 of the wall, then the rope molding, then the bronze metal, then the rope again, then clipped 12" tiles with the small metal tiles. Its prettier in person. The floor will be only the 12" tiles.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Well don't worry - we NEVER fully complete a project without jump starting another one. 23 or so years of owning now 5 homes and its never happened once.

Hey - you are my pace car as far as remodeling projects. Your projects turn out gorgeous - your taste is superb.

Me? Coming from you, that's quite the compliment! Your projects don't turn out too shabby either!

Now if I could only decide on those doorknobs for the basement and the rest of the house...

(Yes, thats still going on. Actually I have the knob and am shopping the internet for the best price.)

Hey, doorknobs are expensive! We replaced our inside knobs, but still have all the exterior doors to go! We're stuck because we're replacing them with brushed nickel, and the threshold for the front door is brass. We can't think of a way to solve the problem.

Well... actually I did think of a way. I want a Cantera door, but my husband is still digging in his heels about it. I'm working on him still. I'll get him when he least expects it.

These things make me drool! http://www.canteradoors.com/products.php?category=residential&mode=thumbnail

And yes, I think we finally decided on tile for the basement bathroom. It will be the 12" tile up to about 2/3 of the wall, then the rope molding, then the bronze metal, then the rope again, then clipped 12" tiles with the small metal tiles. Its prettier in person. The floor will be only the 12" tiles.

I don't see how it could be prettier in person! It's gorgeous! I love it!

 

[mickeysgal]

Well... actually I did think of a way. I want a Cantera door, but my husband is still digging in his heels about it. I'm working on him still. I'll get him when he least expects it.

These things make me drool! http://www.canteradoors.com/products.php?category=residential&mode=thumbnail



I don't see how it could be prettier in person! It's gorgeous! I love it!

Thanks - the metal accents are in a bronze. I don't think the picture picked up on it very well. It blends nicely with the antique vanity and the mirror's framing.

We have a lot of homes around here with the wrought-iron doors. I love them. I'm afraid to ask how much they cost though. My DH doesn't want one with glass that you can see into even though there is wrought iron on the door. However, a couple of blocks down there is a house with this type of door and the glass is wavy, distorted. Its very pretty and I think it solves his concerns, don't you?

Those doors are gorgeous - I think you should get one!

 

[Syrreal]

OMG, I have to share this.

Our condo neighbor is about 65 years old & a contractor. Before he moved in, DH & I did ALOT of projects...and did them all ourselves. Ever since he's moved in, he has to get himself involved in our projects. I can't even begin to explain to you how bad his work is. I REFUSE to let him touch ANYTHING in our house. We are friends with him, but don't touch my house.

Today, he found out from DH we are doing the plumbing connections. Well, he shows up to see what we need & wants to go get his tools. I have to keep saying stuff like "we like to do it ourselves. It gives us time together. You are taking away our fun.". Ok, he finally gets it.

Then DH points out that the cabinets weren't very level so there are some shims now under the front of countertop. You can not see these shims unless you are on the floor & looking up. Neighbor is going on & on how he just bought something that is perfect to hide it & you won't even notice it.....blah, blah, blah.... I'm panicking. I'm saying stuff like. Its not noticeable. Leave it alone.

He comes over with this $5 package of white plastic "trim" rolled up that you put around bathtubs. You know the tacky looking stuff I'm talking about. I swear he would have opened the package & started putting it on if DH didn't FINALLY speak up & tell him NO!!! Can you imagine? White PLASTIC trim on oak cabinets under a brown/black $2400 stone countertop?


I have no idea why people hire him?

oh, come on....cheapo trim looks just AWESOME with expensive stuff. Brings it down to earth, y'know.

Seriously though, all projects must be hidden from this man!!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Thanks - the metal accents are in a bronze. I don't think the picture picked up on it very well. It blends nicely with the antique vanity and the mirror's framing.

We have a lot of homes around here with the wrought-iron doors. I love them. I'm afraid to ask how much they cost though. My DH doesn't want one with glass that you can see into even though there is wrought iron on the door. However, a couple of blocks down there is a house with this type of door and the glass is wavy, distorted. Its very pretty and I think it solves his concerns, don't you?

When I was selling new homes, we offered the iron doors that had opaque glass and one had the wavy glass. Right now I have a full length leaded glass door, so I'm already on display at night. I would definitely go with something that wasn't as see-through.

Those doors are gorgeous - I think you should get one!

Me too!

 

[Hixski]

I don't see how it could be prettier in person! It's gorgeous! I love it!

Ditto Mickeysgal!!! DH would NEVER agree to it but I love it. Remember I am still trying to wean DH off being a vanilla kind of guy.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Okay, it's 12:02 CST and where is my contractor???? Not here!

Something tells me she forgot about my appointment.

ETA: Well, this is typical of our luck. We waited about 15 more minutes and called her office. She calls me back and says that she wasn't supposed to be here today, but that I was supposed to call her at the beginning of this week to set up the appointment. WTH? I took out my husband's shift calendar while I was on the phone with her, and wrote down 12:00PM on today's date. I even remember repeating it back to her.

I know I had a lot going on last week, but this was before I got my teeth extracted, so I can't blame it on that. I think she screwed up. So, now it's been pushed off another week. Two weeks now! This is the part of this I really hate. I'm starting to feel like Shovan.

 

[mickeysgal]

Am_I_There_Yet, you have a lady contractor?

Sorry about your delay. Miscomunication and additional waiting is no fun.

So be like me...start yet another project in the meantime. It isn't fun until the whole house is in a state of chaos.

 

[shovan]

Okay, it's 12:02 CST and where is my contractor???? Not here!

Something tells me she forgot about my appointment.

ETA: Well, this is typical of our luck. We waited about 15 more minutes and called her office. She calls me back and says that she wasn't supposed to be here today, but that I was supposed to call her at the beginning of this week to set up the appointment. WTH? I took out my husband's shift calendar while I was on the phone with her, and wrote down 12:00PM on today's date. I even remember repeating it back to her.

I know I had a lot going on last week, but this was before I got my teeth extracted, so I can't blame it on that. I think she screwed up. So, now it's been pushed off another week. Two weeks now! This is the part of this I really hate. I'm starting to feel like Shovan.

Now that is SCARY!!!

 

[shovan]

Well don't worry - we NEVER fully complete a project without jump starting another one. 23 or so years of owning now 5 homes and its never happened once.

Hey - you are my pace car as far as remodeling projects. Your projects turn out gorgeous - your taste is superb.

Now if I could only decide on those doorknobs for the basement and the rest of the house...

(Yes, thats still going on. Actually I have the knob and am shopping the internet for the best price.)

And yes, I think we finally decided on tile for the basement bathroom. It will be the 12" tile up to about 2/3 of the wall, then the rope molding, then the bronze metal, then the rope again, then clipped 12" tiles with the small metal tiles. Its prettier in person. The floor will be only the 12" tiles.

I agree with everyone else, that is going to be gorgeous!!! I remember you saying you wanted something that would be bold but classy, and that's exactly the look you're going to achieve!!! Nice!

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

Am_I_There_Yet, you have a lady contractor?

Sorry about your delay. Miscomunication and additional waiting is no fun.

So be like me...start yet another project in the meantime. It isn't fun until the whole house is in a state of chaos.

Yes, I have a lady contractor, so I can't even make opposite gender jokes about her.

Now that is SCARY!!!

I know, right? If she doesn't show up here on Monday, I'm going to suspect that you've jinxed me.