ODoyleRules
Footballguy
I didn't tell the wifey, so hopefully I can't take care of this this weekend.
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Otis in the Suburbs (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Otis
- Start date
I didn't tell the wifey, so hopefully I can't take care of this this weekend.
Al Czervik
Not wearing pants
Been following this thread for the most part (have caught about 80% of the pages) and I have gone from laughing at the rookie homeowner to actually learning some stuff.
In particular, thanks for the info on ThermaCELL and Homeseer. Good stuff.
In particular, thanks for the info on ThermaCELL and Homeseer. Good stuff.
Mr. Pickles
Footballguy
How should I know? I've asked.Factoring in that backsplash savings will be pretty huge.
ODoyleRules
Footballguy
Finished basement with kids 3 and 5. (though I spotted the critter in the unfinished storage part). I'm still trying to figure out how it got in. The sump pump discharge pipe outside the house came loose earlier this week and I'm wondering it if came in Andy Dufresne style.
urbanhack
Fight The Power!
BroncoFreak_2K3
sucker for Orange
Told ya....'Otis said:Guy came by to give us an estimate on installing a railing today. 2200 bucks. His comment to my wife, repeatedly:"I just can't believe you guys bought a house without a railing. The inspector should have caught this."Heading back to look at the inspection report to see if I can take it up with them.
Mr. Pickles
Footballguy
Home inspection is a racket, if you haven't figured that out already. They charge, what, $400 or so, and spend about 20 minutes looking at the house. Nice gig.'Otis said:Guy came by to give us an estimate on installing a railing today. 2200 bucks. His comment to my wife, repeatedly:"I just can't believe you guys bought a house without a railing. The inspector should have caught this."
James Daulton
Footballguy
Wait and see, he'll have no recourse with the inspector.Told ya....'Otis said:Guy came by to give us an estimate on installing a railing today. 2200 bucks. His comment to my wife, repeatedly:"I just can't believe you guys bought a house without a railing. The inspector should have caught this."
BroncoFreak_2K3
sucker for Orange
More then likely right...which sux the big one. I was merely agreeing with the GC's comments about the inspector should have caught it. To me, if it is such a blatant code violation, Oats should be able to go back on them for that oversight. That's negligence to me.Wait and see, he'll have no recourse with the inspector.Told ya....'Otis said:Guy came by to give us an estimate on installing a railing today. 2200 bucks. His comment to my wife, repeatedly:"I just can't believe you guys bought a house without a railing. The inspector should have caught this."
-jb-
Footballguy
I have no idea how you can even pay for the materials with $500, unless you're just going to paint some pine 2x4s. Assuming you're installing railing on 3 sides (one side attached to the house), that's $6.66 a linear foot.'The Commish said:Guess it's just the area...we are planning a 25 x 25 ft deck and doing it in a trex like product. The railings will be about $500 total for product. I'll be installing it though.'Otis said:It's about right. I got another estimate for 2k give or take. It's around three sides of a flat roof that is about 24x15 or so).'The Commish said:How big is this area that needs a railing? That seems like a buttload to put up an railing unless it's like 300-400 sq ft.'Otis said:Guy came by to give us an estimate on installing a railing today. 2200 bucks. His comment to my wife, repeatedly:"I just can't believe you guys bought a house without a railing. The inspector should have caught this."
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The Commish
Footballguy
It's two sides, not three. Two sides will be attached to the house. It's 50 total feet. $10 per linear foot plus tax.I have no idea how you can even pay for the materials with $500, unless you're just going to paint some pine 2x4s. Assuming you're installing railing on 3 sides (one side attached to the house), that's $6.66 a linear foot.'The Commish said:Guess it's just the area...we are planning a 25 x 25 ft deck and doing it in a trex like product. The railings will be about $500 total for product. I'll be installing it though.'Otis said:It's about right. I got another estimate for 2k give or take. It's around three sides of a flat roof that is about 24x15 or so).'The Commish said:How big is this area that needs a railing? That seems like a buttload to put up an railing unless it's like 300-400 sq ft.'Otis said:Guy came by to give us an estimate on installing a railing today. 2200 bucks. His comment to my wife, repeatedly:"I just can't believe you guys bought a house without a railing. The inspector should have caught this."
the moops
Footballguy
The guy I used spent 4 hours and his findings got the seller to pay almost all of our closing costs.
Senor Schmutzig
Footballguy
My wife and I did this one year and almost ended up divorcing. Hired the guy that did our countertops to replace the backsplash the second time around. Best $250 I ever spent.'Otis said:Did I mention I'm going to do a tile backsplash in the kitchen myself? Old pro...
Otis
Footballguy
Ours spent 4 hours and he cleared all the big stuff I really cared about -- structural, roofing, septic, electrical, etc. Yeah it would have been nice if he'd caught this so I could have quibbled about it and had the seller kick in and probably split the difference with us (1k), but there is still some peace of mind in the stuff he actually did inspect.But yeah, I called and e-mailed the company about it today. We'll see if we can get anything out of it.The guy I used spent 4 hours and his findings got the seller to pay almost all of our closing costs.
JerseyToughGuys
Tough Guy
Been following this thread for the most part (have caught about 80% of the pages) and I have gone from laughing at the rookie homeowner to actually learning some stuff.In particular, thanks for the info on ThermaCELL and Homeseer. Good stuff.
it's a mixed bag of awesome imo
JerseyToughGuys
Tough Guy
more lumber jackin', I hope. I never got to see the first video hear the Mrs. Oat giggle.
B-Deep
Footballguy
DON't use those old fashion snap mousetrapshere's the top 5 reasons1) you get the occasional bleeder2) once in a great while you get a thrasher3) one time I even saw one dragging it around4) those things are easy to set and don't hurt much, but for some unknown reason i was always SUPER damn nervous while setting them and inevitably ended up snapping myself5) the SNAP sound when they go off is unsettling'ODoyleRules said:'Aaron Rudnicki said:'The Commish said:
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desert rose
Footballguy
What if you just rail off a tiny fraction of the roof, like a 4'x4' area? Unless you're planning on using the roof as a major part of your lounging area, there's really no point in sinking $2K in that right now. You can revisit it when you have more time and money.
JerseyToughGuys
Tough Guy
sealing the door would be the insta-fix.
ODoyleRules
Footballguy
So basically you're saying that Tom & Jerry cartoon was a farce and not to be taken seriously? thanks for the tip.DON't use those old fashion snap mousetrapshere's the top 5 reasons1) you get the occasional bleeder2) once in a great while you get a thrasher3) one time I even saw one dragging it around4) those things are easy to set and don't hurt much, but for some unknown reason i was always SUPER damn nervous while setting them and inevitably ended up snapping myself5) the SNAP sound when they go off is unsettling'ODoyleRules said:'Aaron Rudnicki said:'The Commish said:
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
Finished or drop ceiling?
ODoyleRules
Footballguy
Drop ceiling. (oh man would that suck trying to find an entry point up there - I wouldn't even bother)
Otis
Footballguy
Both of these options sound pretty redneck to me. I do think the railing would look nice -- again, we noticed it as an aesthetic matter that it was missing, and said that we would want to add one at some point. So I'm happy just to do it right the first time and forget about it. With all these expenses, another 2k is starting to feel like a drop in the proverbial bucket...
Otis
Footballguy
WEEKEND STATUS REPORT !111one
Things are heating up, though I don't think we have a ton on tap for this weekend.
- Downstairs half bathroom - Contractor came by yesterday to measure out a job that would involve gutting this bathroom and doing the kitchen floor (tearing up the skeevy linoleum and refinishing the hardwood underneath). I was hoping this wouldn't be more than a few grand, but was prepared for an estimate of around 5k. Just called for the estimate and he said he'd ring be back within the hour. Stupid question here - the contractor said we should tile the floor, his assistant said he could easily just refinish the hardwood underneath the linoleum in there (which runs continuously from the kitchen), and so now they are saying go with the wood, it's fine. Both seem to look decent (I actually like the wood more), and it's a tiny bathroom so it doesn't matter, but is there a huge downside to either? Obviously tile is better for moisture, but it's just a half bath so I'm less concerned about that.
- Painter - Three guys have been working full bore for three days. Wife reports that the paint is going up in the two big rooms and hallway right now, and says it looks great "looks very Restoration Hardware." His expected completion time was 5 days, though he's hit some rotten chunks of wall and nasty things underneath so they have been slowed some. Also we've added "paint the kitchen cabinets" to his list of items. I'm expecting they will be done Wednesday-ish. I told him to pass on painting the downstairs bathtoom given that we are gutting it, but I hope to work something out to get him to come back for a half day to paint it after. If not, maybe I'll get these giant Ohands dirty.
- Siding- guy said they will start some time next week. Still hasn't given me a date, said he was behind on a couple other jobs due to rain. Really hoping they start and finish ASAP. The only catch on siding is that the bathroom guy said we should get in touch with siding guy because he is putting in a slightly bigger window than was in there previously and siding guy needs to leave the appropriate size opening. With all these moving parts and dependencies, this is starting to feel like a really complex brain teaser. The guy in the red house owns a dog, the lady in the blue house has heels, what pet does the guy in the green house own.
- RAILMAN- We got two quotes of about 2k each. One we are probably going with says we should call him to come in after the siding guys are done. He said he should be able to come in and get it installed quickly after that.
- Masonry guys- two different guys are coming by tomorrow AM to give estimates. I'm learning that getting multiple estimates is a really good idea. Based on the numbers you guys have been kicking around in here, I'm sort of terrified at what the prices will be. We'll see. A new front stoop really would make the entrance a lot nicer, and a new patio, and ripping out the wood deck, needs to happen. Of course, ripping out the wood deck probably involves ripping out the attached giant wooden planter attached to it, so I'm really glad I spent last Sunday morning planting a ton of flowers in there.
- Landscaper planning to come by this weekend, hopefully tomorrow, to give us an estimate and talk about planting the privacy trees in the back.
I've still got a few Otis tasks in store:
- Home automation/electrical - finish installing outlets/automated door lock on back door/wall switches. Not sure I'll get to this stuff this weekend given that I have work stuff to do, but I'll try.
- Home Depot - kitchen counter - went there with the wife yesterday and determined after talking with the guy that we can get new granite countertops installed for under 2k through Home Depot. They have some deal for 10% off which supposedly doesn't start for a couple weeks, but it seems ridiculous that we should have to wait to get the "deal." I took measurements yesterday as they requested, and will go back in this weekend to drop off the measurements and talk turkey. I don't want to wait weeks for anything here. We're trying to tear this band-aid off fast. Let's git 'er done.
- Home Depot - bathroom fixtures/tiles and backsplash for kitchen - Luckily we are looking back at cheaper fixtures for the half bath remodel. Need to get those picked out at home depot, but can do that after this weekend if necessary. I'll also be scoping tiles for the Obacksplash that I plan to do once all of these damn contractors and workers are out of my hair.
- Lawn - There are a few spots in the lawn that are bare, and where I'm tempted to rake the dirt a little and sprinkle in some grass seed, just to see what happens. I'm sure that'll go over well.
Also I plan to sit in my yard and drink some beers in the sun this weekend.
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Giant Wooden Badger
the Beav
- Masonry guys- two different guys are coming by tomorrow AM to give estimates. I'm learning that getting multiple estimates is a really good idea. Based on the numbers you guys have been kicking around in here, I'm sort of terrified at what the prices will be. We'll see. A new front stoop really would make the entrance a lot nicer, and a new patio, and ripping out the wood deck, needs to happen. Of course, ripping out the wood deck probably involves ripping out the attached giant wooden planter attached to it, so I'm really glad I spent last Sunday morning planting a ton of flowers in there.
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
When's the last time you looked up there? Would be a good place to put traps/decon if you have kids.
JerseyToughGuys
Tough Guy
SuburboProTip#3.14Home Depot sells sod. Buy sod, lay sod, bare spots begone! (granted it isn't primo stuff, but it works for quick fills and isn't full of weeds in my experience).
WEEKEND STATUS REPORT !111one
- Lawn - There are a few spots in the lawn that are bare, and where I'm tempted to rake the dirt a little and sprinkle in some grass seed, just to see what happens. I'm sure that'll go over well.
Also I plan to sit in my yard and drink some beers in the sun this weekend.
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Otis
Footballguy
So I just cut out a square of dirt and roll out the sod there?Damned sod part will look a whole lot nicer than the rest of the lawn. Maybe I should just wait for next season and start from square one with this lawn thing...SuburboProTip#3.14Home Depot sells sod. Buy sod, lay sod, bare spots begone! (granted it isn't primo stuff, but it works for quick fills and isn't full of weeds in my experience).
WEEKEND STATUS REPORT !111one
- Lawn - There are a few spots in the lawn that are bare, and where I'm tempted to rake the dirt a little and sprinkle in some grass seed, just to see what happens. I'm sure that'll go over well.
Also I plan to sit in my yard and drink some beers in the sun this weekend.
ODoyleRules
Footballguy
The problem is only partly my worry of a monster rat dropping out of the ceiling. The biggest problem is that 90% of the tiles are wedged in there really tight. I've replaced 4 or 5 tiles due to water spots and each was a PITA. You're right though, prolly good idea to drop some d-con up there.edit - I just laid down 2 of the HomeDefense box-type traps this afternoon. Debated on crunchy v. creamy peanut butter for bait but ultimately went with creamy.
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commisholio
Come out with your pants down!
For a 1/2 bath, I'd be fine with a hardwood floor. We have hardwood in a bath with a tub in it, though there is a tile surround around the tub and it works fine. We also have hardwood in our kitchen.
You need to be reasonably vigilant about cleaning up spilled water, but it's not that hard. 10 years later we don't have any noticeable damage on the floor in either room.
You need to be reasonably vigilant about cleaning up spilled water, but it's not that hard. 10 years later we don't have any noticeable damage on the floor in either room.
The Commish
Footballguy
When dealing with grass, you'll want to do it in the fall if at all possible. Are the bare spots in the sun or the shade?So I just cut out a square of dirt and roll out the sod there?Damned sod part will look a whole lot nicer than the rest of the lawn. Maybe I should just wait for next season and start from square one with this lawn thing...SuburboProTip#3.14Home Depot sells sod. Buy sod, lay sod, bare spots begone! (granted it isn't primo stuff, but it works for quick fills and isn't full of weeds in my experience).
WEEKEND STATUS REPORT !111one
- Lawn - There are a few spots in the lawn that are bare, and where I'm tempted to rake the dirt a little and sprinkle in some grass seed, just to see what happens. I'm sure that'll go over well.
Also I plan to sit in my yard and drink some beers in the sun this weekend.
NutterButter
Footballguy
Make sure to use a 10% coupon at HD and cardpool typically has 8% off cards.
Otis
Footballguy
Where does one get this?
Otis
Footballguy
Nice.Got the quote back from the contractor. For ripping up the garbage floors in the kitchen and bathroom, refinishing both, installing new fixtures in the bathroom, a new window, a fan, and new moldings along the floor (his guy thought the walls themselves looked fine, just need paint), he is charging us $2500. (We supply the toilet, sink, and fan).Seems like a pretty decent deal to me. He'll get it done next week.
NOTE: I was originally thinking a "gut renovation" in this room -- i.e., new walls too -- but if they look OK, does it matter?
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desert rose
Footballguy
Post office change of address kit? I think Home Depot will honor Lowe's coupon if you only have that. Wouldn't hurt to ask.
NutterButter
Footballguy
I get mine from ebay. Usually can get 2 for a buck or two. I'm too lazy to drive to the post office. Probably cost more in gas.
Otis
Footballguy
Just bought a couple. Pretty sweet. Between the savings on the countertop and on the toilet and sink, this could be $$$$$$$$.
desert rose
Footballguy
You could have had them for free.
NutterButter
Footballguy
Yeah, between the 10% off coupons and the 8% off store credit you can get from cardpool, 18% off is a huge chunk of change for the bigger ticket items. I wish i knew about both when I was renovating my house.
JerseyToughGuys
Tough Guy
seems like a pretty good deal imoNice.Got the quote back from the contractor. For ripping up the garbage floors in the kitchen and bathroom, refinishing both, installing new fixtures in the bathroom, a new window, a fan, and new moldings along the floor (his guy thought the walls themselves looked fine, just need paint), he is charging us $2500. (We supply the toilet, sink, and fan).Seems like a pretty decent deal to me. He'll get it done next week.
1, 2, 3 & 5 are what make them so awesome.DON't use those old fashion snap mousetrapshere's the top 5 reasons1) you get the occasional bleeder2) once in a great while you get a thrasher3) one time I even saw one dragging it around4) those things are easy to set and don't hurt much, but for some unknown reason i was always SUPER damn nervous while setting them and inevitably ended up snapping myself5) the SNAP sound when they go off is unsettling'ODoyleRules said:'Aaron Rudnicki said:'The Commish said:
Otis
Footballguy
Got a quote from the landscaper to finish out the run of Leyland Cypress trees we have in the back. He thinks we need 6 or 7 more to complete the incomplete run the people before us started, at around 200 a pop for ones that are 5-7 feet tall. He'll also fix/bring back to life the ones that were previously improperly planted nearly a foot too deep (thus depriving the roots of the nutrients/moisture they need, which is why they are thin and look like crap). So we're looking at about another 2 grand.
By the way, if any of you guys want a check for 2 grand, I'm pretty much just writing them daily and giving them out to everyone, so come on by.
Owning a house in the suburbs is awesome.
By the way, if any of you guys want a check for 2 grand, I'm pretty much just writing them daily and giving them out to everyone, so come on by.
Owning a house in the suburbs is awesome.
NutterButter
Footballguy
Seems like a steep price for leylands. You can get them at like around 5 ft for 30 bucks at costco or you could even splurge on the big one's they have that are around 80 IIRC. Rent an HD truck for 30, 210 gets you 7 (560 for the big ones and they're really big) and go hire a day laborer for the day for another 80 to do the planting for a total price of 320 (670 for the big ones). Those are some of the fastest growing evergreens so as long as you give them plenty of water, they'll grow 3 ft per year easily.
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Otis
Footballguy
Your price seems low -- I saw craisglist "uber cheap" prices for them to be installed at about 100 bucks each in these sizes. I'm not surprised my local "legit" guy is charging double. But youre right, this seems on the high end. Maybe I will try and negotiate down and see where it goes. I jut can't see myself taking the time to plant these, and I'm sure I would kill them all. I do actually plan to run these around the rest of the yard one day, but that is much less important in terms of privacy, and my plan is to eventually buy a bunch of three footers for the rest of the yard cheap and plant myself.
NutterButter
Footballguy
Those are costco prices. I live at that place so I know. Never do manual labor when there's illegals willing to do it for you. For ~700, you'll have 7 really nice leylands. Regardless of who does it you're going to have to do the watering unless you do what I did and run drip irrigation but thats another project in itself.
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