JerseyToughGuys
Tough Guy
they aren't hardwired? def will do it myself if not.
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Otis in the Suburbs (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter Otis
- Start date
squidrope
Footballguy
Not understanding this logic. It's the same process whether it's hard wired or not. One process you attach the wires to an outlet. The other, the wires are attached to the unit.
Rohn Jambo
Footballguy
Hot air rises so the 2nd floor of your house will be the hottest. I'd suggest taking a cold shower then staying in the basement until you have the AC installed.
Otis
Footballguy
Isn't this one of those sort of dangerous "don't do it yourself" things?
Otis
Footballguy
I'm REALLY hoping the electrician won't nail me for more than 500 bucks on this. I'll be pretty bummed if he does.
Our masonry guy pushed off our start date to Tuesday. Could be the job I'm most excited about. Also having him add on a small patio in front of the house that I plan to put the redone bench on. Gonna look pretty sweet I think when all is said and done.
As to the patio, he asked us what colors we want multiple times and we just told him "whatever you think is good." I have no idea how this ought to be done. In retrospect, given the colors of our house and the bluestone he is using for the stoops, I'm thinking a mix of blues, blacks and greys will look best. All one color may be sort of blah given all the money we are spending -- some sort of pattern seems like it would be a lot more interesting. Hopefully he hasn't bought all the pavers yet and we can figure that out after he shows up. He has a bunch of demo work to do. We'll see...
Our masonry guy pushed off our start date to Tuesday. Could be the job I'm most excited about. Also having him add on a small patio in front of the house that I plan to put the redone bench on. Gonna look pretty sweet I think when all is said and done.
As to the patio, he asked us what colors we want multiple times and we just told him "whatever you think is good." I have no idea how this ought to be done. In retrospect, given the colors of our house and the bluestone he is using for the stoops, I'm thinking a mix of blues, blacks and greys will look best. All one color may be sort of blah given all the money we are spending -- some sort of pattern seems like it would be a lot more interesting. Hopefully he hasn't bought all the pavers yet and we can figure that out after he shows up. He has a bunch of demo work to do. We'll see...
It looks great, but it's been raining non stop since we set it up...haven't had a chance to test it out yet.On the mosquito front, my dad's neighbor got one of those professional systems put in for $1600. Basically they run some piping along his fence and it's attached to this canister that releases a spray twice a day. My dad said he gets no mosquitos anymore. That $1600 covered about 300 linear feet of fence.'Otis said:
corpcow
Footballguy
My basic electrician skills are getting there. Last weekend, installed that chandelier - hardest part was actually hanging it. This weekend, 4 single-pole dimmers this weekend plus two 3-way multi-location ones. Two of them get a little hot - one in the front chandelier has 10 bulbs and I think they're either 600 or 750W bulbs, which is more than it is supposed to handle given I broke two of the fins off. Reports say it's ok, and they do run a little hot, so uhm... yeah. Otherwise I gotta figure out how to change the bulbs up there.
I'm not sure if I'm ready to tackle the outdoor lights yet, mostly because I'm worried about the actual installation/caulking and all that other ####.
Someone please tell me if I'm about to burn down my house. TIA.
I'm not sure if I'm ready to tackle the outdoor lights yet, mostly because I'm worried about the actual installation/caulking and all that other ####.
Someone please tell me if I'm about to burn down my house. TIA.
the moops
Footballguy
KGB
Footballguy
600W = Fire or sun? no?
corpcow
Footballguy
Ha... sorry... obviously I meant 60 or 75W, and with 10 of them, it would be 600 or 750W to the 600W dimmer (or 500W since I broke off the left side of the fins for multi-gang installation).
Rohn Jambo
Footballguy
The link didn't work. I thought every piece of bluestone is unique anyway. There are color variations but that's why they look good together.
Otis
Footballguy
It's not just bluestone. Bluestone will be used for treads on the stairs, in the stoop, and for part of the front walkway. But the back patio will be paving stones. There I'm hoping he's not just going to do all one color and something kind of boring. I'd like something a little more interesting for the near 20 grand we are throwing at all this. Going to tell him a mix of grey, blue, and black-ish stones will look best with our house, and to try and do something interesting with the borders, interior patterns, etc.
Rohn Jambo
Footballguy
I get it that Otis is a little clueless but ask him to show you pictures or drawings of what he has in mind. We know you're a little picky. It's better to make adjustments while you still can.
Rohn Jambo
Footballguy
squidrope
Footballguy
You need to know what he's doing BEFORE it gets installed. You should have had pictures of what you want this to look like BEFORE this project gets underway. Last thing you want is to be dependant on what your contractors taste is. Unless you are very familiar with his work/taste.You need all your ducks in a row BEFORE you jump into things. The planning can be harder than the work.
Baby steps...
GL
Otis
Footballguy
We don't really know what we like. Whatever he does will probably be nicer than what we would choose. To me it's just about color combinations that work with the rest of or house. Bluestone is what it is, and I've seen his paver patio work and it's pretty basic and fine. Only real variable here is colors of the paving stones.
Otis
Footballguy
Crap you're good.
squidrope
Footballguy
squidrope
Footballguy
$125 if you did it yourself...800 bucks later to run and install a dedicated 220 line.
shuke
Black Ice Skeptic
Did I miss something? Why didn't you get an estimate?800 bucks later to run and install a dedicated 220 line.
Otis
Footballguy
That's what it costs.Did I miss something? Why didn't you get an estimate?800 bucks later to run and install a dedicated 220 line.
It's not even like he made it up. It was on their form for that particular type of job. Not a lot of black magic. Maybe I could have told my wife to send him home and get in another guy who maybe will save us a hundred bucks or two? Or maybe not?Everything is expensive. Period. And that's one of those jobs I wasn't going to risk offing up.
squidrope
Footballguy
Hate to say it . But...
squidrope
Footballguy
That's what it costs.Did I miss something? Why didn't you get an estimate?800 bucks later to run and install a dedicated 220 line.
Otis
Footballguy
Masonry project begun today. Took two guys the better part of the day to get most of the demo of the back deck done. It's now out, but they are still doing some digging, and it looks like they are specifically digging out a few large concrete pillars/pylons? that were the support structure for the deck that was there. Some fool spent a lot of time and money building a thing out of wood that will rot fairly quickly. And for a "deck" to be 2 feet off the ground literally makes no sense to me.
In any event, we should see some interesting progress over the next few days. Brit, i'll try and take pics when possible here. I may only get an end of day snapshot for most.
In any event, we should see some interesting progress over the next few days. Brit, i'll try and take pics when possible here. I may only get an end of day snapshot for most.
Rohn Jambo
Footballguy
Wat?! You're not putting up a web cam?
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
You've had no AC all summer???
Otis
Footballguy
Only small window units in our bedroom and the baby's bedroom. It's been brutal.It's been so pleasant now. We can actually live downstairs again.
Leeroy Jenkins
Footballguy
Otis, don't take this the wrong way, but what were you thinking when you bought this specific house? What set it apart from the others that you saw? Was the location THAT perfect? It seems that for the price you paid, you still are investing quite a large percentage back into the property. I haven't read the entire thread, so I am sure I am missing some key information. I know the inspector was iffy; how was your agent? No contractor friends, acquaintances, clients, available to do a walk-through with you pre-offer? I'm not trying to be a #### or one of those FFAers looking for shanderfraude (sp?), I'm just surprised about this whole situation. No AC is a deal breaker for me unless I have in my budget converting to central air when I make the offer.
belljr
Footballguy
MY SMOKE ALARMS WENT OFF AT 2:30 AM AND THERE WAS NO SMOKE..............
need to clean them all, replace all batteries... but they are hardwired, not sure how the batteries would cause it.
OMG scared the #### out of me. Good thing my 5 year old slept through it
need to clean them all, replace all batteries... but they are hardwired, not sure how the batteries would cause it.
OMG scared the #### out of me. Good thing my 5 year old slept through it
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JerseyToughGuys
Tough Guy
It's a New York burb. Old houses don't have central air. His entire tale is pretty typical, really.
JerseyToughGuys
Tough Guy
Otis
Footballguy
This. Most houses in the old NYC suburbs are old, like 1920 old, and unless someone has done the upgrade since, most do not have central air. My parents live in a house of similar age in a town a half hour from here, and they also had wall units installed years ago. Is what it is.This is literally one of the best locations around NYC. It's a nice chunk of property (for around here), and we like the charm of the house. I punch myself in the balls every time I'm here sweating on a Sunday working on this or that, but that's what we wanted -- something old, that was reasonable value relative to the location, that we could over the years pour a few hundred grand into and make spectacular. It will probably take us until my daughter is off to college for it to be what we really want, but I don't mind that. In the meantime, we hack away at the job, one piece at a time. After this latest work our budget is tapped, so we'll be waiting for anything more expensive. In the meantime we can do cheaper things, decorative things, etc. We'll get there...
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Otis
Footballguy
Flickr feed updated with pics of the guys tearing out the old wood deck. Took about 1.5 days.
Then they started the masonry on the patio. So far just did the stoop up to the sliding doors and a small "sitting wall" in the corner that will be a planter for some flowers etc. I walked through with the guy yesterday and we talked about his ideas, and he suggested a lot of curves etc. -- thought the corner just being a corner wouldn't be pleasing to the eye. Since I don't understand half that ####, I just say "sounds good."
Link
Last night I got home late from work and went out back to creep around and see what they did. I was wearing flip flops. I stepped out onto what I thought was a patch of dirt, my foot sank about 6 inches into wet cement. I then leaned over to try and cover it up and mash all the cement back together with my hand, hobbled away, leaving a trail of cement footprint, and hosed off. Now I'm debating whether or not I need to tell the guys what I did. I can't tell if they were just trying to fill a hole or something, or if there was some other purpose for the cement. Or maybe it was just some kind of magic sand mud. I dunno. Anyway, the guys are rolling up now.
Also a couple shots of the lantern I replaced and lamppost I painted last weekend. Link
Then they started the masonry on the patio. So far just did the stoop up to the sliding doors and a small "sitting wall" in the corner that will be a planter for some flowers etc. I walked through with the guy yesterday and we talked about his ideas, and he suggested a lot of curves etc. -- thought the corner just being a corner wouldn't be pleasing to the eye. Since I don't understand half that ####, I just say "sounds good."
Link
Last night I got home late from work and went out back to creep around and see what they did. I was wearing flip flops. I stepped out onto what I thought was a patch of dirt, my foot sank about 6 inches into wet cement. I then leaned over to try and cover it up and mash all the cement back together with my hand, hobbled away, leaving a trail of cement footprint, and hosed off. Now I'm debating whether or not I need to tell the guys what I did. I can't tell if they were just trying to fill a hole or something, or if there was some other purpose for the cement. Or maybe it was just some kind of magic sand mud. I dunno. Anyway, the guys are rolling up now.
Also a couple shots of the lantern I replaced and lamppost I painted last weekend. Link
bostonfred
Footballguy
As much as I enjoy giving you crap, the place is coming along really well Otis. Now you just need some trees out front.
gianmarco
Footballguy
Simply stunning.
BroncoFreak_2K3
sucker for Orange
Looks like you may be instore for a runoff issue, judging from the height of your retaining wall relative to the height of the ground it is retaining in that back corner. I guess it may not matter with that portion being a planter, but I can see evidence of years of runoff issues on your cement retaiing walls. Did you put a drain in somewhere? Or tiling along that retainng wall?... because I see water and sediment runoff and ponding issues that will continue to occur of there is no drainage and your retaining wall is left at a level that is several inches below the grade it is supposed to be retaining. Definitely something to think about.On a positive note I agree, your place is coming together very nicely.Flickr feed updated with pics of the guys tearing out the old wood deck. Took about 1.5 days.
Then they started the masonry on the patio. So far just did the stoop up to the sliding doors and a small "sitting wall" in the corner that will be a planter for some flowers etc. I walked through with the guy yesterday and we talked about his ideas, and he suggested a lot of curves etc. -- thought the corner just being a corner wouldn't be pleasing to the eye. Since I don't understand half that ####, I just say "sounds good."
Link
Last night I got home late from work and went out back to creep around and see what they did. I was wearing flip flops. I stepped out onto what I thought was a patch of dirt, my foot sank about 6 inches into wet cement. I then leaned over to try and cover it up and mash all the cement back together with my hand, hobbled away, leaving a trail of cement footprint, and hosed off. Now I'm debating whether or not I need to tell the guys what I did. I can't tell if they were just trying to fill a hole or something, or if there was some other purpose for the cement. Or maybe it was just some kind of magic sand mud. I dunno. Anyway, the guys are rolling up now.
Also a couple shots of the lantern I replaced and lamppost I painted last weekend. Link
glock
"Don't grumble, give a whistle!"
Flickr feed updated with pics of the guys tearing out the old wood deck. Took about 1.5 days.
Then they started the masonry on the patio. So far just did the stoop up to the sliding doors and a small "sitting wall" in the corner that will be a planter for some flowers etc. I walked through with the guy yesterday and we talked about his ideas, and he suggested a lot of curves etc. -- thought the corner just being a corner wouldn't be pleasing to the eye. Since I don't understand half that ####, I just say "sounds good."
Link
Last night I got home late from work and went out back to creep around and see what they did. I was wearing flip flops. I stepped out onto what I thought was a patch of dirt, my foot sank about 6 inches into wet cement. I then leaned over to try and cover it up and mash all the cement back together with my hand, hobbled away, leaving a trail of cement footprint, and hosed off. Now I'm debating whether or not I need to tell the guys what I did. I can't tell if they were just trying to fill a hole or something, or if there was some other purpose for the cement. Or maybe it was just some kind of magic sand mud. I dunno. Anyway, the guys are rolling up now.
Also a couple shots of the lantern I replaced and lamppost I painted last weekend. Link
We had a portico put in two years ago when we were doing siding/roof/soffits/gutters thing. The evening of the day that the cement was poured for the porch itself my 10 year old had a friend over. When his Mom dropped him off around 3:30, it was still light out. She knew what was going on because the mason was going at it. When Dad came to pick his son up around 6:00 it was dusk. The mason had just wrapped up and was cleaning his tools around the corner of the house. I saw his car pull up and headed for the door to warn him but it was too late. He had already bounded up the steps to the porch, sunk one foot in up to his shin and was already on the side lawn attempting to wipe the cement off. 
As I came around the side of the house he was in full blown apology mode. Of course I told him that it was my fault- that we should have got the "caution" tape up immediately- but he was beside himself. Meanwhile, the little old mason was already quietly repairing the damage. It took him all of 5 minutes.
JerseyToughGuys
Tough Guy
looking good. you are going to love it (esp in the fall once the bug problem dies down). best investment we made imoFlickr feed updated with pics of the guys tearing out the old wood deck. Took about 1.5 days.
Then they started the masonry on the patio. So far just did the stoop up to the sliding doors and a small "sitting wall" in the corner that will be a planter for some flowers etc. I walked through with the guy yesterday and we talked about his ideas, and he suggested a lot of curves etc. -- thought the corner just being a corner wouldn't be pleasing to the eye. Since I don't understand half that ####, I just say "sounds good."
Link
Last night I got home late from work and went out back to creep around and see what they did. I was wearing flip flops. I stepped out onto what I thought was a patch of dirt, my foot sank about 6 inches into wet cement. I then leaned over to try and cover it up and mash all the cement back together with my hand, hobbled away, leaving a trail of cement footprint, and hosed off. Now I'm debating whether or not I need to tell the guys what I did. I can't tell if they were just trying to fill a hole or something, or if there was some other purpose for the cement. Or maybe it was just some kind of magic sand mud. I dunno. Anyway, the guys are rolling up now.
Also a couple shots of the lantern I replaced and lamppost I painted last weekend. Link
If you wanna do a "lookit me" start your own thread and see who tunes in.Oat's Suburban Tale = :dailydrama: 
Otis
Footballguy
Thanks man. Yeah, I can't wait for Fall, when it's a little cooler out there and no bugs. Gonna be wonderful.looking good. you are going to love it (esp in the fall once the bug problem dies down). best investment we made imoFlickr feed updated with pics of the guys tearing out the old wood deck. Took about 1.5 days.
Then they started the masonry on the patio. So far just did the stoop up to the sliding doors and a small "sitting wall" in the corner that will be a planter for some flowers etc. I walked through with the guy yesterday and we talked about his ideas, and he suggested a lot of curves etc. -- thought the corner just being a corner wouldn't be pleasing to the eye. Since I don't understand half that ####, I just say "sounds good."
Link
Last night I got home late from work and went out back to creep around and see what they did. I was wearing flip flops. I stepped out onto what I thought was a patch of dirt, my foot sank about 6 inches into wet cement. I then leaned over to try and cover it up and mash all the cement back together with my hand, hobbled away, leaving a trail of cement footprint, and hosed off. Now I'm debating whether or not I need to tell the guys what I did. I can't tell if they were just trying to fill a hole or something, or if there was some other purpose for the cement. Or maybe it was just some kind of magic sand mud. I dunno. Anyway, the guys are rolling up now.
Also a couple shots of the lantern I replaced and lamppost I painted last weekend. Link
Otis
Footballguy
Got a voicemail from the landscaper. Of the 6 leylands they planted, he's declaring two dead. He gave us specific instructions for starting to water them again. "no more than 30 minutes, once a week, with the soaker hose." He said it three times in the voicemail. He thinks I'm a total idiot. He's probably right. And I'm pretty sure he's not happy he has to come in and replace two of them (possible more if we can't revive others). This is why spending a bunch more to have our landscaper do it, with a guarantee, pays off...
I feel like such a schmuck. Then again, he could have told us how much to water them in the first place. I'm not a ####### arborist.
I feel like such a schmuck. Then again, he could have told us how much to water them in the first place. I'm not a ####### arborist.
Otis
Footballguy
About 8 guys here today. Full on patio assault.
They started covering up the nasty wall with a new coat of stucco. They've also hauled in a bunch of rocks and dirt apparently to lay the foundation under the patio, and now are moving this giant lawnmower/vacuum thing over it, which seems to be flattening/compacting all the dirt and gravel. I'll try to get photos of this stuff for the Britumentary. I wish I didn't have to leave, I'd love to sit around and watch how they do this crap.
Did a walkthrough with the masonry guy in the front this morning to talk about the fine details of what we are going to do. What colors, sizes, etc. I have a new little 6x5 side patio I've tacked onto the job in the front. He hasn't said anything about extra cost. I'm waiting to see if he does. It is gonna be a nice touch though I think.
They started covering up the nasty wall with a new coat of stucco. They've also hauled in a bunch of rocks and dirt apparently to lay the foundation under the patio, and now are moving this giant lawnmower/vacuum thing over it, which seems to be flattening/compacting all the dirt and gravel. I'll try to get photos of this stuff for the Britumentary. I wish I didn't have to leave, I'd love to sit around and watch how they do this crap.
Did a walkthrough with the masonry guy in the front this morning to talk about the fine details of what we are going to do. What colors, sizes, etc. I have a new little 6x5 side patio I've tacked onto the job in the front. He hasn't said anything about extra cost. I'm waiting to see if he does.
It is gonna be a nice touch though I think.
Otis
Footballguy
Thanks YSR and all. Work in progress but it's fun to watch the transformation.
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