House reno... build thread?

[sylros]

Actually what we did with all contractors is get a quote for the entire work and have them breakdown each task. We then sat down with them and since everything was itemized told them which ones we were going to do but made sure we had their requirements in hand so they were indeed able to do their part. They had to be willing because there are kitchen companies that want to do the whole thing.

For example, cabinet install is minimum $1500 that's without crown molding...the hardwood refinishing was at least $3.50 per sf and we had 350, which in their minds doesn't even qualify for a bulk discount. 

So that was my trick! Plus having done many many renos, I had a pretty good idea what the running rate was. So far, we must have saved well over $5000, and that's not counting the sales we got on the appliances but they're expensive anyway.

[Greatwhite]

Yeah... I would have loved to pick and chose things that I would do, and what the contractor would.  He DID ask with every job "do YOU want to do that, or me?" ie/ demo of the kitchen and disposal of the old junk, removal of the old tile, etc.  I also was welcome to have an actual flooring company do the floor if I wanted....

But I figured a couple things.. 1) I just finished a LONG reno on my old house, and really didn't want to get into it again - not even a little bit. 2) it would be much easier to schedule the reno if it was just one guy doing everything.  (I did get the quote for tile installation separate from the kitchen work, explaining that it was part of a second budget -- but it was $2000 less than the flooring guys)

Oh - also, if I was doing the installation of the cabinets and/or tile -- I would see EVERY little thing I did wrong.. Slight misalignment of something, or a scratch - and I'd be liable for that boo-boo.  BUT I would tell myself "meh, it's good enough" and then stare at that mistake for years.  At least a pro has done a job like this 100 times, and knows the right way to do things.

Prepping the floor can be tricky for tile, so I left that to them too.

Demo is another story, of course.  You can be as messy as you want... BUT, we were able to pass all the cabinets (and there were ALOT of them) off to someone who was going to put them to good use, through the contractor.  They were carefully removed, and gone in the same day.

There will be plenty of opportunity with this house to do renos myself, but I really like the guy we hired, so perhaps I'll have him back to do them.

[Greatwhite]

Wow... The counter top came today, and everything that has been sitting limbo waiting for counters just got done!  All that's left is the backsplash, some nice pendant lights and range hood... Oh, and crown moulding...

[Stussi613]

Wow, dream kitchen right there!

(Well except my dream kitchen has a gas stove in it)

[RedFish]

Wow wow wow!  Gorgeous kitchen!

[Greatwhite]

Wow, dream kitchen right there!

(Well except my dream kitchen has a gas stove in it)

We were going to toss a gas stove in, but then we figured induction was more efficient -- and safer for everyone.  I boiled a pot of water in under 90 seconds yesterday -- with my hand ON the cooktop about 4 inches from the pot.  When the water was boiling, I changed the temperature on the burner down to a simmer - and the boiling stopped immediately.  Turned it back up - and it boiled again immediately.

Our old stove took FOREVER to adjust its temperature.

[Stussi613]

We were going to toss a gas stove in, but then we figured induction was more efficient -- and safer for everyone.  I boiled a pot of water in under 90 seconds yesterday -- with my hand ON the cooktop about 4 inches from the pot.  When the water was boiling, I changed the temperature on the burner down to a simmer - and the boiling stopped immediately.  Turned it back up - and it boiled again immediately.

Our old stove took FOREVER to adjust its temperature.

Hey, no criticism from me on your choice of induction 

I'm merely stating that as a former chef my personal dream kitchen would look very much like yours with a gas stove instead...it's a compliment!!

[Hookup]

sexy looking updates.... not showing my wife the closet organizer.... haha..

[ajm1961]

Hey, is this an Minto Oakview model? Looks just like mine... might borrow some of your reno ideas!
Are you in Orleans?

[Greatwhite]

Hey, is this an Minto Oakview model? Looks just like mine... might borrow some of your reno ideas!
Are you in Orleans?

Not Minto.. It's umm... Sunridge?  I couldn't tell you the model...  Yes to Orleans.

[Greatwhite]

Hey, no criticism from me on your choice of induction 

I'm merely stating that as a former chef my personal dream kitchen would look very much like yours with a gas stove instead...it's a compliment!!

Oh, I understand completely.  I honestly always envisioned a gas cooktop too.   Something about having the ability to grill a "perfect" steak in the kitchen always intrigued me.

[Greatwhite]

Finally finished the Reno. We are waiting on a couple doors for above the bar to have glass put in them, but everything else is complete!

[Greatwhite]

Speaking of the bar...

[delslo]

Speaking of the bar...

Your Wine cooler looks like a frag rack....it could/should be!!! lol

[Fishnut]

That kitchen looks amazing!!!  You guys must be so happy with it!

My renos are going to have to wait until the fall.  I had the same guy come over to do a quote for finishing our basement and it seems we were not as financially ready to have work done as I thought.  That was a real bummer. 

I could either cancel my new pond (that is desperately needed by my fish, presently being designed and scheduled to start in march) and do the basement OR beef up the savings and have the basement reno start later in the year.  It was one of those moments that I did not like our "save it up instead of pay it off" policy!  I was so excited to be able to use the basement again!!  Oh well.  I can wait a few more months.

I like how all these things were itemized for you sylros.  I got a package deal quote.  We have NO intention of doing any of the work ourselves but it would be nice to see how much of our money is budgeted to what items, etc. 

[Greatwhite]

Well.. It's been a year since posting in my house reno "build thread".  Lots has been done here since the kitchen - in spite of my desire to take a break from all the work.

We landscaped the back yard.  There was NOTHING there but one concrete step followed by an 18" drop to muddy clay.  I didn't even have anywhere "good" to put my BBQ, which was just plain WRONG.  I now have a 20x25 stone patio with a walkway around to the gate.

[Greatwhite]

After that was all done, I said "that's it! taking a break now!!"... Then we decided that our family room, which is just off the nice new kitchen, looked bad.  It was the only room left in the house with the original carpet, since we intended to put hardwood at some point.  The old wood fireplace was virtually unusable (or at least I didn't LIKE to use it) because it was so shallow that any fire in it resulted in smoke throughout the house for the first 30 minutes.

SO... out with the old fireplace, and in with a nice new gas one and built in cabinets around.

We are currently in a little redesign phase with the cabinets because it turns out that having them protrude 17" past the tv, which is almost right against them causes any "non-prime seat" to cut off part of the TV from view.  Plus - they just "feel" too big in there.  They look great from the kitchen though!

(no, the cabinet doors are not in the after picture.. They were out getting glass put in them and I haven't taken pictures after they were put on...)

[Greatwhite]

The family room job wrapped up just before christmas, and I said "that's it - done renos for a while!"  Then the wife decided that she wanted me to build her a gym in our completely unfinished basement.

Well, if I am planning out a gym, I need to plan out the whole basement -- right?  So I drew up my basement plans, including a 25x27 rec room (which will mostly likely house my aquarium some day), a gym that is 12x22, a play area for the kids, a powder room - and a large unfinished area for a workshop.

With everything drawn up, I've already started construction of the gym corner.  I put down Dri-Core subfloor panels (which are awesome to work with) and put up 1" foam insulation on the walls.  Next will be framing, wiring, MORE insulation, and drywall.  The floor will be covered with 3/4" rubber mat that comes in 4x6 foot pieces.  Each mat weights 100lbs, is awkward as heck, and leaves nice marks everywhere it rubs.  They are currently in my garage, waiting for more construction to be done before going downstairs.  I'm not looking forward to that job.

After the gym is done, I will gradually work my way around to insulate and frame the rest of the living space down there.  Since I have 5 bedrooms upstairs, there's really no need for another in the basement, so it's all "fun space".

[ajm1961]

Like the cabinets in the family room! Did you build them yourself?
And who did you hire for the fireplace insert?
The room is very similar to ours. We still have the wood fireplace as well.
Thanks for posting - cheers!

[sas]

Nice great update!
I have the same 3/4" rubber mats that comes in 4x6 foot pieces, but I use them in  my horse stalls. They're not that hard to deal with although I did destroy hubbies circular saw when I cut them to fit .