House Remodeling Thread (long)

[ny biker]

Holy cow, that was a long post. And I didn't even mention the two visits to the lighting store to choose recessed lights, switches, etc.

I do need to add -- my neighbors so far have been wonderful. Very understanding and patient. I am very lucky. I feel like I need to get them a gift or something.

[tulip]

Your description of your new kitchen (when it's finished) sounds lovely. Can you believe I STILL haven't done my tile backsplash?? Funny what one can get used to. I find it amazing that you will be in construction-mode for just a few weeks. Completely amazed, I am. I was in construction mode from October through May. The contractor said it would take until Christmas. Count yourself lucky with your contractor; he sounds like a dream.

With all the rain lately, I've had a bit of a wet basement issue. Nothing that needs to be addressed right away, but it's on the list. Ah, that list...

[tulip]

Backsplash done. It took one day. Well, 2-1/2 years...but one day.

[bmccasland]

OOOhhhh, pretty!

[indysteel]

I am the proud owner of a New Roof! Ridge vents, edge vents, 50-year dimensional shingles...bring on those rains!

The old roof was in such bad shape that when they took the old shingles off, there were big gaping holes in some of the boards. Like really big, cat-sized gaping holes. Some of the boards had to be replaced.

But. It. Is. Done.

They found the same thing when they replaced my roof at my former house. It's a wonder my roof hadn't cave in. The decking, which was rotted in spots, dated back to the late 1800s. My home inspector absolutely should have caught it, but didn't. A week after I had the roof replaced, we had a horrible hail storm with softball-sized hail. It ruined many a roof, and I'm sure it would have ruined mine and a good portion of my house had I not replaced it when I did. So, it was money was spent. I felt SO much better despite the cost.

We're now dealing with equally frustrating problems at the new house, which will likely cost us some $. When the house was first built, the garage was in what is now the basement. In the 1950, the garage was converted to a basement and the area was presumably filled in with dirt such that the driveway and detached garage are essentially level with our first floor. Well, we noticed last summer that some small holes were starting to develop along the edge of the driveway as it abuts a flower bed that, in turn, abuts our house. The holes have since gotten bigger, so we're fearful that we have a sink hole of sorts developing under the drivway. So, we're trying to get a handle on who to call and what to do. My guess is that we're going to have to tear up at least part of the driveway. I have no idea what will happen from there. What a mess.

[indysteel]

Backsplash done. It took one day. Well, 2-1/2 years...but one day.

Your kitchen is GORGEOUS. I'm in love.

[jobob]

Your kitchen is GORGEOUS. I'm in love.

Yes, very nice!

[Catrin]

VERY nice Tulip, congratulations!

Indy - I do hope that it is something other than a sinkhole developing - yikes! Do keep us posted.

[withm]

They found the same thing when they replaced my roof at my former house. It's a wonder my roof hadn't cave in. The decking, which was rotted in spots, dated back to the late 1800s. My home inspector absolutely should have caught it, but didn't. .

In fairness to the inspector, he can only inspect what he can see. If there was no access to the attic, or if the attic was finished, there is no way he could see the holes in the sheathing underneath the shingles. He MIGHT have been able to tell if there was one or two layers of shingles on the roof, but frankly the only way to find these holes is to remove the shingles, or to see them from below. If you couldn't see them, neither could he.

If he had walked the roof and noted spongy spots, that's a clue, as is any evidence of leaks - water spots in your ceilings. Any of those conditions would be a red flag.

[tulip]

The inspector on my house walked all over the roof, in the attic, etc. He missed a bunch of stuff--roof, furnace, basement, plumbing, electric...I didn't know what to look for, that's why I was paying HIM.

A year later, the real estate agent called and asked if I had any problems stemming from the inspection. I listed off the whole ream. She said he had made many mistakes on other houses, too, and that she was sorry. Sorry big whoop, I'm 5-figures in the hole because of him. I would not have bought the house if I had known that the roof was bad, the furnace was improperly installed and unsafe and unusable, the hot water heater was corroded nearly through, there was no washing machine hookup (I should have caught that one on my own), the electric and the plumbing were not up to code.

Lesson learned. The house before this one had an excellent inspector who caught every little thing, including how many years left on certain appliances and features and estimated repair and replacement costs. I thought they were all like that one! Doh!

[Desert Tortoise]

Tulip, love the backsplash! Is that glass tile?

Just saw the pictures of your house exterior before and after. What a great touch of the red color just inside the window frames. Very stylish

dt

[indysteel]

Tulip, love the backsplash! Is that glass tile?

Just saw the pictures of your house exterior before and after. What a great touch of the red color just inside the window frames. Very stylish

dt

Oooooh, I just so those pictures for the first time, too (I'm not sure why, but I didn't really follow this thread previously). What a charming house and lot! I love older homes--despite the fact that they're money pits.

[GLC1968]

The tile looks great, Tulip! Great color choice!!

[spokewench]

Beautiful Kitchen Tulip. I love all of of it.

[Crankin]

Your kitchen looks awesome. You are a saint to do all of that yourself!