Page 13 of 39

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 9:19 am
by rass
New floor, cabinets, counter tops, appliances, everything. Putting a breakfast bar type thing in where the wall between kitchen/dining room is now (and where oven is now in kitchen). Oven is moving to the other side of the room. Sink is moving slightly, down to a corner to supposedly gain cabinet space. I'm losing one of two current windows to gain counter space and another cabinet. Not super excited about that, but I deferred to my wife on just about all of the major choices, and hopefully the opening to the dining room provides enough natural light to make up for it.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 9:41 am
by mister d
Is everyone doing white cabinets with gray countertops?

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 9:45 am
by rass
mister d wrote: Thu May 31, 2018 9:41 am Is everyone doing white cabinets with gray countertops?
Yes to the cabinets. Granite, so sort of on the countertops. Honestly can't recall what we settled on for the backsplash, so I can't say it isn't subway tile, but we were trying to avoid that. At least get something that isn't white.

She was concerned about it being dated at some point, but also really likes that look, so...

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 10:00 am
by mister d
Oh, gray granite was definitely what I had in mind. And while it'll be dated at some point just like anything would be, atleast its closer to neutral? Right now ours is tan cabinets with an inexplicable large tannish faux-brick tile backsplash with tan and gold granite and tan stone floor. Its horrific.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 10:19 am
by Brontoburglar
mister d wrote: Thu May 31, 2018 10:00 am Oh, gray granite was definitely what I had in mind. And while it'll be dated at some point just like anything would be, atleast its closer to neutral? Right now ours is tan cabinets with an inexplicable large tannish faux-brick tile backsplash with tan and gold granite and tan stone floor. Its horrific.
I have gray paint, gray and white backsplash, black counters and white cabinets with a dark gray floor

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 10:19 am
by Johnnie
Is the process to reroute plumbing and gas/electrical stuff a pain in the ass when reordering a kitchen?

The kitchen in my new place is perfectly adequate, but when I eventually decide to upgrade I want to utilize the space better. All the appliances and counters are in one small section of a rather large kitchen.

Also, about how much is the remodel gunna cost if you don't mind me asking?

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 10:24 am
by A_B
Redoing plumbing and electrical can certainly be problematic, especially if you're on a slab(or a finished basement). If that's the case, you pretty much have to rip out all the drywall and run it through the studs to where you want it moved. Not impossible, of course, but will just add to the cost of any remodel significantly. I've seen it run through the back of cabinets from the original location but that costs you storage space/drawer depth - and that's just plumbing. I think electrical has to be behind drywall in most building code.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 10:25 am
by rass
Johnnie wrote: Thu May 31, 2018 10:19 amAlso, about how much is the remodel gunna cost if you don't mind me asking?
We were hoping to spend around 25 but after multiple estimates that was apparently unrealistic and it's going to be more like that plus 15 or so.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 10:30 am
by Brontoburglar
rass wrote: Thu May 31, 2018 10:25 am
Johnnie wrote: Thu May 31, 2018 10:19 amAlso, about how much is the remodel gunna cost if you don't mind me asking?
We were hoping to spend around 25 but after multiple estimates that was apparently unrealistic and it's going to be more like that plus 15 or so.
holy s

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 10:33 am
by Ryan
Yeah, it's pretty unfair. That's why all the HUGEQUOTES economic anxiety HUGEQUOTES is located on the east and we...sorry, I'm being handed a note here...

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 10:42 am
by Johnnie
A_B wrote: Thu May 31, 2018 10:24 am Redoing plumbing and electrical can certainly be problematic, especially if you're on a slab(or a finished basement). If that's the case, you pretty much have to rip out all the drywall and run it through the studs to where you want it moved. Not impossible, of course, but will just add to the cost of any remodel significantly. I've seen it run through the back of cabinets from the original location but that costs you storage space/drawer depth - and that's just plumbing. I think electrical has to be behind drywall in most building code.
That's what I figured. Something I'm certainly not suited to do but the experts can for $$$$.

I think with the way my kitchen is set up, moving the fridge away from where it is and expanding cabinets on that side and filling in the vacancy of the fridge would be best. I'd leave the range and sink and maybe do some sort of cutout in the wall between the kitchen and dining area.
rass wrote: Thu May 31, 2018 10:25 amWe were hoping to spend around 25 but after multiple estimates that was apparently unrealistic and it's going to be more like that plus 15 or so.
Oh wow. I'll definitely do my research and get quotes from multiple parties. I think a buddy redid his kitchen and bathroom (which included knocking out a wall) for around 30. Thanks!

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 10:45 am
by rass
Brontoburglar wrote: Thu May 31, 2018 10:30 am
rass wrote: Thu May 31, 2018 10:25 am
Johnnie wrote: Thu May 31, 2018 10:19 amAlso, about how much is the remodel gunna cost if you don't mind me asking?
We were hoping to spend around 25 but after multiple estimates that was apparently unrealistic and it's going to be more like that plus 15 or so.
holy s
I know! But we moved here in 2004 and just pretty much committed to staying in the house at least through the kids resettling when we refinanced (also making sure there was some extra cash on hand) earlier this year, and this will only be the second project anywhere near this scope (we also had the basement redone and fully finished, 4 or 5 years ago).

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 10:56 am
by mister d
Its funny that I saw $40K and was like "wow, that's a great price". You can easily go into 6 figures around here on a serious reno.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 10:59 am
by rass
mister d wrote: Thu May 31, 2018 10:56 am Its funny that I saw $40K and was like "wow, that's a great price". You can easily go into 6 figures around here on a serious reno.
Oh yeah. Early on we considered expanding outward, knocking down an outer wall and making the room bigger. Yikes.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 11:08 am
by sancarlos
mister d wrote: Thu May 31, 2018 10:00 am Oh, gray granite was definitely what I had in mind. And while it'll be dated at some point just like anything would be, atleast its closer to neutral? Right now ours is tan cabinets with an inexplicable large tannish faux-brick tile backsplash with tan and gold granite and tan stone floor. Its horrific.
We have gray granite countertops, which I love. So great to be able to put a hot pot or pan right onto the counter. Our cabinets are cherry wood. I would much prefer any woodgrain over painted cabinets.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 11:23 am
by A_B
sancarlos wrote: Thu May 31, 2018 11:08 am
mister d wrote: Thu May 31, 2018 10:00 am Oh, gray granite was definitely what I had in mind. And while it'll be dated at some point just like anything would be, atleast its closer to neutral? Right now ours is tan cabinets with an inexplicable large tannish faux-brick tile backsplash with tan and gold granite and tan stone floor. Its horrific.
We have gray granite countertops, which I love. So great to be able to put a hot pot or pan right onto the counter. Our cabinets are cherry wood. I would much prefer any woodgrain over painted cabinets.
I don't think I could do that even if we had granite. (We went with quartz, which is less permeable, supposedly).

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 1:51 pm
by BSF21
White cabinets -- Look awesome, until they aren't in HGTV glamour shots and you've got to keep them clean. White shows everything.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 6:01 pm
by rass
Did dishes in the bathtub today. Demo is done. The rest of it can’t be completed soon enough.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2018 9:14 am
by DSafetyGuy
rass wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 6:01 pm Did dishes in the bathtub today. Demo is done. The rest of it can’t be completed soon enough.
Well done, Kramer.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2018 3:08 pm
by sancarlos
DSafetyGuy wrote: Tue Jun 05, 2018 9:14 am
rass wrote: Mon Jun 04, 2018 6:01 pm Did dishes in the bathtub today. Demo is done. The rest of it can’t be completed soon enough.
Well done, Kramer.
Actual footage of Rass doing the dishes:


Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2018 3:39 pm
by rass
My window is gone. /sadface

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2018 9:53 pm
by Rush2112
We just had all our windows replaced. Got a great deal from a local place. We also asked them to replace/repair some siding around a bay window that the previous owners let go to shit. They were supposed to take 2 days but the siding and other unforeseen shit it ended up taking 5. Got a call today with the remaining balance. Almost 9k. I was like shit. They did good work, but 9000 in fucking siding? Nope! That was just the second payment! They didn't charge us for all the extra work. No wonder they have all those 5-star reviews!

So GoodKarma or PDX let me know if you are looking for new windows.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2018 10:44 pm
by The Sybian
sancarlos wrote: Fri Feb 23, 2018 5:58 pm
P.D.X. wrote: Fri Feb 23, 2018 5:48 pm If one were to steal space, how would it be done? Move the fence and put shit there that makes it hard to move the fence back.
As I understand it, they can't steal ownership of land. They only have possession.

Neighbor claims the fence location was always pretty much like this. Wife says that is untrue and that they moved the fence 15 years ago when the previous fence went up. But, in the end, it doesn't matter. Lawyer advises that your land is your land, regardless of fence location.
Appears I missed this whole saga. How'd this one resolve itself? How friendly are the neighbors now?

Unless California has unusual land use laws, which is possible, your lawyer is wrong. It's called adverse possession. If you use your neighbor's land, and he doesn't contest it, after 10 or 20 years (depending on state law), it's his. [quick Google shows CA has a 5 year statute]. This is really simple first year law student stuff, (I still remember the 5 components of adverse possession; open, continuous, exclusive, adverse and notorious). Your neighbors fence meets all the criteria, they would just have to pay 5 years' back taxes on the stolen land, and it's theirs!

My neighbor had a similar situation, but they are on the other side of the story. Their backyard (like mine), backs onto a thin strip of woods maybe 100 yards wide, with another house on the other side of the woods. The other houses own the wooded property. A house flipper bought the house on the other side of the woods, had a survey done, and found my neighbors fence was 5 feet over the property line. They said the flipper came to their house, explained the situation, and sheepishly asked if they could move the fence. My neighbors didn't take kindly to the request, think the flippers are complete assholes, can't understand why they care, there is 100 yards of woods between the fence and their lawn, and they are selling as soon as they make repairs. Flippers had a lawyer send a letter requesting they move the fence, and they did. They had a huge party, and bitched to everyone, and most took their side, but I don't blame the Flippers at all. They would be selling a house with an impairment (too tired to think of the correct word), and my neighbor could take title to that 5 foot strip of land, or even create an implied easement, giving my neighbor the right to use the land.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 9:48 am
by P.D.X.
Rush2112 wrote: Wed Jun 06, 2018 9:53 pm We just had all our windows replaced. Got a great deal from a local place. We also asked them to replace/repair some siding around a bay window that the previous owners let go to shit. They were supposed to take 2 days but the siding and other unforeseen shit it ended up taking 5. Got a call today with the remaining balance. Almost 9k. I was like shit. They did good work, but 9000 in fucking siding? Nope! That was just the second payment! They didn't charge us for all the extra work. No wonder they have all those 5-star reviews!

So GoodKarma or PDX let me know if you are looking for new windows.
You'd never believe it, but I am. Who'd you use and what brand did they put in?

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 9:49 am
by A_B
Do you have standard sizes?

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 9:54 am
by P.D.X.
As a matter of fact I don't!

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 10:50 am
by GoodKarma
Rush2112 wrote: Wed Jun 06, 2018 9:53 pm We just had all our windows replaced. Got a great deal from a local place. We also asked them to replace/repair some siding around a bay window that the previous owners let go to shit. They were supposed to take 2 days but the siding and other unforeseen shit it ended up taking 5. Got a call today with the remaining balance. Almost 9k. I was like shit. They did good work, but 9000 in fucking siding? Nope! That was just the second payment! They didn't charge us for all the extra work. No wonder they have all those 5-star reviews!

So GoodKarma or PDX let me know if you are looking for new windows.
I am actually considering it...at least a couple plus a sliding glass door.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 10:58 am
by Rush2112
We used Bluebird in Lafayette. They use Verde windows I believe.

ETA no outlandish charges for a couple wacky windows we have either, though it did take 6 weeks to get delivered after measured.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:19 am
by P.D.X.
Rush2112 wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 10:58 am We used Bluebird in Lafayette. They use Verde windows I believe.

ETA no outlandish charges for a couple wacky windows we have either, though it did take 6 weeks to get delivered after measured.
Contacted them for a quote. Will let them know you referred me if they ask.

That time frame seems pretty standard. I have one quote for install being 90 days out even.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:36 am
by GoodKarma
Thanks...I have a couple other things I'm working through on the house so I'm not in the immediate market but might pull the trigger next year.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 4:36 pm
by wlu_lax6
A few weeks ago during all the rain had some flooding in my basement. Cut Drywall, carpet, etc. etc. Since it was rain my insurance company laughed at me....that is another rant. My son ripped off the nozzle in his bathroom, and I have some natural gas problems for the house generator and fireplace. Add in that I got a new AC unit a few weeks ago because the old one went down on the first hot day of the spring and will likely need a new hot water heater......Just glad that I have been putting some $ away each month in the home repair fund and the mrs. is happy with the 10 year old Saturn.

So here is the 2 part question....hot water heater...
a.) replace when getting old because you just don't want to leak/explosion
b.) replace when it just starts to make noise, small leak because you can catch it before it destroys the basement.
c.)wait for it to destroy the basement

Replace with the traditional or go tankless. Tankless initial costs are about 3x to 3.5x more...Not sure I will make that back on utility savings BUT the idea of not having an water explosion in my basement in the future and gaining some space in the work room seem pretty nice.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 5:48 pm
by A_B
With water heaters if it’s anything other than an element I’d replace.

#advicefromfenway

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2018 7:09 pm
by sancarlos
The Sybian wrote: Wed Jun 06, 2018 10:44 pm
sancarlos wrote: Fri Feb 23, 2018 5:58 pm
P.D.X. wrote: Fri Feb 23, 2018 5:48 pm If one were to steal space, how would it be done? Move the fence and put shit there that makes it hard to move the fence back.
As I understand it, they can't steal ownership of land. They only have possession.

Neighbor claims the fence location was always pretty much like this. Wife says that is untrue and that they moved the fence 15 years ago when the previous fence went up. But, in the end, it doesn't matter. Lawyer advises that your land is your land, regardless of fence location.
Appears I missed this whole saga. How'd this one resolve itself? How friendly are the neighbors now?

Unless California has unusual land use laws, which is possible, your lawyer is wrong. It's called adverse possession. If you use your neighbor's land, and he doesn't contest it, after 10 or 20 years (depending on state law), it's his. [quick Google shows CA has a 5 year statute]. This is really simple first year law student stuff, (I still remember the 5 components of adverse possession; open, continuous, exclusive, adverse and notorious). Your neighbors fence meets all the criteria, they would just have to pay 5 years' back taxes on the stolen land, and it's theirs!

My neighbor had a similar situation, but they are on the other side of the story. Their backyard (like mine), backs onto a thin strip of woods maybe 100 yards wide, with another house on the other side of the woods. The other houses own the wooded property. A house flipper bought the house on the other side of the woods, had a survey done, and found my neighbors fence was 5 feet over the property line. They said the flipper came to their house, explained the situation, and sheepishly asked if they could move the fence. My neighbors didn't take kindly to the request, think the flippers are complete assholes, can't understand why they care, there is 100 yards of woods between the fence and their lawn, and they are selling as soon as they make repairs. Flippers had a lawyer send a letter requesting they move the fence, and they did. They had a huge party, and bitched to everyone, and most took their side, but I don't blame the Flippers at all. They would be selling a house with an impairment (too tired to think of the correct word), and my neighbor could take title to that 5 foot strip of land, or even create an implied easement, giving my neighbor the right to use the land.
It’s all resolved now. Following this:
1. Very tense meeting with neighbors where we stated our case, provided evidence of the survey, and requested they move the fence. They bitched and moaned about effect on their landscaping, etc.
2. They do nothing. Weeks pass.
3. We engage attorney who sends nasty letter demanding they move fence, and demanding to know their action plan.
4. Somewhat shockingly, neighbor caves and provides his action plan.
5. Fence got moved!
6. No further relationship with neighbor. At all.

Lawyer is convinced that they chose to comply because they have a few non-code improvements in their backyard and were concerned we might sic the code enforcement boys snooping in on them.

I was so stressed about this whole issue I half-believe it was a contributing factor to my heart attack.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 9:12 am
by DSafetyGuy
wlu_lax6 wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 4:36 pmSo here is the 2 part question....hot water heater...
a.) replace when getting old because you just don't want to leak/explosion
b.) replace when it just starts to make noise, small leak because you can catch it before it destroys the basement.
c.)wait for it to destroy the basement

Replace with the traditional or go tankless. Tankless initial costs are about 3x to 3.5x more...Not sure I will make that back on utility savings BUT the idea of not having an water explosion in my basement in the future and gaining some space in the work room seem pretty nice.
We replaced ours earlier this spring following a small leak with a traditional one. My wife wanted to go tankless, but it didn't make much sense for us.

Perhaps more important is that we bought it at Home Depot and tried their installation service. Dude from install company (a separate company, of course) claimed we had bought a power venting one (wife had purchased a standard venting), which would not work, offered to put the $90 for the visit toward the purchase and install of a water heater from his company.

We had a different vendor come in and install.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Fri Jun 08, 2018 12:57 pm
by HaulCitgo
sancarlos wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 7:09 pm
The Sybian wrote: Wed Jun 06, 2018 10:44 pm
sancarlos wrote: Fri Feb 23, 2018 5:58 pm
P.D.X. wrote: Fri Feb 23, 2018 5:48 pm If one were to steal space, how would it be done? Move the fence and put shit there that makes it hard to move the fence back.
As I understand it, they can't steal ownership of land. They only have possession.

Neighbor claims the fence location was always pretty much like this. Wife says that is untrue and that they moved the fence 15 years ago when the previous fence went up. But, in the end, it doesn't matter. Lawyer advises that your land is your land, regardless of fence location.
Appears I missed this whole saga. How'd this one resolve itself? How friendly are the neighbors now?

Unless California has unusual land use laws, which is possible, your lawyer is wrong. It's called adverse possession. If you use your neighbor's land, and he doesn't contest it, after 10 or 20 years (depending on state law), it's his. [quick Google shows CA has a 5 year statute]. This is really simple first year law student stuff, (I still remember the 5 components of adverse possession; open, continuous, exclusive, adverse and notorious). Your neighbors fence meets all the criteria, they would just have to pay 5 years' back taxes on the stolen land, and it's theirs!

My neighbor had a similar situation, but they are on the other side of the story. Their backyard (like mine), backs onto a thin strip of woods maybe 100 yards wide, with another house on the other side of the woods. The other houses own the wooded property. A house flipper bought the house on the other side of the woods, had a survey done, and found my neighbors fence was 5 feet over the property line. They said the flipper came to their house, explained the situation, and sheepishly asked if they could move the fence. My neighbors didn't take kindly to the request, think the flippers are complete assholes, can't understand why they care, there is 100 yards of woods between the fence and their lawn, and they are selling as soon as they make repairs. Flippers had a lawyer send a letter requesting they move the fence, and they did. They had a huge party, and bitched to everyone, and most took their side, but I don't blame the Flippers at all. They would be selling a house with an impairment (too tired to think of the correct word), and my neighbor could take title to that 5 foot strip of land, or even create an implied easement, giving my neighbor the right to use the land.
It’s all resolved now. Following this:
1. Very tense meeting with neighbors where we stated our case, provided evidence of the survey, and requested they move the fence. They bitched and moaned about effect on their landscaping, etc.
2. They do nothing. Weeks pass.
3. We engage attorney who sends nasty letter demanding they move fence, and demanding to know their action plan.
4. Somewhat shockingly, neighbor caves and provides his action plan.
5. Fence got moved!
6. No further relationship with neighbor. At all.

Lawyer is convinced that they chose to comply because they have a few non-code improvements in their backyard and were concerned we might sic the code enforcement boys snooping in on them.

I was so stressed about this whole issue I half-believe it was a contributing factor to my heart attack.

Almost wrote about this back when it was originally discussed but the official legal advice is that the practical reality of adverse possession is quiet title litigation that no one would want to (or have an economic rationale for) unless there are acres at issue. Your relationship with your neighbor is worth far more than the legal wrangling and strip of land. This from a guy fresh out of law school buying a first house, running into a similar issue and thinking about the elements of adverse possession... so after threatening to fight a guy with an axe, having the cops show at my kids first birthday party with a house full of guests, nasty meetings with the neighbor, her mom and her lawyers she couldnt afford, another
near fight with her new boyfriend some 10 years later when I went to sell the house and finally seeing her show up from time to time as a mediator in a courtroom I frequent, I will suggest that the proper course of action is to let it go.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2018 12:44 pm
by P.D.X.
P.D.X. wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 11:19 am
Rush2112 wrote: Thu Jun 07, 2018 10:58 am We used Bluebird in Lafayette. They use Verde windows I believe.

ETA no outlandish charges for a couple wacky windows we have either, though it did take 6 weeks to get delivered after measured.
Contacted them for a quote. Will let them know you referred me if they ask.

That time frame seems pretty standard. I have one quote for install being 90 days out even.
Just signed the contract with Bluebird. They better send you a x-mas card.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2018 12:53 am
by Rush2112
P.D.X. wrote: Tue Jun 19, 2018 12:44 pm Just signed the contract with Bluebird. They better send you a x-mas card.
Nice! We are very pleased with the quality of work and the guys doing it.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2018 2:50 pm
by elflaco
2018: The Summer of the Plumber

Master bath leaking water onto dining room -- open up ceiling.. spend $300 on a valve replacement.. nope not it.. (well not the only leak) coming back tomorrow to open up wall to track leak from faucet... so that means new tile in the bathroom.. and of course my wife sees it as a chance to put on a new floor, new toilet, new sink....

the hot water heater is leaking...

the outdoor faucet needs to be replaced... so that means cutting and sweating...


and i'm having rotator cuff surgery on the 24th... so can't do anything about any of these... so $$$

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 8:49 pm
by Johnnie
...aaaaaand the roof is leaking.

Just got my new appliances yesterday and had to have the connectors that go to the washer replaced, so here's this new problem.

Yay.

Re: Home Repairs

Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2018 11:58 pm
by The Sybian
Johnnie wrote: Sat Jul 14, 2018 8:49 pm ...aaaaaand the roof is leaking.

Just got my new appliances yesterday and had to have the connectors that go to the washer replaced, so here's this new problem.

Yay.
And it never ends. This shit is constant.