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renovation mishap thread.. share your stories
- Thread starter MaisOuiMadame
- Start date
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- Jul 13, 2007
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I'm lucky that my husband does all the renovations himself. Lucky? Am I really though? I have had all the hardwood flooring for the main floor of the house stacked in my dining room for I think 5 years now. We (the kids and I) even thought about hiring someone to install it while he was away for November, but he freaked out when I mentioned it. Oh well. I've even thought about just selling it, lol. 
Edit: the flooring is all still in the boxes, wrapped up and waiting.
Edit: the flooring is all still in the boxes, wrapped up and waiting.
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- Jan 22, 2014
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My nightmare was when the kitchen floor “dropped”. We have a 1920s built house. We assumed it was the floor joists.
We bring in the builders, but they can’t get to under the kitchen floor from the under house access. Oh well, we were thinking about doing a new kitchen so that’s what it will have to be, so they remove all the kitchen and pull up the floor.
What the !!!!!!
We don’t have an underfloor cavity. The floor as been built onto dirt. No wonder the timber rotted. So, the evacuation of dirt starts as we have to have cavity under the floor.
The next morning I come out to survey “the hole that was the kitchen” and OMG it’s filled with water. I have a swimming pool!
The builders arrived, stands there shaking his head. Not good he says. What’s on the other side of that wall. The laundry and second bathroom.
Well, we might have to pull all that up to find the leak.
That’s all concrete floors - rip out a full laundry and bathroom and then replace - how much extra will that cost?
$50k at least.
I’m in tears.
Thankfully after more investigation, the leak was on the outside of the house but draining under the house. So we were saved an extra huge expense and inconvenience.
But this story is only one of many renovation mishaps.
We bring in the builders, but they can’t get to under the kitchen floor from the under house access. Oh well, we were thinking about doing a new kitchen so that’s what it will have to be, so they remove all the kitchen and pull up the floor.
What the !!!!!!
We don’t have an underfloor cavity. The floor as been built onto dirt. No wonder the timber rotted. So, the evacuation of dirt starts as we have to have cavity under the floor.
The next morning I come out to survey “the hole that was the kitchen” and OMG it’s filled with water. I have a swimming pool!
The builders arrived, stands there shaking his head. Not good he says. What’s on the other side of that wall. The laundry and second bathroom.
Well, we might have to pull all that up to find the leak.
That’s all concrete floors - rip out a full laundry and bathroom and then replace - how much extra will that cost?
$50k at least.
I’m in tears.
Thankfully after more investigation, the leak was on the outside of the house but draining under the house. So we were saved an extra huge expense and inconvenience.
But this story is only one of many renovation mishaps.
- Joined
- Jan 22, 2014
- Messages
- 7,004
And then there was the front fence.
Firstly I wanted to change the position of the pedestrian entry to “center” of the fence. The bricklayer comes out, knocks down one half of the fence to reposition the opening. I go out for most the day, I come home and they are nearly done.
OMG - um, the opening isn’t in the center. I can tell by looking.
Yes it is, he says.
No I say. He measures. I’m right. It’s about 4 inches out.
It has to be redone because otherwise when the driveway gate is open it will “hang over” the pedestrian entrance.
Next for the front fence is the metal inserts (between brick pillars) for the fence and a matching gate (to be electric).
The gate arrives first - they start to install it.
Um, it’s the wrong height I say. It has to be the height of the brick part of the fence. It’s about 6 inches higher.
Can’t I be ok with this ?
No, I can’t, Metal gate has to be remanufactured. So Electrician and gate motor people will have to come back.
Next, the fence metal inserts arrive to be installed.
OMG one is 1 inch too short. So it can’t be fitted to the fence.
Back it has to go for remanufacture.
A week later the replacement fence insert arrives and they install it.
OMG it’s a different pattern!
It has to go back for remanufacture.
Eventually I have a fully matching front fence.
Firstly I wanted to change the position of the pedestrian entry to “center” of the fence. The bricklayer comes out, knocks down one half of the fence to reposition the opening. I go out for most the day, I come home and they are nearly done.
OMG - um, the opening isn’t in the center. I can tell by looking.
Yes it is, he says.
No I say. He measures. I’m right. It’s about 4 inches out.
It has to be redone because otherwise when the driveway gate is open it will “hang over” the pedestrian entrance.
Next for the front fence is the metal inserts (between brick pillars) for the fence and a matching gate (to be electric).
The gate arrives first - they start to install it.
Um, it’s the wrong height I say. It has to be the height of the brick part of the fence. It’s about 6 inches higher.
Can’t I be ok with this ?
No, I can’t, Metal gate has to be remanufactured. So Electrician and gate motor people will have to come back.
Next, the fence metal inserts arrive to be installed.
OMG one is 1 inch too short. So it can’t be fitted to the fence.
Back it has to go for remanufacture.
A week later the replacement fence insert arrives and they install it.
OMG it’s a different pattern!
It has to go back for remanufacture.
Eventually I have a fully matching front fence.
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- Joined
- Jan 9, 2015
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I'm lucky that my husband does all the renovations himself. Lucky? Am I really though? I have had all the hardwood flooring for the main floor of the house stacked in my dining room for I think 5 years now. We (the kids and I) even thought about hiring someone to install it while he was away for November, but he freaked out when I mentioned it. Oh well. I've even thought about just selling it, lol.
Oh, lyra I was jealous for about two seconds, because my dh isn't really the type to anything like that himself... I might be better off after all
Story of my life with construction people!!
Glad everything worked out in the end.. especially the HOLE under your house. How stressful!
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2008
- Messages
- 28,119
I'm lucky that my husband does all the renovations himself. Lucky? Am I really though? I have had all the hardwood flooring for the main floor of the house stacked in my dining room for I think 5 years now. We (the kids and I) even thought about hiring someone to install it while he was away for November, but he freaked out when I mentioned it. Oh well. I've even thought about just selling it, lol.
I hear you to need to let it rest and acclimate to the environment in your house
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2017
- Messages
- 262
I went without COUNTER TOPS for 3 years ! My DIY guy demolished then installed all of the kitchen cabinets . Then....everything STOPPED. No explanation, nothing....I used wooden boards fot countertops....then I finally pinned him down on verbalizing why the reno stopped. As I expected, he admitted to not wanting to do the work to replace all of the plumbing in our old farmhouse. I made phone calls to a plumber, the flooring guy and the countertop company and within 3 weeks....DONE!
The last project was a gut job for a new bathroom....we contracted that out and within 2 weeks....done!
FM
The last project was a gut job for a new bathroom....we contracted that out and within 2 weeks....done!
FM
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2017
- Messages
- 262
I'm lucky that my husband does all the renovations himself. Lucky? Am I really though? I have had all the hardwood flooring for the main floor of the house stacked in my dining room for I think 5 years now. We (the kids and I) even thought about hiring someone to install it while he was away for November, but he freaked out when I mentioned it. Oh well. I've even thought about just selling it, lol.
Make that phone call and get it done! Read my post pls....
fM
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2007
- Messages
- 5,279
@FinleysMom , it's complicated, and expensive. I have to prioritize. He actually said we might get new kitchen cabinets. I'll follow that dream first! My kitchen sits with the lower cabinets painted the preferred colour, and the upper cabinets still painted white. New cabinets would be wonderful. We'll see. At least we got a new roof last summer. Great investment!
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2015
- Messages
- 3,451
My latest and up to now most inconvenient problem: we have no heating! We did a total gut job on our current house (not our first reno).
We have had all the tubes renewed, a brand spanking new system and switched to gas (from an old fuel heating). We kept the old heavy heaters though, because we had those replaced in our old place and the heavy cast iron ones radiate a more comfy warmth in our opinion. Got those sanded + painted ... erything done by September. Before we actually moved in.
When everything was done and we were in, we were informed by our construction company that the professional support (call center) of the manufacturer told them we needed a totally different system, since it's 12 metres through the chimney out the roof . The shock . Two weeks of discussions followed. We had a look at the specs of everything and it looked fine to us.
DH and I spoke to the regional manager of the manufacturer and we found out we ( just ) needed special tubing in the chimney (larger diameter, than they installed). Had to wait for a special order. 3 weeks. Got those installed( double the cost, of course) .
Thanks call center guy
System ready again. Needed certificate from independent firm in order to get gas into the tank for the first time.
Firm says: new law came into place two weeks ago. You cannot have any other system in the same room anymore if you have a heating system that powerful.
Ok, so we put our hot water system into another room (of course 10 days to complete, another hefty price tag).
We finally get the cert. We order gas, guy fills our gas tank. (Between getting an appt. W / both firms and a two day wait, another week gone).
And now: three plumbers can't get the brand new system to work.
Manufacturer, from whom we also bought a support package for us AND an inital fine-tuning of our system incl. support for our plumber is not talking to us (because we are private customers, not a firm) and gave our construction company a date in February. Apparently won't talk to them either.
DH and I called all 22 plumbing companies in our region that are specialised in our brand heating system (anything else doesn't make any sense). No one agreed to come. Most flat out told us that the system is too big for them and they won't be able to help us. Others don't want to be liable (if the they touch it, they'll be resonsible for the wArranty ... ) . Even offered them a waiver where we sign that they aren't responsible for any warranty issues afterwards. no luck.
Last straw: an employee of the firm we got the maintenance contract from agreed to come on Tue, in his VACATION and will see if he can do anything...
If he cannot do anything, we have to pray for mild weather till February. In the meantime we use electric fan heaters. More than four per floor at once blow up our electric system. So it's never above 62 °f in our place.
We have had all the tubes renewed, a brand spanking new system and switched to gas (from an old fuel heating). We kept the old heavy heaters though, because we had those replaced in our old place and the heavy cast iron ones radiate a more comfy warmth in our opinion. Got those sanded + painted ... erything done by September. Before we actually moved in.
When everything was done and we were in, we were informed by our construction company that the professional support (call center) of the manufacturer told them we needed a totally different system, since it's 12 metres through the chimney out the roof . The shock . Two weeks of discussions followed. We had a look at the specs of everything and it looked fine to us.
DH and I spoke to the regional manager of the manufacturer and we found out we ( just ) needed special tubing in the chimney (larger diameter, than they installed). Had to wait for a special order. 3 weeks. Got those installed( double the cost, of course) .
Thanks call center guy
System ready again. Needed certificate from independent firm in order to get gas into the tank for the first time.
Firm says: new law came into place two weeks ago. You cannot have any other system in the same room anymore if you have a heating system that powerful.
Ok, so we put our hot water system into another room (of course 10 days to complete, another hefty price tag).
We finally get the cert. We order gas, guy fills our gas tank. (Between getting an appt. W / both firms and a two day wait, another week gone).
And now: three plumbers can't get the brand new system to work.
Manufacturer, from whom we also bought a support package for us AND an inital fine-tuning of our system incl. support for our plumber is not talking to us (because we are private customers, not a firm) and gave our construction company a date in February. Apparently won't talk to them either.
DH and I called all 22 plumbing companies in our region that are specialised in our brand heating system (anything else doesn't make any sense). No one agreed to come. Most flat out told us that the system is too big for them and they won't be able to help us. Others don't want to be liable (if the they touch it, they'll be resonsible for the wArranty ... ) . Even offered them a waiver where we sign that they aren't responsible for any warranty issues afterwards. no luck.
Last straw: an employee of the firm we got the maintenance contract from agreed to come on Tue, in his VACATION and will see if he can do anything...
If he cannot do anything, we have to pray for mild weather till February. In the meantime we use electric fan heaters. More than four per floor at once blow up our electric system. So it's never above 62 °f in our place.
- Joined
- May 11, 2013
- Messages
- 7,570
Ahhh.. let me tell you about my pool renovation fiasco.
My father died in 07 and left me less than 100K but more than 50K
so my pool was 10 years old and the tile was worn, the plaster was pitted etc.. the pool pump was loud and stuck in a bad spot in my side yard..soooo I thought I would use some of my sad money to fix up the pool.. So I called Austin Plaster (don't know it is still there with same people) and I got this guy and I told him I wanted to replaster my pool with something a little better and he recommended this guy who was just starting his pool renovation business, so I said smartly to myself that I will get 3 quotes and go with the best (lowest).. so the lowest was the new guy, so I asked him for a rec and I went over to a couple's house and had a 10 minute dash thru their pool as they were on their way to Hawaii to beat Austin's cedar fever..
So this guy gives me the bid. It started out okay he started the electrical work and laid a cement rectangle to place my new equipment on. I told him I wanted the latest and best and quietest pump, he says no prob... you pay always ahead to pool people as many are terrible, fly by nite rip off artists. So this guy comes to me and asked for the next check and ask me to make it out to his wife who had a different name, he said "I was sued by my mom so we would rather have the checks made to my wife rather than the company" red flag went up but I was already in too much money... so I told the 'pool guy' that I needed to have the spa light fixed as it kept going out. So he tries to fix the light then tells me it will cost at least 500.00$ more to rewire and hire another guy to work with him, I pay 500.00$ and he can't do it, I'm out the money, he said the best thing is to plaster over the hole where the light was, he sends over a weird looking guy and the plaster work was horrendous.. but at this point I'm starting to get a bit scared that I'm stuck in a Kafkaesque pool reno... the tile guy was perfect, a young kid, it came out great. I felt sorry for the kid. He sets up this weird pool equipment set up.. an open acid container, a new and supersonic liquid chlorine dispenser, and a great BIG HUGE LOUD LOUD PUMP, so I told the guy it was not quiet and he did something to the rotatory thingy to get it quieter and the thing BREAKS, I have to pay the pump company 350.00$ to come out and repair it he said which I had to pay, now remember at this point I'm caught and now scared, he has Austin Plastering replaster the pool with color quartz, it came out nicely and I had paid extra for pool creep to brush down the new plaster as you need to do this to bring out the color quartz, he said he was doing it, but no one saw him at my house for the time he was supposed to be doing this, I called him on a Sat and asked when he was going to brush it down and he said he couldn't that day as he was 'out of town'.. quicksand.. I'm going down... so he comes with the final bill which was 1.8 k more than he had said on his quote, well he said "I had to add tax",t he pool NEVER cleared, the pump was not pushing the water thru the pool.. I did not want to call the psycho pool guy as I was afraid, truly... did I mention he got into a huge fight with one of my neighbors about his cigarette butts, that was fun.. So know I've spent 11K on a renovation nightmare, NOTHING is working right, I have a huge circle in my spa that matches nothing... so I say to hubster I am calling the most highly recommended pool renovation company I can find and have them look at it.. soooo... out came Hines Pool's... Hines says the whole pool equipment is 'AGAINST the LAW" and should be removed immediately because the fumes from the acid thingy and the chlorine gas can ignite and start a huge fire, the pool pump is totally incorrect for my pool and can't be fixed and needs to come out.. I need another chlorine dispenser, go back to doing muriatic acid the usual way, pouring it in yourself as my husband had always done... we needed another different junction box, the pool pump was not grounded and we could be electrocuted in the pool.. so for another 10K I got a perfect renovation.. something that should have cost no more than 10K cost me over 20K, I felt bad about losing my Dad's hard earned money, that was the absolutely worst part. I gave pool ripoff guy the worst ever write up on YELP.. YELP wouldn't post it originally, they put it on the hidden part, so I kept writing it till it passed their bots.. THEN I started get emails on YELP from other people who experienced the horror of this guy also.. several more (like 5) write-ups like mine showed up.. then as time passed he was arrested for drunk and disorderly, fighting, several times and by 2014 he was at the Bundy stand off with an AK 47 type gun, talking smack about the government, his wife divorced, him, it was such an unbelievable situation to have gone thru that I was scared silly thinking about doing any work again.. finally did when we moved, but contractors scare me.. it's one of the reasons why I hired a decorator here rather than do it all myself.. if she is in the business she most probably has good people working with her. Pools are so often the realm of fly by nighters, people down the street from me in Austin had their pool company stop mid pool build and leave town.. I also learned that a deal most times really isn't a deal. thanks for reading.
My father died in 07 and left me less than 100K but more than 50K
so my pool was 10 years old and the tile was worn, the plaster was pitted etc.. the pool pump was loud and stuck in a bad spot in my side yard..soooo I thought I would use some of my sad money to fix up the pool.. So I called Austin Plaster (don't know it is still there with same people) and I got this guy and I told him I wanted to replaster my pool with something a little better and he recommended this guy who was just starting his pool renovation business, so I said smartly to myself that I will get 3 quotes and go with the best (lowest).. so the lowest was the new guy, so I asked him for a rec and I went over to a couple's house and had a 10 minute dash thru their pool as they were on their way to Hawaii to beat Austin's cedar fever.. So this guy gives me the bid. It started out okay he started the electrical work and laid a cement rectangle to place my new equipment on. I told him I wanted the latest and best and quietest pump, he says no prob... you pay always ahead to pool people as many are terrible, fly by nite rip off artists. So this guy comes to me and asked for the next check and ask me to make it out to his wife who had a different name, he said "I was sued by my mom so we would rather have the checks made to my wife rather than the company" red flag went up but I was already in too much money... so I told the 'pool guy' that I needed to have the spa light fixed as it kept going out. So he tries to fix the light then tells me it will cost at least 500.00$ more to rewire and hire another guy to work with him, I pay 500.00$ and he can't do it, I'm out the money, he said the best thing is to plaster over the hole where the light was, he sends over a weird looking guy and the plaster work was horrendous.. but at this point I'm starting to get a bit scared that I'm stuck in a Kafkaesque pool reno... the tile guy was perfect, a young kid, it came out great. I felt sorry for the kid. He sets up this weird pool equipment set up.. an open acid container, a new and supersonic liquid chlorine dispenser, and a great BIG HUGE LOUD LOUD PUMP, so I told the guy it was not quiet and he did something to the rotatory thingy to get it quieter and the thing BREAKS, I have to pay the pump company 350.00$ to come out and repair it he said which I had to pay, now remember at this point I'm caught and now scared, he has Austin Plastering replaster the pool with color quartz, it came out nicely and I had paid extra for pool creep to brush down the new plaster as you need to do this to bring out the color quartz, he said he was doing it, but no one saw him at my house for the time he was supposed to be doing this, I called him on a Sat and asked when he was going to brush it down and he said he couldn't that day as he was 'out of town'.. quicksand.. I'm going down... so he comes with the final bill which was 1.8 k more than he had said on his quote, well he said "I had to add tax",t he pool NEVER cleared, the pump was not pushing the water thru the pool.. I did not want to call the psycho pool guy as I was afraid, truly... did I mention he got into a huge fight with one of my neighbors about his cigarette butts, that was fun.. So know I've spent 11K on a renovation nightmare, NOTHING is working right, I have a huge circle in my spa that matches nothing... so I say to hubster I am calling the most highly recommended pool renovation company I can find and have them look at it.. soooo... out came Hines Pool's... Hines says the whole pool equipment is 'AGAINST the LAW" and should be removed immediately because the fumes from the acid thingy and the chlorine gas can ignite and start a huge fire, the pool pump is totally incorrect for my pool and can't be fixed and needs to come out.. I need another chlorine dispenser, go back to doing muriatic acid the usual way, pouring it in yourself as my husband had always done... we needed another different junction box, the pool pump was not grounded and we could be electrocuted in the pool.. so for another 10K I got a perfect renovation.. something that should have cost no more than 10K cost me over 20K, I felt bad about losing my Dad's hard earned money, that was the absolutely worst part.
I gave pool ripoff guy the worst ever write up on YELP.. YELP wouldn't post it originally, they put it on the hidden part, so I kept writing it till it passed their bots.. THEN I started get emails on YELP from other people who experienced the horror of this guy also.. several more (like 5) write-ups like mine showed up.. then as time passed he was arrested for drunk and disorderly, fighting, several times and by 2014 he was at the Bundy stand off with an AK 47 type gun, talking smack about the government, his wife divorced, him, it was such an unbelievable situation to have gone thru that I was scared silly thinking about doing any work again.. finally did when we moved, but contractors scare me.. it's one of the reasons why I hired a decorator here rather than do it all myself.. if she is in the business she most probably has good people working with her. Pools are so often the realm of fly by nighters, people down the street from me in Austin had their pool company stop mid pool build and leave town.. I also learned that a deal most times really isn't a deal. thanks for reading.- Joined
- Jun 7, 2014
- Messages
- 9,804
OMG @Tekate What a nightmare!
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I put a pool in my backyard 2 years after we built the house. I live in the Phx metro area. Lots of pool builders. It went flawlessly. I put it out for 4 bids. Made sure the top company (size/revenue) was included. I picked the most expensive builder, who was also the biggest and best funded (didnt want to worry about them disappearing or going bankrupt). Its been 17 years and it looks great and nothing ever broke.
I've got a mishap. We remodeled in 2016. The company Lowe's used to provide countertops sent out Freddy to my house to measure. Well, installation day came. Freddy mismeasured around all the electrical outlets 
I see this and I hear the 3 installation guys muttering, trying to figure out where this was gonna go. They come to me and ask who did the measuring. I tell them. They return to their conference but this time I hear "Fvckin' Freddy" grrrr 
Instead of screwing with things to try to salvage the countertops, the lead guy called the Mothership and they started over from scratch, which was what I wanted. When they showed up for the job that morning, I'd tipped each of them in cash. They took care of me and did some nice custom pieces for me too.
I see this and I hear the 3 installation guys muttering, trying to figure out where this was gonna go. They come to me and ask who did the measuring. I tell them. They return to their conference but this time I hear "Fvckin' Freddy" grrrr Instead of screwing with things to try to salvage the countertops, the lead guy called the Mothership and they started over from scratch, which was what I wanted. When they showed up for the job that morning, I'd tipped each of them in cash. They took care of me and did some nice custom pieces for me too.
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2008
- Messages
- 56,377
Kipari, Bron357, Finleysmom, Tekate, Lyra and everyone else who experienced reno nightmares my heart goes out to you! I have had my fair share of reno mishaps having gut renovated 2 large homes (2 kitchens, many bedrooms and many bathrooms etc). We are about to start a third (just kitchen this time) reno and I am sure I will (unfortunately) have many traumatic new experiences to share with you. Stay tuned.
And in the meantime wishing you all beautiful interiors and exteriors. Remember (and I will keep telling myself this over and over for the next 4 or 5 months I am sure) nothing worthwhile is easy. Though in many cases it is much harder than it needs to be...grrrrrrrrr.
Lots of reno dust to all!
And in the meantime wishing you all beautiful interiors and exteriors. Remember (and I will keep telling myself this over and over for the next 4 or 5 months I am sure) nothing worthwhile is easy. Though in many cases it is much harder than it needs to be...grrrrrrrrr.
Lots of reno dust to all!
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2015
- Messages
- 3,451
Kipari, Bron357, Finleysmom, Tekate, Lyra and everyone else who experienced reno nightmares my heart goes out to you! I have had my fair share of reno mishaps having gut renovated 2 large homes (2 kitchens, many bedrooms and many bathrooms etc). We are about to start a third (just kitchen this time) reno and I am sure I will (unfortunately) have many traumatic new experiences to share with you. Stay tuned.
And in the meantime wishing you all beautiful interiors and exteriors. Remember (and I will keep telling myself this over and over for the next 4 or 5 months I am sure) nothing worthwhile is easy. Though in many cases it is much harder than it needs to be...grrrrrrrrr.
Lots of reno dust to all!
Thanks for dust, missy and right back at you!
I so hope we won't be hearing a single word from you in this thread about your new reno project!!!!
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- Jun 8, 2008
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Aww thanks kipari! Well I have to LOL because so often it isn't just one thing but many. Our car once again started having engine issues yesterday AM as we were heading to NYC for the day and well, we had to turn around. My dh is at the garage now and it's a coil issue (the mechanic thinks and now he is replacing it and we will see). We have spent a few thousand now on car issues in the last few months. I know it's time for a new car but we are trying to salvage our dear old car for as long as it makes sense. The question is does it still make sense? Just the thought of purchasing a car now gives me anxiety.
So I have no false hope about our reno going smoothly because in my experience rarely anything does lol. I just have to laugh because this is life or at least life as we know it. The trick is laughing and smiling despite it all and honestly I am too tired to think of the alternative so maintaining my sense of humor is the best way atm.
Fingers crossed the car gets fixed today and we get to finish the week out here in an enjoyable manner and that the New year is a good one for us all!
If I could turn back the clock (ah don't we wish we could for so many things!) I would shut this reno down right now. Too many other things happening at the same time but hey hindsight is 20/20 isn't it?!
Reno and lots of general good luck dust to you all!!!
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OK yesterday was Day 1 and they didn't disappoint. Found issues that will add approximately 8k to our reno budget. LOL I cannot wait for today.
Floors totally messed up and they have to level them (we are adding hardwood and removing the tile) and there is NO insulation in the kitchen walls or floor and that is expensive to add. And they haven't even checked the front wall yet so the $$$ is adding up as they just gave us the new estimate for the walls and floor they did check yesterday. Fun fun fun. And the beam they *thought* they could remove now the contractor is saying he won't take responsibility if we remove it as he isn't sure it can be safely removed. And we could pay again for the architect to take another look. LOL really? Didn't we already express we wanted this evaluated right the first time? SO I am scrapping wanting that beam to be removed. I am being not nickeled and dimed but thousands and thousands argggghhh.
See? I knew we wouldn't disappoint you guys in this thread. Just didn't realize the fun would start Day 1 of demo. LOL.
Hope everyone else is having smooth renovations and a happy 2018. I will be happy for the next 4 months to go by as quickly as possible!!!
Floors totally messed up and they have to level them (we are adding hardwood and removing the tile) and there is NO insulation in the kitchen walls or floor and that is expensive to add. And they haven't even checked the front wall yet so the $$$ is adding up as they just gave us the new estimate for the walls and floor they did check yesterday. Fun fun fun. And the beam they *thought* they could remove now the contractor is saying he won't take responsibility if we remove it as he isn't sure it can be safely removed. And we could pay again for the architect to take another look. LOL really? Didn't we already express we wanted this evaluated right the first time? SO I am scrapping wanting that beam to be removed. I am being not nickeled and dimed but thousands and thousands argggghhh.
See? I knew we wouldn't disappoint you guys in this thread. Just didn't realize the fun would start Day 1 of demo. LOL.
Hope everyone else is having smooth renovations and a happy 2018. I will be happy for the next 4 months to go by as quickly as possible!!!
- Joined
- May 11, 2013
- Messages
- 7,570
BAU right Missy? one thing always leads to another (cost).. can't wait to see some pix. My reno will be on hold for a while.. my decorator lady is very busy and we are going to FL for a month in March.. soooo we shall see when it starts.
OK yesterday was Day 1 and they didn't disappoint. Found issues that will add approximately 8k to our reno budget. LOL I cannot wait for today.
Floors totally messed up and they have to level them (we are adding hardwood and removing the tile) and there is NO insulation in the kitchen walls or floor and that is expensive to add. And they haven't even checked the front wall yet so the $$$ is adding up as they just gave us the new estimate for the walls and floor they did check yesterday. Fun fun fun. And the beam they *thought* they could remove now the contractor is saying he won't take responsibility if we remove it as he isn't sure it can be safely removed. And we could pay again for the architect to take another look. LOL really? Didn't we already express we wanted this evaluated right the first time? SO I am scrapping wanting that beam to be removed. I am being not nickeled and dimed but thousands and thousands argggghhh.
See? I knew we wouldn't disappoint you guys in this thread. Just didn't realize the fun would start Day 1 of demo. LOL.
Hope everyone else is having smooth renovations and a happy 2018. I will be happy for the next 4 months to go by as quickly as possible!!!
- Joined
- May 11, 2013
- Messages
- 7,570
@Austina Hola! and greetings from Maine. I lived in NW Austin for 18 years but left it '14. At that time I used Hines Pool Company to do all my repairs, not sure if they are still around or good. Yelp is a good place to look in Atown. Longhorn Pool was pretty good till I started with Hines because of the previous story about the worst pool reno ever. Pretty cold in Austin and CP according to my older son
Miss Chuys, miss any kebop place, miss HEB!!!, miss the feeling of excitement, don't don't don't miss the traffic. Miss my friends there. Miss my son. Miss Hill Country.
Lots to miss after living in Austin I must say.
Miss Chuys, miss any kebop place, miss HEB!!!, miss the feeling of excitement, don't don't don't miss the traffic. Miss my friends there. Miss my son. Miss Hill Country.
Lots to miss after living in Austin I must say.
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2015
- Messages
- 3,451
Happy new year, everyone!!
I've been off PS, because we have seen 6 more plumbers. Some more than once.
But: the last one rewired our system, changed some parts that were damaged by all the trying out and now it WORKS . WOOHOO..
He seemed super conceited and constantly name-dropped celebs- but he made it work. So we happily paid his inflated bill and signed maintenance over to him.
Wishing you best of luck @missy !!!!
We have had a talk with our contractors today... similar outcome as yours:roll ... At least we're at the end of our project... keep us all posted!
Keeping my fingers crossed for everyone!!!
I've been off PS, because we have seen 6 more plumbers. Some more than once.
But: the last one rewired our system, changed some parts that were damaged by all the trying out and now it WORKS . WOOHOO..
He seemed super conceited and constantly name-dropped celebs- but he made it work. So we happily paid his inflated bill and signed maintenance over to him.
Wishing you best of luck @missy !!!!
We have had a talk with our contractors today... similar outcome as yours:roll ... At least we're at the end of our project... keep us all posted!
Keeping my fingers crossed for everyone!!!
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2008
- Messages
- 56,377
Oh I found the thread. LOL in order to find threads I have to do a google search and add the word PS because just doing a search on PS doesn't find what I am looking for generally.
Mishaps mainly all due to the contractor's wife (also a partner in the business) being super difficult and refusing to ever talk on the phone. Rather she only communicates via passive aggressive emails. Not even texting. Frustrating doesn't begin to describe it. Even my dh the most calm and good natured guy is disgusted with her behavior. And they are constantly making stupid mistakes that my dh thankfully has been catching. We are paying for a GC but truly my dh is the GC but that is the way it goes sometimes. He didn't want to have to micromanage but he has to because they are not on top of things as promised. Anyway despite the mishaps so far so good. Fingers crossed the rest of the reno goes smoothly.
I already added photos in the backsplash thread but will add some photos here for those of you interested. Still a lot more to do but we are definitely coming along. Today is the start of backsplash installation and so far we have accomplished: Window installation, oak floor installation, custom cabinetry installation, island and countertop installation.
Thanks for looking. I would love to hear from others about their reno projects or upcoming projects.
@kipari how is your project going? Are you finished? Please update us!
Mishaps mainly all due to the contractor's wife (also a partner in the business) being super difficult and refusing to ever talk on the phone. Rather she only communicates via passive aggressive emails. Not even texting. Frustrating doesn't begin to describe it. Even my dh the most calm and good natured guy is disgusted with her behavior. And they are constantly making stupid mistakes that my dh thankfully has been catching. We are paying for a GC but truly my dh is the GC but that is the way it goes sometimes. He didn't want to have to micromanage but he has to because they are not on top of things as promised. Anyway despite the mishaps so far so good. Fingers crossed the rest of the reno goes smoothly.
I already added photos in the backsplash thread but will add some photos here for those of you interested. Still a lot more to do but we are definitely coming along. Today is the start of backsplash installation and so far we have accomplished: Window installation, oak floor installation, custom cabinetry installation, island and countertop installation.
Thanks for looking. I would love to hear from others about their reno projects or upcoming projects.
@kipari how is your project going? Are you finished? Please update us!
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2004
- Messages
- 6,633
OMG you guys are scaring me. I'm going to renovate my kitchen this year. For the reno hired someone to remove chimney in kitchen. Supposed to be a 1 1/2, 2 day job. among the highlights: Friday First guy says he swears he hears an animal. When he's done with removing chimney top and sealing roof, we go in attic to find chimney, no chimney (I figure out later the span in the attic was so short, he must have removed it when removing chimney). Sat drive to pick him up 2nd day, not answering texts or phone. His brother walking up to me in bathrobe "he never came home" (I did pay him half the amount). Find a neighbor wiling to do it. After removing a metal plate covering a round hole high up, shows me a mass of fur sticking out of round hole. I think, dead animal. But no, it's breathing. After calling animal control and hilarity, remove a large very healthy raccoon. Work recommences. Dog, excited by the visitor, keeping running around below the chimney, and then out to backyard to smell the bricks/flue then through house. making a huge mess. Saturday ends. got about 2 feet of brick removed. Sunday starts. Got the whole day. Maybe 4 feet? of brick removed. Monday. Today it's Tuesday (5th day) and should be done. I feel bad this guy who is doing me a favor signed up for something bigger than anticipated. And I will be left with a hugely trashed kitchen which will take hours to clean up, as well as a pile of rubble in backyard.
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2008
- Messages
- 56,377
Listen don’t be scared. Do your research and find the best people and your job should go fine. There will be mishaps along the way as that is just how it goes but hopefully it will be well worth it in the end. Please don’t let us scare you. I mean at this point I am still happy we are doing this. Though ask me next month and I will let you know if I feel the same way haha.
Good luck!
Past, Present, Future: The Meaning of Three-Stone Engagement Rings
Past, Present, Future: The Meaning of Three-Stone Engagement Rings - 04/14
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