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We’ve been working on some home projects for a long time. Yes, it’s like the cobbler’s children that have no shoes, but our projects are finally getting resolved.
This last weekend, I completed installing the boys bedroom flooring. Then we sanded and finished with polyurethane. The last coat went on last night.
I would encourage anyone to try projects out, but if you’re not confident about it, hire a professional.
We used Lumber Liquidator’s utility flooring. To use this, you either need to increase your waste calculations, or have a woodshop nearby. We were able to re-work quite a bit of the wood, and for us it was worth the extra work.
We don’t mind the look that some of the boards give. A few places have blemishes and isn’t just perfect. Some holes I filled with a two-part wood filler.
We are completely happy with the end result.
I’m going to share some common thoughts about remodeling here. You think about some one-word adjectives and see if we’re on the same page. Scary. Over-budget. Scary. Long. Headache. Scary. Dusty. Frustrating. Did I mention scary?
But what would you say if I told you remodeling could be fun? Crazy? Wait! Please hear me out.
…continue reading Fun in remodeling »
I was recently involved in reviewing a foreclosed home for a couple who were considering purchasing the property. Apparently, the fireplace had been leaning into the living room, away from the wall.
For reasons I won’t go into here, they removed the fireplace, and exposed this.
…continue reading Small mistakes can bite you »
You’ve heard the saying, “the devil’s in the details” right? Typically, this saying is used negatively as a reaction to something unexpected happening to those “best laid plans.” At the end of this article is a picture of one of such details.
I like to turn this saying into a positive, pro-active tool during our projects as a reminder that details do matter. How do they matter? When do they matter? Why do they matter? Can we keep the devil away?
…continue reading Devil in the Details »
Yes, it has been a while since I’ve updated you on the Remodeling with ease series. There are several reasons for this, including two major holidays since the last update, but most importantly, the clients’ personality. To be clear, I hold no ill toward them, and have no frustration with them at all!
In the world of fast paced, 140 character updates, personal space and lines being misunderstood, etc., it would be easy to get frustrated with someone who takes their time. “But I want to update my blog…I need more content!” Hold on just one moment-this is the very purpose of this series! In our business model, our personal needs must take back seat to our clients’ needs – no, not even 2nd place. We call it the “ego-ectomy”. This is a very painful and gory procedure, but not a story for now. These clients’ “buy-cycle” is slower than others. That’s not wrong or bad, it’s just the way it is. And since we’re talking about “remodeling with ease“ then we need to make this easy for the clients, not us.
A recent article in the Residential Design + Build magazine piqued my interest. The author states throughout the article, and in the title, that architects/designers should lead design/build projects. Mr. Jauregui makes many great points about the fallacies of the design-then-bid-then-build model, and I refer you to the article to read more about that. He also outlines many of the advantages of the design/build model that I have mentioned as well.
However, to state empirically that the designer/architect should always take the lead on projects doesn’t add up to me. My experience shows that clients do benefit greatly when the builder takes the lead.
Am I slamming architects/designers?
…continue reading Taking the lead: builder or designer? »
Continuing to follow the remodeling process with this real-life remodeling project, we have moved into the design phase of the program. Our homeowners have noticed that their home feels a bit dis-jointed and they need some more space. Two other items appear on their wish list: a two-car garage, and a master suite.
Our goal is to give these homeowners a project that they are comfortable about buying, in a process that reduces their headaches. It isn’t hard, just must be planned and anticipated. We must remember that this is not our home, and while we do our best to provide a well-designed project and give professional advice when needed, we don’t live there, nor ever will. Therefore, it is completely up to the client to make the final decision.
Using the field measurements, digital pictures and Google Maps street view, an accurate 3D model was made of the entire house. Even as we continued the design, there were some questions about the roof geometry. We were able to pull up the Google Maps street view and verify that the angles looked to be very similar. The husband is a technical type, and enjoys the technology and accuracy features of this process. It is gratifying, and very typical, to be able to show the homeowner that the measurements and numbers line up with reality.
This post is first in a series, where the goal is to show how you can remodel or upgrade your home with ease. A remodeling project isn’t always easy but it can be done with much fewer headaches. We all know that in order to reduce headaches, one must start with the end goal in mind. The end goal in any remodeling, or upgrading project is a trouble-free, functional, and visually pleasing space.
To create this series, I will share this example of a real life, and real-time, remodeling project. In other words, I will be writing this as the project unfolds.
…continue reading How to remodel with ease, pt 1 »
I was conversing with a friend yesterday who was talking about the Government energy rebates. There are many resources available for Home Energy & efficiency products. The Department of Energy has a whole section of their website devoted to Consumer Energy Tax Incentives.
I was also doing some searching to see what products and guides are available to help reduce home energy usage. There are, in fact, instructions on how you can CREATE your own energy! Or, use this blueprint to increase home energy efficiency.
…continue reading Improve Home Energy Efficiency »