We are in the midst of having the tile replaced on the walls in the bathroom (mostly just in the shower) to fix some leaking into the basement we are having. And along with that we are replacing the fixtures in the shower. I’m paying someone to re-tile, cuz I’m just to lazy, and not handy enough for that yet, but Lauren and some friends did most of the demolition and I am finishing it up right now. Also, we had the windows in the house replaced last week, and this spring we are scheduled to get a new roof. Here are a few thoughts about this process.
1. Having a friend who is a plumber was amazingly more helpful that I originally expected. Plumbing is not as simple as I figured it was. And Walter is a good plumber, he knew exactly what was up and it took him not much time at all to get our new shower stuff installed. Sometimes I think it is weird how I figure I could do something and then can’t, or I think I can’t do something around the house only to find out it is well within my capabilities.
2. Having friends who can tell you how much work is actually involved in something is a life saver. Sure I’m paying more now for having someone else tile, and then re-roof my house in the spring, but I’m saving a massive amount of time and headaches.
3. Don’t schedule remodeling, even if you are paying someone to do most of it, during your busy times at work. I don’t think I’ve completely finished a chore around the house in the last two weeks that isn’t related to putting up window blinds or ripping out drywall in the bathroom. My nights feel like I come home, eat, do one chore, and then sleep…and pretty much nothing else. And that is draining on your spirit and your marriage.
4. New windows are an excellent improvement to an old house. If you have the pully things on the side of your windows I would seriously consider it, because those are a terrible source of heat-loss. Now I can’t wait to install a digital thermostat, cuz I think those two things will combine for a warmer feeling house (bi-metal contact thermostats have terrible hysteresis which makes the house feel either hot or cold, but doesn’t regulate it carefully around the set temperature) and lower bills.
5. If you take the flow regulator thing out of a new shower head you run out of hot water really quickly. I didn’t even have time to conditioner my hair today before I had to get out for fear of fat-man hypothermia.
I really like our contractor who is doing the roof and windows. So far we have had a pretty good experience with him and his crew. So if you ever want to price some job out like that let me know and I’ll float you his name and number.