Let's See Your House Projects!

[jaffles]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Those are pretty fortuitous connections you’ve made. Interesting how the universe works sometimes huh.

yes I am amazed at how king like my life is for such a dumb ass loose kid at school. I know your universe operates differently to mine and we see it from opposite poles. But its been interesting marring into a family of faith to a daughter who has let hers expire. All went down before my time but it is from her I have learnt its how your treat people, all people, and little else. Quite a turn around from my original everyone is a F-wit until proven different.

In saying that managing tradies is like kids in kindy. Forever watching them, directing them, picking up after them. The pump truck has left a pile concrete in the middle of the yard. One big blob so hard to break up and impossible to move without a machine. So there is a now a cost or argument to remove it. But I have more machines coming and more concreting, so we will dig a hole and bury it under more concrete and life rolls on. And...I will ask the pump truck to break up the last clean so I can easily put in the bin.

Hey sorry to hear the pool didn't make Christmas. To be open I was not surprised but disappointed for you and yours as it would have been grand on the day. I'm coming from stinking hot Australia on Christmas day where its almost standard practice to be near a pool. Good times with great company.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by jaffles

yes I am amazed at how king like my life is for such a dumb ass loose kid at school. I know your universe operates differently to mine and we see it from opposite poles. But its been interesting marring into a family of faith to a daughter who has let hers expire. All went down before my time but it is from her I have learnt its how your treat people, all people, and little else. Quite a turn around from my original everyone is a F-wit until proven different.

In saying that managing tradies is like kids in kindy. Forever watching them, directing them, picking up after them. The pump truck has left a pile concrete in the middle of the yard. One big blob so hard to break up and impossible to move without a machine. So there is a now a cost or argument to remove it. But I have more machines coming and more concreting, so we will dig a hole and bury it under more concrete and life rolls on. And...I will ask the pump truck to break up the last clean so I can easily put in the bin.

Hey sorry to hear the pool didn't make Christmas. To be open I was not surprised but disappointed for you and yours as it would have been grand day. I'm coming from stinking hot Australia on Christmas day where its almost standard practice to be near a pool. Good time with great company.

Not to digress too much, but I get it. My vantage point is often, “Consider the worst case scenario first, and anything better than that is a win”. Habits of the job.

One of my sister’s jettisoned her faith after college; that was an interesting experience for the entire family to say the least. Incredible 180….one that I still contend with.

….and like you, I feel king-ish considering where life could’ve led me. Growing up in L.A. hoods, one altered decision here or there would’ve put me on a totally different trajectory in life. I wouldn’t be here with you gents discussing home renovations; no long list of BMW M’s and no 911. No stable and respectable career either. I am fortunate the few mistakes I made early in life didn’t land me in jail; I learned my lesson. Many in my initial circumstances don’t/didn’t. Thank God for a solid, determined set of parents in my mother and then-stepfather.

But back to renovations…..

Proximity to a pool is par for the course in Nevada as well. While I personally would’ve been okay without it (…we had a pool during my childhood after moving out of L.A. and into the suburbs, so I had the pleasure to experience that life growing up), my lady is a fish out of water. She would’ve been miserable since her last home had a pool, and she would’ve made mine miserable if we didn’t build one. I have my man-cave full of automotive toys, so I suppose she deserves her water paradise.

You are fortunate to have the know-how to build yourself. I wish I had that level of expertise. I probably could’ve saved $30k.

[jaffles]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Not to digress too much, but I get it. My vantage point is often, “Consider the worst case scenario first, and anything better than that is a win”. Habits of the job.

One of my sister’s jettisoned her faith after college; that was an interesting experience for the entire family to say the least. Incredible 180….one that I still contend with.

….and like you, I feel king-ish considering where life could’ve led me. Growing up in L.A. hoods, one altered decision here or there would’ve put me on a totally different trajectory in life. I wouldn’t be here with you gents discussing home renovations; no long list of BMW M’s and no 911. No stable and respectable career either. I am fortunate the few mistakes I made early in life didn’t land me in jail; I learned my lesson. Many in my initial circumstances don’t/didn’t. Thank God for a solid, determined set of parents in my mother and then-stepfather.

But back to renovations…..

Proximity to a pool is par for the course in Nevada as well. While I personally would’ve been okay without it (…we had a pool during my childhood after moving out of L.A. and into the suburbs, so I had the pleasure to experience that life growing up), my lady is a fish out of water. She would’ve been miserable since her last home had a pool, and she would’ve made mine miserable if we didn’t build one. I have my man-cave full of automotive toys, so I suppose she deserves her water paradise.

You are fortunate to have the know-how to build yourself. I wish I had that level of expertise. I probably could’ve saved $30k.

haha King "ish" I got ya. For what its worth you are more than you believe.

On thread, I don't want to dismiss tradies, and if I were to have my time again I'd be charging more as the body fails at 45. You can't work to 70 like a doctor. Rather it was I'll go owner builder because I'd like to do more with the pool (no pun) on money we have, like a family ski trip to Japan also.

It came about after receiving builders quotes and I priced the second fly over roof out of interest. Builder charged me 35K first one, however I could buy the same branded materials with supplied engineering and delivery for 12K. Bit of scaffolding and some hired help with the tools and its up for 15K. I'm well on my way to Japan.

That hired help might well be be a Brazilian who is laboring for the concreter. His studied to become a carpenter and wants to make a life hear in Australia for his children which he hasn't had yet. Reckons Brazil is too dangerous to live/raise a family. And we too have people hear who moan about immigrants taking our jobs, but I don't see any white Australians out digging holes in the sun, and the concreter only confirms there are virtually no young Australians that are interested.

So I think opportunity with determination or perhaps its persistence goes a long way to get people like you and me on track. Somewhere you realise you are running against the wind, and decide to change. I know I wanted more from the first day I started my trade apprenticeship. In theory sure I could be a lot more than I am today, but I have done it at my pace and comfort level.

See ya after the next pour.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by jaffles

haha King "ish" I got ya. For what its worth you are more than you believe.

On thread, I don't want to dismiss tradies, and if I were to have my time again I'd be charging more as the body fails at 45. You can't work to 70 like a doctor. Rather it was I'll go owner builder because I'd like to do more with the pool (no pun) on money we have, like a family ski trip to Japan also.

It came about after receiving builders quotes and I priced the second fly over roof out of interest. Builder charged me 35K first one, however I could buy the same branded materials with supplied engineering and delivery for 12K. Bit of scaffolding and some hired help with the tools and its up for 15K. I'm well on my way to Japan.

That hired help might well be be a Brazilian who is laboring for the concreter. His studied to become a carpenter and wants to make a life hear in Australia for his children which he hasn't had yet. Reckons Brazil is too dangerous to live/raise a family. And we too have people hear who moan about immigrants taking our jobs, but I don't see any white Australians out digging holes in the sun, and the concreter only confirms there are virtually no young Australians that are interested.

So I think opportunity with determination or perhaps its persistence goes a long way to get people like you and me on track. Somewhere you realise you are running against the wind, and decide to change. I know I wanted more from the first day I started my trade apprenticeship. In theory sure I could be a lot more than I am today, but I have done it at my pace and [...]

Ahhhh my Brasileiros. I have deep ties to Brazil and the culture, and I speak the language. It is dangetous there relative to a place like Australia. I’m certain life is better for him and his family there, and thankfully he has trade skills.

[Mech Spec]

Painters completed everything today. It really is amazing what a coat of paint can do.

I used my phones AI erase for the pile of junk in the middle of the floor

I spent days of effort prepping the brick to be more consistent while retaining the reclaimed look and proper texture, and cleaning it. Then we sealed it with siloxane to darken the tone and reduce any future dusting.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Mech Spec

Painters completed everything today. It really is amazing what a coat of paint can do.

I used my phones AI erase for the pile of junk in the middle of the floor

I spent days of effort prepping the brick to be more consistent while retaining the reclaimed look and proper texture, and cleaning it. Then we sealed it with siloxane to darken the tone and reduce any future dusting.

That’s some cool brick work. In a world where new(er) homes aren’t built with traditional fireplaces or fireplaces at all, it’s nice to see them.

[wrickem]

We’re redoing one of the bathrooms in our old (1862) house and I found and a shower niche with a door!

To me, nothing ruins nice tile work in a bathroom more than seeing all the stuff you need to shower out on display. This solved that problem easily.

[unluky]

Originally Posted by wrickem

We’re redoing one of the bathrooms in our old (1862) house and I found and a shower niche with a door!

To me, nothing ruins nice tile work in a bathroom more than seeing all the stuff you need to shower out on display. This solved that problem easily.

While I have never lived my life worrying about what the 2 people that might be in my house (let alone my master suite bathroom) once a year might think of my shampoo in my shower.............that is cool as hell!

Love it.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by wrickem

We’re redoing one of the bathrooms in our old (1862) house and I found and a shower niche with a door!

To me, nothing ruins nice tile work in a bathroom more than seeing all the stuff you need to shower out on display. This solved that problem easily.

That is pretty damn sleek. Love it!

[wrickem]

Originally Posted by unluky

While I have never lived my life worrying about what the 2 people that might be in my house (let alone my master suite bathroom) once a year might think of my shampoo in my shower.............that is cool as hell!

Love it.

By “stuff I need to shower”, I meant my bowel of grapes to eat in the shower. I don’t want anybody seeing and eating them

Seriously though, I just like the cleaner look on the walls.

[Sedan_Clan]

Finally! Contractor work has commenced. The contractors finished adding new lighting and they started the prep for tiling the outdoor kitchen wall and kitchen face (…I’ve attached a photo of the tile that’ll cover the outdoor kitchen wall and kitchen face). The appliances should be installed next week, and the remaining portion of the leathered granite countertop edge will be installed.

[Sedan_Clan]

The contractors managed to partially finish the trash can pad and paved pathway on one side of the house using the pavers that once covered a portion of the backyard. I did not care for the lighting used to highlight the vines (..waaaayyyy too orangey and not illuminating enough along the pathway itself), so pathway lighting will be installed along the paved walkway instead. The vines still need to be strung as well.

[Sedan_Clan]

A few updated photos as the contractors make progress on the tiling of this wall.

[vreihen16]

That first picture looks like the worker is testing the outdoor urinal!

Hope that he didn't pee on that live outlet.....

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by vreihen16

That first picture looks like the worker is testing the outdoor urinal!

Hope that he didn't pee on that live outlet.....

That is hilarious! 😂 Hopefully that wall will be completed tomorrow. I think the contractors plan to transition to the patio on the other side of the house tomorrow.

[Mech Spec]

Got the message this morning that our reno is around $70k over initial budget. This was all well known to me that there was a bunch of extra stuff, so its been handled but figure I could help some folks out on the watch outs.

Plumbing: During the reno it was determined that our water supply in the whole house was type M copper (thinnest wall) and we had been having pinhole leaks in one wall. Around $27k hit to replace the entire water service inside the house. This was significantly cheaper than it would have been because we had almost all walls with buried pipe open for the kitchen reno already.

Electrical: We added to scope to add recessed lighting to every room in the house, and there was a new subpanel needed to supply power to basement laundry and the additional kitchen supplies. I bought most of the lights, but in the process we replaced every outlet and light switch in the house and found a number of breakers in the main panel that were dangerously malfunctioning. My house wont burn down and our lighting is beautiful, but add $24k

Water Heater: IT was determined mid reno that the water heater functioned but needed to be replaced to mitigate failure risk (read: flood) $4k installed

Scope Changes: This reno was very meticulously planned, we had a strong and descriptive scope of work in place, but inevitably things come up midway and while you have the guys there working its VERY hard to say no to things that objectively need to be done. Even though I could do some/most of these things myself, it was better overall to pay. Replacing bad entry doors, adding instant hot water to the 2nd floor master bath, replacing flooring that "could" have been refinished but really shouldn't have been. $16k


The GOOD news is that my project will be complete short of appliances actually being delivered and installed by the end of next week.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Mech Spec

Got the message this morning that our reno is around $70k over initial budget. This was all well known to me that there was a bunch of extra stuff, so its been handled but figure I could help some folks out on the watch outs.

Plumbing: During the reno it was determined that our water supply in the whole house was type M copper (thinnest wall) and we had been having pinhole leaks in one wall. Around $27k hit to replace the entire water service inside the house. This was significantly cheaper than it would have been because we had almost all walls with buried pipe open for the kitchen reno already.

Electrical: We added to scope to add recessed lighting to every room in the house, and there was a new subpanel needed to supply power to basement laundry and the additional kitchen supplies. I bought most of the lights, but in the process we replaced every outlet and light switch in the house and found a number of breakers in the main panel that were dangerously malfunctioning. My house wont burn down and our lighting is beautiful, but add $24k

Water Heater: IT was determined mid reno that the water heater functioned but needed to be replaced to mitigate failure risk (read: flood) $4k installed

Scope Changes: This reno was very meticulously planned, we had a strong and descriptive scope of work in place, but inevitably things come up midway and while you have the guys there working its VERY hard to say no to things that objectively need to be done. Even though I could do some/most of these things myself, it was better overall to pay. [...]

Yikes! Thank goodness all of the walls were partially demolished.

Any pictures of the lighting?

[Mech Spec]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Yikes! Thank goodness all of the walls were partially demolished.

Any pictures of the lighting?

We used the same lights through the entire house as seen here in the kitchen, larger rooms got more lights, every room has at least 4. In Bedrooms we didn't put them over the beds.

https://www.prolighting.com/ll4rr-3018k-wh.html

These 4in lotus lights are not your normal wafer, and they are 2in thick so you have to fish the location for joist interference. But, you get dim to warm, 1% dimming on normal ELV dimmers, Very high CRI, and a very pleasant light with a good beam spread that is not overpowering.

If dim to warm is not your thing you could get them for cheaper in specific color temps. I absolutely love the dim to warm though.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Mech Spec

We used the same lights through the entire house as seen here in the kitchen, larger rooms got more lights, every room has at least 4. In Bedrooms we didn't put them over the beds.

https://www.prolighting.com/ll4rr-3018k-wh.html

These 4in lotus lights are not your normal wafer, and they are 2in thick so you have to fish the location for joist interference. But, you get dim to warm, 1% dimming on normal ELV dimmers, Very high CRI, and a very pleasant light with a good beam spread that is not overpowering.

If dim to warm is not your thing you could get them for cheaper in specific color temps. I absolutely love the dim to warm though.

Thanks for the reference. I will keep these in mind for future lighting upgrades.

[Sedan_Clan]

The contractors have begun working on the side patio. They have laid the border around the patio pavers and prepared the sand for turf install. They are currently laying down the stepper pavers and will then do the turf.

Edit:

Added a photo of the finished outdoor kitchen wall and the beginning section of the pavers that will line the north side of the house. The face of the kitchen will be the same as the tile on the wall and the strip of pavers will be surrounded by decorative rock.

[unluky]

As a guy who was born in a small town, and spent most of my time in the country and now lives on a small 3 acres at the very end of a dead end road surrounded by 2 cattle farms where the nearest neighbor is hundreds of yards away - pictures like this CRACK ME UP!

I can't imagine 1/2 of my window being 100% my neighbors brick wall. I know it is normal in the metros, but it boggles my mind. I have not closed my blinds in years...................

When I look out my windows - I see deer, not people. LOL

[vreihen16]

I'm curious how grass will grow in those spaces without sunlight? Is there a desert-specific type of grass that thrives in the shade because of the strong sun and lack of water?????