Chit Chattin away!

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Paislia

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B - I am not glad you are having trouble with home repairs/ improvements. BUT - I thank you for posting because I was feeling like I just have no idea how to hire somebody and I must be an easy target for scammers - sounds more like it's just a universal problem with the industry in general . . . . I get so frustrated doing the research and the few times I have actually had something done I'm not satisfied AND they find a new reason for more $$ every day they are here!! I desparately need to get an electrician in here and I just have a boatload of anxiety about letting a stranger loose in the house - lol - might need to go outside and capture a squirrel to threaten them with ;)
 

markfm

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You would have to borrow Whippy to make a contractor afraid :)

That's one reason I'm glad to be a DIY person -- I hire outside for fairly few things.

Electrical takes care but I've done a lot of it over the years. Plumbing is just a royal pain to me, but I muddle through it, expect to have to tweak any install after the initial evolution (last year was a new softener and filter system, totally reworked the incoming water plumbing to get everything to play nice). I've just started replacing windows on the house, but a really nice quality, full energy star window is only running about $350 plus $20 of finishing materials per window; I've consistently used a local Grossman's Bargain Outlet since buying the house, the manager always gives us big discounts on any significant project (list on the windows is something crazy, like $900+ each -- there's massive room for discounts, and these are special order, we aren't just taking things already in the store). It takes a handful of hours per window to replace, budget a day if you're really just slowly chipping away so you don't have your technique down.

I did a walkway into a little glen by a stream, plus screened in gazebo, when I got married a couple years back; we used that for the after-party gathering place, tiki lamps along the handrail :) The next summer I started the addition, a sunroom with little entryway room, and deck, completed it over that winter; all high energy efficiency windows, connected it to the central heating system, full electrical, french doors between the main sunroom and the entryway, beaucoup insulation. The new 8x16 deck was done as a continuation off of the front porch, abuts the sunroom, stairs with landing in the backyard. The deck and sunroom are raised relative to ground level, so lots of support columns.

Toss in a lot of keep-the-wife happy projects, ranging from fencing in new areas for her garden, taking down trees for the garden, woodworking projects, and I've been pretty busy :)
 

Paislia

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Too bad you're busy - you're only a couple hours from me . . . . . lol glad someone's able to get windows at a "reasonable" price. These are all Pellas in here, but put in around 1972 with all wood framing so of course all drafty at this point. Cedar shingles doesn't help - but looks beautiful :) I love looking at my house - just not thinking about fixing it ;)
 

beebopnjazz

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Well when it comes to home improvements and you don't have any good recommendations from trusted friends/neighbors and can't DIY...check out angie's list in your area. It seems odd that you subscribe and pay for the privilege but it keeps the companies honest as they can't buy their way in. It's all by the reports of other homeowners - including bad ones or reasons why someone DIDN'T use a particular company/person for a job. Angie's even tries to help if your are unhappy about the work - as a liaison. I've had good luck with them.
 

BiancaMontgomery

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Well, the guys didn't come over here today cause it's sprinkling and I suppose they'd need it to be dry to paint and such. Beth is off today, so I'm kinda glad they aren't here banging on stuff so we can have a family day. But I also just want it done. :glare:

Mark, you da man! I'm so impressed with you right now, OMG.
 
I am like Mark- I cant bring myself to pay someone else. Electric I do take care with- Plumbing for me is a breeze- and we built our porch and false front for the house, plus we have done painting and general stuff- built a barn, smokehouse and a few other things-

I did call someone in for the ac- because I couldnt get anywhere with it- but I will be honest, I dont trust them. its easy to tell me 'the compressor is grounded out' but I cant see it so I dont know that I believe it. I think we are just going to put in a 220 window unit. I bought the electrical stuff for it yesterday.

I admit, alot of stuff doesnt get done because I am too lazy- but I am too poor to pay for it to be done. LOL

It actually irks me when I have to pay to have someone change my tires.
 

BiancaMontgomery

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Actually, toilets are one of my favorite plumbing things :) Not many parts, decent working room, pretry fast to even do a full replacement.

Oh good. When will you be able to get over here? ;) There's no room to work in there, it's a half bath...and a very small one under the staircase at that. It's nice to have it downstaris though and we're not looking forward to not being able to use it...especially for the kids sake. :glare: We pretty much decided to cut spending in ALL areas as much as possible and just have it re-done. New vanity/sink, floor, toliet. All on the super cheap, but will be nicer than what's going on in there now. :)
 

Darkwitless

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I'm blessed with a handy DH - but he draws the line at new electrical and drywall! We drywalled our 2nd house's basement. OMgosh, I have a total respect for the craftmanship that goes into drywall. Especially on a ceiling!

BMontgomery - my cousin takes classes at Lowes and Home Depot. She's a divorced mom of 1 and doesn't like to be taken advantage of - so if she does have to hire someone at least she'll know the bare bones of what they are suppose to do! She's also taken automotive classes at the local county extension so she doesn't screwed on that end.

Personally I know just enough to be dangerous about household repairs - and nothing about cars. I can change a flat tire and check my fluids and add washer fluid, oh, and gas ;-) (here in middle america we pump our own gas. I know some of the North Eastern States still have full service!)


And as much as I'm impressed with Marks talents - I still remember all the "little" snowfalls he had last winter. *snort* I'll pass! Unless he wants to take all us back to Hawaii with him!!
 

BiancaMontgomery

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I've replaced almost every light fixture in this house myself (still have to do the 3 bathrooms), and that's the extent of my skills. We're going to rip everything out of this little half bath ourselves and put the floor down, I'll change the light fixture and paint it too, and then we'll have to hire someone to replace the toilet and vanity/sink. Shouldn't be too expensive....right??
 

Paislia

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. . .
And as much as I'm impressed with Marks talents - I still remember all the "little" snowfalls he had last winter. *snort* I'll pass! Unless he wants to take all us back to Hawaii with him!!

I don't know what's going on up in B-ville - but around here (within 150 miles of there) we are having thunder snow this fine evening! Appropriate rare weather for a rare calander day! :)
 
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