Let's Talk BBQ

OTHER HOBBIES => OTHER HOBBIES => Topic started by: RG on January 30, 2019, 07:41:11 PM

Title: Home Renovations??
Post by: RG on January 30, 2019, 07:41:11 PM
Do we have any Bob Vila types amongst us? I know I certainly do not fall in that category but somehow my wife has the notion that I can do anything. Flattering? Yes. Logical? Not even close.

It doesn't stop her from getting me to go along with her shenanigans and delving into "little" projects. I am slap dab in the middle of one those projects now with hopes it'll be done this weekend, maybe sooner. She suckered me into "freshing up" our master bath. I fell for it. You would think I would've learned by now, lol.

At any rate, what are some of the things you guys and gals are doing or have done? I love seeing what people can do, it's like watching HGTV!
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: sparky on January 30, 2019, 09:23:31 PM
I'm my wife's handyman.  If I don't know how to do something she tells my to watch a YouTube videos.  I have roofed, painted inside and outside of houses, replace fans and light fixtures, lite cement work, put up fences, pergola, privacy screens, put in flooring, taken out walls and then put back up because she didn't like it (i was mad about that one).  In the next month I am tearing down both bathrooms and kitchen.  I haven't done plumbing or tile work yet.  Do I like it.  No!. But I got a great wife who loves me.  Don't know why?. I don't care.  She lets me bbq, fish and play ball and disc golf.  She's a fantastic cook and very pretty.  I have nothing  to complain about and someday I might be done with all these projects. 
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: Salmonsmoker on January 30, 2019, 09:57:00 PM
I'm a residential general contractor. I used to be full service, but as the years have added on I've focussed my business in kitchen and bath remodels. I'm in WA ST, and not far from where Sparky is planning on settling. Maybe I should hire him so I can sit and BS with him while he works. ;D  I haven't signed on to a new picture hosting site since the last one started to charge for them,  so I can't post any pics here yet. Remodels have regional flavors, so what sells in one area doesn't in another. If you want to PM me I can text you some pictures of our remodels. Maybe you can get some ideas from them.
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: RG on January 30, 2019, 10:20:02 PM
Salmonsmoker, try imgur. Works great for me!
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: Salmonsmoker on January 31, 2019, 10:31:45 AM
Salmonsmoker, try imgur. Works great for me!

I'll have a look at it tonight.
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: Roget on January 31, 2019, 12:25:02 PM
Well, I'm no Bob Vila, but, I did design, draw up the plans for, and build (with my wife"s help) a 1650 sq.ft. living space, 1024 sq. ft garage, & 360 sq.ft. woodworking shop addition to my primary home. The two of us did everything (well, most everything) from digging & pouring the footers up.
We did have help putting the trusses up, and I hired the shingles out. I also hired the drywall on the ceilings out. (I did the walls)
We did all the trim work.
I put ceramic tile in the bathrooms & kitchen & hardwood in my bar. I also installed all the cabinets in the bar.
We did everything else including the wiring & plumbing.
We also added a four layer deck on the back of the house.
Neither of of had ever built anything before we started on this project & it was a little intimidating, but we did it & it came out beautiful.
 
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: RG on January 31, 2019, 02:12:49 PM
Well, I'm no Bob Vila, but, I did design, draw up the plans for, and build (with my wife"s help) a 1650 sq.ft. living space, 1024 sq. ft garage, & 360 sq.ft. woodworking shop addition to my primary home. The two of us did everything (well, most everything) from digging & pouring the footers up.
We did have help putting the trusses up, and I hired the shingles out. I also hired the drywall on the ceilings out. (I did the walls)
We did all the trim work.
I put ceramic tile in the bathrooms & kitchen & hardwood in my bar. I also installed all the cabinets in the bar.
We did everything else including the wiring & plumbing.
We also added a four layer deck on the back of the house.
Neither of of had ever built anything before we started on this project & it was a little intimidating, but we did it & it came out beautiful.

WOW! Color me impressed! You are indeed a Renaissance man! I can do plumbing and electrical (for the most part), have done tile a few times (hate it) as well as laid flooring (also hate it). I have hung and finished dry wall but am not that great at it. I've done some framing, but again not that great at it. I HATE to paint, lol. Some people like it. They are weird :P

I mostly stick to what I am good at which is the plumbing aspect, the rest is just reading books and watching Youtube vides, lol. It gets me through most of what I need I guess.
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: Roget on January 31, 2019, 03:54:36 PM
I really enjoyed doing most of the work. V does all the painting. I don't like hanging drywall.
I do like doing flooring (tile & hardwood).
I especially like doing trim work and framing.
I also built a 16'X32' garden cottage in the backyard garden area that turned out really nice.
That's V's favorite project.
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: teesquare on January 31, 2019, 04:11:31 PM
I drew my house...then built it.  It is SIP construction on top of a Superior Walls insulated concrete basement
Title: Home Renovations??
Post by: Pappymn on January 31, 2019, 04:33:12 PM
I drew my house...then built it.  It is SIP construction on top of a Superior Walls insulated concrete basement
Bet you Drew it with crayons


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Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: teesquare on January 31, 2019, 04:35:50 PM
I drew my house...then built it.  It is SIP construction on top of a Superior Walls insulated concrete basement
Bet you Drew it with crayons


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Yes...but YOU loaned them to me...Said they were Scandahoovian crayons...so - knew really good engineering.... ;) ;D
Title: Home Renovations??
Post by: Pappymn on January 31, 2019, 05:49:18 PM
I paid a guy to build this for me last summer
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: teesquare on January 31, 2019, 06:14:43 PM
I paid a guy to build this for me last summer




I no see um.....
Title: Home Renovations??
Post by: Pappymn on January 31, 2019, 06:20:07 PM
I paid a guy to build this for me last summer




I no see um.....
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190131/b9944916aa52d07bc7f68def7706e522.jpg)



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Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: teesquare on January 31, 2019, 06:23:19 PM
That is a nice doghouse for you to escape to....when the Mrs. is upset with you ;) :D
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: RG on January 31, 2019, 06:30:42 PM
Awesome, this thread is delivering. I feel a little inadequate but that's okay :)

I guess I don't have that gene in me for doing things of such scale as designing AND building things like sheds and houses. I can do a little reno stuff but that's it. I finished my basement, with some help, but it was a shell already so it wasn't too hard. Time and labor intensive but it took me years to get it done. I did a little here and there. The kicker with the basement is we no longer even go down there to use the space. It has reverted back to being a catch all for my wife and kid's junk!
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: RG on February 04, 2019, 03:20:27 PM
Alright y'all. I finally have some pics to post. It's done thank the Lord! I only got a 360 view of the "before" and I am not sure how to share it just yet. I'll work on finding a way to share it. Until then, here's just some random pics of the during and after.

So, for starters, the old vanity was imbedded in the dang tile and mortar so I had to bust it into pieces to remove it w/o damaging the tile.
(https://i.imgur.com/WY3DO8T.jpg)

Afterwards I had to cut out the tile and mortar to square it up.
(https://i.imgur.com/vDk5dYg.jpg)

Then backer board went down
(https://i.imgur.com/D4bqc4Y.jpg)

I couldn't find any tiles to match exactly so I just made an accent area out of it
(https://i.imgur.com/73jtonl.jpg)

Tile laid then grouted (not dehazed in picture)
(https://i.imgur.com/ar7zVXb.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/jaIaPXj.jpg)

Old shower valve
(https://i.imgur.com/QTec1xE.jpg)

New one
(https://i.imgur.com/DTWn8bj.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/wbefhjd.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/cGVDvfd.jpg)

Old Roman Tub Valve
(https://i.imgur.com/WhuNlC4.jpg)

New one
(https://i.imgur.com/s1fpQRL.jpg)

Bidet seat (love this thing, lol!)
(https://i.imgur.com/OAC1xsq.jpg)

New vanity in, no plumbing hooked up yet
(https://i.imgur.com/WYzL7ye.jpg)

Sign I made to put over the tub
(https://i.imgur.com/vPvZ1KC.jpg)

Various finished pics. Trim painted, grout redone, all plumbing hooked up. Paint and walls finished. New light fixtures.
(https://i.imgur.com/m7NqYYd.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ZWDfd9p.jpg)

My wife made the little crate on the toilet, lol
(https://i.imgur.com/SCodalN.jpg)

More pics
(https://i.imgur.com/XwUbjD1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/UhUKqT9.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/sIlihr0.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/CNmJXhL.jpg)

New brushed nickel overflow drain cover and drain
(https://i.imgur.com/FG73eLT.jpg)

It's a huge difference over what we had. It was all very "blah". Cheap vanity with a white top. We have been needing this done for a while but like everything we do around here, it always takes longer than anticipated and costs more than expected. The good thing is, is that it's done. The bad thing is, she now is redirecting her attention to the laundry room. Damn you HGTV!!!!! Chip and Joanna Gaines, I'm coming for you!
Title: Home Renovations??
Post by: Pappymn on February 04, 2019, 04:24:12 PM
Looks like you do some really nice work.

And Tee if you need me to explain what a bidet is just let me know.


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Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: Roget on February 04, 2019, 05:46:59 PM
Looks good to me RG. :thumbup:
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: sparky on February 04, 2019, 05:58:56 PM
Wow.  Outstanding work.  Looks great. 
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: RG on February 04, 2019, 06:05:24 PM
Thanks Gents! I had really no hand in the details, I was just the labor portion of it all, lol. My wife is on the "Farmhouse" kick and it has spilled over from the kitchen and living room into the bathroom. Happy Wife = Happy Life so I just go with the flow. I do hope she gives me a little bit of a break before the Laundry Room project gets underway. We've already changed it around once. I think it's a woman thing though, wanting to redecorate and such. I think most of us men would be happy with something the way it is indefinitely. I guess familiarity breeds contempt :P
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: teesquare on February 04, 2019, 08:17:42 PM
Looks like you do some really nice work.

And Tee if you need me to explain what a bidet is just let me know.


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Gee...thanks Pappy...but I know all about them new-fangled Your-a-peein water fountains ...... :D


And - nice job RG!
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: RG on February 04, 2019, 09:17:22 PM
Looks like you do some really nice work.

And Tee if you need me to explain what a bidet is just let me know.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Gee...thanks Pappy...but I know all about them new-fangled Your-a-peein water fountains ...... :D


And - nice job RG!


Thanks Tim. I am by no means good at this stuff so I was happy that it came out fairly decent. Stephanie is happy so life is good :)
Title: Home Renovations??
Post by: Pappymn on February 04, 2019, 09:34:36 PM
Looks like you do some really nice work.

And Tee if you need me to explain what a bidet is just let me know.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Gee...thanks Pappy...but I know all about them new-fangled Your-a-peein water fountains ...... :D


And - nice job RG!

I was concerned you thought it was a bubbler


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Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: Tailgating is my game on February 05, 2019, 10:55:29 AM
Do we have any Bob Vila types amongst us? I know I certainly do not fall in that category but somehow my wife has the notion that I can do anything. Flattering? Yes. Logical? Not even close.

It doesn't stop her from getting me to go along with her shenanigans and delving into "little" projects. I am slap dab in the middle of one those projects now with hopes it'll be done this weekend, maybe sooner. She suckered me into "freshing up" our master bath. I fell for it. You would think I would've learned by now, lol.

At any rate, what are some of the things you guys and gals are doing or have done? I love seeing what people can do, it's like watching HGTV!


Write a check RG lol...….I can't fix a leaking ice cube  sad to say....wish I could
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: RG on February 05, 2019, 12:04:34 PM
Do we have any Bob Vila types amongst us? I know I certainly do not fall in that category but somehow my wife has the notion that I can do anything. Flattering? Yes. Logical? Not even close.

It doesn't stop her from getting me to go along with her shenanigans and delving into "little" projects. I am slap dab in the middle of one those projects now with hopes it'll be done this weekend, maybe sooner. She suckered me into "freshing up" our master bath. I fell for it. You would think I would've learned by now, lol.

At any rate, what are some of the things you guys and gals are doing or have done? I love seeing what people can do, it's like watching HGTV!


Write a check RG lol...….I can't fix a leaking ice cube  sad to say....wish I could

I need to redo my deck, my wife wants me to tackle it. Not happening. A check will be written, that much I know :)
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: sparky on February 05, 2019, 12:31:26 PM

I need to redo my deck, my wife wants me to tackle it. Not happening. A check will be written, that much I know :)

I'll come do your deck and you can come do my bathrooms. 
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: RG on February 05, 2019, 12:51:56 PM

I need to redo my deck, my wife wants me to tackle it. Not happening. A check will be written, that much I know :)

I'll come do your deck and you can come do my bathrooms.

Deal!

We can feed each other while we're at it! I always like eating other peoples cooking, lol! I may even have a few frosty adult beverages waiting on ya ;)
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: RG on February 05, 2019, 01:02:49 PM
Alright, so I found a way to share 360 photos here. The "Before" pics show what the bathroom looked like before the work began. I will say that the camera doesn't show the bathroom in a good light. It picks up EVERY detail, showing the hairspray overspray on the door and showing where I sprayed cleaner on the baseboards but didn't wipe them off before the picture, lol. My wife would be mad that I shared this but oh well :P

The after pictures show a bunch of yellowing ion the pictures, especially the grout which I promise you is white. My professional photographer brother in law says that it's the light bulbs. Said I need to change to "daylight" bulbs to eliminate the yellow. I'll stick with what i already have :)

Here's the before "counter" view
https://veer.tv/photos/373105

Here's the after "counter" view
https://veer.tv/photos/373128

The before "floor" view
https://veer.tv/photos/373125

The after "floor" view
https://veer.tv/photos/373129

I am pretty sure the link will need to be clicked as I don't think the board can embed a 360 picture. Hopefully they can be seen.

So, that wraps up this project. I appreciate all of the kind words and look forward to y'all sharing your projects. As I said before, I am not very good at this stuff but I am fascinated by it and LOVE seeing what people can do so please do share, even if it's just repainting a room. Thanks!!!
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: akruckus on February 05, 2019, 01:18:37 PM
I'm more outdoor handy, than indoor.  Pour concrete, build a paver wall, build a raise garden bed, dig some horseshoe pits, I'm your guy.  I can always swap light fixtures and sink faucets, anything more than that like drywall or even tiling I'll pass.  I'd like to give tiling a shot but with a trained pro helping guide me until I get the hang.

RG that looks really nice, I like the "wood" wall behind the sink.  I'm sure if my wife saw that we would be getting something similar, just no room for a hot tub.  Shower stall and double vanity is all we can fit, unless she wants to knock into the wall in closet, which I highly doubt.  clothes storage > hot tub.
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: Tailgating is my game on February 05, 2019, 01:25:41 PM
RG you do great work...…...In fact I have a master bath that needs work hint hint lol
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: TentHunteR on February 05, 2019, 01:37:38 PM
Wow, did that turn out nice!!!  I am impressed.   :thumbup:
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: sparky on February 05, 2019, 03:05:56 PM

I need to redo my deck, my wife wants me to tackle it. Not happening. A check will be written, that much I know :)

I'll come do your deck and you can come do my bathrooms.

Deal!

We can feed each other while we're at it! I always like eating other peoples cooking, lol! I may even have a few frosty adult beverages waiting on ya ;)

Yes......
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: RG on February 27, 2019, 05:49:03 PM
RG you do great work...…...In fact I have a master bath that needs work hint hint lol

Well, I can offer free online advice :)
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: RG on February 27, 2019, 05:59:33 PM
Alright gents and a few ladies, I have been coerced into making my laundry room over for the second time. Years ago I bought a front loader set and took out the old standard washer and dryer (which cleaned clothes better BTW!). The layout of the old laundry room had the washer and dryer on the right wall as you entered the laundry room. It had a generic white double cabinet hung on the wall above it. Nothing fancy at all but functional. Really, who cares what a laundry room looks like?

 

The answer : my wife, lol!

 

I don't have a pic of its original state but I do have a pic of the way it looked after the first remodel. I moved all of the electrical and plumbing to the back wall as well as moved the dryer vent (actually installed a whole new one to the outside wall) and put a counter top over the washer and dryer so we could fold clothes after taking them from the dryer. I also hung a rod so we could hang shirts and pants. I liked it but since she all of a sudden thinks that we are Chip and Joanna Gaines, she wanted to apply the redneck treatment to the laundry room.

 

Here's the before :

(https://i.imgur.com/2XdZZ9p.jpg)


Here is the after :

(https://i.imgur.com/UnpxBE5.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/ePlYy3g.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/czYl5PG.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/gQLFUM1.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/H9MeyD9.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/T5WfKWE.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/4DDsJ46.jpg)

You can't see it in the pics but the first thing I did was install a new light fixture. That was the only easy thing I did, lol. It all looks simple but I can tell you that I am by no means a carpenter. That cabinet dealio that houses the washer and dryer was a PITA to build and install. I drew it up, cut it out of nice Birch plywood and did manage to build it. My wife did the painting and made the shelves and I cut the counter out of a butcher block slab, then she stained it. The wall mounted "LAUNDRY" sign was made by her as well, same with the "MISSING" sign. She's pretty crafty ;)

 

I hope she takes a break for a while. This was no fun! Lots of fun trying to install my "cabinet" which is nice a square, onto a wall and ceiling that were not :P

I teased her about her making sure that people knew what room they were in, lol. Laundry written everywhere you look. I just go with the flow, if she likes it, I love it :D
Title: Home Renovations??
Post by: Pappymn on February 27, 2019, 06:45:03 PM
Awesome work. You're hired


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Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: Big Dawg on February 27, 2019, 06:49:46 PM
Never seen anyone stack full size units like that.  Great job ! ! !





BD
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: RG on February 27, 2019, 07:04:24 PM
Never seen anyone stack full size units like that.  Great job ! ! !

BD

They make a stacking kit for it which is insanely expensive for what it is. It consists of 2 little brackets, 4 screws and one sided sticky tape that goes on the bottom of the dryer to act as a thin buffer between the washer and dryer. The "official" Whirpool one is something like $30.00. The one I bought was half that but still....it costs probably fifty cents to make, lol.

Awesome work. You're hired


Thanks Pappy! I am not cut out for this type of work but thanks for the vote of confidence. I will say that if not for my wife, I would never attempt half what I do. My way of looking at it is that if I get in too deep, I can always call someone that KNOWS what they're doing to save me. The issue with that is that I often see that in my line of work. People will try DIY on their plumbing and when they get stuck, they call me in to rescue them but 9/10 it costs them more because I have to undo what they did and then start over, lol. They would've been better off to call me in the first place :P
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: RG on February 27, 2019, 07:54:16 PM
360 view :

https://veer.tv/photos/385014
Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: Tailgating is my game on February 27, 2019, 09:11:20 PM
RG. I fixed the light in our bathroom when it went out. I just installed a flashlight on the commode.  My wife is not laughing.....




Title: Re: Home Renovations??
Post by: tomcrete1 on February 28, 2019, 03:01:53 PM
I drew my house...then built it.  It is SIP construction on top of a Superior Walls insulated concrete basement

Awesome Tee!  Superior Wall systems still around?  We had one dealer / manufacturer / Installer here in WI, but they went belly up along time ago...