Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Okay, I’m freaking out a little bit. I was just reading my bible, “Atomic Ranch magazine”, about a 50’s reno. They had their window glass only replaced to keep the look of the house original. I’m a little worried I made the wrong decision about replacing all my windows. Maybe I should have done this instead. I thought I had done my research but I guess not thoroughly enough. At this point I hope I won’t regret putting these new windows in. Okay, enough of my rant.

It turns out that this new contractor is really working out to be someone I may be interested in hiring. He has a lot of experience with post and beam construction, which really peaked my interest. He’s a young guy (most people look young to me now, he’s probably about 33 - 35) but he is really on the ball with regards to communication and getting his trades in here quickly to do quotes. His family business has been in business since 1977 and this reno company is an off-shoot of that. The original company is a log home construction company. He is sending in his dry wall guy here later this afternoon and will supply me with multiple references. Tomorrow I have Kirk and his partner coming over to go over the final details. I had my house plans done professionally so there will be no major questions at city hall. I have to make my decision soon on the contractor I’m choosing. They both know about each other now. Maybe that will make them more competitive with their pricing.

I tried to order my glass inserts from Crestview Doors www.crestviewdoors.com this morning but they don’t have a secured website to use my M/C, so I didn’t actually order them. I’ll have to call. I’m going to be getting the Piedmont A, double pane glass, as it goes with my original door escutcheon (aka, back plate for door knobs). I called a plating company yesterday to find out about having my back plate chromed. So it should look just like the picture I’ve posted. I’m not sure yet what color I want my door but I’m sliding towards an orangey red color, as I will eventually be painting the outside of my house more neutral colors and I want the door to pop out against the house. I’m also getting a chrome door knob and deadbolt in shiny chrome to match, most likely from Schlage. I’m feel all warm and fuzzy inside just thinking about it. Check out the doors on the Crestview website, they are delectable.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Get a contractor already!

It’s been a while since I have written anything. Life’s been a hummin.

Well, I took the plunge and bought new windows for my home, just under the wire I might add, for the home renovation tax credit. I splurged and went with neat glass. My thought is there are so many windows in this home I don’t want to be cleaning them on a regular basis. http://www.cardinalcorp.com/products_neat/neat.htm
The window installer was great. I told him my fear of losing too much window space with the new windows so he gave me a few addresses of houses he’d done, one of which was a mid century home with big windows. When I drove by it put my mind at ease (okay, slightly at ease). I’m still a little worried about how it will change the look of my home but I know I need to stop heating the outdoors. We have been lucky this winter. It’s been extremely mild.
I also have an energy assessment scheduled a few days before the window installation. This costs $150 for the assessment but can save big bucks when they come back (for another $150) to see your finished energy upgrades. I will receive $1,100 back for just the new windows alone and if I bring him back after I finish renos it will be even more because I’ll be putting in new insulation and possibly even a new energy efficient boiler. Because I used my full HRTC allotment for 2009 I will be getting the full $1,350.00 back. I was hoping the government would carry over the HRTC for 2010 but I’m not holding my breath. The government tends to like to taketh away not giveth it back.

I was at a building trade show in Saskatoon for a few days last week. Even though Saskatchewan isn’t the most exciting or exotic destination, especially in the dead of winter, I did get to look around the show to see some things for my home. The great news here is I am going to get my faucets for nothing or at the very least a minimal amount of cash. Delta Faucets is one of our representative’s lines for our mid provinces. They told me I could order them for nothing. This is going to save me $1,000. to $2,000. If there is one thing I have heard it’s not to get cheap faucets. One of the other lines they carry is Colonial Elegance. This company makes closet doors and pocket door frames. I was excited to see they carry the frosted glass closet doors I want. I will also get a great deal on these as well.
I also know the Manager for Resisto. They are a roofing supply company. He said if I need to re-do my roof to give him a call and he would look after me. I have to say it really pays to have connections…now if I only had a truck I’d have it made.

I decided to pay a visit to one of my favorite places yesterday, Jack’s Used Building Supplies.
http://www.jacksused.com/
This place if awesome! I found my old 1950’s sinks here a few months ago. They have never been used and I got them for $15.00 each. They will go in my main bathroom. I also stopped at the re-store, which is just around the corner from Jack’s. It’s fun to go into as well but Jack’s just has it all!!

I sold my old dining room chairs off Craigslist yesterday. It just so happens the guy I sold them to is a contractor (go figure). I invited him to come in and look at my house. I gave him some plans and he’s going to give me a call next week to bring his trades around. It’s amazing how things just seem to come together. I heard back from Brian. He’s the contractor who’s not so great at communication. He sent me his quote for the job. It came in at under my budget but remember when I told you he sent me the quote for the dry waller at $8500? Well he bumped it up to over $10,000. I asked why and he told me it’s his management fee. I worked out the bump up in cost and it was 27%. I told him that was too high for a management fee. I haven’t heard back from him. I also heard from Kirk yesterday. He is the contractor I work with at my job. They are coming out to meet with me again this coming week to go over the quote. I am crossing my fingers, toes, and eyes that he is going to be “The One”. Getting a contractor you trust is not easy and not for the faint of heart. I believe if I were a man this would be easier. I think what happens is, they see blonde and try to take advantage of the situation. What they don’t know is…I’m not really blonde and I’m tougher than they think I am. Maybe I should just come off as a bitch right from the get go.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

The process

Keeping track of all these appointments and researching the internet and stores for good deals is a bit stressful. I do like a challenge but honestly, sometimes I feel like a schoolgirl cramming for a final exam. I’m still learning the ins and outs of construction, trying to get the best deal on fixtures, doors and lighting, etc. and deciding what work I will and will not do with regards to renovating my mid century charmer.
Part of the problem is, I don’t do well with sitting on the fence. I like to make a decision cut and dry. I think that’s why it’s getting to me.
Should I feel a tad guilty having two contractors vie for the job on my house? I mean, I know it’s the name of the game and I’m sure they are used to that but I feel bad when they call their trades in to do a proper quote for me. Neither contractor knows about the other and I’m sure they both think they are getting the job. Kirk will be coming with his partner on Thursday night and Brian, my other choice, was just here with his dry wall installer and plumber. They were all very professional and informative. I received the quote back for dry walling, which I must say I was very pleased with. The Dry Waller does insulation as well and I had asked him to do a separate quote for that. When it came in I realized I would save a good grand on doing the insulation myself. Tomorrow I have another window company coming to give me a quote on my windows. I’m still waiting for the quote back from the plumber who was here. The electrician could not make it but it seams with all the different electricians I’ve had in here there is a discrepancy with regards to whether I need a new panel, a new panel and a sub panel or just an up grade and main breaker and new wiring. It makes my head spin. That’s the problem with having multiple trades in here and not knowing enough about the subject. Who do you believe? Are they all right? Is someone just trying to make money off of me? Or is there just three different opinions and they are all right? Tough call.

I made a trip to Home Depot this last weekend. I had gone about four weeks ago and saw some full panel, opaque glass, pre-hung doors for my house I liked. They were ½ price. I should have bought them then but I didn’t feel ready. I was now feeling ready to buy them but realized they probably weren’t there anymore. Correct! The pre-hung doors were not but there were the same doors that were not pre-hung. I found out buying the door jams would be expensive because the stores here only sell the jams by the foot and it was too expensive. I left the store without the doors. I checked a few more Home Depots but they had none of the doors in stock. I found out Lowes down in WA had jam kits for $18. Each. This was a good deal so I called Home Depot and bought the doors on the phone with my credit card. I did find out the next day that both the contractors I’m interested in want the doors pre-hung. I haven’t picked up the doors yet and the one quote I have to pre-hang the doors is $75.00 for each door, plus I have to get them there. It’s kind of hard to transport big items without a truck. I’ve emailed another company, which I think will do it for $50 per door, hinges and drilling included. I’ll wait a day or two and see what they say. It just may be that these doors can be had at another location for roughly the same price or less and then I’d only have to deal with one way transportation. On a good note I did replace another light fixture in my house. That made me feel good for $17.00.

One more thing, I posted my old dining room furniture on Craigslist, plus other assorted items. I ended up selling my old chrome chairs, which I loved but have no place for in this house. I just won’t part with my Nana’s 1950’s chrome and laminate kitchen table. I’m determined I’m going to use it somewhere in this house come hell or high water!

Saturday, January 9, 2010

The decision...could this be it?

It was an eventful day. Leisurely coffee. Leisurely breakfast. Fast track clean-up and a visit from another potential contractor.

This could be it folks. I met with Kirk. I actually know Kirk because he is a contractor who does a lot of decks for the company I work for. What I didn’t know is that he does renovations not just decks. I called him up last week to ask him a question regarding pricing for a customer who called into our office. I thought while I had him on the phone I’d ask him if he did renovations as well. By now you know the answer and I spent quite a big chunk of my morning today with him and his electrician. I was pleasantly surprised. He is very professional and has no problem letting me do some of the renovation myself.
I had decided this week that me, myself and I, would put the insulation in. It doesn’t look like rocket science so I think I can handle it. Kirk suggested Roxul insulation, as it is fireproof and easy to cut. Interestingly enough I had already sourced that particular brand out and even priced it for my whole house including the vapor barrier. I think I’ll be buying that before the end of the month to get in on the tax credit.
I had pulled apart a wall in my center bedroom, which I’m not using at present. I was happy to see there was already fiberglass insulation in there even though it was just paper backed with no vapor barrier. Obviously, back then it wasn’t a requirement. To be frank, I was just glad it wasn’t asbestos. What I wasn’t expecting was that the studs aren’t 16” on center. They are 14.5” on center, hence the cutting of the insulation (listen to me, I sound like I know what I’m talking about..ha, ha). I also decided I would be doing some of the demo on the house. The outside walls will all be very simple to take down as they are just paneling with no drywall. I’ll probably take up the carpeting as well.
If I decide on Kirk, the reno will be starting in about a month. It will be entertaining living with half a kitchen and just my bedroom and one bathroom. That is if you imagine entertainment being like Chinese water torture. We will see how long I last without losing my sanity. I will be meeting with him again in a week or so and we will go through more details.

I’m excited! After using my machete, I see a clearing and I’m making headway. All I ask is that you pray for my bank account. Would ya?

Friday, January 1, 2010

2010...the year of the Tiger

I’d like to say the New Year came in with a bang but it was more like a slow burning ember. I tried. I had the best intentions but I’ve never been one to party into the wee hours on New Years Eve. For one thing I’m a morning person and my energy is typically catapulted in that direction and two, I always find it a time to reflect on yet another year that I will never see again. There are years, I’m sure, that people would like to see quickly evaporate but good or bad I always contemplate on how I’ll never see it again. It makes me consider how lucky I am to have my family, my friends, my job and a roof over my head.
…..and speaking of the roof over my head, that’s why I’m sitting here at my computer.

A few things have happened since I was here last. First of all my youngest daughter, who is yet to leave the nest, went on a prolonged trip for 2 1/2 months to Thailand. Now it's just me and my two cats in the house ( ewww, just realized how pathetic that sounds) Also, the procrastinator who macheted, (is that a real word) my tree to the ground, finally phoned me to collect payment. I told him I thought he was giving it to me as a Christmas gift. Insert nervous laughter here. I also had two draft persons come to my home to give me a quote to draw up my renovation plans. One of which was a friend of my oldest daughter of who owes her a few favors, which I’m sure will favor me.
I also had another contractor come by. This is the fellow that the window replacement guy couldn’t say enough good things about. I am a tad skeptical however. In the world of contractors I’m always suspicious. It may be because I am a single woman or it could be watching too many horror stories on T.V. depicting poor unsuspecting homeowners being duped by their contractors. In this case however it’s most likely about common courtesy. Now, I know nobody’s perfect but one thing that does irritate me, is waiting around for someone to come for an appointment. I know… things happen. You forget. You get busy or stuck in a situation you can’t get out of. These things happen but typically you can call your next appointment and let them know you’ll be a little late in or around the time you were supposed to be there. In this case he was originally supposed to come by my home on the 23rd of December. First call he said he was stuck at a job site waiting for his subs and would be a little late but would be there soon. That was at 9am. The appointment was for 10am, so that was fine but I waited and waited…and friggen waited. I finally went out about 1pm. I had things to do. Christmas was in a few days. I finally received a message on my phone at 3:30 in the afternoon from him to re-book. Needless to say I didn’t call him back. He called me again a few days ago. In my infinite wisdom I decided to give him another chance. We booked a day he was in the area and a time for between 11 and 11:30am. I specifically told him to give me a call if he couldn’t make it. 11 came and went. 11:30 came and went. No call. Finally at noon I decided I wasn’t going to wait for him again and went out. I received a call on my cell at around 12:30pm from him telling me he was at my door. I told him he didn’t call or show up when he said he would and so I assumed he was not coming. I told him if he wanted to wait around I would be home in an hour. I almost told him I wasn’t interested in seeing him at all but held my tongue. Secretly I was hoping his was pissed and wouldn't bother showing up.
Long story short he came by promptly after I arrived home. We went through the house. I asked a lot of questions. Got lots of referrals and I even straight out told him I almost asked him not to bother coming by because he didn’t call me in sufficient time to let me know he wouldn’t be at our appointment on time...twice! I told him it’s a reflection of his dependability. He apologized.
I’m still skeptical but there are things I liked about this contractor. The biggest was how he was willing to let me do some of the work of a laborer. He said he would show me what to do and give me homework if that's what I wanted. This would save me money and we all know how I like to save money. Not only that, it would be a way to learn more things and make me feel in more control of the reno. Even if I don’t hire this guy as a contractor I could call on him for specific jobs in the house. I did find out that his dry-waller charges $3.00 a square, which is .50 less a square than the last guy I met. Cheaper is not always better, I’m aware, but it’s something to consider. He also looked over the house drawings I did and was quite impressed. He said the city would most likely accept them the way they are, so now I don’t know whether I actually need a draftsperson. More confusion. I think I’ll stop by the city planners and ask next week. He took the house plans with him and told me he would return them early next week. He needs them to do the quote.
On another note my book on how to be your own contractor arrived. I’ve read some of it and it is quite helpful, although most of it is geared towards building your home from scratch. It will however be informative and help me understand the process a bit better.

I was feeling a little compulsive, took the plunge and decided to paint some of the slatted wood walls in my house. First off the darkness of the house was getting to me and secondly I wondered if I really could salvage some of what I already have and keep more of the originality of the house. I already had the white paint so what was there to loose? I started in the entrance way and down the hall. Wow! What a difference. It looks so clean and bright and new. I liked it. I liked it so much that yesterday I spent another day painting the dining room walls. I will do the touch ups today. In any event it will help me live with the house the way it is until I decide on the contractor and it makes me feel pro-active. I'm not one to sit around and do nothing.

Well, that's all I have to report...I'm now raising my cup of java to 2010, which I’m sure will be full of surprises, twists and turns and lots of learning curves. Who knows, I may just have a New Years Eve party in my newly renovated home a year from now. Happy New Year everyone! May it be your best year ever!