Author Topic: Home Improvements  (Read 15161 times)

Offline bzam99

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Home Improvements
« on: June 28, 2013, 09:33:51 AM »
So we have thread on buying the house and financing the purchase and construction- Any money saving ideas on remodelling/general construction?
Anybody have any insights in the following items (or others):
1. re-doing kitchen
2. re-doing bathrooms
3. finish basement
4. installing light fixtures
5. painting vs wallpaper
6. hard wood floors
7. carpets
I am sure the list can go on and on, so please sure your experiences (good and bad- so we can all learn from them)

Online moko

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #1 on: June 28, 2013, 01:02:43 PM »
A general note: most things that a minimum wage day laborer can do, you can do yourself. This is true in regards to most areas of maintenance/construction/car repair etc. That being said it is important to weigh the risk/expense/time, of doing it yourself  with no professional oversight that the day laborer has.
A couple of examples:
4. installing light fixtures
For most simple fixtures, ceiling fans, & chandeliers, with the basic included instructions, you'll have it hung in a matter of minutes.
5. painting vs wallpaper
both painting and papering are fairly simple tasks if you are doing a simple job (papering, I find is more tedious)
both of these examples do not require any specialty skills or tools, and can be done fairly quickly.
Not long ago I divided a large  bedroom in my apartment in 2. After getting multiple quotes I decided to do it myself as it required little electrical work and with the help of a couple of youtube videos it was done. (though the downside to doing it yourself is that I still havent painted one side of the wall ;) )

Offline bzam99

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2013, 02:17:34 PM »
I was thinkning about doing all the demo myself..tearing down built in shelves and panneling on the walls. Not sure about puting up sheetrock myself though

Offline real-brisker

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #3 on: June 30, 2013, 03:25:00 PM »
Sheetrock is easy, a bit messy though.
Spackeling is fun, you just need to get the hang of it. (like all work)
 

Offline ybeeds

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #4 on: June 30, 2013, 04:05:43 PM »
both painting and papering are fairly simple tasks if you are doing a simple job (papering, I find is more tedious)
both of these examples do not require any specialty skills or tools, and can be done fairly quickly.
wallpaper is more challenging and harder to change/fix if need be...
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Offline ybeeds

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #5 on: June 30, 2013, 04:10:10 PM »
6. hard wood floors
If you would like the "hard wood look"...
They make tiles that look like wood and are fairly simple to lay.
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Offline smee123

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2013, 04:28:50 PM »
If you would like the "hard wood look"...
They make tiles that look like wood and are fairly simple to lay.
Simple for someone who knows how to lay tiles?
Iv's seen them and they are really nice.

Offline yitzf

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #7 on: June 30, 2013, 05:03:48 PM »
Get a Chase Ink card, then buy a Home Improvement gift card at an office supply store (OD has, not sure about the others) which is accepted at any home improvement store that accepts Discover.
(It acts as a Discover CC, you just swipe it, but it will only go through at home improvement stores, see above link for locations)

You'll save 9% on materials and fixtures/appliances etc.

Offline churnbabychurn

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #8 on: June 30, 2013, 08:16:35 PM »
Im in to DIY stuff... Thinking of installing a backsplash. Is that crazy?

Offline smee123

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #9 on: June 30, 2013, 09:07:42 PM »
Im in to DIY stuff... Thinking of installing a backsplash. Is that crazy?
Nope, At least if you mess up it's no big deal, it doesn't need to be 100% waterproof and nobody is walking on it.
And there are some cool designs you can do.
« Last Edit: June 30, 2013, 09:16:34 PM by smee123 »

Offline bzam99

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #10 on: July 01, 2013, 09:47:42 AM »
Is tiling as easy it looks (just lay tiles in lies) or is there more of a kuntz to it that is worthy of a professional?

Offline ybeeds

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #11 on: July 01, 2013, 10:12:06 AM »
Is tiling as easy it looks (just lay tiles in lies) or is there more of a kuntz to it that is worthy of a professional?
Its almost that easy... you have to make sure its level (with a leveler),  ::) meaning - each tile itself has to be level, and each tile has to be level with the next one... if you have one corner higher then the next, someone's foot might get hurt  :-[ when walking without shoes/slippers...
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Offline PlatinumGuy

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #12 on: July 01, 2013, 10:13:44 AM »
Is tiling as easy it looks (just lay tiles in lies) or is there more of a kuntz to it that is worthy of a professional?
FWIU the challenge is leveling the surface beneath it.
״וזה כלל גדול: שישנא אדם כל דבר שקר. וכל מה שיוסיף שנאה לדרכי השקר – יוסיף אהבה לתורה.״ - אורחות צדיקים

Offline ybeeds

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #13 on: July 01, 2013, 11:07:55 AM »
Get a Chase Ink card, then buy a Home Improvement gift card at an office supply store (OD has, not sure about the others) which is accepted at any home improvement store that accepts Discover.
(It acts as a Discover CC, you just swipe it, but it will only go through at home improvement stores, see above link for locations)

You'll save 9% on materials and fixtures/appliances etc.
For an added bonus see http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=30317.0
My office buzzes to the JewishMusicStream!!!

Offline nis965

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #14 on: July 01, 2013, 11:16:10 AM »
If you would like the "hard wood look"...
They make tiles that look like wood and are fairly simple to lay.
Or laminate floors. The install is extremely easy.

Offline Sowhat

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #15 on: July 01, 2013, 02:25:51 PM »
Is there a how to video to grout?  the grout between the tub and first set of tiles is coming off after a few months on a new bathroom.

Offline smee123

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #16 on: July 01, 2013, 02:45:43 PM »
Is there a how to video to grout?  the grout between the tub and first set of tiles is coming off after a few months on a new bathroom.
youtube?

Offline bzam99

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #17 on: July 02, 2013, 09:24:18 AM »
I need durable blinds/shades that are aesthetically pleasant and durable for the little crew. Any ideas?

Offline churnbabychurn

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #18 on: July 02, 2013, 09:50:00 AM »
I need durable blinds/shades that are aesthetically pleasant and durable for the little crew. Any ideas?
i buy the cheap ones and replace them when the crew pull them apart

Offline KK

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Re: Home Improvements
« Reply #19 on: July 02, 2013, 01:13:23 PM »
Is there a how to video to grout?  the grout between the tub and first set of tiles is coming off after a few months on a new bathroom.

That would actually be caulk, not grout.
Try this: