Workbench Creations

I am a profesional remodeler and general contractor you can ask me for help in any feild

let me know what you need help in.

When we bought our current place almost 15 years ago there were lots of half done renovations to sort out. They take up an amazing amount of time to pull apart and do properly. I'm still not finished (time and money intervene too) but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Last year I took 3 weeks off work and recladded the place myself repairing some of the more major items on the way. The scope of some jobs just don't lend themselves to afternoon and weekends I suppose. I'm glad I did it that way though, the exterior now looks really good.

Been there done that 3 times.

1st house completely gutted one room at a time and redid. I lived alone at the time so I could work as fast or slow as I wanted.

2nd house I had a family of 4 living with me and the house wasn't in as bad of shape. I would take time off work for the major redo's as not to have unfinished project hanging around for extended periods of time.

3rd and hopefully final house. Lots of refinishing projects we want to do but don't really need to do. Mostly upgrades for looks not safety issues.

Take you time and try not to use your tools on each other. House remodeling or upgrading is very hard on relationships. Try to Have fun while doing them. Use the big box stores for little advice. Use specialty stores for big advice. Not everything in an old house will be at todays modern standards. Especially OLD Plumbing fittings. I prefer to buy my plumbing parts from a plumbing supply. They can usually get me the perfect part as opposed to this part should work. Spend a little more for quality parts so you don't have to replace or repair for many years of normal use.

I agree 100% with "Spend a little more for quality parts so you don't have to replace or repair for many years of normal use."

So I voted Good Answer!

Don't overwhelm yourselves. Select the area's or rooms that are the most important to you and tackle them one at a time. Time does go by quickly and once you have completed one area it boosts your confidence and moral.

Even though you may be in a hurry to see completion, think twice and do it right because sure enough a few years or even months you may be doing it again!

And take advantage of all offers of help here! Good Luck!

Thanks everyone for the advise! The next several weeks' worth of my blog entries will catalog the various projects we've worked on so far. While we did get a bulk of the major stuff done when my parents were visiting, there is still quite a bit to go (drywall in the bathroom, painting & patching everywhere, replacing storm doors, installing flooring etc). We're hoping to have things completed to the point where we can officially move all our stuff in by Christmas!

Remember that wood is an isotope; Measure twice, cut it and install it that day or it wont fit or will fit poorly the next. Just my experience.