Al B's House rework

[gemini5362]

Well I dont have to worry about them and my stepson then. He does not mind getting his hands dirty just does not know a lot about doing the kind of work you get diry at. He can take 24 credit hours per semesterof college and make straight A's with classes like Linear Algebra, Calculus, Physics, Computer programming, Philosophy, German etc but the first time he changed a car tire I told him to make sure the lug nuts were on tight. After he got home ( a two hour drive from my house at that time) he called and told me that his car had a really weird shaking of the front end. He said it did not do that on the way to my house. I told him to immediately go check the lug nuts on that tire. After it cost him 233.00 to get a new rim and all the lug bolts replaced he at least knows now what I mean by tight.

 

[AlanB]

My daughter spent last year in Germany going to high school there for the experience.

One of those real nail biter debates for me, but it all worked out real positive.

I think Dean and Christina will go over for a month this summer as well.

Spent yesterday loading and hauling dirt off the old mowing property, about 4 yards at a time. Makes me want a dump truck.

Man, the mowing truck can eat up some tires. Just realized we need another set on it. I bet we don't get 20,000 miles out of 70,000 mile tires.

Got to get out to the house in the evenings, and get some work done.

 

[AlanB]

So my house thoughts today are that what I need to do is buy a new bed (needed anyway) and put it in one bedroom, bust my butt and get the shower and toilet in and working, then I can move in, not the family, but me, kind of camp for a while, and that way I can make more progress in the evenings.

The new house is about 40 minutes from work, and 30 minutes from the current house, and that is making it difficult to get much done in the evenings.

If I went ahead and camped out, by my thinking, that would save me at least 1/2 hour work time each day, and probably a little more.

So,,, time to pick some stuff for the tub and just finish the bath and move forward.

 

[rox]

Alan,

Some might call you crazy for oyur idea of camping out at the house, but not me. I think it's a good idea. If you do that get yourself one of those slow cookers, drop the food in in the morning turn it on and when you are tired and hungry about 10pm a hot dinner is there for oyu. We used the slow cooker a lot when we were painting and staining our first home that we built. The builder built it but we did all the painting and staining.

GEmin5362- When you stepson gos to Austria have him check to see if they have the same system as germany, my guess is they do. And that is when you order a drink fromt he bar they charge you like a 2 euro security deosit on the empty glass. At the end of the night turn in your glass and get your $2 back. I could not figure out why our bar bill was so high when we each had ordered jsut one drink. I questioned he waitstaff about the bill and that is when I found out about the 2 Euro security deposit on the empty bar glasses. I guess they get the customers to clear the tables that way, everybody brings their glass back to the bartender. It was a relaly odd custom.

 

[gemini5362]

Alan,

Some might call you crazy for oyur idea of camping out at the house, but not me. I think it's a good idea. If you do that get yourself one of those slow cookers, drop the food in in the morning turn it on and when you are tired and hungry about 10pm a hot dinner is there for oyu. We used the slow cooker a lot when we were painting and staining our first home that we built. The builder built it but we did all the painting and staining.

GEmin5362- When you stepson gos to Austria have him check to see if they have the same system as germany, my guess is they do. And that is when you order a drink fromt he bar they charge you like a 2 euro security deosit on the empty glass. At the end of the night turn in your glass and get your $2 back. I could not figure out why our bar bill was so high when we each had ordered jsut one drink. I questioned he waitstaff about the bill and that is when I found out about the 2 Euro security deposit on the empty bar glasses. I guess they get the customers to clear the tables that way, everybody brings their glass back to the bartender. It was a relaly odd custom.

I imagine he will find out. He can be very money conscious. It has been years and years and years since I have been to germany and even then I dont drink alcohol. I will have to mention that to him. He is just estatic that he got a really nice pair of scholarships to go with. Basically he will only have to buy his airline ticket to get there and back. That will be a lot cheaper than the tuition at the U of A.

 

[EddieWalker]

So my house thoughts today are that what I need to do is buy a new bed (needed anyway) and put it in one bedroom, bust my butt and get the shower and toilet in and working, then I can move in, not the family, but me, kind of camp for a while, and that way I can make more progress in the evenings.

Alan,

I've done this twice. First time when I got divorced. I moved into my barn without a toilet or anything besides a sink for running water. It wasn't fun, but it sure did motivate me to get allot done quickly!!! The second time was when I sold that place and had 4 months to build a new home. At four months, I had one bathroom done, but the rest was still just a shell. It took me another month to get it livable for Steph and the kids while I slept on a matress on the floor.

Both times were dificult, but allowed me to work from daylight to dark and get the most possible amount of work done possible. In a few months or years, you'll look back and laugh about it, but for now, it makes allot of sense.

Eddie

 

[WayneB]

Alan,

I agree with Eddie! it is tough but will permit you to focus on what needs to be completed.

Make yourself a list of project and prioritize them.

Bathroom first!​

 

[AlanB]

I am leaning that way, the DW is not so happy with the concept though.. Just have to see at this point, need to get the shower in and working.

Made a couple of steps forward, and one or two backwards this evening.

Cut the rest of the ceiling electrical heat controls out of the walls, and Hanna patched the holes.

Hanna worked at the house today as it was raining, she got the bathroom and two bedroom ceilings primed, and I think the two bedroom walls primed as well. She also got the bathroom ceiling painted.

I finished installing the tank on the toilet Course the Fernco coupler underneath leaks. I think the old CI pipe is too rusty for the Fernco to get a good bite on. I will add another clamp, then go back and shoot silicone in to hopefully seal the gaps, and if all else fails, drop back twenty and punt................... Somehow I will get it working, it is just always a challenge.

It seems to be a common theme with me, I think I am "saving" time or money or something by using existing or such, then end up spending twice as much in the end if I had just went in and done it all new to start with. I think that is life though.

I did get the bathroom sink drain to work and seal. Hot water, and retighten everything a couple times. Another one where I probably would have been ahead to just drop the whole line and replace it with PVC.

The condensate pump was not working so I fixed it... Course now the bottom shoots water out when I turn it on,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
There is a new Wayne in the truck... Got to spend my daily hundred at Lowes you know...

The loading dock is 2095

2096 What $325 looks like sitting in my driveway

2097 this project is going to come forward some

2098 Dang, it actually is level

2099, way more pieces then I would like, and I think 4 trips to Lowes later, a drain pipe looks like this........... At least at this moment it does not leak.

Went back and reworked the outlet I struggled with last night, just could not figure out why I had such a hard time, finally read the wires tonight, someone used 10 gauge wires....... Yep, that would be why it was tough to bend and get in the box...........

Life is good, and I have great freinds and family. I wish I was done, but half the learning is in the process I think.

 

[ruglad03835]

My dozer guy showed up this morning, so progress is being made on that. Hopefully my diesel fuel shows up today as it was promised yesterday, the delivery guys lied to my salesman and told me they could not reach me. Thought it was odd that I could tell him where his delivery guys were and what they were doing at 2:30 yesterday, yet they said they had not spoken too me They promised it there today.

Called Window world again, and they will be out Tues to evaluate the window replacement. They do have that $180 any window.

I did get in my dehumidifier from Allergy buyers club, they had already shipped so rather then pay two shippings (here and back) I have it. It is one of those things that will eat me up that I spent an extra $100 to get this one then the one in Lowes. Not sure if I just missed the ball, (I looked) or it came in after or whatever. It has been working overnight, I wonder how much moisture it is pulling out.

Al,

Let me know how you make out with Window World. I just recieved a card in the mail from them for the $198 special and am going to give them a buzz. I've already been subjected to the 3 hour high performance window demonstration followed by the $11,000 quote high pressure presentation. That was enough for me.......

 

[AlanB]

I was EXTREMELY pleased with Window World.

EXTREMELY PLEASED

It is somewhere back there in this post, but it bears restating.

The sales guy was great, patient, answered questions, NO pressure, basicly they have a great product, great price and all the work they can handle. Here is what we do, here is what we have, this is what it will cost you, you will be pleased, and this is when we can do it.

I was working at the house the day they came to put the windows in, they were supposed to be there between 8 and 10 or so, and they rolled in about 10:30, which had me rolling my eyes, thinking this is not going to be good, the guy came up and said, "sorry I am late, the one warehouse ran out of the trim coil color you requested we had to go across town to get it and it put us a little behind" (fair enough) Then he said they would have all the windows in, in 45 minutes.... I am thinking bull malarky,,, 12 windows. NO WAY..... 2 guys,,,,,

In 30 to 35 minutes there was a stack of my old 12 windows right where I asked them to place them, and all 12 replacement windows were in the openings. (not trimmed, nor finished, but in the holes)

They then went ahead and finished the mounting etc, trimmed it out, did the sealing, whenever they ran into something wrong (broken sill, trim on interieor that they did not touch wrong etc.) they would come ask me how I wanted to proceede, and offer me options.

I am an aircraft sheetmetal guy by trade, and these guys did EXCELLENT metal work, better then I would have done myself, there is something that comes along with lots of experience, coupled with a great attitude about what you are doing, and wanting to do a good job.

At one point about one hour after they were there I was sick to my stomach thinking about how much I was paying, and how quickly it was being done, that, I should have done that, look how easy it was thought.

Then I realized that in one hour, I would have still been staring at the first window trying to decide the right way to proceede.

I did not comparitive shop per se like I should have. I spoke to some local window suppliers, looked at Lowes and HD etc. and measured / priced my windows. The way I had it figured, I spent (on my windows and I had some big ones) about what it would have cost me in materials. I wonder if I could have found a better deal, but I SERIOUSLY doubt it.

The only caution I would add, is that each item, each upgrade etc. you do, while it seems low per window, adds up when you multiply times X (12 in my case) You get too the end and start going hmmmmmm how can it be that much.

So,,, The reccomendation from Gem pointing me to WW was probably one of the best parts / decisions on this house. We are VERY pleased.

Side note though, they are using subs to install, my experience was great, just like anything else, if a Jackleg sub had come out there I would be singing a different tune.