house repairs

@veejay19 (3589)
India
November 10, 2009 1:25am CST
Hi Mylotters, finally that day has arrived.I had been putting off repairs to my apartment since a couple of years mainly due to lack of funds but now i had reached a now or never situation. My living area which suffered enormous leakage had the plaster falling at regular intervals. The balcony attached to the kitchen had its ceiling on the verge of collapse as it had not been touched for the last 70 years, or since my building was constructed.Also one of the bedrooms had its walls damaged due to leakages from the neighbours apartment which finally stopped a few years back. At last i took the decision to do the repairs, called the contractor, got an estimate and started the work yesterday. The repairing work will probably take 8 to 10 days after which i will hve to paint the house. Now the furniture has been stacked in one of the rooms and the house is full of dust and messy.Its irritating but unavoidable. How do you folks cope with such a situation? Please share your thoughts.
2 people like this
8 responses
@celticeagle (157563)
• Boise, Idaho
12 Nov 09
The last time I had a house I was married to a carpenter. He did alot of work on the basement, took the ugly old carpet out of the livingroom and finished the wooden floor, put new cupboards in the kitchen, and remodeled the bathroom. I remember we taped up the windows outside and painted the entire house then we left for the day and went for a long drive while the paint dried. I now rent because I know I cannot afford to keep up on repairs on a house.
@veejay19 (3589)
• India
12 Nov 09
I understand because my budget is climbing and also the cost of materials has gone up considerably. In my country we do not have the do-it-yourself concept and we prefer to give the work to a contractor who takes care of everything.Thanx for the input.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (157563)
• Boise, Idaho
12 Nov 09
Makes sense to me! Contractors would still have to do theirs though or find another one to do it.
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
10 Nov 09
When I used to own my House it was hard to get the repairs done there just was not enough money around I rent now which is easier because if anything goes wrong The Landlord gets it sorted and I do have a good Landlord
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
11 Nov 09
Goodness that is not good at all here in the UK there are laws that they have to have insurances and that
@veejay19 (3589)
• India
11 Nov 09
You are alucky girl, gabs. Your landlord is a good chap.I too live in a rented accommodation but our landlord doesn`t have money for repairs so we have to do everything on our own.Thanx anyway.
1 person likes this
@chaitra001 (3278)
• Bangalore, India
10 Nov 09
Hi.. I think you have got irritated by the dust around you now.. when I was still in my 7th std my father decided to repair our house.. he decided to extend house and put tiles to floor and repaint and all.. that time we had to keep all things in the small room.. it was very irritating for me.. and it took nearly one month to complete the full repair.. My mom was really tired to clean that house after painting completed..
@veejay19 (3589)
• India
11 Nov 09
There was a lot of dust on the first day but now there isnt much. However its bearable.Thanx.
@jackee (138)
• United States
10 Nov 09
Congrats on your residential upgrade. Go out and purchase some paint for the walls, and ceiling that you are having repaired. When finished you will feel as if you have moved in to a new home. Also get some new thow rugs (area carpets). With these changes to your home that you do you will cope fine "cause you will be very busy. Good Luck
@veejay19 (3589)
• India
11 Nov 09
Repairs to the ceiling and walls have started and will take at least a week to get over. I will wait for about 10 days for the plaster to dry completely and then start painting.Thanx for the suggestions.I am going to change the upholstery of my sofa and chairs as they are now a bit torn and scruffy but all this only after the work gets over.
@rg0205 (2636)
• Hong Kong
10 Nov 09
Well, I have to agree that it's irritating. That's for sure but unavoidable as well, so what can you do? If I can handle the work myself, I'd do it alone. I'm usually that independent. If I can't, I'll hire someone to do it for me and make sure that I don't burn a hole in my pocket in doing so. Unfortunately, sometimes, there are cases when you have to pay a lot of money but what choice does one really have?
@veejay19 (3589)
• India
11 Nov 09
You`re right, we don`t have much choice.Thanx.
• India
11 Nov 09
You will be having a tough time for the next week or so as you say , but should be worthwhile in the end.You will have safe place to live in .From what you say yours is an old house which was in dire need of repairs.It is quite dangerous with plaster falling off.In those days people used to make solid houses and a chunk falling on you could really hurt you.Now you shall have no such problem.Wish you good luck and all happiness in your newly repaired house.
@veejay19 (3589)
• India
11 Nov 09
Abhik babu kemon accho?Bhalo? My building, in Mumbai is 70 years old and the plaster, as you say is quite hard in places but now it has deteriorated. Thats why i had to go for repairs.I will also be painting the house after the work is over and its all going to cost a bomb as you know how the prices have risen in these few months.Thanks anyway.
@hmkoct5 (2065)
• United States
10 Nov 09
As you said, it is irritating, but unavoidable. The most recent thing to happen to me was my air conditioner broke. It ended up costing almost $9000. It is our fault because we knew there was a problem but couldn't afford to get it fixed. We ended up putting it on our credit card. Now, we will suffer through paying that bill. It will not be easy. I guess the way we cope is trying to keep a good sense of humor!
@veejay19 (3589)
• India
11 Nov 09
Yes, you are right.It had to be done and now its started its going on in full swing.I will have to bear it no matter how long it takes.Thanx.
• Philippines
10 Nov 09
I normally don't stay at my place if I have to do repairs or rennovate. It is really expected that mess and dust will be all over the place during repairs. Instead of having to cope up with the trouble, I would rather find someplace where I can be more comfortable