Planning Some Home Repairs
@BelleStarr (61047)
United States
June 28, 2018 9:20pm CST
Twenty-three years ago our house burned down. It was traumatic but that is not what this post is about. It is about a home that was new 22.5 years ago but today needs lots of updates. It is almost overwhelming but not quite.
My granddaughter and her boyfriend have started a contracting business. He is a finish carpenter and she is very handy and hard working as his painter and assistant. I had them come over to price some jobs for me today.
We decided to start on our deck. I had wanted to replace it with Trex but of course, I had to replace the furnace last month which pretty much emptied my reserves.
Spencer looked at the deck and said all I really need is to have it sanded and painted and it will take between 6-10 hours to do, two days he thinks. He will replace one step that is cracked and fix the gate so it closes correctly. He thinks the deck has about 7 more years in it. woohoo, my brother built one very fine deck.
We talked about all the other jobs I need to be done and I think I am going to keep them very busy. The biggest job, tiling our entire downstairs will be done while we are in Florida. I have seen the tiling work that these two did and it was beautiful.
As soon as the deck dries out, they are ready to do. I will post a picture when they finish.
15 people like this
16 responses
@DianneN (246334)
• United States
1 Jul 18
Owning a home requires constant updating. By the time one room is finished, it's time to start on another. We had our deck sanded and restained two years ago??? as well as the wooden floors in our old family room and love it. You are lucky to have family whom you can trust.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
2 Jul 18
Yes I realize, before I had my brother who built my house and for wood floor my son Jason is quite an expert but the deck, without my brother I had to count on my kids having the time to help us and that is not easy. Now with Jeanna and Spencer, I hope we have a viable solution. I always knew having all these grandkids was going to pay off lol Brandon is now our lawn mowing service lol
2 people like this
@DianneN (246334)
• United States
2 Jul 18
@BelleStarr You are hilarious!!!
I should probably hope for more grandchildren, too. Mine are only good for making my house look as if a tornado has hit.
I should probably hope for more grandchildren, too. Mine are only good for making my house look as if a tornado has hit.1 person likes this
@marguicha (215166)
• Chile
29 Jun 18
I´m remodeling my house little by little as soon as I get some money. Andrés has almost finished installing a very good second hand carpet. I also painted the living and dining room. I guess that will be it for the moment. My pockets are empty
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
29 Jun 18
lol Yes I would have very big plans but I need the budget to support the very big plans so they will have to be done in stages.
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
30 Jun 18
Well, they are just starting out so I really can't ask for a discount. But I will make sure that the job is done to my standards and that I try to let people know the work they do.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23393)
• United Kingdom
29 Jun 18
Yes get them to do it while you are down in Florida so you won't be disturbed by the constant work. I am sure it will all look beautiful when you return.
2 people like this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
30 Jun 18
Now I have to think about my dogs too, maybe I had just better bring them with me to Florida.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
30 Jun 18
Yes that is what I was thinking and I am looking forward to it.
2 people like this
@rebelann (111076)
• El Paso, Texas
30 Jun 18
I hope it's enough to do a fairly large chunk of them @BelleStarr
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
30 Jun 18
lol I think it will be long order actually since I can only afford to do small pieces of it at a time. But we will see, we are at the point where we need to remove a certain amount from hubs 401K every year and that will give us some cash in January.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
2 Jul 18
Yes that is so true, Over the years we repainted three rooms but the rest are pretty much as they were 22 years ago. It is way past time.
@MarshaMusselman (38616)
• Midland, Michigan
29 Jun 18
It sounds like you found yourself some good workers you can trust. With the internet and cell phones they can even update you on the progress when the door it's being tiled.
I have the name of a lady handyperson that does remodeling and about anything someone requests even if she has to search what it is first. I hope to get her help once I get my bills a few months ahead. Possibly by next summer.
I want a new toilet, our doesn't always refill work water. We've had it looked at but two guys and it's no better. I discovered that the top flushers are molded differently and doing have the grooves on the bottom for dust and dirt to collect.
I also am looking forward to updating different things in different rooms and maybe one day install air conditioning which would be nice this weekend with the expected ninety plus temps.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
30 Jun 18
We are looking at central air in the future as well. I have 4 window units right now so we will keep our house pretty cool.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
30 Jun 18
Yes I am looking forward to getting my house freshened up.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325348)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Jul 18
@BelleStarr I find it hard to hide my feelings too. Vince is especially good at 'reading' my expression but then he should be after 47 years!
@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
29 Jun 18
that's great they're helping you out. And awesome that they work together!
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
30 Jun 18
Yes it is, they charge $30 an hour but you do get both of them and I want to help them to make a living.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (66921)
• United States
1 Jul 18
@BelleStarr thats not too bad. And family is worth it, if they're good
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
1 Jul 18
lol Me too I am looking forward to all the repairs.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
30 Jun 18
I can imagine that. I am going to have to talk to them seriously about how many hours they think the floors will take, that can really drive the price higher than I am willing to pay. At the end of the day, if the tile is too expensive I will choose another type of flooring. I have to balance price and my desire to help them out in their new business.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
29 Jun 18
I understand. I have been working on the old home place for year off and on.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
30 Jun 18
It never ends does it? I am hoping to just enjoy our home more.
