What I've Been Doing Of Late

[Long Mike]

Recently the wife and I came into a modest sum of money, so decided to remodel our bathrooms.  Our kids are grown and gone, so we each have our own baths.  They abut each other and we have noticed some cracking in the walls and floor tiles in that area.  I should say here that our home is over fifty years old, and is built on a concrete slab.

 

Prior to commencing our remodel, I decided to call in a Structural Engineer.  $300 later I was informed that we have significant subsidence in a 10’x20’ area directly beneath the bathrooms.  So, I called in a foundation repair guy.  It cost me $150 to find out that the guy wouldn’t touch the job until it was determined that the foundation didn’t have a water leak.  So, I called in a leak detection specialist.  Another $300 to find out that yes, indeed, I have a water leak, and it’s located directly underneath the wall between our two baths.  Which bath to destroy?  I chose mine. 

 

The plumbers had to rip out the built-in vanity and all of the ceramic flooring prior to digging a hole large enough for a small sauna..  They found the leak, repaired it, back-filled with concrete, and handed me a bill for $2,700.  That problem repaired, I recalled the foundation guy.  This time he didn’t charge me, but said the repair would cost me $1,650.  We will now be out over $5,000, and we haven’t even come close to starting the remodel.  My bath is in shambles, no sink or vanity, just a big patch of concrete, a bunch of broken tiles, a toilet, and a still-intact shower.

 

Our modest sum of money has now turned into a paltry sum of money.  I’m beginning to wonder if Wal-Mart needs a Greeter.

[Glenn]

Geez man, talk about dumb luck!  But I guess on a positive note - good thing you were able to find and fix those issues before they got worse!

[Redlinerobert]

Mike,

 

That's been the story of my life for the last three years.  Our 'new' place has been one repair after another. 

 

On a side note, we really do love this place.  

[Bluebasser86]

That sounds like my life anytime we start to make a little headway. I'm happy to get through getting a good paycheck with a couple extra bucks. 

[roadwarrior]

Geez...It's always something.

 

Good luck with the remodeling, I'm sure it will turn out fine.

 

 

 

[*Hootie]

I was feeling pretty good. Now I am depressed. Get some change in your pockets and later find out your pockets have holes.

Hootie

[riverbasser13]

Man, one thing after another. Hopefully you won't end up as a greeter in Wal-Mart. If comes down to it at least try sporting goods first.

[retiredbosn]

Don't ya love the estimate process now?? Recently I've had to hire a lawyer, initial consults are averaging 200 bucks for 30 minutes. I remember when estimates and initial consults were free. In your instance the first guy knew what the problem was, anybody who has a background in construction would have. But it cost u allot to find out.

[Dwight Hottle]

Houses are like boats except they don't go anywhere. They love bleeding you dry. At least you still got your toilet & shower.

[mrmacwvu1]

That right there is why I never want another house on a slab. If you have any questions about tiling let me know. I have installed hundreds of bathrooms and would be more than happy to help.

[J Francho]

I decided I would paint all the interior of my house.  I ended up gutting the front entrance hall and completely redoing the bathroom.  What started as a quick $500 project has spiraled to much, much more.  I do the work myself, and I must say, I've become quite the plaster man.  The ceilings look great.

 

I feel ya, Mike.  I will say, all I have left is to install crown and chair-rail in the dining room, and trim and shoe in the bathroom, and I'm done.

[Sam]

Mike, I can feel for you.

 

My wife and I were considering a natural gas dryer.

 

We called James River Heating and Air Conditioning for a quote to extend the existing natural gas line 53-feet under the house and install the hookups.

 

Estimate:  $5,300.

 

We will go with an electric dryer.

 

Hope you can get your bathroom back in shape.  Maybe Raider can come over and help you.

[shootermcbob]

Recently the wife and I came into a modest sum of money, so decided to remodel our bathrooms.  Our kids are grown and gone, so we each have our own baths.  They abut each other and we have noticed some cracking in the walls and floor tiles in that area.  I should say here that our home is over fifty years old, and is built on a concrete slab.

 

Prior to commencing our remodel, I decided to call in a Structural Engineer.  $300 later I was informed that we have significant subsidence in a 10’x20’ area directly beneath the bathrooms.  So, I called in a foundation repair guy.  It cost me $150 to find out that the guy wouldn’t touch the job until it was determined that the foundation didn’t have a water leak.  So, I called in a leak detection specialist.  Another $300 to find out that yes, indeed, I have a water leak, and it’s located directly underneath the wall between our two baths.  Which bath to destroy?  I chose mine. 

 

The plumbers had to rip out the built-in vanity and all of the ceramic flooring prior to digging a hole large enough for a small sauna..  They found the leak, repaired it, back-filled with concrete, and handed me a bill for $2,700.  That problem repaired, I recalled the foundation guy.  This time he didn’t charge me, but said the repair would cost me $1,650.  We will now be out over $5,000, and we haven’t even come close to starting the remodel.  My bath is in shambles, no sink or vanity, just a big patch of concrete, a bunch of broken tiles, a toilet, and a still-intact shower.

 

Our modest sum of money has now turned into a paltry sum of money.  I’m beginning to wonder if Wal-Mart needs a Greeter.

 

I thought Walmart greeters had to be friendly? :D

[Long Mike]

I thought Walmart greeters had to be friendly? :D

 

Not around here.  The only question on the Greeter application form is "Do you own a side-arm of 32 caliber or greater?"

[retiredbosn]

Not around here. The only question on the Greeter application form is "Do you own a side-arm of 32 caliber or greater?"

So u can get them like this "welcome to Walmart, get your crap and get out"

[Oregon Native]

Dang.....best of luck to you

[Raider Nation Fisher]

I remodeled the bathroom in my old condo. 200 dollars became 1000 dollars extremely quickly. This was just a hall bath. IE. A toilet, vanity, and tile floor.

Mike, If you need any electrical done I will be more than happy to help you in any way I can.

[Long Mike]

Many thanks Raider, but the only aspect of the remodel I don't need help with is electrical.  I have a BS in electronics, although I never used it.  I went into the oil patch instead.  Regardless, I am very familiar with electrical work and can do it to code, with one exception.  I can't bend conduit worth a crap.