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Main => Everything Else => Topic started by: myntik1 on September 15, 2008, 04:12:21 pm

Title: I need some home improvement knowledge
Post by: myntik1 on September 15, 2008, 04:12:21 pm
As I was powerwashing my house yesterday I noticed that over my screened in porch there was some spots that were sagging.  I crawled up there and one section of that roof is kind of flimsy.  Since it's only 9x12 I figured I would pull it all off, drop some new ply and re-shingle it.  I then decided i could use a new screen.  Somehow it morphed into me crunching some numbers about finishing the outside of the porch now and doing the inside this fall and winter.  I'm already scheduled to have a couple of days off to replace 12 windows, I was thinking about making it a week and trying bang out the roof in a day, re-frame the porch and windows in a day and 2 days to put on the siding and shutters (since I'll be working alone my estimates are kind of generous).  Is there anything I'm missing in my estimates besides nails and permits to do the outside of the porch. With my oops project budget (10% added in for boneheaded mistakes) I still have some scratch leftover to hire someone to help me if I get in a jam.
2-bundles of shingles           50
14-4X8 sheets of plywood        308
1-roll of roofing felt                  35
3   windows                                600
6   shuttters                                 300
4   4x8 posts                                  60
4   4x2x8 (pt)                  16
15   4x2x8                                    52.50
2   squares of siding                 250
2   inside siding corners               16
2   outside siding corners   28
1   misc siding pieces                   75
         
      real total                   1790.50
      oops total   1969.55


here's an old photo from before we bought the house where you can almost see the porch through the trees.

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e34/chase5805/house1.jpg)
Title: Re: I need some home improvement knowledge
Post by: shardian on September 15, 2008, 04:15:54 pm
I will only offer this: good luck finishing all that in a week by yourself if you aren't a skilled carpenter.
Title: Re: I need some home improvement knowledge
Post by: ChadTower on September 15, 2008, 07:07:38 pm

Dude, why did you post such a tiny photo?  We can barely see the house.   :laugh2:
Title: Re: I need some home improvement knowledge
Post by: xar256 on September 16, 2008, 01:04:35 pm
I will only offer this: good luck finishing all that in a week by yourself if you aren't a skilled carpenter.

Seconded.  One thing you will find in an older house is that NOTHING tend to be square/level except the replacements your trying to drop in.  That being said it can add lots of hours required for shimming, and correcting issues you find when you open something up.  It's not uncommon to pull out and old window to find wood rot and other suprises which will lengthen time spent on each window. 
Not sure where you are located, but you'll probably want to budjet for spray foam/insulation for around those windows.  You'll also need various nails and screws to do all this as well.  It's the little things that are gonna add up over time for the project. 
That timeline seems to be optimistic at best.  I've been renovating my house for the last 3 years now, and when it comes to guestimating timelines when you're new to the work.  Take your initial estimate and triple it.  Add more if you're a perfectionist.
Title: Re: I need some home improvement knowledge
Post by: BobbyG66 on September 17, 2008, 08:36:27 am
Definately guy, your estimate for hours are way off.
Any home project take about 5 times longer than you expected.
Plus if you work 12+ hours one day, you will be junk the next.

Try to get some help and plan for more time.
Title: Re: I need some home improvement knowledge
Post by: myntik1 on September 17, 2008, 11:55:34 am
Well as usual, life throws a curveball at me and I take it on the chin.  I came in this morning to an email from a super duper high up in the company.  Basically he said take a look around, in a few weeks a few of you may not be here.  So I'm going with the windows, but the rest of the project is on hold for right now. 

I've only been at this company for 5 months and already I've recieved my fair share of kudos and attaboys, but since there has only been one person hired after me I'm a bit worried. Oh well, I'm sure I'll land on my feet if they give me the hook.
 
Title: Re: I need some home improvement knowledge
Post by: BobbyG66 on September 18, 2008, 12:20:13 pm
Ya, you should still be worried being one of the new guys.
Hopefully they may want to get rid of some of the older guys they don't like.
These days, you never know though. It seems like people are let go at random.

I would start looking now and get some leads going just in case something does happen.

Good luck.
Title: Re: I need some home improvement knowledge
Post by: myntik1 on September 18, 2008, 02:00:20 pm
Thanks.  Like I said I'm not too worried about it.  I've been bustin my arse for the last few years trying to get all of our needless debt squared away.  For the most part we're in good shape.  If I do get the hook I can always tend bar and do other things to make ends meet.

My only fear is thast since I work in the insurance company capital depending on the timing off the lay-offs I could really be screwed.  People literally walk across the street and find a new gig since there are so many companies.  AIG (not good anymore), the Hartford, Aetna, Cigna, Connecticare, SBLI, John Hancock, MetLife, Travelers, Ing, etc are all within 15 minutes of each other.  I hope that everyone doesn''t downsize at the same time.  If the 15 or so companies cut just 500 people each at the same time there's no way all 7500 could find comparable jobs.
Title: Re: I need some home improvement knowledge
Post by: Ed_McCarron on September 19, 2008, 08:14:22 am

Dude, why did you post such a tiny photo?  We can barely see the house.   :laugh2:

Thats actual size.  Remember, he plans on finishing it in a weekend.
Title: Re: I need some home improvement knowledge
Post by: ChadTower on September 19, 2008, 09:25:41 am
Thats actual size.  Remember, he plans on finishing it in a weekend.

 :applaud: