The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Everything Else => Topic started by: ChadTower on November 25, 2007, 12:03:29 pm
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I know there are a couple other guys here with ongoing basement finishing projects... here's a thread to talk about them.
Just finished the ceiling blocking (this wall is parallel to joists)... broke out the hammer drill for the first time. Cool toy.
I'm working on attaching the bottom plate now after marking out the distance from the wall using a plumb bob. Pressure treated 2x4s on the floor, using 3" exterior rated screws, and probably some construction adhesive as well. I'm drilling the holes now. Any advice as to how far apart they need to be? I'm thinking every 3' or so should do it.
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To attach the bottom plate in my basement, I used a ramset.
(http://www.toolspotting.net/ramset1.jpg)
Put the nail in the front, load the shell and then hit the end with a hammer and it will drive the nail into the concrete floor. I put a nail centered between each stud, so 16" apart. No need to drill into concrete and the ramset is probably cheaper than the concrete drill bit.
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That's a pretty neat tool. Much cheaper of an option for home use. I looked it up on amazon.com and it is about $30 shipped.
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---fudgesicle--- me , thats basically a gun that shoots nails, for ｣15 , that is mental.
i cant imagine that they do them in the uk, every teenager would carry one and kill other 'hoodies' with it :D
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I have this one. You pull a trigger rather than hit it with a hammer. You have to put your body weight on it. It has a safety on it, like a farming nailer. That's another good toy if your framing a basement. I wouldn't have done mine without one.
(http://ace.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pACE2-1188570dt.jpg)
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I've done it both ways, with the impact nailer and the concrete drilling. Either works fine, but of course shooting nails with a BANG! is much more fun ;D
If you're using construction adhesive as well as screws, you'd be ok at every 36" or so, but 16" (one between each vertical stud) would be normal. Once that glue sets though, its not going anywhere.
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Got the Hammer drill, NIB, for free, so I went with that.
I did learn, though, that outdoor coated screws apparently aren't the same as concrete screws. Of the 5 I put in last night, one snapped off at about 90% depth, one stripped at the head, and one wouldn't go all the way down despite proper hole depth. So either I need concrete screws or I didn't predrill quite wide enough a hole. I'm not good yet at judging what size hole to predrill in various materials. boykster is right about the adhesive, though... even with only two proper screws and a couple not quite right, that board isn't going anywhere.
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To attach the bottom plate in my basement, I used a ramset.
(http://www.toolspotting.net/ramset1.jpg)
Put the nail in the front, load the shell and then hit the end with a hammer and it will drive the nail into the concrete floor. I put a nail centered between each stud, so 16" apart. No need to drill into concrete and the ramset is probably cheaper than the concrete drill bit.
I just won one on ebay with 75 each shells and anchors for $17 shipped.
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I've done two basements and used just adhesive to hold the bottom plate down. I glued the bottom plate down, wedged it into place, and let it sit for a couple of days. I used PL400 glue, strong stuff. At my first house, I glued the bottom plates in place, then decided to shorten one of the walls by about three feet. Took a hand saw to cut back the length of bottom plated glued down; I needed to chisel that three foot section off the floor - it actually took the smooth surface of concrete with it. So I had a scrapped piece of 3 foot bottom plate with glue and a thin layer of concrete attached to it. Moral of the story, if using adhesive (especially if using PL400) make sure you have the walls where you want them.
In my second basement, I had carpet installed. IIRC, they used something like ArcadeAddiction posted to put in the tack strips around the perimeter.
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Moral of the story, if using adhesive (especially if using PL400) make sure you have the walls where you want them.
Good advice. Fortunately I'm doing almost all perimeter walls (against the foundation) and very little interior.
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Moral of the story, if using adhesive (especially if using PL400) make sure you have the walls where you want them.
Good advice. Fortunately I'm doing almost all perimeter walls (against the foundation) and very little interior.
Yep, the one I decided to shorten was an interior wall.
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Chad, did you seal your foundation walls with something like Drylock basement paint?
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Yep... Drylok is exactly what I used, then covered in styrofoam insulation sheets. No plastic since the basement was already quite dry before the Drylok.
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Yep... Drylok is exactly what I used, then covered in styrofoam insulation sheets. No plastic since the basement was already quite dry before the Drylok.
:cheers:
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I'm about to start doing my basement next month. 2 questions:
(1) Since I'm thinking about putting a pellet stove in my basement, I was thinking about going with furring strips instead of 2x4 walls. I was told not to since I wouldn't be able to put good insualtion in. One since I'll have a pellet stove, would the r factor really matter (I live in the NE)
(2) The most daunting part of the task will be mudding and sanding the walls. I was thinking about hiring this out. Is it really that time consuming to get it right?
sorry about hijacking your thread
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(1) Since I'm thinking about putting a pellet stove in my basement, I was thinking about going with furring strips instead of 2x4 walls. I was told not to since I wouldn't be able to put good insualtion in. One since I'll have a pellet stove, would the r factor really matter (I live in the NE)
You're going to be wasting a lot of fuel if you don't insulate the walls.
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I'm about to start doing my basement next month. 2 questions:
(1) Since I'm thinking about putting a pellet stove in my basement, I was thinking about going with furring strips instead of 2x4 walls. I was told not to since I wouldn't be able to put good insualtion in. One since I'll have a pellet stove, would the r factor really matter (I live in the NE)
(2) The most daunting part of the task will be mudding and sanding the walls. I was thinking about hiring this out. Is it really that time consuming to get it right?
sorry about hijacking your thread
I was wondering the same thing on the furring strips. I have an understair closet that I would like to finish to better seal the downstairs. I suppose there is a foam board insulation that could fit with furring, but haven't looked to far into it yet.
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From what I saw when looking into it, the rigid insulation sheets are something in the R3 to R6 or 7 range... I didn't see any higher than that at the box stores. The higher end was pretty thick, too, which meant you'd have to be using at least 1" thick furring strips. By the time you get that far out you may as well use the framed out wall... of course, I'm a full amateur at all of this, so I could be totally wrong.
sharidan's case is probably a bit different in that he lives in a much warmer spot and only really needs an R3, especially inside a closet.
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Yes, the 1" polystyrene is only like an R4. In the closet I might even just use 1/2" or 3/4". I mainly am concerned with sealing up the space moisture wise, as that closet is a big hole in the insulation system downstairs.
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That's the one area where my insulation panels kind of sucked. I had to cut them in halves to get them into my wife's car... but then they didn't quite cut straight even with a sharp box cutter blade. So it was sort of like putting together a jigsaw puzzle in a couple of ways... where if I had gone with the tongue and groove stuff it would have come out better but cost at least twice as much. It's not going to be a big moisture barrier because of the slight gaps in the panels, but where my basement is so dry, and the Drylok is there, heat was the primary concern.
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Are you also going to use batt insulation in between the studs of the wall in addition to the insulation panels. I didn't use the panels when I did my basement, how do you attach them to the wall?
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Are you also going to use batt insulation in between the studs of the wall in addition to the insulation panels. I didn't use the panels when I did my basement, how do you attach them to the wall?
The walls that get finished will have blanket insulation... some of the walls will not get finished for some time, possibly left open. The one I'm doing now probably won't get finished. I'm putting up the stud wall because I need to put in a couple of electrical circuits there and rather than just attach them to the concrete I figured I'd go a little further and do it right so that I don't have to redo it later should I decide to finish that area. Plus it's the first time I've done this so it's a learning experience before I get to the areas where appearance matters more.
I attached the panels with construction adhesive in a caulk gun. A quick S pattern on the backside, put it on the wall, and lean something heavy on it for a couple of hours.
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Not sure if you are responding to me or not, but I'll respond anyways.
There is normally no need to use foam panels. Usually they are used on the exterior of the house on newer construction.
Anyways, I am using foam panels because a fully framed wall is overkill in a closet. I can just attach a few furring strips to the block wall and screw drywall right to it. Standard blanket insulation won't fit in that space, as it is meant to go between full size wall framing.
I plan on just taping the panels to the furring strips. The drywall will hold it permanently in place. I guess I could put a few dabs of glue on the back, buy why go thru the extra effort?
As to vapor barrier, I am putting plastic sheeting onto the face of the furring strips before putting up the sheetrock. I'd recommend you do the same chad. You're supposed to put up sheeting on all outside walls.
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Not sure if you are responding to me or not, but I'll respond anyways.
There is normally no need to use foam panels. Usually they are used on the exterior of the house on newer construction.
Regional difference here. I asked a couple contractors and they both said putting it on the inside of the wall is a good move... saw it in a couple different books on the subject as well. This is a more insulation = better region.
As to vapor barrier, I am putting plastic sheeting onto the face of the furring strips before putting up the sheetrock. I'd recommend you do the same chad. You're supposed to put up sheeting on all outside walls.
Sheeting is another 50/50 thing. Ask 2 contractors (as I did) and they'll give you opposite answers. Read through 4 books (did that too) and they'll split on it as well. It really seems to be one of those determine your house's needs parts of the job.
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saw it in a couple different books on the subject as well. This is a more insulation = better region.
Library books? ;D
You're New England, right? Whats the typical 'cold' winter temp? Not the 'gee, its chilly' cold, but those one or two cold snaps you get where its downright cold.
We get down around 10-15 in PA, I assume you get colder snaps?
Reason I ask - theres no insulation at all on my basement walls (1920's house) and I see frost form when its cold enough...
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Not sure if you are responding to me or not, but I'll respond anyways.
There is normally no need to use foam panels. Usually they are used on the exterior of the house on newer construction.
Regional difference here. I asked a couple contractors and they both said putting it on the inside of the wall is a good move... saw it in a couple different books on the subject as well. This is a more insulation = better region.
As to vapor barrier, I am putting plastic sheeting onto the face of the furring strips before putting up the sheetrock. I'd recommend you do the same chad. You're supposed to put up sheeting on all outside walls.
Sheeting is another 50/50 thing. Ask 2 contractors (as I did) and they'll give you opposite answers. Read through 4 books (did that too) and they'll split on it as well. It really seems to be one of those determine your house's needs parts of the job.
I did not do sheeting. My basement was like Chad's, very dry. My sump pump never, ever ran in that house. As a precaution, I did drylock the walls and decided I didn't need sheeting. I was told by our inspector to drylock the basement walls and not to put up sheeting.
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Library books? ;D
Damn right. Ended up buying a couple too.
You're New England, right? Whats the typical 'cold' winter temp? Not the 'gee, its chilly' cold, but those one or two cold snaps you get where its downright cold.
We get down around 10-15 in PA, I assume you get colder snaps?
The coldest parts of February get down below 0 at night, the holy crap cold here is -10 probably with wind chills in the -25 range. That's just an educated guess, though. I'm Canadian so I tend to wear jean shorts outside until it gets to around freezing.
Reason I ask - theres no insulation at all on my basement walls (1920's house) and I see frost form when its cold enough...
I don't think I've seen frost but that might have more to do with ground temp than air temp, or maybe thickness of the foundation itself, or material. Yours wouldn't be poured concrete from 1920, would it?
I did not do sheeting. My basement was like Chad's, very dry. My sump pump never, ever ran in that house. As a precaution, I did drylock the walls and decided I didn't need sheeting. I was told by our inspector to drylock the basement walls and not to put up sheeting.
We don't even have a pump. I've only had external water in the basement a couple times in six years and both were in extreme rain situations. One was raining so much the bottom of the chimney was leaking and still it was less than an inch in one corner.
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Here is a local weather observatory's temperature chart for 2003 not too far from here... it gets a good picture of means. Of course extremes are way lower but not sustained for more than 3-4 days.
(http://www.bluehill.org/tmp2003.gif)
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Thanks for the info guys. I really do need to get started. I have a couple of working games and a coouple of projects in my unheated garage. At least if I frame it out soon I can feel better about moving them down there. My insulation and wood estimates just shot through the roof though.
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I don't think I've seen frost but that might have more to do with ground temp than air temp, or maybe thickness of the foundation itself, or material. Yours wouldn't be poured concrete from 1920, would it?
Stone set in concrete. Its bloody thick.
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Hrm. Best guess is that you have enough heat escaping that it is leaving condensation behind, but the rock is cold enough that the condensation freezes... is the floor dirt? That definitely makes a difference in the old houses here.
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Sorry, but I just felt the need to add one more thing. I've been checking the local craigslist sites for an inexpensive table saw and I decided to search for insulation. I guess some guy yesterday sold 2 bundles of unused wallboard insulation for $50. My local lowe's has it for 10/sheet.
Chad show us some pics of your progress. I really need motivation
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I'd have to show it in time lapse. I literally get two hours, maybe, a week to work on it. Last night I got home from work, put some adhesive on a 2x4, placed it, then drove 5 screws. Then I had to go back upstairs. :banghead:
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I'd have to show it in time lapse. I literally get two hours, maybe, a week to work on it. Last night I got home from work, put some adhesive on a 2x4, placed it, then drove 5 screws. Then I had to go back upstairs. :banghead:
That is how I did my entire bathroom renovation - it took almost a year.
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That is how I did my entire bathroom renovation - it took almost a year.
Oh man I have to do that too - I'm not sure how, though, since we have only one bathroom and it is constantly in use.
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Whew, it is 2 am and after putting my nose to the grindstone since 8, the basement lighting is finished. :cheers:
BTW, the dimmer switch I got kicks total ass. It's a Lutron One Touch Smart dimmer with extra remote control. The lights fade in and fade out at several different easily controllable speeds. The coolest factor is that you can slow dim the lights just like in a movie theater. I will be installing the projector too you know. ;) ;D
Now onto tackling the exercise part of the basement.
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That is one thing I'm not doing - the wiring. I am going to have a pro do that.
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That is one thing I'm not doing - the wiring. I am going to have a pro do that.
do they do wiring as well? ;)
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do they do wiring as well? ;)
? I'm working under the assumption that since he put up the lights, and the lights are working, and he didn't hire an electrician, that he did the wiring.
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do they do wiring as well? ;)
? I'm working under the assumption that since he put up the lights, and the lights are working, and he didn't hire an electrician, that he did the wiring.
Think "lady of the evening".
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yep, just my little joke :D
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Think "lady of the evening".
Ah. Not terribly obvious a term here.
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i did wonder that after i posted it, 70's british cop shows i think
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Wiring is easy. The only part I will not touch is where the juice comes into the house. When I do the gameroom, I'll have a pro set up the box, but the rest I'll do myself.
Today I ripped up the carpet in the excercise part of the basement. That carpet and pad had 30 years worth of cat piss in it. The smell has always been horrendous, but the tore up pad was even worse. I still have a strange taste in my mouth after several bottles of water. :dizzy:
On a bright side though, the room smells much better now. ;D
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Check your homeowner's policy on that wiring... many policies say any wiring modifications must be done by a licensed electrician. Others say any electrical mods at all must be done by a pro. Some don't address it at all... but god forbid a fire break out in the newly finished area and your adjustor asks for documentation of the electrician's license.
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Check your homeowner's policy on that wiring... many policies say any wiring modifications must be done by a licensed electrician. Others say any electrical mods at all must be done by a pro. Some don't address it at all... but god forbid a fire break out in the newly finished area and your adjustor asks for documentation of the electrician's license.
Should also check with the local government to see if permits are needed and if they allow homeowners to do the work themselves.
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If they don't allow you to do your own wiring either for insurance purposes or code, you can find an electrician who will check your work when he hooks up to the circuit box and sign off on it as if he did the work. Many contractors are willing to let homeowners do supervised work for a small additional fee for them to sign off on it.
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I do all my own electrical, even the box work, as long as it's not as big as replacing the main box. I've added new circuits to open slots in my breaker box, re-worked a few circuits, done lighting, etc. I have a neighbor who is an electrical contractor who I'll occasionally have look at my work, but in my municipality (and HO insurance) the home owner is allowed to do electrical work.
I do plumbing too, but I'm not a big fan of plumbing stuff :P
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If they don't allow you to do your own wiring either for insurance purposes or code, you can find an electrician who will check your work when he hooks up to the circuit box and sign off on it as if he did the work. Many contractors are willing to let homeowners do supervised work for a small additional fee for them to sign off on it.
I've called a couple of electricians and asked that... they both said here they're not allowed to do that and will lose their license if caught. It's not worth them losing their livelihood for a few extra bucks here.
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If they treat you as an employee they can't be fired for it. There are ways to work the system, they just don't want to, which is obviously their right and I wouldn't hold it against them, I just know that it is and can be done in many places.
It may be irrelevant anyway if your municipality and insurance don't care. Many states and cities allow homeowners to act as their own contractor on various levels of their construction sometimes including electrical.
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Hehe, there is no way I'm paying an electrician to replace an outlet. I'm quite competent when it comes to twisting wire nuts thank you very much. :laugh2:
I've had to fix more than a few wiring mistakes in the house too, since it was apparently not originally wired by a professional. Several outlets upstairs are somehow wired into the basement breaker for instance. I'll be fixing that when I renovate the living room.
If for some reason the house does burn down and the insurance asks for info, I'll tell em I haven't done ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- to anything since I moved in.
Never the less, you've got me curious so I'll read my homeowners again. I am pretty sure there wasn't anything in there about the homeowner doing their own work.
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Knowing your state is one that tends to allow more freedom than others I'll bet you can do it. Better to double check, though. MA tends to require permits and inspections to mow the lawn so I'm paranoid about it. When I had my shed built I tried to do the right thing and get permits and such but the building inspector had so many requirements and fees that I eventually just said ---fudgesicle--- it and had it built anyway... a couple years later no one has said anything about the new building on my property. :dunno
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Knowing your state is one that tends to allow more freedom than others I'll bet you can do it. Better to double check, though. MA tends to require permits and inspections to mow the lawn so I'm paranoid about it. When I had my shed built I tried to do the right thing and get permits and such but the building inspector had so many requirements and fees that I eventually just said ---fudgesicle--- it and had it built anyway... a couple years later no one has said anything about the new building on my property. :dunno
Around here they catch up with these kinds of things when you go to sell the house. In a case like yours, if they realize you added the shed to the property without the permits, they would charge double what the permits cost (as the penalty) and if the shed is in violation of anything, you'd be required to fix it before selling the house.
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I wouldn't just call an electrician from the phone book, I would speak to one in person. Preferably someone you know on some level about the work. Once I frame the walls I will install some outlets and have someone come in and check everything for code and tie it into the box. If you were in Western Mass I would send two guys I know over to you. They do a lot of electrical work for my boss in his bars and nightclubs. They upgraded my electrical service from 50 AMP fuses to a breaker box. Which was 500 less than my next cheapest quote.
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I seriously wish I could get to a decent lumber yard while it's actually open... these Lowe's 2x4s are great when I first get them and then a week later they look like ---smurfing--- Twizzlers.
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I seriously wish I could get to a decent lumber yard while it's actually open... these Lowe's 2x4s are great when I first get them and then a week later they look like ---smurfing--- Twizzlers.
that really pisses me off when i buy packs of wood, ---smurfing--- b+q :angry:
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(2) The most daunting part of the task will be mudding and sanding the walls. I was thinking about hiring this out. Is it really that time consuming to get it right?
I think drywall mudding sucks friggin hard core myself. It's really something that takes practice, almost an art form. Maybe if you planed on doing a whole house or something you might get enough practice to get it right but if it were me, and I cared what the wall was going to look like, I'd hire a pro for that. Hanging the sheetrock on the other hand, if you've got a good back, one can do that all day and 99% of the mistakes you make (which usually aren't many) can be fixed by the guy muddin.
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I think I might be the only person in the world that actually enjoys mudding drywall. ;D
After many long and painful sessions of patching several rooms in the house from previous shoddy patching (note, many places in the house where someone patched hole, then didn't even sand before painting!!!), I finally figured out a quick shortcut for fixing sticking out spots. Previously on those bad patches, I would try to sand them down and even them out with a few coats of mud. Yesterday, I got the bright idea to take a hammer to them. Why didn't I think of that before! It took less than an hour to go over all the walls, push in the bad spots, and mud everything over. I also had to use a large trowel to go over the seams, as they show pretty bad from original shoddy work. Is it really that hard to feather a seam people? Jeez...
I also got my corner fireplace in today and just finished assembling it. It fits perfectly where I wanted it to go, unlike anything I could find at the box stores. Here is the model for anyone in the market:
http://www.target.com/dp/B000RKXTYC/601-6338894-8624163
Having looked at the corner fireplaces at Lowes and Home Depot, I wasn't expecting much. I was quite surprised and pleased to find that EVERYTHING on the mantle is actual stained hardwood, and all connections are made with wood blocking and bolts! Extremely well put together. Even the pricey ones at lowes are pressed hardboard and paper covering. After 10% coupon and free shipping I only paid $286 shipped.
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Electric fireplace? Does it have actual fire? ???
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Electric fireplace? Does it have actual fire? ???
No, it has a an electric heater and fan plus a clever fake log and flame mechanism. It even makes crackling sounds for that complete simulated fire feeling. ;D
You've never seen one of the fake fireplaces??
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I have, but couldn't quite tell on that one. I have seen electric ignition fireplaces before. They suck and I was hoping you hadn't bought one. You didn't.
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I have, but couldn't quite tell on that one. I have seen electric ignition fireplaces before. They suck and I was hoping you hadn't bought one. You didn't.
My old house had a gas fireplace with an electric start - flick a switch on the wall and voila - fire. I didn't particularly like it because the whole thing was enclosed. There were no doors on the front to open and there was a blower built-in to push heat into the room. Worked fine but the blower was too loud for my taste. And since it was enclosed, you didn't get the fireplace ambience. But I'm curious, why do you say they suck?
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The ones I was thinking of are still wood burning but have an electric ignitor... basically for the truly lazy who don't want to use matches or a lighter. They're not gas burning.
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I seem to have developed some bad habit that is leading to not cutting off the 2x4s perfectly square. :banghead:
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got a chopsaw? That's what I use to cut my 2x4's. Heck, as long as you're close, for most framing its good enough since it's gonna have sheetrock over it anyway.
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got a chopsaw? That's what I use to cut my 2x4's. Heck, as long as you're close, for most framing its good enough since it's gonna have sheetrock over it anyway.
Oh, they're close, but I'm staring at it and it annoys me. It's all measure one-cut one-attach one anyway since I can't assemble the wall and raise it into place. It's bound to be this way because of slight variation in foundation, slight bump in the floor, etc etc.
I don't have a chop saw and am working in fairly tight quarters.
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You can use a [urlhttp://www.swansontoolco.com/products/speed_squares.html]speed square[/url] as a guide for a skill saw. Either hold or clamp the square to the 2x4 and run the base of the saw along the edge of the square. It sounds more complicated that it really is, when I do it it only adds about 5 seconds to a cut.
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Not a bad idea. I briefly entertained the idea of making a small sawboard type thing for it but this works too.
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Chad this is the last time I hijack your thread
after 2 months of measuring and bs'n I'm finally starting my basement. my goal is to have it done before the Super Bowl. I've procrastinated because I hate long drawn out projects. But for some reason the work isn't getting done with me just thinking about it. So last night I started with the imitation drylok. I'm putting it on kind of heavy. I only have about an hour a day to devote to this since I have:
(1) full-time gig
(1) part-time gig
(1) on-call gig (1 - 2 shifts a month)
(1) 2 yr old son
(1) demanding better half
When the basement is sealed tighter than a blank's poonanie I will begin construction and start a thread to document my progress. Maybe someone else can find my advice and mistakes helpful.
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This isn't a thread for just my project, bro, so it's not a hijack. It is for all of us who are working on this stuff, especially given that for some of us it is the first such project we've ever worked on.
I'm right there with you on the time thing. I've been spending about an hour a night lately working on mine... almost done with the framing of that one wall now that I'm getting much faster at it. Come home from work, measure for one vertical member, cut, align, toenail, repeat for one more, go back upstairs to give the kids baths.
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Chad show us some pics of your progress. I really need motivation
Not a ton to see but I did just finish all of the framing of this side of the basement for now. I'm not going to frame around the windows until spring - I'm going to replace those windows then and figure more room around them = easier getting them out.
Next up is to find a day for an electrician to come over, install a circuit on that wall, put some insulation in there, and then get my workbench and a couple vector cabs and a pin set up along it.
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Roll Call!
Where does everyone stand on their respective basement projects?
I am currently working on patching the ceiling where I had to cut for wiring and lights. I'm having to experiment with the best way to do it with doing the elast amount of work. Putting back a patch and making it blend in is no simple task on a lightly textured ceiling. I'm also prepping to level a spot in the floor on which a wall is built over the slope of the mech. room drain. I had to caulk up to the wall, and tommorrow I'm putting down the leveling goop. I've been doing one wall at a time in the bigger part of the basement with fixing and priming. Slow going, but hopefully things pick up over the next month or so.
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At a standstill right now while I try to find time to be there when I have an electrician come in to run the new circuit. Busy time at work + holiday + scrambling for school vacation child care = hard to get this done.
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mine is at a standstill as well. i had to traverse the new england states during my mini vacation to find a pair of ugg boots. St. Nick should be bringing me a miter saw on Tuesday so next week I should have some progress made.
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mine is at a standstill as well. i had to traverse the new england states during my mini vacation to find a pair of ugg boots. St. Nick should be bringing me a miter saw on Tuesday so next week I should have some progress made.
So this is gonna be you huh? ;D
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j70aX-5pQKo[/youtube]
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if I'm lucky. knowing my luck I'll get a dozen cordless screwdrivers
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if I'm lucky. knowing my luck I'll get a dozen cordless screwdrivers
Heh, that's what Santa got me. I was hoping for a nice power screwdriver or a router, but I got a pretty good cordless screwdriver. It's not the most powerful thing on earth and when I went and did a test hole on a piece of plywood I had, the thing nearly died about halfway through. I guess it's just not poweful enough. I eventually got the hole drilled by flipping the wood over and drilling through the other side. I just know that when i'm done i'll need some good artwork to cover my ineptitude.
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well as luck would have it I came up short like a midget on his knees (no offense to any midgets currently on their knees reading this post). The old lady told everyone I wanted tools. I said if they have to get me something tell them a home d gc. I guess my manspeak didn't translate well. I got yet another mechanics socket set, a set of line wrenches and a set of screwdrivers. So tonight I'm making the pilgrimage to the d to exchange these for a miter saw.
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Lol. Yeah, I've learned to just ask for gift cards now. ;D Today I went to the Depot and got myself a nice router set and a jigsaw. (The jigsaw was free for buying the router). After reading through this thread, I'm tempted to finish my basement! The final room would only be about 4' wide by 6' long, but I want to do it now! :laugh2: ;D
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Saturday decided WTF and did the framing around the windows on that wall, so the wall is completely framed now. Electricians came at 7am this morning and put a new 20A circuit on it with 5 quad receptacle boxes (GFCI on the first to protect the whole string). Took them about an hour because it's so close to the box and the wall is still fully open.
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**the following rant is sort of off topic, feel free to skip this post**
No work was done in the days leading up to or after X-Mas. It's our first year in our new house so everyone had to come over. I was told to clean up the basement or face her wrath. My brother-in-law came over and was guilted into offering his help on my basement. I refused his help. At times I'm stubborn and this is one of those times. 2 years ago I went over to his house countless days to help him build a 3 season porch and to help him build a frame around his deck. In the past we've loaned him a car for two weeks, and we've picked one of his daughters up from daycare numerous times. In the six months since we've been here he's never offered to help paint, move a chair anything. And the coup de grace - the main reason we're in a rush to do the basement is HIS other daughter wants to live with us. When that happens space will be at a premium so the basement will go from storage to an office and a playroom. His daughter can't stand her stepfather who relocated them to TX, so she wants to come back to MA. My sister-in-law treats her like dirt (since she's from a previous marriage) so she doesn't want to live with them. Do I want to take on a rebellious teen? Not exactly, but where I come from family comes first. So we extended an offer for her to live with us. She was going to come down around X-MAS, but her mom and stepdad said she would have to finish out the yr down there So unless she changes her mind she'll come up to stay with us in June. So after all I've done for this clown he has to be guilted into it by their father to offer to help me with my basement. I turned down his offer and now I'm the bunghole. I would rather hire someone from craigslist to come help me. If I give you a ride I don't expect you to return the favor. If I go to your house every other day for 3 months after work and help you improve your house - I'm expecting you to at least offer when it's my turn.
On a side note, I get to work this morning and my boss tells me thjat since I've put in a ridiculous amount of hours in the last few weeks I should go home. I figure I'll be able to put in a 4-5 hours on my basement and make some headway. 20 minutes in and my little helper (my 2 yr old) comes down stairs and knocks over a can of drylock. Before I even have a chance to get upset he says he wants to fix things like daddy. He's the reason I work like a dog 6 days a week.
Sorry for the senselesss rant, I just had to get it off my chest. Hopefully, during nap time I can make some progress and get my basement thread started.
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Hey, at least that spot on the floor has about 45 coats of Drylok on it now.
I've found that here in MA 95% of the time when you help someone with something as you've described they have no intention of ever returning the favor. I've also found taht most of the time even if they offer they don't want to actually do it, it's all for show. Wasn't like that back home but I've learned over time not to expect much from people here even when I'm in the middle of helping them. I actually had one guy yell at me that I wasn't doing enough when I was doing nearly all of the work helping him move from one apt to the other. This is while I'm moving his 27" tv up to the third floor and he's sitting on the stairs. Keep in mind I barely knew the guy, he was just a local message board guy that needed some help, so I showed up.
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I've found that here in MA 95% of the time when you help someone with something as you've described they have no intention of ever returning the favor.
Well, I don't know what part of MA you live in (Chadville, maybe?), but my experience here has been quite the opposite. Over the years here I've had *dozens* of people offer to help me with various things, and not-a-one asked for anything in return. Recently, I've had people *we just met* offer to come over and help strip wallpaper in our new home!! That's, by far, not a fun thing to do...and they've asked for nothing in return. Anyone I've ever helped here has been more than happy to return the favor, as, for example, they've helped us move several times without complaining. (and we had a TON of ---Cleveland steamer---)
Anyhow, I just don't want people to think you speak for all of Massachusetts. Jeez.
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I've experienced this while living in Salem, North Andover, Plainville, and Amherst... so that's a pretty solid cross section of the state. People are very aloof here and there is little sense of community compared to other places I've lived.
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you should move to where mr c lives, next door maybe :)
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you should move to where mr c lives, next door maybe :)
This is the best idea yet. :laugh2:
dooshes in NJ didn't help much either.
=J
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I've found that here in MA 95% of the time when you help someone with something as you've described they have no intention of ever returning the favor.
Well, I don't know what part of MA you live in (Chadville, maybe?), but my experience here has been quite the opposite. Over the years here I've had *dozens* of people offer to help me with various things, and not-a-one asked for anything in return. Recently, I've had people *we just met* offer to come over and help strip wallpaper in our new home!! That's, by far, not a fun thing to do...and they've asked for nothing in return. Anyone I've ever helped here has been more than happy to return the favor, as, for example, they've helped us move several times without complaining. (and we had a TON of ---Cleveland steamer---)
Anyhow, I just don't want people to think you speak for all of Massachusetts. Jeez.
You can't make general statements like that. There are good, decent people all over the place who are willing to return the favor just as there are ungrateful people who would not help you out in return not matter where you go.
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Ahhhhhhh...... NJ. Whenever I made the trip from SE Connecticut to SE Pennsylvania, I always knew I was in Jersey when the traffic came to a standstill and the odor of rotten poo filled the air. Granted, that was just the Newark area and the Jersey Turnpike, but still, the smell will never leave my mind.
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That must have been PDB's house you just passed. :laugh2:
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That must have been PDB's house you just passed. :laugh2:
:laugh2: :laugh2: :cheers:
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There is a reason when someone says "I'm from Jersey" the next question is "which exit".
I look at it like this... when my wife was in a bad car accident right in front of our house, the whole neighborhood came out to gawk at her being strapped to a board and put in the ambulance. Not one of those people ever asked about her after that. One person came by later but only to ask if she had any extra painkillers.
Where I grew up half of those people would have followed her to the hospital and the other half would have been home waiting for those ones to call.
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In my case it's her family and not a Mass thing. I've never met a bigger group of self-centered people. Every now and then she reverts back to her upbringing even though she realizes that's a shortcoming of her clan. A couple of years ago for X-Mas her sister bought their 5 yr niece a mini fender guitar (not a knockoff), an amp, and sprung for a years worth of guitar lessons. A couple of months later when she found out her niece stopped taking lessons she flipped and started yelling at the child during Easter dinner. She's 5, when I was 5 I wanted a pony, I'm sure glad I didn't have a relative with deep pockets to get me one.
Anyway the old lady is visiting some friends for a couple of days in the middle of the month. I seize the opportunity to request some vacation time and post an ad on craigslist for a general laborer. I'm not looking for Bob Villa, just someone I can pay some cash to give me a hand 1 -2 nights a week and then 2 full days while they're gone.. I have a bunch of buddy's who can help me out here and there but I feel bad asking them to do a project this time consuming. We're all in the same boat with crazy jobs and kids at home. So I tell the old lady I posted an ad to get someone to come over. Once again I'm in the dog house because I'm willing to pay someone and not use her brother's help. Someone coming over for an hour or 2 here and there aren't that much a help. If I know I can count on someone to come over then I know some real progress can be made.
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If I know I can count on someone to come over then I know some real progress can be made.
That's the key... you need someone that can fit to your limited schedule and is going to show up and do more than complain about the temperature of the coffee. You are willing to pay for it. Nothing wrong with that.
I'm totally psyched to have a real electronics workbench setup now... I had all the equipment before but had so little access to good outlets that I had to constantly plug and unplug and jury rig stuff to get it powered. Yesterday I spent two hours organizing and setting up logically grouped power strips so I could flick certain groups of equipment on and off with one button... so much better.
No more making sure my feet are off the concrete floor before touching a device under power! :laugh2:
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The sad thing is I'm not getting the home arcade/slash mantown I want. I would kill to have an electronics workbench or even a place to work on my games besides my grungy basement. When all is said and done I might be able to eek out a spot for 4 games, the juke and a kegerator.
If the basement work looks good I might tackle my screened in porch with the person I hire. If I can put up some walls,windows, siding and heat in there we can use that for an office and free up some basement space. When looking for a house I've seen way too many half-arsed jobs. I would rather pay someone to do a good/great job then save a few bucks and do it sloppy. My basement is my big project. I'm not adding plumbing or anything, just sectioning off a couple of rooms, drywalling them and putting down a carpet. If this goes well then I may tackle the porch.
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If you're willing to be patient about it, once you learn the skills, you should be able to bang out that basement without a lot of trouble. It took me months of one hour sessions to get stick framing down. Now that I have some reasonable speed techniques down I can get stuff done pretty efficiently. That framing around the windows I did saturday would have taken me three days before because I just didn't have the techniques down. I should say I do have the advantage of a bone dry basement. It's actually dusty down there now that I've sealed half the walls.
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So I check my home email address this morning to find that I have about 30 emails from people who want to pick up some cash helping me with my basement. I thought I was going to get 5 or 6 and narrow the list from there. Then I get an email from a girl I work with who also lives down the street from me. I had a training class with her a few months ago and she raved about the job her boyfriend did on their basement. She says that this is the slow time for her boyfriend, he does siding full-time, but he used to do framing and drywall. So I explain to him that I have a small basement. I知 framing it, putting in a couple of closets, putting up some drywall. No plumbing and I知 not putting in a ceiling yet. I知 looking for someone to help me do it after work. I explain that it痴 a low pressure atmosphere. I expect work to get done, but I知 not a slave driver. He says that he値l be more than happy to help me for 25/hr. I was thinking in the 10-15 under the table range especially since I'm providing the tools. Thanks buddy, but no thanks. If I didn稚 have project OCD I would already be halfway done with this job. At times I agonize over little decisions and wonder if cutting a corner is going to have catastrophic effects. For instance I had to make sure every single pinhole in my concrete walls was covered with drywall. And to add to my OCD when we were looking for houses I saw so many houses with shoddy work done to them and I can't stand it. When I moved into my house I had to remove wallpaper and paint every room. I did a sloppy job in the last room and everyday I have to fight the urge to primer and paint the walls again. Everytime I walk into the room my eyes immediately go to the couple of blemishes.
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$25/hr doesn't seem that bad for someone who can work quickly and do quality work. It is better to pay $100 for four hours from someone who can do the same as the $15/hr person can do in seven hours.
Then again, having experienced this doing landscaping as a teenager, working for someone with that level of OCD is a major headache. Nothing is ever good enough - they actively seek out flaws even when those flaws are of no consequence. I figure you are exaggerating but goddam - every pinhole in a poured concrete wall that is going to be hidden anyway?
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the good thing is it's only with work I've done. I can accept less than stellar work from other people, but I'm overly critical with my work.
and because it's hidden and I fear mold, I started to agonize over it. I started asking myself why i was going to let another couple of hours of work weigh on my mind. So I went back to the store and got another can of drylok to cover up the pinholes
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Drilok (I can never remember that dumb spelling) doesn't cover that much anyway... takes a lot of cans to do a whole basement.
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Chad I'm in the western part of the state, so is 25/hr the going rate for an unlicensed guy to do work on the side. I can understand if it's tile work, plumbing or electrical but I'm talking general construction here.
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Not sure what the going rate is out there. Where I live you have to pay people a good amount to get them to do anything. Did you propose a lower rate? I'd be likely to ask for $25 if I was willing to work for $20 and walk at $15.
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If he's just a vinyl siding laborer, then $25 is probably a raise for him. Still, it's side work so he can charge whatever he wants. I can't judge him since I feel like a criminal for the rates I get paid on flat rate sidework. ;)
You would probably get a better price if you just offered a flat rate and that they do all the work. Then you can pay half advance, and then spend your time inspecting work and making sure they are doing things right. People work much faster and more efficient when they work flat rate. And if they ---fudgesicle--- up, they have to fix it on their own time technically.
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I'd definitely keep in mind that using someone else carries all sorts of issues that doing it yourself doesn't... if permits need to be pulled, he isn't going to be doing that. If inspections must be had, he won't have them done... etc etc. A good amount of the price of a solid pro is knowlege of local codes and the ability to get permits/inspections done in a timely manner. That may be more important here in MA than it is in other states - we need a permit to flush the toilet more than once in a sitting.
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Dude, you've really started to get at me with all of this permit crap, so I had to break down and do my research. I am only subject to the county here. The only thing they care about for new development is zoning, erosion control, and flood plane stuff. For renovations, the only care about changes to soil and grade changes for erosion and run-off reasons.
I can do whatever the hell I want all on my own if I feel qualified. As to homeowners insurance, I don't think there is anything in there that specifically states that I can't personally do the work. I'll double check for sure now that I know what I am looking for. It doesn't really matter though since building permits aren't legally required, and everything is being done according to code. Luckily, I have access to the entire catalogue of national fire codes right here at work. ;D NFC 70E is the national electrical standard.
Besides, if doing your own home renovations was so "illegal" as Chad makes it seem, why do stores sell DIY books, eh? ;)
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The guys who came to my house monday had to pull a permit to do that work. I had to pull a permit to have my shed built and the damn approval process took months until I finally just said eff it and scaled it down to the biggest nonpermitted size. I'll have to get other permits for any other electrical work I have done down there and would have to have a couple more if I were putting in a bedroom. I may end up having to get one or two since a bathroom is in the plans.
It's all about what state you live in. MA is brutal on fees and permits. So is RI. Little blue states... duh.
This guy is in MA which is why I mentioned it.
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The guys who came to my house monday had to pull a permit to do that work. I had to pull a permit to have my shed built and the damn approval process took months until I finally just said eff it and scaled it down to the biggest nonpermitted size. I'll have to get other permits for any other electrical work I have done down there and would have to have a couple more if I were putting in a bedroom. I may end up having to get one or two since a bathroom is in the plans.
It's all about what state you live in. MA is brutal on fees and permits. So is RI. Little blue states... duh.
This guy is in MA which is why I mentioned it.
I could build a building to fit two RV's in it if I wanted to all without a permit. :P
(http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A9G_bHOcOX1HbKoAHQujzbkF/SIG=124t17sv5/EXP=1199475484/**http%3A//freon.shackspace.com/misc/Nelson_haha.jpg)
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The dumbest part is that my town has one building inspector that is barely ever availble to homeowners. I know for a fact that he doesn't bother to inspect the work of many known local companies - the guys monday told me as much. Apparently he trusts their company's work and simply signs off on small jobs like mine rather than take the time to come out and look. If I had done that through someone else I'd be waiting a couple of months before I could close up the wall.
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I can do whatever the hell I want all on my own if I feel qualified. As to homeowners insurance, I don't think there is anything in there that specifically states that I can't personally do the work. I'll double check for sure now that I know what I am looking for. It doesn't really matter though since building permits aren't legally required, and everything is being done according to code.
Building permits aren't legally required??? Whoa, note to self - do not move to WV! Definitely don't want to move into a house wired/built/plumbed by Goober without any checks by appropriately knowledgeable people.
Around here you can generally do most any work yourself, provided you pull the appropriate permits (professionals must also), then get the work inspected by the city inspector (which is part of the permit process).
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Apparently he trusts their company's work and simply signs off on small jobs like mine rather than take the time to come out and look.
That means you got a good contractor. Stick with that guy. Handshake agreements happen quite a bit in the contracting field when dealing with a company with a solid reputation.
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That means you got a good contractor. Stick with that guy. Handshake agreements happen quite a bit in the contracting field when dealing with a company with a solid reputation.
Yep - I'm not an expert but I know decent work when I see it. These guys did good work - and I asked them to come out first thing on New Year's Eve (I had the day off). They showed up at 7:15AM and were showing me the results at 8:45. That's good stuff. Thumbs up on these guys.
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unfortunately building codes are the reason I'm not totally hiring the job out. I've debated several times about taking out a loan to cover my basement's simple remodel (realistically under 8k). But since I have a 60 year old house with crazy duct work. I think an inspector might have an issue with 7 foot ceilings and my duct work that's only 5'9 in certain places. I hit my head all of the time and I'm only 5'11. You would figure by now i know where the low spots are So I figured I would do this w/o building permits. I know it might be a hassle when I go to sell the house, but I'll have permits for the electrical and it'll be sold as a partially finished basement. W/o being able to make the money back on the back end it's not really worth tossing 10+ thousand down there. So that's why I'm trying to keep the costs low.
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I can do whatever the hell I want all on my own if I feel qualified. As to homeowners insurance, I don't think there is anything in there that specifically states that I can't personally do the work. I'll double check for sure now that I know what I am looking for. It doesn't really matter though since building permits aren't legally required, and everything is being done according to code.
Building permits aren't legally required??? Whoa, note to self - do not move to WV! Definitely don't want to move into a house wired/built/plumbed by Goober without any checks by appropriately knowledgeable people.
Around here you can generally do most any work yourself, provided you pull the appropriate permits (professionals must also), then get the work inspected by the city inspector (which is part of the permit process).
We don't have a city inspector. We have a county planning commission. They regulate new construction and zoning. Professionals are subject to their own professional codes. Now don't go thinking that all of WV is like my county. I happen to live in a subdivision (which was fully regulated and subject to subdivision building permits, codes, and regulations when it was built), in an unincorporated area. Just a mile away is a fully incorporated town that subjects everyone to building permits and the like. I grew up in a town, which was also subject to building permits.
Take a scenic drive thru some backroads in WV some time. You will be astounded at some of the "buildings" that pass as houses. Did you know that hubcaps can be considered window shutters, and two sheets of plastic is a "WV double paned window? ;D
That is why when you buy a house, you ALWAYS get a thorough home inspection done, and possibly also structural inspections, pest/insect inspections, etc. If a problem is found, you can follow up with a more specialized inspection. You do this stuff with any house you might buy, whether it is in an area like Chad's or in an area like mine.
There really is nothing to worry about if you take the necessary precatutions.
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I know it might be a hassle when I go to sell the house, but I'll have permits for the electrical and it'll be sold as a partially finished basement. W/o being able to make the money back on the back end it's not really worth tossing 10+ thousand down there. So that's why I'm trying to keep the costs low.
It shouldn't be a problem except that you cannot count it as living space and it doesn't add to the square footage. So long as everything is done to code and properly inspected it should be okay. You're right that you won't be able to add much to the house price for this stuff, but unless the housing market changes, that's the least of your issues if you sell.
My house was built in 1954 but doesn't have any oddness. Very well built and maintained over the years. We bought it from the original owner not too long ago.
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Even with the housing market on the decline my house has probably increased in value in the six months i've been there. If it hasn't then i need to shoot myself. I love this place but it was built in 1949 and except for the siding and gas furnace it probably was all original. We had to replace all of the bathroom fixtures, all of the appliances, yanked all of the vintage lights, we had the floors fixed and finished, upgraded the 50 amp fuse situation, removed the dead tree from the backyard and regraded the slope of the backyard. right now my pockets are on E.
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It shouldn't be a problem except that you cannot count it as living space and it doesn't add to the square footage.
My house was built in 1954 but doesn't have any oddness.
My house was built in the 20s. Theres ways around everything. When we wanted to rent out the upstairs and include the finished attic (third floor) as a bedroom, we were told that since there was no fire escape, we couldn't rent it as a bedroom.
We listed it as two bedrooms with a third floor sitting room, and called the old sitting room (second floor) a bedroom.
The inspector told me that once the tenants moved in,he didn't care where they were. If they chose to sleep in the sitting room and got crisped, that is their problem, not mine.
Go figure.
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It shouldn't be a problem except that you cannot count it as living space and it doesn't add to the square footage.
My house was built in 1954 but doesn't have any oddness.
My house was built in the 20s. Theres ways around everything. When we wanted to rent out the upstairs and include the finished attic (third floor) as a bedroom, we were told that since there was no fire escape, we couldn't rent it as a bedroom.
We listed it as two bedrooms with a third floor sitting room, and called the old sitting room (second floor) a bedroom.
The inspector told me that once the tenants moved in,he didn't care where they were. If they chose to sleep in the sitting room and got crisped, that is their problem, not mine.
Go figure.
Well you could at least be a nice guy and put one of those instant ladders up there by the window... ::) ;D
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Ended up not renting it, anyway.
Even from the 3rd floor, its only a 10' drop to the roof below. From there, another 10' to the ground.
You might break a leg or two, but I suspect you'd survive.
We sleep on the second floor now (turned it back into a single house) and do indeed have the collapsible ladders.
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I would like to think the writers strike has effected the progress on my basement. But between work, family and college football my basement has taken a backseat. I had a buddy who's a housing inspector for another city come over and take a look at my basement and give me some suggestions before I start cutting lumber. He quickly 86'ed any thoughts of me getting a permit but he did give me a bunch of useful suggestions. I also had a guy come over the other night to look at my basement and to see if it's something he would like to help me with. He showed up with his work truck that the boss let's him take home. The truck was loaded with every tool known to man. Forget that crap Duke used to give me about knowing is half the battle, having the proper tools is half the battle. Anyway I'm drafting up a new plan for the layout and I'm starting late next week when the fam's out of town.
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Update:
I have finished painting! :applaud: Tommorow I will be replacing all of the outlets/switches/vents, then I'll be moving in some stuff from the garage in prep for Elizabeth's 1st Birthday party next Saturday, including 1 arcade machine. The flooring and trim will be started near the end of this month, so the whole basement should be done around the end of March I suppose.
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I'm about due to start working on the rest of my basement project. I already built out my theater and rec-room / bar, time to finish the gym and basement downstairs. The ceiling in the gym is done, just need to do some low-voltage wiring, hang sheetrock and install the cork flooring. The bathroom on the other hand is totally raw. Concrete flooring, needs a lot of framing, some plumbing rework, drywall, etc. We've taken out a tub/shower and won't be replacing it - putting in a sauna instead.
Good times...
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Wish I could say I've had time to do anything since my last update but I haven't... next house task is the bathroom. The wallpaper, cabinets etc are old and worn out. Have to pull the cabinets, relaminate the counter, yank down the wallpaper and paint, etc. I'll probably set of an antimicrobial fogger in there while it's all exposed.
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I finally got back on my basement project this week. Did I say in the last post that I was finished painting? Well, I lied! ;D I never did the ridiculously tall and intimidating stairwell. I did all the patching over the week, and put up 2 coats of primer and a coat of semi today. I had to duct tape a broom stick to a telescoping paint handle to get all the way to the ceiling in the stairwell. And I never fell either!
I also ripped out all the carpet and tore out all the tack strips so we can get started on the underlayment this week.
Man, I will be so happy when this is done. I am sooo paying someone to do the work next time a major house project comes up.
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Man, I will be so happy when this is done. I am sooo paying someone to do the work next time a major house project comes up.
Spoken like a true experienced home improver.
Unfortunately I will never remember to heed such excellent advice like that! :laugh2:
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Major Home Improvements - no mas, no mas
I would just like to chime in with this - how come home improvement work doesn't equate to household chores. I've been sanding and painting like a fiend, plus I've been removing trees, bushes and shrubs and back filling clean soil in the backyard to prepare for my son's birthday party in 3 weeks. Yesterday I catch hell for not putting away the laundry and not doing the dishes this weekend. Somehow the 30 lawn bags in the backyard and the fresh paint in the basement don't give me a free pass on 5 minutes of dishes. I so wish there was a kick your spouse in the arse day.
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I am sooo paying someone to do the work next time a major house project comes up.
I say the same thing after every project I do, and for some reason I keep coming back for more punishment.
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I am sooo paying someone to do the work next time a major house project comes up.
I say the same thing after every project I do, and for some reason I keep coming back for more punishment.
Haha, me too actually. The "paying" part is always where I get hung up. ;D
I tell you what though, I am paying a pro to recarpet the stairwell. I don't want any part of it.
I also have a hill out back that has been overrun with creeping vine crap. I want to pay some kids to tear it all out so the trees can flourish again.
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I am getting closer to finishing!
I paid my neighbor to carpet the stairs. He is a new construction installer that does huge ass mansion type houses. He had a remnant from a recent job, so I got rich people expensive carpet installed on my stairs, SWEET!
He did the whole comlicated job in 3 hours. Let me tell you, unless you have the tools and know what you are doing, hire a pro to carpet stairs. That was complicated as hell and he made it look easy.
I've also gotten a good start on the wood laminate flooring. That stuff is not near as easy as they make it look in the videos. Of course, maybe that is because I bought the cheap stuff instead of frikkin $4/foot Pergo. We are hoping to have the floor done by next weekend.
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I "tried" carpeting my dad's basement stairs a few years ago and it looked so horrible it wasn't even good enough for his standards.
:laugh2:
You're right Shardian, you gotta pay the man for the stairs!
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Here are a few pics I snapped with my phone last night. The flooring is going real quick now.
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looks great I'm jealous. my basement doesn't look half as nice.
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great work shardian, it's coming along nicely!
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I've been digging for "before" pictures. Below is all I can find right now. The walls were urine yellow and sloppily patched all over. The carpet was nasty stained, and was full of cat pee smell. You aren't seeing things, that is in fact door molding used as base board trim. The lighting was horrible. Notice on the wall near the return air grill that there is a neat little array of outlets and connections in the new pictures. Those were randomly all over that wall before at all heights and angles!
That monstrosity of a fireplace was where the hearth stone is in the other pic. When we first toured the house, we thought it was a real fireplace. :laugh2: It is being replaced with a nice little corner fireplace that will go in the corner beside the door to the garage.
The original windows were aluminum and single pane glass. They were drafty and let in all kinds of bugs. They didn't even open because the finished drywall overlaps the outer frame. That basement hadn't had ventilation in probably more than 20 years. Since we put in new windows in the fall, there hasn't been a single bug or spider web. The tax credit was nice too!