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Home Remodeling Suggestions
Posted on 4/11/14 at 9:58 am
Posted on 4/11/14 at 9:58 am
Have a house that is in need of a lot of repairs. Need help on where to start. Do I call a general contractor? If so, who are some ones you would recommend?
Been a fan of TD for a while, just never posted before. Thanks for the help.
Been a fan of TD for a while, just never posted before. Thanks for the help.
2
Posted on 4/11/14 at 10:00 am to TheKingsMen
define the repairs needed....do the ones yourself that you can. Otherwise, yes, just call a rec'd gen contractor and have them come out and price everything. They'll rake you over the coals, though.
Posted on 4/11/14 at 10:03 am to TheKingsMen
My last house I sold, I did what I could myself and learned a lot along the way. I changed out toilets, faucets, ceiling fans, put down wood flooring, etc. then hired out contractors for the big stuff (roof, ac replacement, etc.). Yeah it takes some time but I now know my limitations on home improvements. It's worth it if you want to save money as well.
Posted on 4/11/14 at 10:05 am to CapstoneGrad04
Lots of things that I can't do myself. I'm not the handiest of people. Replaced the roof a while back but there is water damage in a few places with wood paneling and sheet rock. Also cracks in the walls around door frames from foundation shifting. I had foundation work done a few years ago and they got the house level, but I'm assuming that it just settled back where it used to be and that caused the cracks in the walls etc. I had been renting the house for 3 years and am now moving back in. Also needs some bathroom remodeling and a new outside deck/patio area. Need some old yellow tile on the walls in the kitchen removed. Some doors don't close properly. Needs a new hot water heater. I think that about does it for the major repairs.
Posted on 4/11/14 at 10:06 am to Mr. Tom Morrow
+1.
Posted on 4/11/14 at 10:10 am to TheKingsMen
quote:
but I'm assuming that it just settled back where it used to be and that caused the cracks in the walls etc.
Home on a slab or on a pier and beam foundation? South Louisiana? If it is pier and beam you need to understand that the home is constantly moving and small cracks are a part of life, large cracks are a major shift and might and might not fall back on the guy that did the previous work...
Posted on 4/11/14 at 10:12 am to TheKingsMen
Some of those things you listed there are tons of DIY info on the internet. Just make sure you take the time to read and do not rush anything. If you get in a hurry, you'll end up messing things up and have to go back and repair them. DIY projects have been very rewarding for me considering I always thought I had no technical abilities whatsoever. I learned that I'm actually really good at a few things.
Oh and the decking should be a really fun project. Get some buddies, get some steaks, sausage, and drinks, and get it done. I love projects like that.
Oh and the decking should be a really fun project. Get some buddies, get some steaks, sausage, and drinks, and get it done. I love projects like that.
Posted on 4/11/14 at 10:13 am to wickowick
Home is on piers in S. Louisiana.
Posted on 4/11/14 at 10:20 am to TheKingsMen
quote:
Home is on piers in S. Louisiana.
Does the home have gutters? Does the home hold water under the house after a rain?
Think of a baking pan full of mud that dries into hard dirt. If you push your fingers in the dirt there is little to no give. If it gets wet your fingers sink. On a house some areas get wet and others stay dry so it settles at different rates. Can't change that, but you can reduce the water and that makes it settle less. Spend you money here first...
Posted on 4/11/14 at 10:25 am to wickowick
I put gutters on the house about 3 years ago. While I was renting it they never got cleaned out so I'm sure that the clogged gutters contributed to the water damage in different areas. Cleaned them all out now and they are working well. The foundation repair work that I had done was supposed to help ventilate the house better underneath. I think it has helped but I also found a leak under the house recently from the kitchen and wash room. Essentially every time for 3 years someone washed the dishes or washed clothes, that water went straight under the house. Sure that didn't help either.
Posted on 4/11/14 at 10:27 am to TheKingsMen
quote:
Sure that didn't help either.
No it didn't, get it cleaned out, get it fixed, let it dry out. Any drywall or painting repairs now will show up again soon as the home acclimates to a drier environment...
Posted on 4/11/14 at 10:36 am to wickowick
Gutters and leaks have all been fixed.
Posted on 4/11/14 at 10:38 am to TheKingsMen
Give it time for everything to dry, then everything else is cosmetic...
Posted on 4/11/14 at 10:42 am to wickowick
Please do not hire a contractor until you talk to multiple people that were happy with their work. Scummiest people in the world. Please do not get in a hurry, wait for someone good. This could be the most miserable process in your life. Good luck.
Posted on 4/11/14 at 10:49 am to Kingpenm3
quote:
Please do not hire a contractor until you talk to multiple people that were happy with their work. Scummiest people in the world. Please do not get in a hurry, wait for someone good. This could be the most miserable process in your life. Good luck.
Who is good in the Baton Rouge area?!
Posted on 4/11/14 at 11:34 am to TheKingsMen
quote:
Who is good in the Baton Rouge area?!
I don't live in BR, I just had a horrible experience somewhere else. But it is personal referrals that are the key. I didn't get any, just trusted the contractor.
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