The "Official" The HCP Home Remodel Thread....

[JfizzleBlazer]

Based on very recent experience with kitchen and bathroom remodeling, I agree 100% on the quartz recommendation. Great stuff with minimal if any upkeep. And you get a way better choice of colors, patterns, etc than you do with granite. Plus granite eventually "dates" itself.

I would amend the statement on laminate flooring to don't use inexpensive laminate flooring. Buy their good stuff. It's cheaper than wood (usually), holds up better and does not need to be refurbished regularly (as in never) and is resistant to doggie claws. 20 years ago we put down the top grade of Pergo (rated for 30 years). Excellent stuff and very durable. It still looks brand new.....we've never regretted it for an instant and expect it to last for at least another 20 years.....

Yep. Even laminate in the bathrooms. My first house was a foreclosure and we redid stuff cheaply. Had to redo the floors after 2 years. Bought expensive stuff and could tell a YUGE difference.

Same with decks. I will always buy plastic decking materials. All i have to do is pressure wash it twice a year.

 

[Haakzilla]

...what is it they say about putting lipstick on a pig

 

[THE HCP]

Haven't read this thread, but my suggestions would be

1. Stay to the style and era of the house when remodeling.

2. Get ready to assemble cabinets. You will save a ton.

3. Splurge on quartz counters. They don't need to be resealed, and are more durable than granite.

4. DON'T USE LAMINATE FLOIRING

5. Stay away from trends and fads.

Thanks MM. We started wanting to remodel our kitchen and finish the basement. 100 year old house....... realized how much work was needed on the outside, and that kinda became our focal point. Ended up tearing down the porch and front steps then rebuilding and pouring new ones. New windows all the way around two weeks ago. Just had the roof completely torn off and a new one thrown on. Start prepping for paint today. Looks like we will get the whole outside done and have just enough to finish the basement. Huge projects, acting as the general contractor myself even though i know nothing about any of this. Luckily I know tons in the industry and that has helped.

 

[THE HCP]

Do them windows yourself bruh. They aren't that hard. I'm not an expert but my buddy and I did them for a relative. Now we are replacing his siding over the summer. It's a bitch. Not too hard but we are just super slow.

I have a very good friend who used to run a window business. Had him install. Love them. House is very quiet now and seems to be much cooler during these hot days.

 

[barfo]

...what is it they say about putting lipstick on a pig

You misunderstood. The one getting the makeover is HCP's house.

barfo

 

[Dougnsalem]

Can you devide your lot, and sell a portion of it???

 

[barfo]

Can you devide your lot, and sell a portion of it???

You think if you move into his backyard you'll be first in line each day for the Mrs.?

barfo

 

[Dougnsalem]

You think if you move into his backyard you'll be first in line each day for the Mrs.?

barfo

Lol. Well, I was thinking about increasing my home resale value. See my thread....

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Today started the first part of the physical part of the remodel for our house.

Gutted the kitchen. Started tearing up the vinyl floors. Fingers crossed, but the portions of floor we got to are Fir and in great shape. If the rest of the floor is in the same shape, we're going with all Fir. Otherwise, white oak. Floor guys come out on Tuesday. Doing the kitchen floors, then refinishing the entire downstairs and stairs (they'll do upstairs when they have time in the winter - we just slid in for the downstairs job because someone cancelled on them last-minute).

Milgard Windows will be installed in about a month. All windows, including the basement. Hoping there are no delays because we want to paint the exterior. Cabinets are about 3 weeks out. Then some minor touches to both bathrooms.

Sometime in there, we're going to get the driveway re-done and fix the detached garage floor so we can convert into an office studio.

Let the games begin.

 

[THE HCP]

Man, sounds like a lot of work. Good luck to you guys.

 

[THE HCP]

My Mexicans just finished up the roof on our project last week. Starting scraping and prepping for paint yesterday. Most likely going to start painting Monday. Can't wait. After new gutters are installed the whole outside will have been redone. Already looks so much better.

We'll attack the basement next. Hope fully get it done before the kids go back to school.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Have you ever had the basement in a use-able form? Ours is nothing special and painted concrete floors (I will probably never go away from this, simply because even with a sump, a basement always risks moisture seeping through concrete). But we do have three couches, a big screen, bar, etc. We intend to dress it up a bit more (new windows will certainly help big-time), but that will be last.

It's still better than any basement these chumps live in.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

My Mexicans just finished up the roof on our project last week. Starting scraping and prepping for paint yesterday. Most likely going to start painting Monday. Can't wait. After new gutters are installed the whole outside will have been redone. Already looks so much better.

We'll attack the basement next. Hope fully get it done before the kids go back to school.

Make sure they brush and roll, not spray.

You want to encapsulate the house in paint, not cover it.

 

[BoBoBREWSKI]

We'll attack the basement next. .

Please put a stripper pole in your basement budget. Your wife can make some extra $$ when your out of town.

 

[THE HCP]

Please put a stripper pole in your basement budget. Your wife can make some extra $$ when your out of town.

DEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNY!!!!!!!

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[SheedSoNasty]

So when are you inviting us all over to break it in?

 

[THE HCP]

I shit you not, just worked down in LA this past weekend for a fight for HBO. Craft Services had one of these! Never seen that before, I was cracking up.

 

[riverman]

Raymond Felton's locker?

 

[THE HCP]

Really coming down the home stretch on the exterior. Only thing left is to paint, new gutters installed and put the finishing touches on the new concrete steps...... Sprayed primer yesterday and today while at work the guys painted the trim. New porch, railings, posts and columns came out great. Going to stain the wood floors on the porch instead of paint.Getting close FAMS

 

[stampedehero]

Good Luck to YA.. Your GC can help schedule your projects based on what asses he may deal with from the construction/zoning parties. I wonder if they grandfather you on the front steps lacking a graspable handrail due to step assembly of 4 plus risers.
Interior: The upgraded bathrooms instantly give your house added value. I suppose the kitchen sink would be upgraded to a heavy gauge type with gooseneck faucet. Your house is cool.

 

[stampedehero]

How about installing a garden window for the kitchen?

 

[bodyman5000 and 1]

I shit you not, just worked down in LA this past weekend for a fight for HBO. Craft Services had one of these! Never seen that before, I was cracking up.

Good idea!!!!!Some fat guy is going to run for it and trip and impale himself. At least you're ok.

 

[Denny Crane]

Did you build a Taco Bell next door?

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Did you build a Taco Bell next door?

DEEENNNNYYYYY...

- HCP

 

[THE HCP]

I'd say we are 90% done with the exterior. Coming back Monday to finish up the paint and then all that's left is the gutters and finishing the new steps.......

 

[riverman]

Looks good bro! When your Mexicans are done, don't worry....they'll be back regularly to check up on things!

 

[BigGameDamian]

HCP hired the Property Brothers.

 

[THE HCP]

Well it took two months. The new gutters go on tomorrow and the exterior of the crib will be complete. New roof, removed furnace chimney, new windows, new porch and front steps, and paint. top to bottom. next up is the basement remodel. Very stressful, but very happy with how it came out.

 

[THE HCP]

Before(mid project) and after of the front porch.....