Projects/Home Improvement Thread

[dad4aa]

Sunflower seeds work well.

Cover the entire surface of the water with the seeds or treats so the water is not visible. Mouse walks the plank, jumps to the "floor of seeds", and takes the deep six.

I had chipmunks destroying my yard and I used this technique with great results.

 

[RDU Irish]

I had chipmunks destroying my yard and I used this technique with great results.

Probably filled up the bucket

 

[koonja]

This is a random one, even for me.

So I'm redoing a bathroom before I sell. It's a tiny bathroom (~40 square feet of standing space), and the lighting is generally poor in it as well.

I want to rip out the tile floor and put in new tile, replace the medicine cabinet with mirror, and put nice light fixtures above the will-be mirror.

The current vanity is white, and I think I'm going to repaint it rather than replace it, but I'm also open to pulling it out and getting almost any color - black, wooden, white, grey, etc.

I'm doing part of this myself, but having a contractor do the new floor and replacing the medicine cabinet and vanity if I choose to replace it.

I'm trying to get design/color scheme ideas, and this has been harder than I expected. I do random google searches to get ideas, but most of the bathrooms returned are so much nicer/bigger than what I'm working with, that it''s hard to envision. Went into Home Depot yesterday and expected them to have some programs/pamphlets in the bathroom section, but they surprisingly didn't have any. I tried to get free magazines through google but that's been a waste of time.

Any suggestions for how to choose color scheme, or a magazine you know of that is great for people trying to do so for bathrooms? Or any other advice?

 

[wizards8507]

Don't do it, seriously. Remodel projects almost never pay off in terms of increased resale value. Do repairs for the buyers, only do remodels for yourself.

 

[ACamp1900]

Don't do it, seriously. Remodel projects almost never pay off in terms of increased resale value. Do repairs for the buyers, only do remodels for yourself.

This.

On that note, we are starting a remodel here:

1-new bathroon
2-new flooring
3-new landscaping
4-closing in half of one of our patios for a mancave.
5-couple other small fix it items that have been hanging about

We are doing it in phases, items 2 and 5 are getting done in the next few weeks (ideally, though we aren't in a rush either).

 

[koonja]

Don't do it, seriously. Remodel projects almost never pay off in terms of increased resale value. Do repairs for the buyers, only do remodels for yourself.

This is the 1st floor bathroom, and it's the worst bathroom in the house. It has to be done. It looks like a military prison right now.

Given the size and the fact that I'm not changing anything with the tub/shower, it's a very inexpensive remodel. The tiling will cost me $150, the vanity (if I even get one) will be ~$300. The mirror and light fixtures will be $150. Random supplies/paint ~$100.

That's $700 materials ($400 if I paint vanity), and my buddy is going to do all of the work for $500. He owns a small remodel company.

The ROI on this will be great given the low investment. Also, it's necessary. It's the only scar on the house. I'm not asking if I should do it - I just have no idea how to pick out the color of tile floor given the vanity, or what color I should paint the walls. My buddy doesn't give any advice there.

 

[wizards8507]

2-new flooring

That's one of the things I never got used to in Florida. Tile everywhere. Tile in the bedrooms. Tile in the living rooms. I hated it more than you can possibly imagine. Concrete walls, stucco siding, tile floors. You can build an entire house in Florida without killing a single tree. *Shudders.*

Hardwood floors and wool area rugs for me.

The ROI on this will be great given the low investment. Also, it's necessary. It's the only scar on the house. I'm not asking if I should do it - I just have no idea how to pick out the color of tile floor given the vanity, or what color I should paint the walls. My buddy doesn't give any advice there.

Keep the floors, counter, and walls light. Dark colors will make the small space feel claustrophobic. Dark wood on the vanity for contrast. Brushed nickel hardware.

 

[GowerND11]

Navy blue tile with gold paint (real gold flecks in it of course).

 

[ACamp1900]

That's one of the things I never got used to in Florida. Tile everywhere. Tile in the bedrooms. Tile in the living rooms. I hated it more than you can possibly imagine. Concrete walls, stucco siding, tile floors. You can build an entire house in Florida without killing a single tree. *Shudders.*

Hardwood floors and wool area rugs for me.

LOL.

My wife always wants hardwood... I always want carpeting (especially for our bedroom and our living rooms, both of which have vaulted ceilings, it's a sound thing for me). Our house is all carpet now minus the bathrooms, kitchen and foyer which are all laminate. WE split the difference and are taking out all the laminate, one of the two living rooms and our main hallway. Happy wife and all that...

 

[wizards8507]

LOL.

My wife always wants hardwood... I always want carpeting (especially for our bedroom and our living rooms, both of which have vaulted ceilings, it's a sound thing for me). Our house is all carpet now minus the bathrooms, kitchen and foyer which are all laminate. WE split the difference and are taking out all the laminate, one of the two living rooms and our main hallway. Happy wife and all that...

Sounds legit. If you end up shopping for area rugs, make sure you're getting 100% wool, hand-tufted, and use rug pads so as not to be a poor. I highly recommend Safavieh as a fantastic blend of quality and affordability.

 

[zelezo vlk]

A friend wants me to help him build a pergola on Saturday. I'm not sure he really understood me when I said "least handy person ever". Whatever, it's his funeral if he f*cks up his girlfriend's pergola

 

[ACamp1900]

Sounds legit. If you end up shopping for area rugs, make sure you're getting 100% wool, hand-tufted, and use rug pads so as not to be a poor. I highly recommend Safavieh as a fantastic blend of quality and affordability.

Cool... I'll do that.

 

[wizards8507]

A friend wants me to help him build a pergola on Saturday. I'm not sure he really understood me when I said "least handy person ever". Whatever, it's his funeral if he f*cks up his girlfriend's pergola

Wtf is a pergola?

*Googles it.*

Oh, I see. It's a gazebo for poors.

 

[ACamp1900]

Wtf is a pergola?

*Googles it.*

Oh, I see. It's a gazebo for poors.

I had to google too... one at Walmart is 2700 dollars... this must be for the higher class poors....

 

[Wild Bill]

Any suggestions for how to choose color scheme, or a magazine you know of that is great for people trying to do so for bathrooms? Or any other advice?

There's a tile store called "The Tile Shop" in this area that has a ton of designs in the store and a huge inventory of tile. It could be a regional store but you should be able to find a similar store near you. You can buy your tile and get some ideas.

I like a simple mosaic tile in small bathroom but it is more expensive. Faux wood porcelain tile is a good cheaper option. Get it in a light grey.

Buy a white vanity with a marble or faux marble top.

Paint trim white and the walls a grey that's slightly lighter than the tile.

Make sure lighting is sufficient for the space. Small spaces look even smaller if poorly lit.

My better half usually buys a mirror from a thrift store or goes to Home Goods rather than buying a contractor mirror from HD or Lowes. Gives it some detail and saves you money.

Clean the piss off the seat when you're showing the place.

Clean, bright and fresh should be your goal.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/9f/d6/e6/9fd6e6591fc728a9cf59b8307d388d34.jpg

Don't do it, seriously. Remodel projects almost never pay off in terms of increased resale value. Do repairs for the buyers, only do remodels for yourself.

Nobody wants to buy a house with a tiny disgusting bathroom. It's an easy upgrade that will pay off if done properly.

Curb appeal, bathrooms, closet organizers are cheap easy things that add value to a home. Kitchens renos will add value too, provided you get them done properly.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Wtf is a pergola?

*Googles it.*

Oh, I see. It's a gazebo for poors.

Ha.

Funny story. One of my neighbors thought pergola was slang for vagina....didn't know what to do when another neighbor asked him to come over b/c he needed help nailing his wife's pergola.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Wtf is a pergola?

*Googles it.*

Oh, I see. It's a gazebo for poors.

Look man, you're just embarrassing yourself now between not knowing what a pergola is and thinking it's exclusively for "poors".

 

[ACamp1900]

Ha.

Funny story. One of my neighbors thought pergola was slang for vagina....didn't know what to do when another neighbor asked him to come over b/c he needed help nailing his wife's pergola.

He shows up later that day:

 

[BleedBlueGold]

This is a random one, even for me.

So I'm redoing a bathroom before I sell. It's a tiny bathroom (~40 square feet of standing space), and the lighting is generally poor in it as well.

I want to rip out the tile floor and put in new tile, replace the medicine cabinet with mirror, and put nice light fixtures above the will-be mirror.

The current vanity is white, and I think I'm going to repaint it rather than replace it, but I'm also open to pulling it out and getting almost any color - black, wooden, white, grey, etc.

I'm doing part of this myself, but having a contractor do the new floor and replacing the medicine cabinet and vanity if I choose to replace it.

I'm trying to get design/color scheme ideas, and this has been harder than I expected. I do random google searches to get ideas, but most of the bathrooms returned are so much nicer/bigger than what I'm working with, that it''s hard to envision. Went into Home Depot yesterday and expected them to have some programs/pamphlets in the bathroom section, but they surprisingly didn't have any. I tried to get free magazines through google but that's been a waste of time.

Any suggestions for how to choose color scheme, or a magazine you know of that is great for people trying to do so for bathrooms? Or any other advice?

Resell? Paint and light fixture only. Waste of time and money to redo a room that new owners might redo themselves anyways. Best advice I ever got from a realtor was clean and paint first and as a last resort, slowly start the upgrades. Prospective buyers are a lot easier to please than what HGTV will have you believe.

Wtf is a pergola?

*Googles it.*

Oh, I see. It's a gazebo for poors.

You've apparently not been exposed to the adjustable/remote controlled roof systems with nicer pergolas. They're legit.

 

[GowerND11]

He shows up later that day:

I can't see some images at work... I can only hope this is a meme or gif of "I'm here for the gangbang" from Old School.

 

[ACamp1900]

I can't see some images at work... I can only hope this is a meme or gif of "I'm here for the gangbang" from Old School.

Nah

 

[Irish Insanity]

I'm embarrassed that some of you didn't know what a pergola was. Koon probably knew that one. However Koon, wooden is not a color.

"The current vanity is white, and I think I'm going to repaint it rather than replace it, but I'm also open to pulling it out and getting almost any color - black, wooden, white, grey, etc."

 

[zelezo vlk]

I'm embarrassed that some of you didn't know what a pergola was. Koon probably knew that one. However Koon, wooden is not a color.

"The current vanity is white, and I think I'm going to repaint it rather than replace it, but I'm also open to pulling it out and getting almost any color - black, wooden, white, grey, etc."

I can't believe I missed that...

 

[ND87]

Oh Goody! I've been waiting for another Koon Home Improvement project post.

I submit that, without pics, it's premature to give specific advice about vanities, tile, lighting (other than the general "brighter is better").

On that note, Koon...Pinterest is your friend in getting ideas... it's literally what it's good for; googling won't cut it.

Find out if our local utility has rebates for LED fixtures... ours did, and we got around $1000 cash back from our remodel job.

without seeing the *rest* of the house, I can't offer real guidance as to scheme, design, color etc (other than "neutrals")...but $1500 for a 40 sq ft bathroom is pretty crazy for a flip, IMHO.

And, while my football knowledge is sub-par for this board, here is a link with before/after pics of a project my wife and I largely did ourselves. Pinterest was VERY much our friend. As was Ikea.

 

[ND87]

(ETA: apparently my first response, with link to the page/pics cited here, is awaiting moderation, so... kind of out of context ATM.)

Further to the vanity question... if the space really IS that small, can you do without ? Is this just a powder room? Is there any other cubby in which to store the 3 towels and rolls of TP that the space will require?
Note we used a thin pedestal sink in our guest bath (the white one) to give the impression of more space.

Money-saver: we tiled over the existing tile floor (did it ourselves, no contractor $), and epoxy-painted the wall tiles (like $40), rather than removing.

Powder room (grey one) .. DID demo out all the wall tiles (ugh...this is why we chose to leave the others), used self-stick tiles for floor over ceramic. Cheap, effective, and suitable for a low traffic, no-shower/bath use. We had the advantage of fairly high sills which allowed this. Also wallpapered just 1 wall to lend interest, painted rest. Cheap, also makes it feel bigger. And left the multiple mirrors (wall, back of door) for same reason. Used small-ish artwork to again make the space feel bigger.

 

[GowerND11]

Nah

Now that I'm home...

 

[koonja]

I posted a while ago about a small bathroom remodel I'm doing, and I've become brave in one area, but am getting worried about another.

I've read up enough that I'm comfortable removing the old vanity, mirror, medicine cabinet myself, as well as the old tile. I'm also comfortable installing the new vanity and toilet when the new tile floor is in.

However - what I'm reading about 'prepping the floor' for tile is scaring me out of doing the tile myself too (which, if I could do, would allow me to do the entire thing myself). i'm comfortable laying the actual tile, but have no idea what type of 'sub floor' will be down there, or if I need to lay any type of tile membrane, or if I can simply scrape the old off and lay the new.

I do not know what type of material is below the current tile, but my guess would be wood. I keep reading/watching videos that say you don't have to place anything special down, and some that say you do before putting the new tile in.

Any advice on prepping the floor would really be appreciated.

Side note - this is the vanity/mirror combo I purchased. Going to go with a white/multi color floor, white trim, and light grey wall color. I got this when on sale for $90.

Glacier Bay Stancliff 24.5 in. W Vanity in Elm Sky with Cultured Marble Vanity Top in White with White Basin and Mirror-ST24P3-EK - The Home Depot

 

[koonja]

My guess is that it's wood subfloor. Any advice for removing thinset form that? It's 50 square feet, so the good news is it's not a huge area. I'm willing to buy a powertool if necessary, because I know how much thinset sucks.

 

[Irish Insanity]

New subfloor if needed is dirt cheap and easy to install. As far as membrane, you won't need that. But you'll need cement board underneath.

Sent from my LG-H871 using Tapatalk

 

[koonja]

New subfloor if needed is dirt cheap and easy to install. As far as membrane, you won't need that. But you'll need cement board underneath.

Sent from my LG-H871 using Tapatalk

I'm hearing that's only a necessity if you're tiling a shower/tub, and if you remove the old floor tiles/thinset and it's smooth and level - you can just tile right over the floor.

Is putting down cement board something "You'd suggest" or is it a "must do" even if the floor below can be smoothed and leveled?