The downstairs bathroom still needs repairs to the wall and some more storage. The upstairs bathroom really should be gutted and redone completely. These are my make do pictures before DD2's confirmation party last year. We need new carpeting, though I'd prefer hardwood, on the upstairs for the three bedrooms. DD2 needs a new closet door. We need some sort of flooring in the office, DD1's old bedroom, and think it makes sense to continue the planking from the family room.I would be satisfied with a decent carpet remnant to keep costs down now that we no longer have any water issues. That, new gutters, along with the family room floor, and the driveway, were 2016 expenses, totally over $10,000 but had to be done.
Last, but not least is the awful deck and back yard. These will need to wait until spring of 2019, prior to throwing a grad party. Isn't that when major work always happens, to get ready to host a big event?
DH and I have some careful planning to do. My budget towards home improvement is only $9,000. Technically, we haven't begun to save for any of this, other than our starting pot of money for all our big spending plans for 2018. With hosting Easter, it would be lovely to have all things done, but time nor cash flow will be in our favor. I've done the first step, created a notebook where we can start storing quotes and pricing material. I've got someone coming on January 15th to give me a quote for a bathroom redo and to do basic kitchen floor and counter upgrade. I hope I don't faint. I'll keep you all posted as decisions are made and work begins.
Just for comparison sake our bathroom remodel which was a total redo cost $9600.(I think that's the figure but I didn't go look it up.) It was suppose to be under $9K but there were hidden surprises uncovered which jacked it up a bit. That was 2 years ago this March and we used mid-grade finishings and fixtures, etc.
ReplyDeleteIt's the labor costs that do you in on remodels. If either of y'all can do some labor it would help your bottom line.
I would love to redo my kitchen....it's the original 1980's put into this house but I think we need new windows more here.
We may decide at the end of the day,that a DIY, with a few professional hires here and there, might be what we can do. Same int eh kitchen-just floors and counter, and save the deck for ext summer. Something has to be done though-too much neglect for too many years.
DeleteI hear you. It's soooo expensive! We're on the fence about which upgrades we'll be doing (if any). We have a basically unusable bathroom, and a wall in the kitchen we'd like to tear out. We did manage to deal with the indoor shower planter & indoor bamboo garden before we moved in. Just to give you a taste. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe quotes will help me see what options are-where we want to prioritize and where we can do some DIY.
DeleteThat's a major renovation. Break it into little bits...start with something small and simple that will make you immediately feel better about your house like new hardware on your cupboards. I have been through it a few times and don't wish to live through it again. Also, have wine on hand :)
ReplyDeleteI feel like I have been doing that-but now, some major things need to be changed. We just need to know what options are and then prioritize. It can't all happen overnight, or this year, but we should focus somewhere.
DeleteWow! You've got your work cut out for you! We have to do some deck work this spring for a grad party ourselves. yuck. BUT the girl is expecting great things from us, so since there isn't a wedding, that will be it.
ReplyDeleteYes, too much, but at least living room, family room, and dining room are good-that's a start! Good luck with your deck.
DeleteOkay girls do you remember what I had to go through to get 5 boards replaced by Hubby last summer? If anyone needs a handy man I am sure willing to send him your way..... snark!
ReplyDeleteNo thanks-have one of them already which is why I'm getting bids. I hope seeing the price tag will push him into fear that I'll just go ahead and contract everything out. He is handy, but doe not complete anything he starts.
DeleteI'm afraid to even add up what it would cost to "fix" everything around our house - starting with the flooring, bathrooms, garage door, every single inside door....like you, the list goes on forever. What we need is for someone to just give us a million dollars and we could do everything :)
ReplyDeleteI'd settle for 1/10th of a million. I don[t know if there is a ratio to home value-home improvement, but if we did everything, I'm sure we would be at 50% or more.
DeleteYou are so brave! If I went from room to room taking note of what needs doing and/or updating I'd probably faint! I'm hoping you can inspire me!
ReplyDeleteI will post pictures once we decide, but hopefully I won't just scare myself and want to give up before we start.
DeleteMy bathrooms desperately need doing, the heating system needs to be replaced, new water heater which judging by the water flow yesterday could be sooner rather than later, my stone floor needs resurfacing ..... you get the drift. But hey, my balcony should be done soon with the side gate and the rest will have to wait because I simply can't take the time off to get it done. Guess it will have to wait till retirement (in 3 years). At least that gives me time to look around for options and really think about what I want/need won't it. And of course there is the order in which it should be done. No point replacing the heating system AFTER getting the floor redone. It makes my head spin sometimes but I guess we'll get there slowly won't we? Oh and I forgot about the $$$$$$ Anna
ReplyDeleteThe more I think about it, the bathroom has to take priority. We use it all the time. I can probably eek out some cosmetic fixes for the kitchen like a less pricey new floor cover and new window treatments. The counter is jut not modern-no granite, no ceramic, quartz, or corian, but it is in good shape an a light grey-neutral. Chances are, anything major will be ripped out by a new home owner that wants to chain the first floor layout into open concept.
DeleteWe did a walkthrough of the house last year, the to-do list was long!
ReplyDeleteHopefully the new bathroom and heating system will be fitted next month. It will take up most of our budget, but they are such a big deal we will be able to move on to a few of the smaller tasks. Hope the quotes for the work you have planned aren't too scary!
Getting big things out of the way will make the little things feel so satisfying. The oys of home ownership thoguh.
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