If I am remembering correctly a cut/trim crew needs to be charging about $2 per MINUTE they are on the property working to stay in business, that number may be regional, but it is a way to evaluate prices. We are paying $175/month annual to cut, trim, blow 1 acre and maintain 6 planting beds. The beds get roundup as needed and the hedge lines are kept shaped. This was bid as $150 for the cut/trim/blow and $25 for the beds. The crew is on site ~20 minutes with two mowers running. In the summer they need to double cut if there is rain, winter they cut bi-weekly or less. For the combo service including application of chemicals you will get a cheaper rate because the crew can apply during a trip to cut. There is also the possible benefit that the cutting crew MIGHT see issues before a scheduled application - but don't count on it. The cutters who apply chemicals are often just trying to make a buck by marking up the materials a little while undercutting the competition. They may have no clue what they are applying... so do consider the cost of losing the lawn to pest or disease. We pay $60/month annual contract for a minimum of 6 applications and whatever else is needed to maintain healthy grass.

Oh Daisy... that reminds me of my folks. In 1975 we lost the entire upstairs to my parents home and the ceilings caved in the kitchen downstairs. The kitchen was redone with all the colors of the 70s. Orange/yellow/avacado/brown all in one room. The counters were particle board until they sold the house in 1995ish. Dad put in a pc of laminate counter about a year before they sold. As for our ability to do this project- we've done it all. Heck, we just rebuilt our boat outdrive by reading the repair manual. As for the woodworking skills needed for the wall/surround thingy. It is all square boards. My only concern is having no seams show where boards meet. I think the wall behind tv will actually be one large sheet so as to be seamless. Flyleft really hit it on the head- WE ARE JUST TUIRED. We spend 10yrs making last house perfect, then found new house just as we were installing new floors in old house. New house had no yard and interior only had a few things needed, mainly the fireplace. Good news... since it was cool this weekend at night we built our first fire. You need to make sure there are no install issues before closing wall up. Everything works perfectly. DH was really happy. We started talking about moving forward so that is good. Someone asked what needs to be done first. I thought it was drywall but that is actually only for the interior of the recessed spaces. We need to take 2x4s and 2x8s and make the raised surround and mantle and mantle supports. That all gets covered up with the wood then trimmed with 1x4ish trim. The whole thing gets painted white. The mantle is pretty simple to frame as it is just a long box. We cannot avoid the flooring because when we took out the raised hearth it left a huge spot in front of fireplace where the new hearth needs to be put in. And since we are putting in the new hearth along with the tile around the fireplace itself, we might as well do the tile in the entryway also. DH said then we might as well do tile in the upstairs bathroom...see he is motivated... but I told him that could definitly wait as it is upstairs and is not urgent. I think now that fireplace works properly we can get going. Luckily he has Fridays off from work to fish, Saturday to work on house and Sunday to rest and play with kids. Two years ago it took me over a week to paint my vaulted livingroom/entryway- 25' ceiling. Decided last year I did not like the color. Took me two days to repaint. Amazing how fast you can go when truly motivated. I say this will be done by Christmas for sure. I will keep you posted.

Babysat in my teens Worked Saturdays at a bakery in my teens Worked in a day care home in my teens Worked in a pharmacy in my teens Worked for my father's business in my first year of college Worked at a bookstore during vacations while in college Worked at the campus day care center while in college Worked in retail after college Worked for my FIL when my children were babies and I could take them with me. Worked shortly for Albertsons while their workers were on strike. Finally, FINALLY, I found my calling when youngest child was 3. I applied for a teaching position at her preschool and, almost 10 years later, I'm still there. I love my job! I also work a couple of nights a week in retail. Sheryl

Exactly Fori. The tiler recommended by the tile store came out and told me how much tile to buy but never responded to my request for pricing. Could not get any other recommendations so used my kitchen/bath contractor who reportedly does tiling too. Great attitude (seriously) so I didn’t have to get in his face. I just was armed with good sense and hope he learned something in the process. He did tell me he has used some things I had him do in my kitchen (pullouts and tray dividers in cab over fridge and strip LEDs for UCL) in subsequent jobs- thank you GW!