Divide it by subs...electrical, roofing, windows, flooring, tile, plumbing, etc. It's easier to find things that way. Your subs will have a lot of questions, so keep the binder handy where they can consult it if they need to. As for your financial record...Excel is great, and Quicken is easier to use. With Quicken, I could see where the money was going, and which account (equity line, checking account, credit card) it was coming from. Create a category called Home Renovation. Then create sub categories for each of the various aspects of the job...they will usually correspond with the folders in your binder. And by keeping your financial records separate from the binder, you can keep the binder out for everyone to look at. Keep your permits and copies of applications for permits in the folder on the inside of the front cover of the binder. And don't forget to keep records of how much state income tax you paid on everything if your state allows a federal tax deduction (as WA State does) on your federal taxes. You might want to set up a small work table in a common area with the binder and a copy of the architectural plans.

Sooooo, I am back. What a learning process this has been. But progress is being made and we are thrilled. Some updates to the plan........and of course up up updates to the budget. We have spent/committed $148,000 so far. I can give a breakdown of expenses if anyone is interested...we have had to delay the outdoor renovation for the time being. Here is the work we have accomplished (or are going to accomplish). All of this is included in the $148K except where noted. BATHS Rip out 3 and a half baths down to studs, remodel using Home Depot marble tiles in full baths (12 x 12 on floor, combination of 2x2, 6x6, and subway tile on walls. (to ceiling), Glass tile accents and borders. Slate floor in half bath. Kohler Archer tubs & toilets, etc. Restoration Gramercy Marble top vanity in two bathrooms, Restoration mirrors, Restoration Hardware lighting. Custom glass shower enclosure/door in master bath. Salvaged vintage sink and toilet in Full bath-YAY!, savings!. Kohler sink and toilet in half bath. KITCHEN Rip out entire kitchen (14 x 17) to studs. Install BR-11 Wenge floor 5 inch width.. Move plumbing and electric to accommodate new kitchen design. All Viking appliances: 36 inch stand alone freezer (floor model), 36 inch stand alone Fridge (floor model), 30 inch wall oven, 24 inch wall microwave with trim kit, Dishwasher, 36 inch cooktop. Shiloh inset shaker cabinets and center island painted polar white. Cabinets will consist of base cabinets, wall cabinets and additional set of glass cabinets above wall cabinets, to extend to ceiling. Minimal pull outs and special features (we couldn't afford any special features!!) Honed marble tops on counters and island, in either Imperial Danby or Carrara (budget reflects Carrara, but I love the milkyness of Danby). Elkay extra deep sink and moen faucet. Drawer pulls TBD (not budgeted yet). Rip out laundry room to create mud room (create cubbies. shelves, etc). install slate floors in mudroom. Take out all "stucco" walls and ceiling in den (down to studs). Replace with drywall and shaker molding. Remove carpet in 4 rooms over garage (1000 sq ft) and replace with Koka Oak ($5 sq foot). There is only a subfloor under carpet. Install base molding. Replace 8 windows with Anderson wood and vinyl windows. Removal of 11 hollow core doors (30 x 80) and replace with Jeldwen 5 panel shaker doors. Hardware TBD (not budgeted). Reconfigure of master Bedroom to Build walk in closet. Build walk in closet. Installation of Central Air to entire House. (time consuming and frustrating!!) Demolition of Basement walls/panelling to expose source of water coming in. Dig one side of foundation to reveal source of water getting in basement.....repair and replace dirt. Removal of wall paper from first and second floor. Sanding, Skim coat (2 coats) plaster, sanding again. I think that's all for right now. I am not doing any of the actual work, but I am exhausted nonetheless!!

MATERIALS Entry and Kitchen on Main Level Flooring throughout main level: COREtec Pro Plus Monterey Oak. Wall paint throughout whole house: SW Accessible Beige #7036. Full strength on upper level and main level; then changes to 50% strength for the middle and lowest levels bc they get less natural light. Trim paint throughout whole house: SW Snowbound #7004. Stain on window sills and stair railings throughout house: a gel stain in a medium/dark color to compliment the floors, but I don’t know the exact color name. Kitchen Cabinets: Great Northern Cabinet Company paint grade maple in Frosty White. Door style is a basic shaker with a bead, but I can’t remember the exact name of the door style. Hardware: Jeffrey Alexander Durham 1-1/4” mushroom cabinet knobs in satin nickel; Jeffrey Alexander Bremen 1 Series cabinet pulls in 3-3/4”, 5”, and 6-3/8” sizes in satin nickel. Purchased from Build.com. Counters: Taq Mahal Quartzite, polished. Purchased from Arizona tile in Denver. Backsplash: 3”x6” Crossville, Market Collection, Ashbury tile in the color Fleece in crackle finish set in a brick pattern. Fridge, MW and Stove were existing and reinstalled Sink: Elkay Lustertone Classic Stainless Steel 30-1/2” x 18-1/2”x 10” Single Bowl with Perfect Drain and sink grid Faucet: Delta Trinsic Single-handle pull-down sprayer with magnetite docking in shiny chrome. DW: Kitchen Aid 39-Decibel Built-in DW in Stainless Steel purchased from Lowes. Ceiling lights: LED can lights Pendants: I’m not sure bc SIL found them; probably Lowes, Wayfair or Overstock Roman shades: Budget Blinds Counter stools: Not sure bc DS bought them at home and put them together at the house. Bear Clock: Purchased from a local decor shop. Dining and Living Room on Main Level Dining table: Bassett Furniture Bench Made Collection, Harvest Table, 90”x42” in Steel Finish with Standard Edge Dining Chairs: Star Furniture (Houston). Can’t remember the exact name of the chairs, but the word Largo is stamped under the seat. I’ve seen this criss-cross design many other places such as Pottery Barn and other furniture stores. Need to make some chair cushions. Chandelier: I’m not sure bc SIL found them; probably Lowes, Wayfair or Overstock Honeycomb blinds: Budget Blinds Sectional Sofa with queen pull-out bed: Bassett Furniture Area rug: Crate & Barrel Alvarez Garden Rug, 9’x12’. Coffee Table: Bassett Furniture Nesting side tables: Thrift store find, painted and refinished. Fireplace Rock: 3-D Mesh Mount Stack Scabos Split from Arizona Tile in Denver. Fireplace Mantle: Handmade by a local artisan out of Alma, CO. Fireplace was existing. Original gold metal finish was spray painted black and reinstalled. Master Bath Bathroom floor tile: Emser Tile, Hangar Sand in 12”x24”. Grout: Custom Prism #386 Oyster Gray. Shower floor tile: Emser Tile, Explorer Barcelona in 2”x 2”. Grout: Custom Prism #135 Mushroom. Shower wall tile: Arizona Tile H-Line in Cotton Glossy in 4”x16” set in a 1/3 offset pattern. Grout: Custom Prism #11 Snow White. Bath vanity: Great Northern Cabinet Company. The wood is clear Alder and the stain is called Heirloom. Hardware: Top Knobs TK 832 Eden 1-3/8” Mushroom Cabinet Knobs from Serene Series in flat black; Top Knobs TK 823 Lily Cabinet Pull from Serene Series in 5” and 6-5/16” sizes in flat black. Counters: Color Quartz (CQ) Quartz in the color Glacier. Sinks: The fabricator provided the rectangular shaped sinks. They are similar to Kohler Ladena. Faucets: Delta Ashlyn 3-hole widespread faucet in chrome. Towel ring, towel bar and TP holder: Delta Dryden in chrome. Need to add an additional towel bar and some robe hooks. Also we will put something in the empty 3’ space opposite toilet, probably a narrow cabinet. Mirror: Beveled mirror from local glass company. Vanity lighting: I thought I ordered it from Wayfair, but I can’t find my order to list the name. Toilet: American Standard Cadet 3 FloWise 2-Piece 1.28 GPF Single Flush Elongated in white. Showerhead: Delta HydroRain 5-setting showerhead in chrome. Handshower: Delta Universal Showering ActivTouch 9-setting Handshower Valve trims: Delta Ashlyn Shower corner shelf: Delta corner shelf with assist bar in polished chrome. Hall Bath on Middle Level Floor tile, vanity cabinet, hardware, countertop, towel ring, towel bar, toilet, and TP holder are all the same as Master bathroom. Faucet is Delta Ashlyn 1-hole in chrome. Mirror: 30” x 40” Marylee Rectangle Beveled Polish Frameless Wall Mirror. Ordered from Wayfair. Vanity Light: Poppy 3-light vanity light in black finish. Ordered from Wayfair. Tub/shower fixtures: Delta Ashlyn in chrome. Tub: Basic enameled over steel Shower tile: 3”x6” white Daltile flat subway tiles from Home Depot set in a brick pattern, with matching corner shelves and soap dish. Family Room on Middle Level Carpet throughout the rest of the house: Dixie Home Brilliance Stainmaster TruSoft in the color Razzle. Purchased through ProSource by GC. In this room we kept all the existing furniture except SIL bought new lamps. Both sofas have pull-out queen beds. Fireplace Rock and Mantle: Same as living room on main level. Fireplace raised hearth: Arizona Tile Honey Tumbled Lyon Travertine tile. Fireplace framing was painted black same as Living room fireplace framing. Jack and Jill Bathroom on Lowest Level Floor tile, vanity cabinet, hardware, countertop, towel rings, towel bar, toilet, and TP holder are all the same as Master bathroom. Mirror is a plain flat mirror from a local glass shop. Tub, tile and shower fixtures are the same as the Hall bath on middle level. Vanity Lights are 2 sets of Poppy 4-light vanity light in black finish. Ordered from Wayfair.

I'm concerned with the home's humidity control. The cupping and popping of the hardwood in the at or above grade areas tells me something else is going on. When it comes to the UPPER MOST level having issues with hardwoods cupping, I like to look at the ROOF. The house was built in 2004. The roof is getting close to 20 years old. It will need to be replaced in the next 7 years or so (assuming you have a 25 year roof...you might have a 15 year roof...it depends on what the build was like back them). Make sure you budget for that, if you haven't all ready. As for the humidity in the home, it sounds like it is 'uncontrolled'. Which is to say, it needs to be controlled. No matter what floor you put in, you need some form of humidity control. Do you have a whole home humidifier/dehumidifier? Chicago land is KNOWN for high humidity (darn great lakes!) and wicked storms. If you do not correct the humidity now, any floor you put in there is going to come under SERIOUS stress. Let us know what type of HVAC controls you have. Do you know the humidity readings on EACH level?