I just wanted to say "bye" now since I guess I'm in big trouble...
ritaweeda
3 years ago
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nickel_kg
3 years agomama goose_gw zn6OH
3 years agolast modified: 3 years agoRelated Discussions
Where to start? I'm just stuck since I want smaller
Comments (6)I would start with some practical questions, which can be useful with the short-term plans, and can help you set the 'bones' for your longer-term plans. And can help you keep things simple. Might help with the 'stuck' thing. Where on that porch do you want shade, either from shrubs/small trees or trellises with climbers? Sun in the morning and shade in the evening? And do you want a blocking of vision from the road to feel that the porch is more private? Or would you rather have that view more open? Which way does the prevailing wind come from? Depending on where you are, you may want to leave that breeze corridor open, or you may want some buffering. If I had that porch, I would want to just plain live on it [jealous grins]. But is there another area to the back or side of the house where you might want other outdoor-living spaces.... Barbecue/picnic areas, play areas, a patio, whatever? Or is that front porch likely to be the focus of your outdoor-time? Once you've thought about all this stuff, you will have an idea about where to place some of the 'bones'. Shrubs, small trees, trellises, any walls, fences, whatever. Then, *around* those bones, you can keep developing plans for later, and can plant the things you want. And there is no reason that you can't just pick a garden spot or three for some of the sun plants you want to try, preferably in close view from your chair on the porch. But you can keep the plants, and the labor and maintenance, very small. Forget worrying about foundation plantings around the house. Concentrate on the areas that will affect your enjoyment of the property in the way *you* want to enjoy it. [What do *you* want to see when you walk out on the porch with coffee in the morning?] And with the setting of your house in its landscape, you would do better with more irregular planting areas where they work well and for you, rather than nice, neat standard all-around-the-house-suburban foundation beds. Plant where and what you want, and you can add more irregular space to the bed, and more plants, later. Use a weed-whacker along the rest of the foundation.......See MoreI'm at my wits end. I just want to kill someone!!!
Comments (10)Sorry to hear that you are having so many problems! Remodels are one of the most stressful things you can go thru. I have done many and there are always something that will jump up and bite you! Just have to put your head down and be determined to slog thru it. Focus on what the finished product will be! As far as the contractor goes, my guess is he had more luctrative jobs come up and he is sending his help there. If is a company and he hired a sub to finish your cabinet install, I'd almost bet on it! If it were I, I would send him a note saying he has such and such a time to finish up the job or you will find someone else and deduct the cost from his final payment. I would also bill him for the issue with the microwave. He needs to know that you will give him a bad reference if the job is not finished to your satisfaction. Including contacting the BBB and any builders association in the area. I have never treated a client in this manner and I am appalled at the number of complaints about contractors in the Home forum. Let me assure you not all contractors are this negligent! Good luck with your project!...See MoreWell, guess I'm a member of The Club now...
Comments (28)Oh my gosh...what a thread!!! Must keep it. and I burst out laughing about the shamwow :) blackthumb, you are hereby renamed wetblanket :) (I usually put plastic down if I'm painting a lot [which saved us when DH backed into a roller tray full of paint once], but I was just doing a little finishing touchup today, so I scooted some newspapers under the door area to catch any drips.) natesgramma, I also definitely have a pair of pants I use when painting -- they have a significantly higher proportion of Brandon Beige on them now... yogacat...yogacat... And the slow-motion time you talk about groomingal in your highly dramatic rendering of the new-member-hazing -- I SO remember it from today -- we both have great reflexes because I almost (*almost*) caught mine again after my hand just froze and dropped it. Unfortunately the catch turned into a flip to keep a *little* of the paint in the can, but in the process of flipping it, I sprayed it out in an arc even further (onto the wood furniture). trailrunner, I just want to reach back in time and come help you; I can just imagine a pregnant mama collapsing in tears over what happened... And bronwynsmom, as soon as the paint spilled, one of our cats came trotting over to see what the commotion was. I said "Get away" in a somewhat urgent voice and she left, thank *goodness* or we would have had little beige artifacts all over the carpet in the other room......See MoreI really just want to cry but I'm too tired
Comments (20)Janefan, I am the mother of twins, too. I never forget how hard my twin pregnancy was, but I do adore my girls (4.5) despite how hard it was, so maybe there is hope that I will love my kitchen, too!!! Bellamy, I only wish that I hired a cheap GC, so at least I wouldn't be paying a fortune for every aspect of this kitchen, but it is not the case. We hired the GC used by very close friends, friends who are incredibly demanding and exacting (husband's friend from the military), who did a very large addition to their house. They could not have praised this GC more. We saw his work in person, while it was in progress, work that was done exactly on schedule, perfectly. He was the most expensive GC of all that we interviewed, but we hired him because we were willing to pay more to have a job done on time and well, and because we trusted our friends' judgment. Sometimes you can do all the due diligence in the world, and things just don't work out the way you expect. If you read my post you will see that I never said that the KD is wrong to wait, and I didn't ask him not to wait, just frustrated, mostly with the being given false expectations, and with the carpenter, who obviously has too many jobs. I do see lots of people on this board with appliances installed before the rest of the kitchen is 100% done, and I do think the KD is being overcautious to protect his butt at our expense, but I have let him run the job the way he wants in that respect. I have done a renovation before, knew it would be long and frustrating, girded myself for the length and frustration, and believe that we have been actually quite patient. Too patient in the beginning. Just wanted to vent my frustration a little. Sorry it irritated you, Bellamy....See Morehappy2b…gw
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