Home Remodel Covid Disaster - advice please!
Quentin Parker
3 years ago
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Quentin Parker
3 years agoRelated Discussions
DFW area - New home, lawn is a disaster, seeking advice
Comments (12)Thank you all for the responses. texas-weed, I have not taken any offense to your comments, and will continue to welcome any feedback. Yours is especially helpful because of your expertise with this area. Would you be able to speak to the success rate of Zoysia in this area? I've some some really deep emerald grasses in the shopping centers that look absolutely beautiful. I've been told that this is Zoysia. All of the trees have some degree of issue with surface roots. I have three trees, however, each one is about 75 ft from the other. I'm posting a link to some other shots to give you an idea of the canopy. You can see that I have been attempting to raise the canopy and thin the tree to allow for more sun. It seems that the builder didn't put a lot of through into planning this yard, because I have giant Crape Myrtles growing right under the eaves, and a Live Oak no more than 12-14ft from my house. I am not a fan of St. Augustine, and I would like to avoid it if at all possible. The neighbor has it, and the other half of my lawn that is divided by the cement walkway is thoroughly St. Augustine. At some point I had hoped to install a french drain for drainage and form a physical barrier to re-establish the Bermuda on that side. This feels more and more unlikely by the day. I do have issues with erosion, and I also have trouble setting the mower low enough (though I can mow at the second to lowest setting if I'm VERY careful) because of the exposed roots. I would like to level the lawn somehow, or build it up and regrade it, but I have no idea where to even begin attempting this. I'm concerned that the lawn will be much higher than the sidewalk. Thank you for the information about Common Bermuda, I'll check out the Tiffway 419 to see if that hybrid resembles my lawn. You may have noticed that the grass was pretty high in my previous photos, and that is because I was working long hours. I'm currently working on cutting it back down to the second setting on my mower. Here is a link to the gallery showing the tree: http://img695.imageshack.us/g/img1290i.jpg/ Please disregard the butchered Crape Myrtles if they are apparent, the previous owner was very hands off with this yard and the gentleman performing the lawn services apparently subscribes to the popular belief about cutting them back in the winter. Again, all feedback is much appreciated....See MoreDog urine on hardwood floor (x-post on Home Disasters board
Comments (9)I (hope) suspect they had a pet sitter. We used to use one in our house when we went on vacation, but I can tell you, it's an imperfect system since my dogs would eliminate in the house (and the pet sitter wasn't nearly as eagle eyed as I am!) so we came home more than once to a stain on the rug. Luckily, heart pine seems to handle dog urine better than other types of floors. Have you tried a little wood bleach or oxalic acid (Bar Keepers Friend?) - try a bit in an inconspicuous spot and see if it helps. If yes, then go for it over the entire area. Or try Nature's Miracle first. Our dogs have been pretty awful about going out since we moved to this temporary apartment and I swear I've been through a gallon of the stuff on our living room rug. Some days I forget they're housetrained. Sigh....See MoreHelp! Kitchen Remodel Disaster!
Comments (6)I think I see what you are calling a big mistake - it's really only noticeable from the den. Looking sideways and from the kitchen, it doesn't appear to be a problem. The problem with your pics is that you concentrate solely on your perceived mistake, not on the kitchen/den as a whole. We can't see the floor, the dynamics of the rooms, etc.. It's hard to call anything a mistake or ugly when all you see is part of scene. When you work with a budget, it's often a matter of trade-offs/compromises. I think one of the previous comments was to just extend the ceiling that is in the kitchen 2 feet to the wall so you close off the vaulted part so it isn't visible from the den. That would be simple and fast....See MoreNew to Home Remodel - Advice?
Comments (13)Before talking with an architect or Design/Build firm you need to sit down and do some thinking about what you want, and your budget. The budget is critical, and should be a number that is somewhat less than the maximum you can swing. Remodel projects ALWAYS go over budget, so be careful. Next, think about the things you want to achieve. You've said family room and master suite, 1,000 sq. ft. -- but what else? These can be fairly general, but you need to give the architect something to work with. Some examples might be: Do you want built-in bookshelves or entertainment centers? Do you want a quiet nook somewhere for reading or studying? Fireplaces? Views to the garden? A seamless addition that looks like it was always there, or do you want to depart from the style of the rest of the house? What type of master bath? Those sorts of things. Then think about things or features that you definitely don't want. Make a list of all of them and have them in hand when you meet with a prospective architect. You can also go through some design magazines and mark or tear out photos of things (like plumbing and light fixtures, hardware, etc.) you like or would want, and things you don't like. Showing your architect examples of your likes and dislikes will aid him or her in specifying details. The more you can specify yourself, though, the less time your architect will have to spend on this time consuming process -- so get on the internet and download the spec sheets for the things you've chosen like plumbing and electrical fixtures. Architects typically bill by the hour, so anything you can do to speed the design process along will save you money. Selecting an architect can be a daunting task. You definitely want one that you feel at ease with. Designing a home or an addition is a partnership between the architect and the homeowner, but ultimately, you're going to live there, so it has to feel right to you. You'll be far more likely to get something that really pleases you if the architect you work with is simpatico with you and your lifestyle. If you have friends who have worked with an architect, ask if they would recommend him or her, and get a name. You can also consult the membership listing for your local chapter of the AIA. Many of the architects listed will have a website with photos -- which might help you in finding an architect who designs projects similar to what you have in mind. Once you have detailed plans, then it's time to talk with contractors. Your architect will probably be able to assit you in lining up prospective contractors to bid or estimate your project. Good luck. With the right people, building or remodeling a house can be a very enjoyable endeavor. James...See MoreQuentin Parker
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Quentin ParkerOriginal Author