Finishing basement. I didn't wanna do it, but I'm doing it.
I've had several contractors in to quote the finishing of a basement bedroom and bathroom. It'll increase the value of my house and it's time to get it done.
I even hired one, then fired him. In a single week, he never got to my house before 2pm and only worked an hour at a time. He kept making excuses that didn't make sense; too many clients and having challenges getting to all of them but even after I fired him, it took him 5 days to come and get the tools he'd left at my house.
I hired a plumber and an electrician to do the specialty work, the drywall and tile I got quotes for, they ranged anywhere from 5k for basic labor, to 12k for drywall, trim, paint and everything in between.
They all assessed the work differently, all had different comments on approach, and all were 'busy' and none seemed to like that I already had most of the material and offered to buy their preferred materials anytime they might need it. I have the flexibility to step and fetch for material but that didn't seem to matter. I guess the contractor discounts they get on material for my job, wouldn't be applied to the job and I'm guessing would then be marked up, even more.
So, here I am, learning more about building a home then I ever wanted to learn and will never forget each and every painful learning curve from hanging dry wall, to shims, to necessary screws, to leveling EVERYTHING, to load bearing joists, to roughing in... anything.
I'm not enjoying the experience.
Not all.
Once it's all done though, I'll be delighted. Not because I accomplished the work but because it's OVER AND DONE with and I finally have a home that doesn't look a tool shed slash.... project area slash... wreck.
I'm not proud of this. I'm not gonna be proud of it later. I'll be relieved and happy to move on to the next item on my to-do list.
I'm just griping right now. I spend every evening after work sweating, wearing facemasks, safety glasses, trying not to smack another finger, or break another nail down to the quick. Not to mention the constant stops to check, recheck, and learn about the task I'm tackling at that point.
And OH. MY. GAWD. I'm so returning all these tools after this is done.
Hope this project is completed during the return window.
I even hired one, then fired him. In a single week, he never got to my house before 2pm and only worked an hour at a time. He kept making excuses that didn't make sense; too many clients and having challenges getting to all of them but even after I fired him, it took him 5 days to come and get the tools he'd left at my house.
I hired a plumber and an electrician to do the specialty work, the drywall and tile I got quotes for, they ranged anywhere from 5k for basic labor, to 12k for drywall, trim, paint and everything in between.
They all assessed the work differently, all had different comments on approach, and all were 'busy' and none seemed to like that I already had most of the material and offered to buy their preferred materials anytime they might need it. I have the flexibility to step and fetch for material but that didn't seem to matter. I guess the contractor discounts they get on material for my job, wouldn't be applied to the job and I'm guessing would then be marked up, even more.
So, here I am, learning more about building a home then I ever wanted to learn and will never forget each and every painful learning curve from hanging dry wall, to shims, to necessary screws, to leveling EVERYTHING, to load bearing joists, to roughing in... anything.
I'm not enjoying the experience.
Not all.
Once it's all done though, I'll be delighted. Not because I accomplished the work but because it's OVER AND DONE with and I finally have a home that doesn't look a tool shed slash.... project area slash... wreck.
I'm not proud of this. I'm not gonna be proud of it later. I'll be relieved and happy to move on to the next item on my to-do list.
I'm just griping right now. I spend every evening after work sweating, wearing facemasks, safety glasses, trying not to smack another finger, or break another nail down to the quick. Not to mention the constant stops to check, recheck, and learn about the task I'm tackling at that point.
And OH. MY. GAWD. I'm so returning all these tools after this is done.
Hope this project is completed during the return window.
