Thanks to all the rains the midwest had this spring and summer we had some water damage and had to have our lower level of bilevel waterproofed. In order to do that we had to take out our paneling and carpet. Goodby 1970's era dark waknut paneling and brown schulptured carpeting My husband had never completed putting in the ceiling that was started in 1981. So it wasn't any big deal to see that go.

Because of out age and my DH lack of oooomph to get the work done we decided to hire a contractor. So now the entire ceiling and all walls will be drywalled! And we will be able to get rid of all the modly drywall and 2x4s that are down there. Our furniture was also bought in 1981! So we have rewally stimultated the economy this week. I don't think I have ever written the amount of checks that I have this week. I know to some people the $6,600 we have spent so far isn't a lot but to us it's huge. And we still have to buy paint, all the moldings, drapes and light fixtures. I finally convinced DH to have some recessed lighting put in in addition to the regular ceiling fixtures.

I am not a morning person at all. I like to see at least 11 AM on my clock when I wake up so 8 AM is going to be pretty rough on me. My Mom had wanted me to start typping up her book of her families geneology but she doesn't have it ready yet.

Doydie
Thanks for stimulating the economy. That's alot of money to me too. I'm sure it will be worth the cost and you will have it for a long time. Besides it's time the decor joined the 21st century.

Bummer about having to get up so early. I prefer to wake up with double digit number for the hour too. Hope we get to see some pics too.

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We're about to spend $16 - $18 grand getting our roof fixed, the siding on our glass enclosed patio and deck, and replace a couple of windows that were damaged during a windstorm that we had at the end of June.

My aunt (lives across the street) got even worse damage. She had a wind driven tsunami in her kitchen. (large pond at the end of her yard. the 120mph+ winds blew the water into her patio and some splashed thru her sliding glass doors)

She also lost her air conditioner, and a bunch of window frames got their seals broken by hail damaging the wood around the windows.

She's probably getting her kitchen redone...at least the floor and her backdoor. (she wants French doors instead of the sliding glass)

I love watching houses get built. I also love watching people re-do the insides of their houses. I probably should have gotten a license to sell houses or something, because I'd probably have a blast selling homes. (too bad the housing market sucks right now)

It sounds like it will be really nice when its finished! Just remember it often looks worse before it looks better.

Be sure to take a before and after picture and post it here please.

Good luck with the morning thing..

Sorry to hear you had damage but just think of the rewards when it's done. It's definately going to bring up the value of the house when it's done. That's a lot of money for us too but some things just need to get done when we own houses huh? Seems we are always fixing something here and I have on more than one occasion wondered if renting would be nicer. lol

Since I'm planning on living in this house until the day I die I'm not sure it will increase the value of the house! And we will own it in less than one year!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe what we did! We thought the guy meant he would start today but he meant next Monday!!!! He had originally told us it would be Wednesday but that was when we first contcted him for an estimate. About ten days went by and he got another short job.

So that allows us as much time as we need to pick out carpeting, etc. Boy did we get culture shock when we shopped for carpeting. We had the last carpeting laid in 1981 so we were totaly not knowing what we were up against. Looking at the cheapest good grade of carpet we are looking at $2 grand at the least! My DH just said that's impossible. We can't and won't do it. But what choice do we have? The old carpet, first, is old, and most of it has already been taken up. I guess maybe we need to look at our local unclaimed freight.

Doydie - I used to sell carpet. Shop around, and if you havent already, draw out your floor plan and bring it with for the best estimate. You need to measure all the way into the doorways, etc, everything that cuts in and out.

Still, let them come out and do a measure themselves to give you a quote.

You'd be amazed at the price diff's among stores.

DO put the money in the pad. It'll keep the carpet better longer. (8lb rebond is as good as any foam and cheaper. But it can discolor really light/white carpets.)

DO ask for a better deal. (Practice saying, "Is that the best you can do on that?")



Don't do the financing. They can't giv as much off if they have to give you 2 yrs same as cash.

Stay away from paterns in larger rooms - you have to match them and that wastes carpet.


Good luck!

Wow Doyd~ Sounds like it's going to be such a great room when your'e all done. I despise the remodeling process, but the end results are so worth it.

Some carpet places have special sections where they have carpet discounted due to overflow or wrong orders etc. If your space isn't too huge, you might be able to find something that your'e happy with.

Can't wait to see the finished project. Oh, and good morning!!!! I am a morning person. (tapping on monitor) Hey, I don't see you Doyd!!!!

Did you sneak back to bed!!