The home my wife and I are possibly about to purchase was built in 1900 and we have a few questions about aged systems and family safety. Lead water pipes and asbestos tape, oh my!
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posted by Wrongshanks
on May 9, 2013 -
14 answers
We're planning a kitchen renovation for our century-old house this summer and have been working with an architect who has so far given us a kitchen layout and rough design. We're now getting quotes from general contractors. The GC we met with last night, who we've worked with before and trust, said further work by the architect will be a waste of money because the progress of the project will depend on how construction goes. Is he right?
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posted by chickenmagazine
on Apr 24, 2013 -
11 answers
My large (about 220 units) apartment building is currently undergoing MAJOR renovation-- we are talking cement cutting and jackhammering, 8am-5pm, five days a week. It is literally impossible to stay in the apartment. I have been home a few times when construction is going on, and I feel like I hear significantly less well.
My "landlord" (management company and superintendant) are all really great people, and they have made an effort to give us notices, etc. The thing is that after the first project, they announced a "phase 2," and apparently there is a phase 3 in store. All told, they are planning for this to go on until June 2014 (just called and asked).
I work from home with lots of books and stuff. For the past six months I have been working out of coffeeshops, libraries, parks. But it's still really hard. I can't take all of my books with me everywhere. When I am sick, I can't stay home and rest...because I get no rest. If I work really late (which I sometimes do because it's the only way to get some quiet time), I can't sleep in the next day. I am at my breaking point, and my lease goes on for another 6 months.
What can I do? Is it reasonable to ask for a rent reduction? Can I ask them to move me to another unit (it's a big company with a lot of properties)? Is this reasonable enough of a reason to break my lease?
posted by atetrachordofthree
on Apr 23, 2013 -
10 answers
I am looking for google street view links to neighbourhoods or streets that have nice front porches as design inspiration for an upcoming renovation.
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posted by davey_darling
on Apr 20, 2013 -
9 answers
My boyfriend owns a house in North Florida that needs to have the floors in the kitchen and living room redone. He rents out the house. He's looking for a good 'middle way': not expensive, but not so cheap that it will have to be replaced soon; nice, but not so nice that it it might get easily damaged by renters (nor ugly, which would lower rent value). N.B.: the price has to include installation since he won't be around to install it himself. Any suggestions for what types of flooring he should look at, especially given N. Florida's climate?
posted by flibbertigibbet
on Apr 17, 2013 -
13 answers
I just bought a 1 bedroom co-op in Brooklyn. I want to gut the kitchen. I have 30k. Is this possible? Can you recommend an architect? Share your story?
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posted by (Over) Thinking
on Apr 17, 2013 -
15 answers
We're redoing a bathroom in a house we plan to sell. It's a very old house, so nothing is quite standard. Between the new sink cabinet and the stacked washer / dryer there is a
space that's about 10 inches wide, 24 inches deep and 80 inches high. We'd like to make it functional in some way. It also should look nice.
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posted by heigh-hothederryo
on Feb 10, 2013 -
14 answers
After years of renting, I can finally (finally!) mount my TV and speakers to the walls. Help me not screw this up. There is plaster and lath involved.
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posted by backseatpilot
on Feb 6, 2013 -
10 answers
Am I stuck with shouldering this or can I still go after the contractor? Water leaks from the upstairs shower into the kitchen on the first floor. This, after the bathroom was completely gutted and new plumbing, fixtures and tile installed. Problem is, the renovation was completed just over five years ago.
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posted by terrier319
on Aug 31, 2012 -
9 answers
I recently moved to (West) London from overseas and have to do some reasonably major renovation work on a 2-bed flat. This will include re-doing the floors, removing the dreaded "woodchip" wallpaper and therefore possibly re-plastering, replacing or fixing Artex-ed ceilings and possibly some dated/inefficient windows, and re-doing a kitchen. I am not sure what type of professional to call to get an overall plan and estimates or where to look for such professionals.
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 26, 2012 -
5 answers
I'm re-doing my kitchen, and it's almost done. Help me take care of it, to keep it looking awesome for a very long time.
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posted by raztaj
on Aug 7, 2012 -
11 answers
How do I remove a small concrete shower pan lip without losing my sanity in the process? Special snowflake details inside.
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posted by muirne81
on Aug 1, 2012 -
6 answers
Does anyone have information on using PEX tubing for residential use, particularly regarding long term health risks?
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posted by batou_
on Jul 25, 2012 -
9 answers
Calling all home improvement gurus and energy efficiency wizards--help me figure out how to better insulate my attic! I've read through a bunch of information on energystar.gov and other websites about insulating attics, but the more I read the more confused I get about how to do this, because I have the world's weirdest attic. HELP.
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posted by iminurmefi
on Jul 3, 2012 -
12 answers
I am fixing the flooring in our kitchen and pulled out some pieces of white oak. They are 5/8" x 2 1/4" tongue-and-groove. The pieces have stamped underneath: "MO. HDW. FLG. CO. BIRCH TREE. MO.N.O.F.M.A."
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posted by Blazecock Pileon
on Jun 28, 2012 -
13 answers
We have a small 1982 tract home. It has all the original fixtures: brass doorknobs, little clear plastic knob faucets, brown ceiling fans with brass filigree. Is there any benefit to leaving it as is?
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posted by kristymcj
on May 29, 2012 -
9 answers
I just bought a house (yay!) and I need some schoolin' by educated mefites about the relative importance of various electrical upgrades my inspector recommended. If you're an electrician, a handyman with electrical expertise, or just a homeowner that's been through this, I'd love some thoughts on what is worth spending $$$ to upgrade now, versus not that important.
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posted by iminurmefi
on May 18, 2012 -
26 answers
I just bought a small brick 1960s ranch house and I want to: 1) cover the outside of the cinder-block lower level with something like stucco, 2) get rid of the crappy grass in the yard and replace it with nice grass, and 3) replace the crappy vinyl siding with something like
wood siding. Can a dummy like me pull this off?
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posted by critzer
on May 1, 2012 -
14 answers
Property investment filter: How do I decide if a property with structural issues is worth purchasing?
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posted by gttommy
on Apr 25, 2012 -
9 answers
I'm renovating my office, which is currently a monument to 80 years of bad decor. Help me modernize and brighten.
Overview. Many details within.
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posted by zvs
on Mar 28, 2012 -
15 answers
Landlord telling me to leave apartment for 8 hours on Sunday....anything I can do?
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posted by Paquda
on Feb 9, 2012 -
27 answers
Recommend a bathroom renovation company or builder in Melbourne, Australia?
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posted by dave99
on Feb 6, 2012 -
1 answer
Some questions about asbestos:
We are buying a home outside of Birmingham, AL that was built in 1972. It appears that it hasn't been renovated inside since it was built, and we are planning on ripping up carpet, retiling the kitchen, removing wallpaper, and painting.
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posted by mondotwistedmojo
on Jan 17, 2012 -
7 answers
I've recently become fascinated by (a) long-forgotten "hidden" rooms in houses and other buildings and (b) "dead space" in houses, e.g., large unfinished areas behind walls that are only perhaps discovered years later. Help me find more examples of this sort of thing -- preferably examples with pictures!
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posted by aecorwin
on Jan 13, 2012 -
71 answers
How to quickly retile over a busted old floor? Bonus: potential asbestos hazard.
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posted by zvs
on Sep 29, 2011 -
9 answers
My public library is renovating and The Friends OTL would like to sponsor a special collection/reading room in the Childrens department. I've been asked to help with the fundraising during the pre-planning phase of this endeavor by gathering examples of and ideas for promotional materials—flyers, glossies, and whatnot to help get the word out that this charitable opportunity exists. I don't really know where to start, though... do you?
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posted by saguaro
on Sep 26, 2011 -
1 answer
I'm wiring and insulating a garage. What kind of creative things should I do now, before the walls go up?
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posted by Stagger Lee
on Aug 29, 2011 -
20 answers
Mr. M. and I have a gunite pool that was installed at our house by a previous owner. We haven't opened it in the 7 years we've lived here. I want to have it renovated so that we can actually use it, but I have some questions.
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posted by Maisie
on Jul 25, 2011 -
6 answers
What’s the cheapest way to make an unfinished basement work as usable living/working space?
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posted by victoriab
on Jun 3, 2011 -
11 answers
Seeking advice/tips/what-to-avoid related to a home addition project (details inside).
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posted by Ginesthoi
on Mar 31, 2011 -
2 answers
Can I get questions about Toronto's fire code (pertaining to residential renovations) answered without driving down to city hall? I would ideally like this info for free, of course.
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posted by bonobothegreat
on Mar 11, 2011 -
4 answers
Please help me design my new kitchen. I would like to know what kitchen features you can't live without!
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posted by raisingsand
on Dec 27, 2010 -
75 answers
I'm renovating my new apartment and my main closet is now going to be IN the bathroom. What are the problems & solutions for the humidity that will be present?
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posted by darkgroove
on Nov 3, 2010 -
31 answers
I've been renovating my house for about a year (and spent my childhood doing this stuff with my dad), and I'm starting to think that I really like this work. Where can I go for almost-but-not-quite-pro-level classes and hands-on education in stuff like residential wiring, conforming to code, hanging drywall, landscaping, etc?
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posted by m_lazarus
on Oct 5, 2010 -
8 answers
