flipstah's Condo Renovation!

[flipstah]

Just got my 'new' place and it's a mess. How that tenant lived in that place astounds me but location was great and it was hella cheap.

The two places that need major work are the kitchen and the bathroom.


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It's just worn out, out-dated, and in the case of the bathroom, just plain disgusting.

What it needs are new:

- Granite countertops
- Cabinet hardware
- Undermount sink
- Kitchen faucet
- Stove
- Hood fan
- Dishwasher
- Fridge

- Bathroom sink
- Faucet
- Toilet

- Condo requires complete paint job and thorough cleaning (former tenant smoked inside n: no carpet fortunately)
- Interior doors
- Lighting


I have a set budget (lol), fixed scope of work (lol), and a timeline (lol). I have a contractor and mentor (InRich) and we're pretty handy on the little things.

It's time to put some elbow grease and get this thing rolling!

----

Day 1


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- Get materials from Costco (faucets and toilet)
- Get sinks from Lowe's (cheapest double square undermount sink we found and I bought the same as my parents)
- Buy appliances from Future Shop
- Prep for granite and tile guys

What could possibly go wrong?

We did a toilet 'install' for the first time and here's what happened.

The old one really had to go. It had stains that couldn't be removed from bleach and that person lived in squalor. It was nasty shit. Literally.

I bought a high-efficiency toilet (with high/lo function) instead of a standard one and:


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So the fitment got compromised and we need to re-tile.

Lesson of the Day:

Never try and save the environment.



We're just getting started.

[The_Rural_Juror]

Don't cheap out on the toilet or you will have some shitty days plunging.

[flipstah]

Originally posted by The_Rural_Juror
Don't cheap out on the toilet or you will have some shitty days plunging.

Apparently, the toilet is a hit and miss but it has been redesigned so cross fingers its a goodie.

[thinmyster]

Awe I was hoping to come in here and see a full reno! Update often.

[max_boost]

Lol wow flip. Props. Girls like guys with skills. Haha

[davidI]

Reminds me of my ex's place near the U of C across from McMahon.

Looking forward to watching the reno progress!

[C_Dave45]

Am I seeing right?!!! The old tenant actually tiled AROUND the toilet???

Please tell me you're going to put down new tile. and BEFORE the toilet goes down this time, no?

Wan't to really pimp the place up, put in-floor heating into the bathroom. Brand new product out called Ditra Heat E....even a half decent DIY can do it:

Materials for your bathroom would cost you ~$500 and you could put it in easily yourself.

[flipstah]

Originally posted by thinmyster
Awe I was hoping to come in here and see a full reno! Update often.

It will be. Stay tuned for hilarity and design bitch sessions (possibly)

Originally posted by max_boost
Lol wow flip. Props. Girls like guys with skills. Haha

I have daddy flipstah to thank for that and the ability to read basic instructions

- He teaches me things
- I don't get it
- We yell
- I read the instructions
- Concede he is right
- Repeat
- Argue about the English language
- Profit

Originally posted by davidI
Reminds me of my ex's place near the U of C across from McMahon.

Looking forward to watching the reno progress!

Originally posted by C_Dave45
Am I seeing right?!!! The old tenant actually tiled AROUND the toilet???

Please tell me you're going to put down new tile. and BEFORE the toilet goes down this time, no?

Wan't to really pimp the place up, put in-floor heating into the bathroom. Brand new product out called Ditra Heat E....even a half decent DIY can do it:

Materials for your bathroom would cost you ~$500 and you could put it in easily yourself.

Indeed you are right, Dave. We just put the toilet up so that the smell won't go up the room but the water line isn't hooked up yet so it'll be tile first THEN full install.

Now, WHY did you show me that?! Now I want it. FUUUU.

Very simple to install and do you just bypass the coil to the light switch or is it always on and is sensor-dependent? Probably the latter but wanted to make sure.

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by flipstah


Indeed you are right, Dave. We just put the toilet up so that the smell won't go up the room but the water line isn't hooked up yet so it'll be tile first THEN full install.

Now, WHY did you show me that?! Now I want it. FUUUU.

Very simple to install and do you just bypass the coil to the light switch or is it always on and is sensor-dependent? Probably the latter but wanted to make sure.

Don't forget to stuff a plastic bag filled with a small towel into the toilet hole. You've got a direct hole right into raw sewage gasses there.

No that $500 would include a programmable thermostat, that you can have sit right beside your light switch. You can (most likely) take your power right from the switch. That small of a kit will only draw about 2.8 amps (400 watts). Should have plenty of room on your existing circuit. The thermostat has a built in GFCI for safety too.

[flipstah]

Originally posted by C_Dave45


Don't forget to stuff a plastic bag filled with a small towel into the toilet hole. You've got a direct hole right into raw sewage gasses there.

No that $500 would include a programmable thermostat, that you can have sit right beside your light switch. You can (most likely) take your power right from the switch. That small of a kit will only draw less than 3 amps. Should have plenty of room on your existing circiut. The thermostat has a built in GFCI for safey too.

Now, where would you get one of these kits... Hypothetically...

Not that I want one... Just curious.

I really wish you didn't say anything. Scope change.

This is the same thing I face at work everyday.

[blitz]

Originally posted by C_Dave45


Don't forget to stuff a plastic bag filled with a small towel into the toilet hole. You've got a direct hole right into raw sewage gasses there.

I've found a plastic red beer cup is the perfect size to plug that hole.

[msommers]

Which you will have lying around. Or at least I did. Because renos led to a lot of drinking

Stoked to see the changes man!

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by flipstah


Now, where would you get one of these kits... Hypothetically...

Not that I want one... Just curious.

I really wish you didn't say anything. Scope change.

This is the same thing I face at work everyday.

Ames carries the whole kit in stock. You can order one through my account.

You'd need: 30-40 ft (?) Ditra E Heat mat
a 26 sq ft wiring kit
1 programmable thermostat
1 bag modified thinset
1 bag Non-modified thinset.

(that's probably less than $500 all in)

I can order everything for you and then you can just pay me directly. I can pick it up and meet you somewhere. Or you can give me a cool "G" and I'll install it all for you

[flipstah]

The famjam was discussing the status of the bathtub and does resale value take a plunge if I replace the shower/tub into shower only?

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by flipstah
The famjam was discussing the status of the bathtub and does resale value take a plunge if I replace the shower/tub into shower only?

Just having this discussion with another beyond member. If it's the main bathroom, or especially the ONLY bathroom, then yes it will. It will pretty much wipe out young families as potential buyers. Everyone with small kids needs a bathtub. Also the cost will be higher. If you're re-doing this whole bathroom though...I'd seriously consider putting in a completely new tub. They start at ~$350..to spend all that time, money and energy into a beautiful new bathroom and still have a dingy, old, scratched tub....poor investment.
And keep this in mind...every dollar that you put into your bathroom or kitchen renovation is like putting a dollar into a savings account. You will get it back (and more) in increased equity value. The more you put in, the more you'll get back. And if you DON'T do certain things, then you're throwing money away. (ie: new bathroom, old crappy tub)

[flipstah]

Originally posted by C_Dave45


Just having this discussion with another beyond member. If it's the main bathroom, or especially the ONLY bathroom, then yes it will. It will pretty much wipe out young families as potential buyers. Everyone with small kids needs a bathtub. Also the cost will be higher. If you're re-doing this whole bathroom though...I'd seriously consider putting in a completely new tub. They start at ~$350..to spend all that time, money and energy into a beautiful new bathroom and still have a dingy, old, scratched tub....poor investment.
And keep this in mind...every dollar that you put into your bathroom or kitchen renovation is like putting a dollar into a savings account. You will get it back (and more) in increased equity value. The more you put in, the more you'll get back. And if you DON'T do certain things, then you're throwing money away. (ie: new bathroom, old crappy tub)

Then in this case, ill just research refinishing the bathtub because its a PITA to disassemble and remove. Just get the floor and shower area re-tiled and put new fixtures up.

[InRich]

On the other hand theres no way a family would ever live in that condo. Its 1 bed room. Shower stall conversion isn't a bad idea. that tub is in rough shape.

[Tik-Tok]

Originally posted by InRich
On the other hand theres no way a family would ever live in that condo. Its 1 bed room. Shower stall conversion isn't a bad idea. that tub is in rough shape.

Would still rule out any single female from buying it though. I would never get rid of a tub myself, just update it.

[spikerS]

Don't discount the tub! They have more than one use.

Growing up, I used my parents tub as a parts washer...

yeah, I got yelled at a lot as a kid!

[firebane]

Originally posted by flipstah


Then in this case, ill just research refinishing the bathtub because its a PITA to disassemble and remove. Just get the floor and shower area re-tiled and put new fixtures up.

Refinishing a tub? Don't bother. I've looked into it and DIY measures come off looking like crap and professinal jobs are $$$