Life Lessons - What I Learned Remodeling Our Bathroom

The first week of January my husband and I gutted our one full size bathroom. It was old and dated and needed to be remodeled. I believed the schedule was realistic and thought it would be a relatively easy job. I have never been more wrong in my life.

First rule: renovation messiness seeps and spreads into every corner of the house. It took two full days to tear out the existing fixtures and dry wall. The tear our process meant that every room in our house would be dusty and in disarray. The hallway leading from the bathroom was too narrow to allow for clutter so the clutter naturally spilled over into all adjoining rooms. Tools seemed to have no natural home; they now resided on the kitchen counter top, my foyer table, and my bedroom dresser. I felt like I was living in a junkyard and seemed to acquire some Darwinian kind of adaptation. My physical appearance deteriorated. Now I needed a makeover. Feeling this way prompted examination of minor physical details at the most inconvenient moments. Like deciding I needed to file my nails while I was prying the sub floor up.

The second rule is everything takes three times as long as you thought it would. It's an applicable rule for life. I had scheduled getting the all the debris hauled out the following week. This was critical because my daughter had planned a small wedding shower for her best friend at our house the next weekend. Day before the shower I still had a garage filled with junk and a fresh six inches of snow on the driveway and still no pickup. I was into meltdown mode. Twenty women would arrive the next day and the walkway to our front door was inaccessible due to lack of shoveling from the previous 20 inches of snow. They would all to enter through the garage amidst the pile of junk. The prospect of this sent me into overdrive and my husband into hiding. I went onto Craig's list and spent most of that Saturday emailing prospective haulers. Just when I was ready to surrender to the mess I got a repose from a man living only ten minutes away who miraculously would arrive for pick up in less than a half hour. I was so ecstatic (and my husband grateful) that we helped load every last piece of trash into his truck and gave him more than the agreed amount.

Which brings me to the third rule, which is: life goes on so enjoy it. Despite the mess, despite my exhaustion the shower was the perfect antidote for a snowy day. We all sat comfortably on the couch and cushions looking out the back windows at the beautiful snowy woods, drinking wine, eating cheese and chocolate and laughing. That Sunday I had fun and forgot about the mess and the inconvenience.

The following weekend was back to work hanging new drywall and laying the sub floor. That's when I came to respect the carpenter's rule of: measure twice and cut once. Of course this rule was first experienced rather than known. This fourth rule has a clause, which is to "slow down" or to go slow to go fast because not doing this means you will waste time and materials. Like when my husband would give me a measurement to remember and of course once downstairs ready to cut I couldn't recall it. Back upstairs.

It was now time to tile. I was looking forward to this step because it was the first where I could actually see the potential new bathroom. But then I experienced the fifth rule: to expect the unexpected. The already installed three hundred pound cast iron tub had a slight defect and had to be replaced. The entire business of exchanging it reminded of the Laurel and Hardy short about moving the piano up a mountain of stairs. In addition to the grunt work it added several weeks to our schedule.

Rule number six is you can't always get what you wanted. We had picked out a beautiful earth tone stone tile to coincide with my vision of bathing tranquility. Problem is not really a problem but on closer inspection the tiles were all a different color. We were assured that the natural color variations enhanced the overall look. To ensure a professional job we would have to select tiles individually so they reflected this difference in tone. Not what we expected and not an easy job. The only place where we had the room to do a layout was in the middle of the living room. This created an interesting new playscape for the cat and dog. As well as lots of great discussion between my husband and I, he swears I am colorblind.

The seventh rule is to seek professional help when needed. This one is my favorite because my husband admitted his lack of skill and hired a plumber to install the rest of the fixtures. It was expensive but worth the money because it was done right.

It took three months but the bathroom is now completed. I feel like royalty having the luxury of a toilet and shower in the same room. I can remember vowing I'd be happier with an outhouse instead of spending every weekend working with what seemed no end in sight. Instead I'll be happy to clean and scrub my new tub and tile floor daily if need be. Which brings me to the last rule: you can't truly miss something until it's gone. Missing something leads to appreciation and gratitude for what you have. As I survey other potential projects I realize they can wait indefinitely, I'm satisfied with I have right now.

Karen Pesta provides character education for students K-12 promoting academic and social achievement and physical and emotional health. If you are looking for a program of character education that is deliberate, holistic and reaches your entire student population visit: http://www.creativeworldconnection.com

Estimating the Cost of Building a Basement

There are many things to think about before building a basement. One of the most important thing is the cost to build it. Here are a few tips to help you estimate your construction costs.

Excavation

The first thing you need to think about is the cost to excavate the soil. The harder the soil is to excavate, the more expensive it will be. Of course, the depth of the excavation also affects the cost. The deeper the digging the higher the price.

Concrete

The size and shape of your basement will greatly affect your budget for building a basement because they will determine how much concrete you will need for your project. The more complex your perimeter structure is, the more you are going to spend. You will also spend more for deep basements because they will n need higher and thicker walls. You should also include your basement foundation in calculating your building cost.

Reinforcement

Reinforcing your basement walls is very important. This will allow your basement to easily support the load on top of it. Reinforcing the walls will also strengthen it from the constant pressure it receives from the soil around it.

Backfilling

It is highly recommended that you backfill the perimeter of your basement and its bottom. Backfilling will secure your basement from absorbing water or moisture. Since concrete easily absorbs water, backfilling the exterior of your basement will prevent this.

Drain Tile

Installing a Drain Tile to the foundation of your basement should not be forgotten. The Drain Tile will keep you r basement dry by diverting ground water away from it. Other things to consider when building a basement are labor costs, equipment rentals, finishing and of course your building permit.

Considering building a basement? Discover practical basement remodeling ideas online and turn cheap basement ideas into dream basements at a budget.

Bird Poop On Concrete Porch

What You Need To Know About Patio Lighting

Patio lighting is almost as important as the patio furniture that you place there. With a little creative planning, you can create a patio with lighting that really shows it off. You should plan the lighting just as you plan the design and look into all the options available for lights on a patio. Some people like to string Christmas lights around the patio to give it a festive appearance. This method of lighting does not cost a lot because you simply use the Christmas lights that you already have.

Down lighting is a way of lighting the patio from above. It helps to create a natural light, similar to moonlight shining down on those seated there. This lighting is also a good security measure for when you are not home because a lighted patio gives the appearance of people being outside when no one answers the doorbell. With creative lighting, you can sit on the patio after dark and enjoy your favorite novel or read the newspaper.

Spotlights or floodlights can serve as down lighting. If you want all of the patio lit up, then floodlights are best. Spotlights are great for highlighting certain areas of the patio such as stairs and the doorway. If you have a particular area on the patio that you want to draw attention to, such as the fountain, then spotlights work really well. One area that you do need to have lighting is the cooking and eating areas, so that you can see what you are doing.

Patio lights can be installed along the edge of the railing and add an ambiance to the patio. Some of these lights are connected to an electrical supply, while others run by batteries. They come on at dusk and go off at dawn, so you don't have to worry about forgetting to turn off the lights when you go in.

For lots of information on patio design and other decks and patios related topics, visit The DIY Home Guide at http://www.thediyhomeguide.com

Stair Stringer Connection

Books on Home Building - Professional Advice

If you're a do it yourself or or a homeowner who every once in a while, once to tackle a small or large project but doesn't know where to begin, can gather useful information from home building books. I have been using these books for years and may have been worth their weight in gold.

I started my career working for my father and my father worked for his father as a Carpenter. Our job was to frame the house and we built a Lotta homes. I learned how to frame and developed some great carpentry skills from my father and working with other skilled carpenters. Over the years, if you're paying attention, even a monkey can figure out, how to assemble almost anything.

The only problem that I faced, was learning how to build the rest of the home. I would often ask questions to other building trades like plumbers, electricians, roofers and construction superintendents. Some of these people were helpful and others were not. When I was in my early 30s, I purchased my first book on home building. This book lead to other books and soon I found myself with more home building knowledge that my father.

I had about 50 books on home building and soon found myself doing large home remodels, with no formal education. I would attribute almost everything that I learned outside of house framing to books. These books have proven invaluable to me over the years and with a relatively small investment. I couldn't have spent over $200 purchasing these books but have used the knowledge from them to save myself thousands of dollars.

One $20 home building books or home repairs, can save you lots of money, if you're willing to do a little research and the labor to complete almost any home building project.

By the way, if you're interested in learning how to repair a roof, build your own house, interior decorating, structural engineering, building a deck, gathering some more information about home painting or even remodeling your bathroom. An online home building bookstore can save you money if you're willing to do the work.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping

If your looking for some more home inspection or home building ideas

Column Framing And Roof Soffit

Top 10 Secrets to Small Bathroom Designs

It's official. Small bathroom designs are making an inexorable leap to the frontline in the contemporary interior design firmament. No longer are homeowners treating small spaces with a sense of passive resignation, and are in fact, breaking free from the shackles of convention and weaving magic in small bathrooms.

These homeowners stop at nothing to ensure that their personal space resembles a work of art. Gone are the days when the thought of decorating a small bathroom could dim one's ardor. Today, things stand at polar opposites. One finds an earnest desire to liberate oneself from the constraints of claustrophobic eyesores, even at the cost of demolishing long-standing rules in design books.

Secrets Finally Revealed

If a paucity of ideas to inject a dose of freshness into your small space is your constant gripe, it's time to unlock a few secrets. So shun that innate skepticism, and get ready to fire your imagination like never before. Here's how:

• If bathing luxury is your utmost concern, soak in a small but deep bathtub that does not occupy centre stage in the space.
• A transparent shower screen as against an opaque shower wall highlights your bathroom's intrinsic style quotient, leaving nothing much to imagination.
• Do not shelve plans of installing floating or recessed cabinets. Utilize the space on the wall to the fullest.
• Onlookers are sure to stand up and take note of space saving pedestal and wall-mounted sinks.
• Open doors to innovating space saving schemes with hinged or sliding doors.
• Windows in close proximity to the ceiling provide ample space on the walls for cabinets and shelves.
• Optical illusion is not something that only Chris Angel can perfect. Allow natural light to come gushing into the space through windows and skylights, and watch the extraordinary impact.
• The sparkle of under cabinet lighting and the shimmer of mirrors can take the space from dull and dreary to devastatingly dazzling.
• While vertical lines add inches to the space, the spectacular combination of identical wall and floor tiles creates that crackling chemistry.
• Don't remain in the dark about the colossal impact of light, pastel or neutral shades.

Learn exactly how to generate 100's or even 1000's of positively *BRILLIANT* Bathroom Remodeling Ideas ... FAST ! And here are 25 Dirt Cheap Home Improvement Ideas that could increase the value of your home by several $1000's ...

Fountains and Ponds in the Yard

While garden ponds and fountains used to be only for the very wealthy, today anyone who wants to have one in their yard can do so. All it requires is a little money, some ingenuity, and a plan. Fountains and waterfalls can be a wonderful addition to any landscape, even if it's only on a balcony or patio.

Simple solutions are shallow dishes that can be set out as birdbaths, perhaps decorated or displayed in such a way as to make them look to be more than they are. A simple pie pan can become a water-carrying work of art that attracts a myriad of birds if displayed properly.

A birdbath that is on the ground will attract much more than birds, which may be more to your liking. Cats, squirrels, even raccoons can show up if you have it set out in this way. If you prefer just birds, you can hang the bath up, suspended from something or put it on a tall pedestal to keep ground creatures off. This can attract birds even if you are a cat owner as it gives them a sanctuary away from the felines.

If you want to try growing some water plants, try a deeper container that is more firmly rooted and has an easy way to drain and refill without having to do any major moving or carrying. This not only allows the plants to be mostly undisturbed, but also makes it easier for you to do these maintenance tasks, ensuring they'll get done and not procrastinated.

Try several types of pool and pond landscaping plants and see how well they do. Not only is it more lively and colorful, but the ones that aren't suited to the environment you've created will quickly die off so you'll know which ones are hardier and made for what you're doing. Spread stones or heavy gravel on the soil before introducing the plants and water. This will keep the water from washing away the soil underneath.

If you live in a colder climate, make sure you know what you're going to do with that tub garden in the winter time. While moving it indoors is the obvious solution, be sure you know how you'll do so and how you'll get the plants the sunlight they need while they're indoors. A large window, grow light, or other means can solve this problem.

Have fun with whatever your creation is and be sure you enjoy it every chance you get!

Now is the perfect time to witness more about small pond landscaping. Today you too can take advantage of our years of experience, visit plant-care.com.

Buying A Functional House

Hiring a Contractor For Bathroom Remodeling - Remodeling Contractors

Well here's the age old question, how do we go about finding a decent bathroom remodeling contractor.

Here's some things you will be looking for in a contractor.

1. Is Your Contractor Fair and Honest?

2. Does Your Contractor Have Experience Remodeling and Designing Bathrooms?

3. Can You Actually Find a Contractor Who Will Complete the Job in a Timely Manner?

4. Do You Think the Workers Will Be Able to Clean the Job up Daily?

5. Will the Contractor Show up on Time?

6. Is the Contractor Going to Work At Least Eight Hours a Day?

7. Does the Contractor's Crew Have Experience?

8. Is Your Contractor and His Crew Courteous?

If you find a contractor for your bathroom remodeling project that has answered yes to all questions above, hire that person immediately. Most contractors can sincerely answer yes to half of the questions above. If you're looking for the ultimate bathroom remodeling contractor, you could be searching for quite a while, you're looking for some one that is competent and you feel comfortable with.

When hiring a contractor, look for someone who has your interest in mind first and not theirs. Find someone who is willing to help with the designed process of your bathroom and the remodeling. If you find a contractor to be arrogant or controlling, there is a good chance, your bathroom might not turn out the way you envision it.

When hiring a contractor for your bathroom remodeling project or any home improvement project, the most important thing to keep in mind is, whether or not you feel comfortable with this person or not. Never hire a contractor you're not comfortable with.

If a contractor is referred to you by someone you trust, this does not guarantee you will be happy with the bathroom remodel. Most referrals that I have gotten over the years are like rolling the dice, I believe I would have done just as good picking a name out of a hat.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more building stairs and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Is Imagination Better Than Knowl