Enough of COVID...what are you doing to the house?

[Lyndsay]

I painted my place when I built it, but there was nothing in it, including trim or flooring. Makes it so much easier, as you don't need to be careful. The downside is I'm still trying to finish the trim 6 years later, as once you're in the house you get used to the raw window openings.

 

[oioioi]

I painted my place when I built it, but there was nothing in it, including trim or flooring. Makes it so much easier, as you don't need to be careful. The downside is I'm still trying to finish the trim 6 years later, as once you're in the house you get used to the raw window openings.

I had a similar issue.
I didn't build my house but did all the reno when we moved in. Including the trim etc.
It was good enough to live in and I said I would paint it soon.

2 or 3 years later we had family coming from Europe so it "needed" to be done, if you know what I mean.

Ended up hiring someone to do it. I now regret spending that money as now I see the lack of attention to detail.

 

[moarmoto]

I needed to size a beam when I remodeled the cottage. My thoughts were 12"x16"x 40ft Douglas fir, should hold up anything.
Ask engineer buddy #1, I model heat treating ovens, yoiu want a different engineer
buddy#2, I design injection molded plastic for the car industry (dont make it from glass reinforced nylon!) , ok thanks
buddy#3 , machinery for pharma? thats what i do
not a buddy, but a structural engineer gal (retired Prof ) , I'm getting somewhere , I got structural!! nope she does concrete calculation. Want a concrete beam? sorry.

guy at the building office in Sequin township?? just use a 12x12 Doug fir beam, 12x16 is stupid, I'll stamp that.

How many different damn engineers are there ??

If you didn't know before your experience, lots of different kinds.

It's like saying 1 mechanic does everything from bicycle to heavy machinery, or 1 IT professional does everything from setting up PC to network analysis.

There may be generalized principles and theories that they learned at school and practice but each engineering discipline specializes in something specific.

Electrical engineer dealing with power systems will have no idea what exactly needs to be done for a beam, nor would a chemical engineer dealing with processing plants.

 

[mimico_polak]

Ended up hiring someone to do it. I now regret spending that money as now I see the lack of attention to detail.

This is the best part of hiring 'professionals'...every Tom, Dick and Harry are painters when the economy hits the *****. It's such a low barrier to entry it's expected. My buddy says he always has clients that tell him they've got someone for 1/3 - 1/2 the price of his. So he's like "OK, have fun." and walks away.

Then when they inevitable call him back, his price jumps 25-50% because "Now I have to fix all the **** the other guy did in your house." and they pay him willingly! LoL

I've offered to paint my friends' houses for just the cost of materials so I can learn...the response usually is "Sorry man, no offence but I want professionals."
Me: OK, less work for me.

Then when I see their houses afterwards I just laugh at the 'professional' work. Typically missed sections, bleeding colours, ****** cutting of walls...hell I could do better.

 

[GreyGhost]

For

This is the best part of hiring 'professionals'...every Tom, Dick and Harry are painters when the economy hits the *****. It's such a low barrier to entry it's expected. My buddy says he always has clients that tell him they've got someone for 1/3 - 1/2 the price of his. So he's like "OK, have fun." and walks away.

Then when they inevitable call him back, his price jumps 25-50% because "Now I have to fix all the **** the other guy did in your house." and they pay him willingly! LoL

I've offered to paint my friends' houses for just the cost of materials so I can learn...the response usually is "Sorry man, no offence but I want professionals."
Me: OK, less work for me.

Then when I see their houses afterwards I just laugh at the 'professional' work. Typically missed sections, bleeding colours, ****** cutting of walls...hell I could do better.

For **** work quality, it's hard to beat trim carpenters. I have no idea why almost all of them insist on using every scrap of material. If it's less than a 16' run there should be no joints. If you have to have a joint, place it in an unobtrusive location and put the bleeping thing together properly so it doesnt open up. Cope inside corners. These things arent hard and make a big difference in the finished product but it is almost impossible to find someone to do it properly.

 

[mimico_polak]

I have no idea why almost all of them insist on using every scrap of material.

Cause it's cheaper and they don't have to buy more! Outside of that I agree with your entire post. I'm still bitter about having gorgeous hardwood painted white for trim in our house...gets me angry just thinking about it.

 

[crankcall]

I've been down both roads , my last few yrs work has been in lumber sales, specifically sheet stock, ply, mdf, PB , custom veneered panels and things in between. I had a home office built in the last house, the baseboard was designed by a NY architect , Paduak,elm, white maple, wenge and beech, it was fluted and looked like cigarettes stacked on edge. It was $132.00 a lineal ft. It was gifted to me by a customer I'm very close to. WAY beyond my means. I sold the house and they ripped it out , too "weird" .
I cant stand a shoody paint work, edges should be crisp. Electrical outlets all have to have the screws lined up verticle.

I do a LOT of my own work, not because there aren't guys that can work to showcase standards. I just cant afford them. The kijiji painetr that can start in 2 days?? yeah enjoy that.

 

[GreyGhost]

I've been down both roads , my last few yrs work has been in lumber sales, specifically sheet stock, ply, mdf, PB , custom veneered panels and things in between. I had a home office built in the last house, the baseboard was designed by a NY architect , Paduak,elm, white maple, wenge and beech, it was fluted and looked like cigarettes stacked on edge. It was $132.00 a lineal ft. It was gifted to me by a customer I'm very close to. WAY beyond my means. I sold the house and they ripped it out , too "weird" .
I cant stand a shoody paint work, edges should be crisp. Electrical outlets all have to have the screws lined up verticle.

I do a LOT of my own work, not because there aren't guys that can work to showcase standards. I just cant afford them. The kijiji painetr that can start in 2 days?? yeah enjoy that.

Pics of baseboard? Sounds interesting.

 

[Wingboy]

Next week this house is gonna smell sooooo good.

 

[nobbie48]

This is the best part of hiring 'professionals'...every Tom, Dick and Harry are painters when the economy hits the *****. It's such a low barrier to entry it's expected. My buddy says he always has clients that tell him they've got someone for 1/3 - 1/2 the price of his. So he's like "OK, have fun." and walks away.

Then when they inevitable call him back, his price jumps 25-50% because "Now I have to fix all the **** the other guy did in your house." and they pay him willingly! LoL

I've offered to paint my friends' houses for just the cost of materials so I can learn...the response usually is "Sorry man, no offence but I want professionals."
Me: OK, less work for me.

Then when I see their houses afterwards I just laugh at the 'professional' work. Typically missed sections, bleeding colours, ****** cutting of walls...hell I could do better.

I knew an English painter. He went through a 5 year apprenticeship. Here it's 5 minutes. Stick the fuzzy end in the pail and rub it on the wall.

 

[nobbie48]

For
For **** work quality, it's hard to beat trim carpenters. I have no idea why almost all of them insist on using every scrap of material. If it's less than a 16' run there should be no joints. If you have to have a joint, place it in an unobtrusive location and put the bleeping thing together properly so it doesnt open up. Cope inside corners. These things arent hard and make a big difference in the finished product but it is almost impossible to find someone to do it properly.

Cope corners? Even mitering is out. Jamb boards into corner and wipe with caulk.

 

[nobbie48]

Today I cleaned part of the workbench that hasn't seen sunlight for years. Bonus! I found a brand new in package N95 mask.

 

[mimico_polak]

The fruits of my labour over the last few days...can't wait to finish that gazebo.

 

[crankcall]

nice looking gazebo kit, whats the roof made out of?

 

[Trials]

I needed to size a beam when I remodeled the cottage. My thoughts were 12"x16"x 40ft Douglas fir, should hold up anything.
...

40 foot select structural grade Douglas Fir! First off you likely can't afford it, but if you need the beam calculations made, there is a nice lady that does timber frame design near Perth for Gibson Timber Frame she can fix you right up with the beam you want.

 

[mimico_polak]

nice looking gazebo kit, whats the roof made out of?

It's a graphite coloured aluminium roof from the description. Will be putting together the panels today but putting them up will be a pain in the ass for sure.

 

[crankcall]

40 foot select structural grade Douglas Fir! First off you likely can't afford it,

They actually aren't that bad, it was my industry (wood supply). When I was buying them they were still standing in the bush in BC. Saw to order.

 

[crankcall]

It's a graphite coloured aluminium roof from the description. Will be putting together the panels today but putting them up will be a pain in the ass for sure.

postpone if there is any wind,

 

[mimico_polak]

postpone if there is any wind,

Haha ya. I'll build all the panels in the garage and will probably need a helping hand with this one. My dad's itching to come by to help as he can't fathom not doing anything...I'll ask a cousin or someone else.

 

[GreyGhost]

postpone if there is any wind,

Or attach a string and harness and fly them up like a kite