Archive for May, 2008
Saturday, May 31st, 2008
Sandra W asked:
I have no doubt in my mind that it is a man’s world we live in!
Here is a recent example, my partner Steve and I do home improvements and repairs. Today we gave estimates to a contractor who is building this house. One was for installing plank siding, the second was for the interior drywall. When the contractor asked how many guys will be working on the job? Steve answered, just us two, but if needed we will call in someone else. Instantly his attitude changed from handshakes and smiles to well I’ll call you. I got to go. I knew he wasn’t going to call. We weren’t going to get the job because of me being a female. One added note we had untill February to complete the work. This was ample time for two people to do the job.
This is just one of thousands of examples living in a man’s world!
It would be great to get some feedback.
Disappointed in Tacoma,WA
Tags: Feedback, Handshakes, No Doubt, People, Smiles
Posted in Other - Society Culture | 3 Comments »
Thursday, May 29th, 2008
indiginouslizard asked: I am a student (university) who is getting ready to finish and move on with his life. I have a wife and child and I’d say I’m fairly competent with a hammer and saw (a figure of speech). I have a collection of trusted contractors and I have several 3-ring binders (at least 10) with a plethora of plans and design products/ideas that I have amassed throughout the years. These range anywhere from counter tops, to drywall, to floor plans. The only thing I have left to learn is how to finance such an expedition. Obviously, I do not have a lot of money right now, given that I am a college student.
I looked at http://geltfinancial.com/loanrehab.asp
Is this place reliable? What options do I have?
PS: I would like this to be short-term investments (e.g., 1mo. or less–and yes, I can do it in less than a month).
Tags: Counter Tops, Design Ideas, Figure Of Speech, Lot, Options
Posted in Renting Real Estate | 5 Comments »
Sunday, May 25th, 2008
Buhaha asked:
Does anyone know if contractors in NY State must have a house tested for ASBESTOS before tearing out drywall, flooring, sheetrock, etc? I’ve heard that OSHA demands testing on any building, even private homes if it is built before 1974 to protect workers from ASBESTOS exposure. If a contractor gets caught doing even the smallest of tear-outs, he could face a heavy fine for not getting testing done prior to tear-out. Is this true, could you provide a link to a law?
Tags: Asbestos Exposure, Drywall, Flooring, Osha, Sheetrock
Posted in Decorating Remodeling | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, May 21st, 2008
Sweetbabygurl318 asked:
My husband and I would like to demolish our only bathroom and replace everything, do you think we can do a majority of it in a couple of weekends? My husband has little faith or is it just plain lazy. I Wanna tear down ugly wall tile and replace with half drywall and half new wall tile, put in a smaller whirlpool tub and replace wall tile around tub, rip up the tile floor and replace with some ceramic. Eventually, get a new toilet and vanity and cabinet. HGTV has me pumped up! I think we can do it without hiring contractors.
Tags: Drywall, Little Faith, Toilet, Vanity, Whirlpool Tub
Posted in Decorating Remodeling | 7 Comments »
Tuesday, May 20th, 2008
qriusjorj asked: This past year we improved our home. We hired subcontractors to do the majority of the work (plumbing, carpet, drywall, finish trim). We paid several of these contractors more than $600. Are we supposed to report their earnings to the IRS and furnish the contractors with a Form 1099-MISC? I’ve never done this in the past but someone told me I’m supposed to be doing this.
Thanks for the help!
Tags: Carpet, Earnings, Irs, Plumbing, Subcontractors
Posted in Renting Real Estate | 1 Comment »
Monday, May 19th, 2008
unity asked:
I had a fire in my home, the fire was located upstairs of my home the water drain downstairs and my walls and floors got very wet downstairs. A contractor came and used a machine to dry out the house. I think the walls dried fine, they are not buckling. Is it wise to keep the wall or get new drywall? If it is ok to keep the wall can I paint over the wall paper?
Tags: Downstairs, Drywall, Painting, Wall Paper, Water Drain
Posted in Decorating Remodeling | 11 Comments »
Saturday, May 17th, 2008
JandJ asked:
we wanted him to install Ikea cabinets, repair walls,paint, and lay tile. He didn’t repair our walls. He put our cabinets and they weren’t balanced. he couldn’t figure out how to install the drawers and shelves in our ikea cabinets. my husband had to do that. he charged us for an electritian to install a ceiling fan that was never installed. tile was cut un-even and placed on the back splash un-even. we ask him to redo it. he refused. the drywall was is sagging and uneven. we did all the demolition work(tore down partitian walls, pulled up old flooring)we ask him to redo it he refused. he was to start on a friday and never showed untill the following sunday. he told us the work would be done when we came back from vacation which was 14 days. it was not done, infact he was just getting to the cabinets. we ask him if he could handle the project, he said yes but that was not the case. I had enough and told him he was fired. now he wants to take us to court for $2000. what should we do
Tags: Ceiling Fan, Demolition Work, Drywall, Paint, Upfront
Posted in Law Ethics | 12 Comments »
Saturday, May 17th, 2008
Pax asked: We are tackling the remodel of our bathroom in a house NOT built by a contractor due to the need to replace rotten flooring. The guy who built this house in the 70’s cut the floor joist to make room for the toilet piping. We have fixed that and replaced all the damaged subflooring and drywall. The floor is still not level.
Can someone give us the name of a good thin-set compound to pour in the 15 sq ft space to level it?
We have a 50 lb bag of Quik Set self-leveling compound but from the directions, it doesn’t sound like what we’re looking for but if anyone knows if this can be used as a thin set pour, please let me know. Hubby is worried about weight using this type of compound, is it okay to use?
We have found the other type of compound that you pour but that’s another 50 lb bag ($70) and we’re trying to conserve on the money. Help would be appreciated.
Tags: Drywall, Hubby, Money Help, Sq Ft, Toilet
Posted in Do It Yourself (DIY) | 4 Comments »
Thursday, May 15th, 2008
dpisarcik10 asked:
just bought this house and recently noticed water leaking in from somewhere. Don’t know where… but the drywall is moist and the carpet is soaked. A contractor came and looked at it and said it was the window leaking. he replaced the window sill and caulked it, but we had a rain storm today and i went buy(havent moved in yet) and there were puddles on the floor by the wall and wall was so soft i could push it. i know Maronda doesn’t have the best reputation but i was hoping someone else had this problem and could tell me where the leak is coming from. Many people have said where the frame meets the block concrete, but the contractor says no he checked that. any suggestions???? please help. tell me where the water is coming in from. Thanks
Tags: Carpet, Concrete Contractor, Drywall, Reputation, Window Sill
Posted in Maintenance Repairs | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, May 14th, 2008
Jay Dub asked:
I would like to put a simple 10′ x 12′ addition onto my existing living room. The new living room would have vaulted ceilings which I currently do not have, and a fireplace. What should I expect to pay a contractor to rough in that size addition with roof. I will do the drywall, electrical, and heating.
Tags: Drywall, Fireplace, New Living Room, Room Addition, Vaulted Ceilings
Posted in Decorating Remodeling | 3 Comments »