Thus continues the saga of the remodel. Shown here is what we found when we peeled the carpet back in the office. Note the years of water damage? Note the fresh puddle? It hasn’t rained in about a week, but this puddle was still wet to the touch. We figure that it’s some small leak, running down the wall from the attic, and is going to be a joy to track down. ‘Cause really, how do you find the source for such things unless it’s raining? We contacted our condo association, so we’ll see what happens.
At long last, though, the upstairs is done with the exception of the stairs and banister. There had been a storage cabinet, bolted to the floor, to which the banister was bolted (you can see the original paint color on the wall where it had been for the past 35 years). We tore it out, though, to give ourselves more space, and because the thing was truly ugly and tended to catch whatever was in our hands when we came upstairs. So, as soon as our builder can figure out how to make things match up, we’ll have a nice open landing. I’m helping by actually buying a real router, instead of the stupid RotoZip thing he uses, so that he can actually make edges which lock together, instead of relying on glue or something.
Out of this whole process, we’ve learned several things. First off, we’ve learned that time is a very very flexible thing: 10:00 to a builder may mean noon, or maybe tomorrow. We’ve also learned that any estimate as to when something will be done is just hot air – we’ve taken to packing everything away as if it’s going to have to sit there for several weeks, because it most likely will have to sit for several weeks. Lastly we’ve resolved to never live in a place while it’s being remodeled; it’s simply not worth the dusting, shifting, and misery of having to share space.
The end is in sight, but we’re trying not to get our hopes up, as we know they’ll just be dashed. After all, this is now month three of what was to have been a one month project.
Of course, this is just the flooring and the kitchen. To be done after all of the flooring downstairs is 1) the bathroom (and we know there’ve been leaks from the tub, so that’s a big job), 2) a new heater / air conditioner (the one we’ve got has been retro-fitted with a new burner, but is 35 years old, and just as efficient), 3) a ladder to the attic and rough flooring of the attic (there’s a full attic, but you can’t get in unless you get a ladder), 3) painting of various walls. So, I’d guess we’re more than halfway through, when it all comes down to it, but we’ve still got some more to go.
Then there’s the organizing of the Art Closet. That’s on the agenda for today, but … well, we’ll see.
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I hope you guys find some relief soon and this is all over with as quickly as possible!! If you need to unload the birds again let me know.
Still haven’t heard from the building company, have you?
I see the HOA is really worried about this leak. Not.
At least your upstairs looks purty!! Here’s hoping the rest goes well. We have a friend who did home theater installation for many years, and he said the contractors he used to work with had an adage–when you’re getting work done on your house, you want it to be cheap, fast, and good, but the reality is you can only ever have two of those three things coexist simultaneously. I.e, if it’s done cheap and fast, it won’t be good. Or if it’s done fast and well, it won’t be cheap. Etc.