Anyone do A LOT of renovations at one time? Edited with a question about GC

We're considering making an offer on a house that needs a lot of work, which we SWORE we would never do...
So far we know the following needs to be done:
Kitchen
Floors (need to put in hardwood)
obvious paint/carpet upstairs)

There are mirrors on almost one wall of every room (WTH, right?!) and I want to have them taken down.

Possibly CAC

Im finding that one things leads to another.

For example, if I do the CAC, there are many wall units, so we'd have to patch walls on the interior and then replace the siding, right? But the CAC guy doesn't do patch work so we have to get someone else for that and then a 3rd person for the siding..
Also, the HW floors.. the guy says we would have to get new moldings and doors throughout, but he doesn't do that so we have to get someone else.
etc, etc
Isnt there an easier way to accomplish these things without having 50 people do the work?

Can anyone recommend solutions?

And don't get me started on the kitchen lol, I don't even know where to start!

ETA: Can anyone recommend a GC in Smithtown/Hauppauge area?

TIA

Message edited 2/15/2014 1:22:53 PM.

Anyone do A LOT of renovations at one time?

So, let me say this, renovations are a HUGE undertaking. If it is not something you think you are up for, don't do it. Everything takes longer than you think, it always costs more than you think. There are almost always more things that need to be done that you don't expect. I am thankful that DH and I did it, but it's 2 years in and we are almost done with the kitchen, we still need to redo the floors on both the first and second floor, and both bathrooms. It sounds to me like you don't really want to do it. The kitchen alone is a HUGE job.

Re: Anyone do A LOT of renovations at one time?

We do want to do it.. Im getting excited about the end product and we will not be living there while the work gets done so its now or not for a loooong time lol

The bathrooms can use updating but we have time for that. The kitchen and floors needs to be done ASAP.

I guess im really just asking if theres a more efficient way of doing it by bringing in a certain company or person that handles more than one thing as opposed to bringing in several people that will do multiple jobs?

Re: Anyone do A LOT of renovations at one time?

For that much stuff, you really want a General Contractor (GC). They will manage the entire project, schedule the subcontractors, and make sure things get done on time.

We doubled the size of our house, added solar panels, added CAC, moved and rebuilt the kitchen, and replaced all of the existing windows, siding, and roof shingles in one project. Our GC handled all of it.

Anyone do A LOT of renovations at one time?

I agree with above, GC is the way to go. Sorry, I guess I was reading your excitement as hesitation.

Re: Anyone do A LOT of renovations at one time?

We're getting ready to move our front door, put in new windows/siding, add a front covered porch (if we can ever get a date with the town for the variance), new kitchen, knock down several walls in our downstairs, new floors downstairs and paint.

DH is in construction and plans to do most of the work himself.

I envision the bulk of the work being done in the next 5 years. (Seriously, I hope not but I'm hoping for the best and expecting the worst).



And our house is like a small cape-style.

Re: Anyone do A LOT of renovations at one time?

Will you be living there when the work is going on?

Living through construction of any sort sucks, and I have been through my share.

As crazy as it sounds, I love construction, the whole process and even that new construction smell . If it could be dust free that would be amazing.

I agree that a GC would be very helpful. From your list though, it looks like you need to work backwards, at least I would if it was my house.

1. Really think about CAC, now is the time! Depending on how easily the mirrors come down, you will definitely need to skim coat the walls or replace other sections with patch work. If you are already doing that I would do the CAC.

2. Think of your kitchen layout, if it works for you. If it does and you are just swapping cabinets, its not bad. If you are moving things around it is more involved and should be planned out first. Once you have that planned out then the CAC will figure out where the vents go.

3. Once those 2 things are done, move to your flooring. Figure out where you want what material. Carpeting should be the last think you install so it doesn't get dirty. I would do dry, tile, kitchen, wood flooring. I like the tile to go under all the cabinets and appliances. It's cleaner and if you ever needed to change something down the road you do not have to worry about patching flooring.

4. Once the tile and wood is down, put in the crown/base moldings. I do not think you need to change out doors. I would wait, if you do, that you can do after the HW is installed.

5. Next, paint then carpets. Voila..you move in

Some things to think about if your walls are opened up already, do you want/need to change your electric? Do you want to had high hats, wall lighting, speakers anywhere?

Like I said, I am not sure if this is the right way, but this is the way I would want it done in my house.

If you break it down it really isn't that bad.

Re: Anyone do A LOT of renovations at one time?

We did. We have done the kitchen. Refinished the floors and laid new ones in certain rooms. Replaced the ceiling and wals in our family room and put in high hats. We took down a lot of wall paper and fixed walls throughout. Have redone 2 of 3 baths. We put in all new windows and converted to gas. We still want to do CAC. Need a new driveway, walkway, stoop. Siding and roof will need to be done in the next 5 years.

Kitchen, floors, paint we did before we moved in which was a help. It is all super expensive and stressful.

BUT....I love the way it all came out

Re: Anyone do A LOT of renovations at one time?

we are currently doing a bathroom reno in our family room, making a half bath to a full bath. But we have to build into the family room so it is affecting our whole downstairs. So far we are two weeks in and between the snow and things that come up during a reno, we are behind on schedule. We just put high hats in the family room last week b/c we figured while the ceiling is open and the electrical exposed let just get it done. As soon as the bathroom is finished we have to paint and get new carpeting throughout the downstairs or it wont look right. Plus even though we have central air, the previous owners left a window unit in so we also have to get that removed (which means Sheetrock and new siding for that portion of the outside) b/c it is located right on the edge of where one of the bathroom walls will be. I definitely didn't think this would turn out to be as big as a project as it is. but everyone says you never do. Luckily our main living is the upstairs.
Good luck with everything and I definitely agree to get a GM if you are doing alot at once or at least make sure they all work/know each other. Our general contractor happens to be good friends with our plumber and both have worked other jobs with our electrician so that worked out for us.

Message edited 2/15/2014 10:11:26 AM.

Anyone do A LOT of renovations at one time?

I agree with Goldenrod- my father is in construction but still hired a GC to take manage a big home renovation. There were several issues that came up during my parent's renovation but the end result is beautiful!

Re: Anyone do A LOT of renovations at one time?

Posted by JerseyMamaOf3

Will you be living there when the work is going on?

Living through construction of any sort sucks, and I have been through my share.

As crazy as it sounds, I love construction, the whole process and even that new construction smell . If it could be dust free that would be amazing.

I agree that a GC would be very helpful. From your list though, it looks like you need to work backwards, at least I would if it was my house.

1. Really think about CAC, now is the time! Depending on how easily the mirrors come down, you will definitely need to skim coat the walls or replace other sections with patch work. If you are already doing that I would do the CAC.

2. Think of your kitchen layout, if it works for you. If it does and you are just swapping cabinets, its not bad. If you are moving things around it is more involved and should be planned out first. Once you have that planned out then the CAC will figure out where the vents go.

3. Once those 2 things are done, move to your flooring. Figure out where you want what material. Carpeting should be the last think you install so it doesn't get dirty. I would do dry, tile, kitchen, wood flooring. I like the tile to go under all the cabinets and appliances. It's cleaner and if you ever needed to change something down the road you do not have to worry about patching flooring.

4. Once the tile and wood is down, put in the crown/base moldings. I do not think you need to change out doors. I would wait, if you do, that you can do after the HW is installed.

5. Next, paint then carpets. Voila..you move in

Some things to think about if your walls are opened up already, do you want/need to change your electric? Do you want to had high hats, wall lighting, speakers anywhere?

Like I said, I am not sure if this is the right way, but this is the way I would want it done in my house.

If you break it down it really isn't that bad.

Re: Anyone do A LOT of renovations at one time?

Posted by Journey33

Posted by JerseyMamaOf3

Will you be living there when the work is going on?

Living through construction of any sort sucks, and I have been through my share.

As crazy as it sounds, I love construction, the whole process and even that new construction smell . If it could be dust free that would be amazing.

I agree that a GC would be very helpful. From your list though, it looks like you need to work backwards, at least I would if it was my house.

1. Really think about CAC, now is the time! Depending on how easily the mirrors come down, you will definitely need to skim coat the walls or replace other sections with patch work. If you are already doing that I would do the CAC.

2. Think of your kitchen layout, if it works for you. If it does and you are just swapping cabinets, its not bad. If you are moving things around it is more involved and should be planned out first. Once you have that planned out then the CAC will figure out where the vents go.

3. Once those 2 things are done, move to your flooring. Figure out where you want what material. Carpeting should be the last think you install so it doesn't get dirty. I would do dry, tile, kitchen, wood flooring. I like the tile to go under all the cabinets and appliances. It's cleaner and if you ever needed to change something down the road you do not have to worry about patching flooring.

4. Once the tile and wood is down, put in the crown/base moldings. I do not think you need to change out doors. I would wait, if you do, that you can do after the HW is installed.

5. Next, paint then carpets. Voila..you move in

Some things to think about if your walls are opened up already, do you want/need to change your electric? Do you want to had high hats, wall lighting, speakers anywhere?

Like I said, I am not sure if this is the right way, but this is the way I would want it done in my house.

If you break it down it really isn't that bad.

No, we won't be living there when all the work gets done.. that's the beauty of the timing right now :)

You totally just simplified this process THANK YOU!

And thank you to all for your SUPER Helpful posts!

We're going tomorrow, thankfully the owners are allowing us to go in and meet some workers to get estimates-we haven't even made an offer yet!

Anyone do A LOT of renovations at one time?

We did the entire house. We didnt live there for a month after closing. We did all the work ourselves after work or weekends.

Re: Anyone do A LOT of renovations at one time? Edited with a question about GC

Re: Anyone do A LOT of renovations at one time? Edited with a question about GC

We hired precision painting, they did all the moldings, pulled out AC units and patched it up, fixed the siding, painted, removed wall paper etc. we hired someone else to do the floors sanding and adding new wood in spots (gold star) , and windowrama redid our windows. The best part was precision did most of the work so not bad at all.

We did not do the kitchen at the time bc I wanted to get a better feel for what I want. 3 years later I still don't know what I want

Message edited 2/15/2014 4:57:27 PM.

Re: Anyone do A LOT of renovations at one time? Edited with a question about GC

Posted by Millie3

We hired precision painting, they did all the moldings, pulled out AC units and patched it up, fixed the siding, painted, removed wall paper etc. we hired someone else to do the floors sanding and adding new wood in spots (gold star) , and windowrama redid our windows. The best part was precision did most of the work so not bad at all.

We did not do the kitchen at the time bc I wanted to get a better feel for what I want. 3 years later I still don't know what I want

Anyone do A LOT of renovations at one time? Edited with a question about GC

I think that's a good idea with regards to the kitchen. I changed my mind so many times over the years. We actually just ordered our appliances today and put a down payment on the work to be done (we already paid for the cabinets). I am so excited, we are just a few short months away from completion!

Re: Anyone do A LOT of renovations at one time? Edited with a question about GC

We went from an 1100 sq ft levitt cape that had 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. The upstairs had a small hall closet and no closets in the bedrooms.

We did a full gut downstairs. Re insulated, rewired the whole house, and replumbed the whole house.

We moved the staircase to the breezway in the back of the house, and moved the boiler to the garage.

We also knocked down every wall and demoed the chimney.

Upstsirs we double dormered with one peak, cathedral cielings in the master br. We extended the house over the garage too. So upstairs we have 4 bedrooms, huge bath, laundry room. Downstairs we hsve a huge family room, brand new huge kitchen with island, and one bathroom.

We replaced all the windows, installed CAC and an alarm.

If your going to live there for a long time its worth the time. We lived with my mother in law for 9 months. We were lucky to be able to do that. We fired our general contractor and called the police on him. He threatened my wife who was 8 mos pregnant that he was going to burn the house down. I ended up having another contractor complete my home.

I would never do it again. We had problems with two electricians, the GC, and our kitchen cabinet guy who we took to court and also appeared on dateline nbc to confront him. Which was a wierd experience and a waste of time.

My advice if your going to do this. Do your researcb on anyone touching your house. Ring doorbells in your neighborhood to see what companies people recommend an make sure your contract is detailed and includes everything you want to do to the house. Make a list.

Re: Anyone do A LOT of renovations at one time? Edited with a question about GC

Speaking from experience, get a General Contractor.

In most cases, you can actually get more for your money doing it as one big project rather doing individual projects, even with doing a lot of work yourself.

We made that mistake and I'm still kicking myself. We could have gotten so much more done for the money we spent if we got a GC.