What home improvement work did you do today?

Thanks. Closure examination is not what I would like but rebuilding the staircase was not going to happen.

 

Everything is high right now. I just had our water heater replaced two weeks ago and it was $1,645 for a 50 gallon Rheem Professional series. I too got multiple estimates. They wanted $3,500 for a tankless system. One company quoted me $6,000 for the same system. I'm in TN for context.

 

My quote about 2 years ago was $2500=$2800, so I was figuring $3k. That included the electric water heater with expansion tank, upgrade to directly wired box, and upgrade with PRV in the yard because my water pressure is too high for an expansion tank. In the end I just replaced the two elements and two t-stats. Looking through the element holes, the inside of the tank looked pretty good, and very little sediment was in the tank..it drained easily. About 10 years old at the time.

 

Electric water heaters suck when you have company, but they last and last. They typically just need the elements replaced when they stop working. Cheap to replace, but messy.

 

I just feel like these guys see a big L on my forehead. Most of them are quoting around $2,200. So about $450/hr for labor at 3 hours.

 

I converted my rusted out oil fired heater to a 50 Gal. Rheem electric unit last year. I paid around $700.00 for it and in a few hours was back up and running. Those prices that were quoted to you sound like crazy dealership prices. I did the work myself though, so take that into consideration.

 

There is too much work available right now for the labor pool. Get a few guys to do the heavy work and teach them to change out a water heater. Win win!

 

I got barnwood for ya, you just have to dismantle the goat barn to get it. I have absolutely no intention of having goats but the barn came with the house.

 

I just finished up the last room in the house that had the 1970's paneling in it. I had painted over the paneling 20 years ago, but really I needed it to be gone. The carpet is being installed next week. Then we can move back into the bedroom.

 

Appreciate the offer, sir! Being in Ohio makes it a little too far but if I was closer, I’d be all over it!

 

I'm going to start paying people to do stuff. It's hard though when you've done most things DIY your whole life. I just want to make sure I'm getting a reasonable price. I have quote of $1,700 so that's good enough.

 

Patio progress.

 

I like to think there comes a time when you get smart enough to know when it's better to hire out.

We're talking about adding a second bath and while I'm capable of doing drywall I hate it, so I'm hiring a buddy that does it regularly. It won't be cheap but it won't take 3 weeks of me getting pissed at it.

 

Drywall and mudding is an art and takes patience that I just don’t have. Got two of the bedrooms and the hallway flooring finished today. One more bedroom and then I have to do the trim work and be done. I would have loved to hire someone to do these floors, especially after three back surgeries. But the cheapest estimate I got was $1650 just for the install (I already had all carpet and padding g removed and floors prepped with all supplies. I suppose it’s a fair quote considering people don’t take small jobs that don’t take it worth their while but that sealed the deal for me doing it myself.

 

Finally finished the front exterior renovation …before and after pic of many weekends gettin her done !!

 

I just put in solar at my house and been wanting to switch my tank from Gas to electric. How's the Rheem been holding up? Did you shop around, or past experiences with Rheem?

 

To be perfectly honest, it was pretty much a panic purchase when I woke up to find the old one leaking all over the basement. Drove down to Home Depot and just bought the best 50 Gal. they had in stock. That being said, its a quality heater IMO, and hasn't given me any trouble since I installed it.

 

Thanks for the info bud!

 

WTF can happen next?
Literally just got the water main fix this AM. No more bubbling water features.
Then this happened.





Wife and I were at dinner and neighbor called. If we were not in my truck it would have been crushed! Amazingly her Venza escaped damage and there was no real property damage.

 

Maybe the broken main was watering the tree...

Glad you weren't hurt and the damage was minimal.

Our house is surrounded by old Pecan trees that like to self prune. I just know they are going to decide to do it when I'm standing underneath one.

 

That's what I told my plumber but he wouldn't come off any money to help clean up.

 

Glad nothing got damaged. Put a sign on it,... "Free Firewood".

 

Freakin' Plumbers...

 

(yesterday) Played with the new pressure washer. Did the front steps and overhangs. Between yesterday and today went to 2 different Home Cheapos to get quick disconnect parts so between the regular hose gun sprayer and pressure washer is a simple change. Used these (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Melnor-...ERCH=REC-_-searchViewed-_-NA-_-100257129-_-N&) the male ends needed an o-ring to not leak. (Get yourself an english and metric universal o-ring kit, handy).




The cable in the door is for the pressure washer, it was not happy being on an extension cord (didn't work).

 

Be careful with those quick connects, I found they are not "Standard" and I started getting them mixed up. I really like the idea of them but they should be standardized.

 

Fun fact: electric and gas pressure washers use different sized fittings. Why? Who the hell knows.

 

What a difference, nice work!!

 

Started painting the guest room with my wife at her request. It was a boys bedroom for the previous owners so it was painted blue. Which sucks to cover. Two coats of primer later were ready to paint today.

 

i'd assume from the different pressures they put out. electric are usually close to 2k psi and less i believe. gas are usually higher. i could be wrong....i am married after all.