Starting my renovation research today... this is the year!

[FirstLight]

Im in the process of getting approved for a home equity line of credit/loan... And have been mulling over the things I wanna do to make it feel better for ME.

The way Real Estate is going in Tahoe right now, Im not gonna spend big bucks and fancy stuff... since if I sell in 5-10 years someone else is just gonna gut it and do their own stuff. So this is mostly DIY and minor cosmetics. (Kitchen cabinets are just gonna get paint and new hardware and a stick-on backsplash...)

I even priced out new kitchen appliances, which makes me kinda excited (not as expensive as I thought). And I figure if I am gonna re-do the floors, Im gonna finally ditch all the mangy hand me down furniture that doesnt match and get myself something I actually like.
Decided to go vinyl with a laminate look through the main areas...then carpet in the bedrooms for warmth.
Not gonna re-do ALL the windows (though Id love to but that's very high cost) But the front ones are definitely leaking heat and letting in summer heat and smoke...so Im gonna invest in that too. (and a new front door!)

Im seeing that I dont have to do this super expensive. and my son is trying to learn some trades-work so he's down to help. His GF's dad is a big time plumbing contractor and also knows everyone in town, so he can probably hook me up with installers for the big stuff.

I'm just trying to figure out what ORDER to do this stuff?
Lots of places say floors first, but I'm thinking last...(before painting) because of moving appliances around and such.
I'm also leaning to the Kitchen/Living room first sot he front of the house is done, then it's just little stuff in the bathrooms (new fixtures, painting the cabinets...) Stuff I think will be the easiest.
Any input?

[XanaDUer2]

1. This is wonderful for you

You responded to my home-chaos thread with some of your issues, so I'm happy to hear you're going to make some positive changes.

And doing it frugally is even better.

Keep us updated

[FirstLight]

4. yes!

I've been rewatching the Queer Eye seasons and had a real existential moment the other night.

...and finally talking to the loan guy and realizing I qualify for more than I thought and it's not as scary as I thought.
So today I've just been making notes, looking at pics, etc...

Also (and this is part of the home chaos thing)
Made my BEFORE renovation list and decided to clean out One drawer a day if nothing else... make ROOM for the change
And meanwhile shove the crap in my closets I dont need to deal with yet!!!

[XanaDUer2]

6. I scrubbed the dirtiest floor section yesterday

Good for us!

[DEbluedude]

2. Floors last!

Start from the ceilings and work your way down.

[bucolic_frolic]

3. Keep good records of costs so you can track your financial basis in the house

for tax purposes.

I talked with a friend who sold her house a couple years ago. Complained of all the codes they had to meet - had to chop a fire extinguisher alcove outside the kitchen. Complained that after making an offer, the buyers shook the closing down for a new kitchen and roof. Boy my lawyer better do better than that.

I would say go over the house to ID any codes you need to meet now rather than when you sell. For example I have a water filter that taps into the copper pipe with a piercing valve and seal. Those don't meet code any more. Need to install a small ball valve diverter instead. Also need to replace a PVC ball valve as the main shutoff.

[FirstLight]

5. good point... I'm lucky my son's GF family are friends so I have someone who can help

Im not gonna use just any joe shmo on Facebook looking for a side job!

[Rorey]

7. Painting your cabinets

I did mine a couple of summers ago, and I am thrilled with the results. I took off the doors and hardware, and sanded them down as well as I could. I took the doors outside to minimize the mess. I used cabinet paint, and the fumes were pretty strong for the first few days. I watched quite a few videos before I started. One of these days I'm going to swap out the hinges for new ones, but even with the old ones, I'm very pleased. My son has volunteered to install new countertops, so hopefully we'll get to that soon. I'll also put in a new backsplash after that's done.

I'm doing my house for me, because I'd like to stay here for a while, but I'm still trying to keep what I do sort of "normal", so that someday a buyer won't be turned off. That said, I didn't like my cabinet paint color when I first started to put it on, so I took it back and had the paint guy tint it a little darker. It turned out to be a one-of-a-kind color that I just love.

I'm a big fan of luxury vinyl plank flooring. I have a few rentals, and that's what goes in them now. Again, I watched some videos before starting. I'm not sure what you mean by "vinyl with a laminate look". I like the planks because if one gets damaged, you can conceivably take apart part of the floor and replace the damaged plank and then put it back together.

Personally, I'd do the floors last, but I'd be sure to take off the trim before painting the walls.

[FirstLight]

8. awesome to hear your input

I think the cabinets are gonna make a huge difference, and new handles/hardware.

I also saw a few videos that I can refresh my formica counters with paint and a epoxy like coat!

I dont know much about floors, but the vinyl I was looking at looks like it was almost wood, like it had that plank look... so Im kinda stoked.

It will be a process, and Im sure it will take time but I cant wait to hit the DIY/Lowes and start shopping for stuff and looking at colors etc!

[Phoenix61]

9. Floors last. For windows don't get the gas filled ones.

They will leak. No matter what they tell you, they will leak and then they will fog. Double hung, double pane work great. I lucked up on the best window guy in my area when I replaced all 18 windows when I bought my house. That was what he told me even though he would have made more money selling me more expensive windows. Personally, I’d order them ASAP as it may take some time to actually get them. Front doors can be expensive. If there’s a Habitat Restore in the area it’s definitely worth checking out. A friend did the poured epoxy on her counter tops and they are absolutely beautiful! She used several different colors and they look like works of art.

[FirstLight]

10. never even heard of those!

I'd go for a smooth double pane... mine are circa 1973 so anything is better! lol

[Phoenix61]

11. Some windows have argon gas between the

two panes. They are sold as an energy efficient window which they are….until the gas leaks out and then they can get milky. There’s no way to fix them so you have to replace them. My window guy told me they all leak…sooner or later.

[FirstLight]

12. ew...that just doesn't seem sustainable at all... (nt)

[WhiteTara]

13. If you screw with the sequence of remodeling

you will regret it so much. First to be done are the things that no one sees but costs so much. Plumbing and electrical. That has to be done first or you will ruin walls and floors. Then comes painting then comes the floors and new furniture and appliances.

Have the most fun. I'm in the middle of an unexpected remodel of one of the bathrooms. I discovered the toilet was leaking big time. We had to remove the sub floor and replace it and I thought we would just paint and put in a new floor and toilet, but I found a free standing tub so I want to remove that 80s ugly green plastic molded tub. That upped the cost of that room, but it will be done. I will have one room complete in the house and I will feel so good. I'm still working on the kitchen and the guest bathroom so getting something complete will be heaven.

[FirstLight]

14. Good advice...

At least most of what I wanna do is fluffing up. The biggest things will be appliances... I fugured if I am gonna paint the cabinets, and I have the $$, then I deserve some shiny new appliances!

...and since my old-ass washer broke last year - FIRST on the list will be new washer/dryer and I cant tell you how exciting even doing fresh laundry will be!!

Good on you for capitalizing on the moment and re-doing your tub! I'm sure it will feel sooo much better!