March 18th, 2007
6:01 pm by admin
You’ve heard of “postpartum depression”? Now there’s “post-renovation depression”, the big let-down you can feel after all the hard work is over.
Kevin White, a clinical psychologist in Providence, R.I., says that “acute depression” can follow the end of any major project. “It’s like an artist finishing a painting or a writer finishing a book.”
– Fred A. Bernstein, New York Times
In some cases, this is a natural outcome of the results of the renovation not measuring up to the fantasy.
“The light shines down in a way that makes clear that the backsplash tiles aren’t perfectly straight,” Toth says of her new kitchen.
In other cases, it’s about addiction … or becoming “renovation junkies”.
… have been renovating their Manhattan apartment almost continuously since they bought it in the early 1990s. One big reason, Dangle says, “is that I miss the process when it’s over.”
Read the full article reprinted on the OrlandoSentinel.com
For a less, ah, sympathetic take on “one of the newest side-effects of affluenza: post-renovation depression”, read Rich People Suffer Differently From You And Me on Gawker.com.
March 14th, 2007
12:29 pm by admin
While poking around the Consumer Reports website, came across an entry on Allure flooring. This vinyl flooring comes in strips or “planks” (as opposed to the usual peel n stick tile). But looks like wood, down to the texture.
The cherry, hickory, and oak finishes are reasonably convincing, though it’s unlikely you’ll mistake them for the real thing.
– Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman on Consumer Reports
Allure planks don’t require glue they’re self-adhesive. What I like about it them is that the adhesive doesn’t set for 20 minutes. If you make a mistake it can be undone …
Other “easy DIY” bonuses – it’s relatively inexpensive and just needs to be applied to a smooth hard surface (like existing vinyl or concrete) – no additional subfloor needed.
Consumer Reports said the product is supposed to be in Home Depot stores by the end of April of 2007 but from reading around the web some people already have it (or earlier versions of it) … whereas some people are having difficulty finding it.
It seems that this is an entirely new product and available exclusively in Home Depot stores starting in March 2007, which is right about now …
March 12th, 2007
11:46 am by admin
Exploring houseblogs.net for interesting (and relevant) reading. Came across Bungalow Insanity, not mentioned in the recent articles about housebloggers in the media. This blog has become a fast favorite for me.
Bungalow Insanity chronicles the adventures of Julio, Stephanie and their daughter Chloe in renovating a 1911 Craftsman bungalow, chosen because it still had enough of it’s original “stained woodwork” intact to be worth doing for these “old home” lovers.
Most of the other houses we looked at had already been “redone,†usually by a flipper (which meant a lot of cut corners) or by a homeowner (which meant lots of problems).
The blog has been live only been live a few months but posts have been backdated for the last couple of years to keep continuity and “best tell” their story, of transforming a neglected ex-rental unit into a beautiful home.
Why do I like this blog? In a word – engaging.
The writing takes one forward. Can a blog about home restoration and renovation actually be “gripping”? Probably not – yet I find the posts highly readable and entertaining, especially the longer more detailed ones. Their story and their challenges are well told. The voice is conversational and matter of fact. The accompanying photos are always good and used well to illustrate points.
The focus. No lengthy ruminations about the weather, navel gazing, or vacation snaps here (in fact Julio spent his “vacation” working on the house). No doubt about it – this is a blog about remodeling and renovating. I don’t know if it has to do with the fact they have to get going because they have a baby on the way in July … but I like that posts are about the renovations.
The gory details. What they did, how they did it, and why – with lots of insights and a bit of self-observation sprinkled in. This is more where they’ve done the work themselves. That’s the thing about reading houseblogs – you can learn from them. Julio & Stephanie seem to be early adopters, interested in “going green” and energy efficiency. You know early adopters … they’re the people that get the bad tankless water heaters so the rest of us can get better ones, later on. Lots of experience shared, lessons learned, and even happy endings.
I find myself admiring their enthusiasm in the face of what has obviously been a long slog (Bungalow Infinity?). They’re making great progress though. They also answer questions when comments are posted and are friendly, polite and tactful. Recommended reading if you enjoy houseblogs. A good place to start if you’ve never had the pleasure.
Posted In
DIY, Going Green, Green, Home Improvement, Houseblog, In Your City, Oregon, Portland, Remodeling, Reno Blog Spotlight, Renovations, States
March 10th, 2007
1:16 pm by admin
Furniture made from reclaimed wood, sustainably harvested wood, and twig inspired pieces & accessories and are very fashionable right now. In the home décor world, green is the new black, so to speak. “Green” furniture was once only found in trendy, cutting edge stores but now more mainstream retailers like Crate & Barrel are taking notice.
“I think it’s all part of this back-to-nature movement,” said Betty Kahn, spokesperson for Crate & Barrel. “Now, it seems very important that people just feel, inside or outside, that they’re going back to nature. People want to live green and this is part of that.”
– Julie Young, Times-Dispatch
Crate & Barrel have just introduced a new line of furniture made from sustainably harvested wood and recycled fill.
If you enjoy the look of wood, you should check out the VivaTerra catalog online. It features a wide range of striking pieces made from sustainable wood (the Twisty Stool made from Monkey Pod wood is a favorite, right), reclaimed woods with a more rustic feel (weathered hardwood salvaged from old houses, railroad ties, teak planks, barn beams), and twigs. See more at VivaTerra …
Looking for custom and one of a kind pieces? Or feeling crafty enough to make your own? Then check out the Twig Furniture Directory which features unique furniture made by artisans and how-to resources. Also check out this tutorial on How to make twig furniture on instructables.com.
March 5th, 2007
9:49 am by admin
I stumbled upon Wayne Gilchrist’s DIY Electrical blog, when looking for “real contractor” blogs. There are a lot of home improvement blogs out there, but only a few of them seem to have “real people” behind them, let alone “real contractors”. The blog covers a wide range of electrical articles and questions. Said Wayne, “… people get stumped in the middle of their project a need a simple answer to help them continue forward and complete their electrical project.”
So when looking at writing a series of posts on DIY, interviewing him seemed a natural thing to do.
Curious about when people are making the call. Is it the planning stage – figuring out what they need to do? Or when they’re actually stuck?
Wayne’s answer: when they get stuck. “Most of the time, they have wired almost everything wrong and I need to have them remove everything and start over. I am trying to figure out a way to get these DIYers to come to me first and I will help them plan, design, layout and install their electrical wiring safely and help keep them within their budget.”
Wayne has a new site ezdiyelectricity.com that can help with free articles and diagrams plus reference books (like the National Electrical Code for example) and testing tools you can buy. Wayne is also “working on several ebooks and videos for DIY electrical wiring projects that will include step by step instructions, materials lists and tools lists for each project”. Sounds really helpful.
Enquiring minds want to know more. What types of electrical projects do people tend to need help with? What are they taking on?
“These DIYers are very brave and willing to take on almost any electrical wiring project … You name it, [they're] willing to try it”. Wayne has helped people repair switches, lights and receptacles, install ceiling fans, change breakers, add sub-panels and more over the phone.
One thing Wayne reiterated is that he wished more people would do their research before getting started on their DIY electrical projects. If it works out, Wayne will never hear from them. When it doesn’t work out, he is of the opinion that more research and planning would have made the difference.
Do you sometimes have to recommend they get an electrician if they are in over their heads?
“Yes I do. I always recommend them getting a licensed electrician. I can offer my advice, but it is no substitute for an electrician being at their home. I can only offer advice on the information that is given to me. However, an experienced electrician will look around everywhere and see problems that the DIYer will not.”
One final question. How are these stuck DIYers finding you when they need you? Do they already know of your site? Or do they find you by Google?
Do it yourselfers find Wayne through search engines, doityourself.com, and Yahoo! Answers. Wayne answers a lot of electrical questions on Yahoo. “I have noticed there are a lot of self-proclaimed experts offering very bad electrical advice on Yahoo! Answers” sez Wayne. Well that’s good to know! Sort of scary too.
Wayne offers DIY electrical help by phone, instant messenger, or email. Check out ezdiyelectricity.com for more details and rates.
About Wayne (from research on the internet):
He’s a master electrician with 20 years experience. He has a 5-star rating on ServiceMagic, from real customers with real electrical jobs. Check out his profile on Yahoo! Answers.
March 3rd, 2007
12:55 pm by admin
When taking on DIY projects, one can’t understate the need to know your goals, quality level need to achieve,and to know your limitations.
A do-it-yourself project, when executed well, can save you money and give you tremendous satisfaction of a job well done. You did it! And it looks great …
But when a DIY project goes wrong, there can be any number of negative consequences, from minor inconveniences (no power? shower in the back yard anyone?) to being forced to move out while professionals repair the damage. Not to mention a negative affect on the value of your home.
By the same token, if you inherit a home that had extensive DIY work done, it may be wise to get it checked out by a professional. This news report describes how homeowners assumed their unfinished basement was good to go because it had electricity. Turns out the electrical work didn’t meet code, and their home could have burned down. Ouch.
Blame it on HGTV, where fabulous renovations seem to be conceived, completed, cleaned up and enjoyed in the space of half an hour. So seductive. If only it were so easy. It’s only after people get into it that they realize they’re in over their heads and need help.
So who would they call? Usually, a handier friend or neighbor. In the past, professionals often wouldn’t get involved due to warranty and liability issues. In addition,
During the recent housing and renovation boom, many contractors shied away from such jobs, too, because they were too small and could involve challenging clients. “If you come into a botched kitchen, you are already dealing with an aggrieved homeowner, and you are going to have to tell them that it is going to cost more than they ever thought it would,” says Paul Winans, a California remodeler and chairman of the board of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.
– Sara Schaeffer Munoz on RealEstateJournal.com
That was then. This is now. Increasingly, it’s a skilled professional who gives “DIY Support” or “DIY Disaster Recovery” as the case may be. Part of this is financial reality, part of this is embracing the fact that more and more people are doing it themselves in the last couple of years. Getting DIYers out of jams is a new business opportunity for skilled professionals looking to expand their services, locally and on the internet.
HomeFIXology is one of many handyman franchises created with serving the DIY disaster market in mind. Handyman Connection, on the other hand, views this as a “niche and growing market”.
On the internet, BobVila.com has a My Projects forum where DIYers can get help from others online. In the blog world, Master Electrician Wayne Gilchrist answers DIY questions on his blog and offers DIY support services on EZDIYElectricity.com (read my upcoming interview with Wayne in DIY Part 4).
Even HGTV is now capitalizing on this trend, with it’s new show “Over Your Head“, hosted by the noticeably photogenic Eric Stromer. An interesting turn of events. Each episode features a real DIY Disaster that is addressed by Stromer and his team. What’s really telling on these shows? That its frequently not the DIYer making the call for help. Oh no, it’s his or her spouse. What I call the “Honey I’m home – my god, what have you done?” effect. Sometimes people are in deep trouble and don’t really know it.
“Over Your Head” is currently looking for “frustrated do-it-yourselfers”. See this listing on Craigslist. You can also apply online here. Your DIY Disaster has to be of your own doing, not a botched contractor job; apparently they can tell the difference. Homeowners who apply and get the gig “will not be compensated per se, but they will receive professional services and additional materials needed to help complete their project”. Nice work if you can get it, and don’t mind wearing a little egg on your face on national television.
For those who have to pay, bringing in a professional contractor in to fix the mess may end up costing you up to 50% more, especially if there is structural damage to correct. If it’s something that can be done by a handyman, you should note that the average cost is around $400 – $500. For other types of projects or questions, you may only need support over the phone.
But there are other worries beside money for struggling DIYers. Embarrassment and a sense of failure. After all, doing it yourself is about feeling empowered, capable, and independent. Admitting that you need help is tough. It helps to know that the professionals who deal with these sticky situations are (usually) sensitive to your feelings. They know you “need a friend” and the knowledge, insight, and corrective action to get the job done, not a long lecture.
March 1st, 2007
11:18 am by admin
Ok, so you’re ready to do it yourself. And do it right. As noted in DIY Part 1, DIY success depends on a lot of things, the most important being knowing your limitations. Remember, you are replacing a professional contractor who brings knowledge, skill, experience, planning, project management, the right tools and the right materials to the job. If you don’t have these things, then you need to figure out how to get them – fast – before you start.
Step 1 – Do Your Research
What does the project involve? Get a book or read articles on the internet – there’s tons of free stuff online. Videos too if you’re not a big reader. Talk to friends and acquaintances who’ve done it before. Or consult a professional. Or help out on an experienced friend’s project before taking on your own. Make notes.
Step 2 – Planning
What products & materials will you need? How do you use them? Again, research is needed. Maybe a day seminar or two at your local big box store. It’s important not to skimp on materials. Don’t use 1/4 ” drywall instead of 5/8 “. Use at least 3/4 ” plywood for subfloors. Cheap tile will probably crack. Don’t plan to finish your plumbing repair with duct tape – it will probably leak.
How much will it cost? Don’t underbudget. Figure out how much you think it will cost then multiply by 3. Include all the incidental items (nails, staples, tape) because they do add up. Plan on 15% waste on materials. The extra padding will give you a little room for the unexpected …
Do you have the right tools? Will they stand up to the punishment if the work is heavy duty? You may have to beg, borrow, rent or buy. This is a big one; if you don’t have the right tools, it can take you a lot longer to get the job done, and undermine your self confidence.
Do you need a building permit? This would be something you’d need to ask if you’re making structural changes to your home. You’ll may have to phone your city government’s building department if it’s not available on their website. It’s better to err on the side of caution and get the permit. An inspector can help you by ensuring the work is done correctly and to code. Also, if it is discovered later on work was done without a permit, you might have to rip it all out and start over.
Do you have a written work plan? Put together a checklist of everything you’ll need at the various stages to ensure your renovation keeps on track. You should also write down step by step the tasks you’ll need to do to complete your DIY project, including the specific order and “wait periods” (for things to dry, etc.).
Do you have a backup plan? Or resource to ask for help? Another big one. Make sure there is someone you can contact for help if you get in a jam. This could be a handy friend or family member, or a professional Renovation Advisor.
How long to finish? You need to set up a timeline or schedule, especially if it’s a longer project.
Step 3 – Prepare your Job Site
Do you have everything you need? Make sure materials are protected if you will be working outdoors. Make sure all the materials have arrived before starting.
Are you ready to work safely? Take all the necessary safety precautions. Don’t wear loose clothing or jewelry. Wear goggles when cutting or sawing materials. Turn off the main breaker when working with electricity. Don’t stand on the top step of the ladder. I know it sounds obvious but 164,000 people end up in hospital emergency rooms for ladder-related injuries every year for a reason.
Step 4 – Prep Surfaces (if needed)
If you are doing any kind of surface refinishing, you will need to prepped properly. Walls need to be cleaned, patch, sanded, and primed before painting. Wood floors, decks, driveways – same idea.
Step 5 – Work Your Plan
Follow the steps in your work plan. Make sure you take your time. Measure twice, cut once; it’s better for something to be too long (you can always trim it again) over too short.
Step 6 – Clean Up & Disposal
Dispose of any hazardous materials responsibly.
Step 7 – Relax and Enjoy
No instructions needed here 
March 1st, 2007
10:26 am by admin
A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) is a type of electronic device that protects you from deadly electric shock. The device monitors the flow of electricity in a circuit – any sudden changes and it quickly shut off the flow of electricity (up to one-thirtieth of a second). So you’ll still still get a shock but only a small one.
Good places for GFCIs? Kitchens, bathrooms, spas, garages, etc. – anywhere you are likely to use an appliance near water. GFCIs should be installed by a licensed electrician but if you are experienced with electrical work you may consider doing it yourself.
Read The ABCs of GFCI installation by BeJane on the Seattle Times.
February 28th, 2007
4:12 am by admin
Did you know that women are the fastest growing segment in DIY Home Improvement retail sales? I found that quite surprising. Women also spend more when they go shopping for tools than men. Is that because we don’t know what we’re doing? Ha! Hardly. It’s because we want quality and do our research before we buy.
And what women have been buying in increasing numbers are Redback Tools. Redback makes tools for professionals but has also recently introduced a line of tools for women. According to the Aussie-based company’s recent survey, 80% of the people who bought their products in the last 6 months are female.
The first major product in the US market is the MaxiStrike hammer. Winner of the prestigious USA Dealers Pick Award for Outstanding New Item, the MaxiStrike has some innovative features that make it a great hammer, and a great hammer for women in particular.
Why choose the MaxiStrike:
- more “strike” power than ordinary hammers
- “maxi-access” – the ability to use the head of the hammer to reach over obstructions and deep into recesses
- an extra hard head
- an ergonomic, shock absorbing grip, and
- twist and slip resistance.
According to the designer,
With a traditional hammer, you get overstrike and reverberation up your arm. My design eliminates a hell of a lot of that … And, because of the arc design, you can nail over, say a roof rafter or around a piece of piping. It eliminates the need to pull out a nail punch to finish it off.
– Jake Tyson, president, designer and Australian-TV home-improvement personality
A slick new hammer isn’t going to get me anywhere near a roof rafter. But if it makes hammering jobs more comfortable and convenient, count me in.
MaxiStrike models cost between $16.49 and $29.99 and are available from big box stores and Amazon.com.
February 26th, 2007
4:12 pm by admin
Do it yourself (DIY) Home Improvement is on the rise. Part of this has always been about saving money. But in recent years, I think the trend has also been fueled by the media (TV), better tools, and better access to how-to information (internet, big box seminars).
DIY success depends on a lot of things, the most important being knowing your limitations. Remember, you may be replacing a professional contractor who brings knowledge, skill, experience, planning, project management, the right tools and the right materials to the job. It’s best to do a thorough evaluation before going ahead with your DIY project.
#1 – Research – Do you have the Skills?
What does the project involve? It’s important to “do your research” before getting started. Read books and articles on the internet. Talk to friends and acquaintances who’ve done it before. Or consult a professional. Write out the steps involved. Then you can better ask …
Do you have the required skill? Do you understand all the legal stuff? Building codes? Electrical code? Can you acquire the knowledge needed to cover any gaps?
What are the risks? Do you understand what could go wrong? Do you have a backup? Or resource to ask for help?
If not, you should hire a contractor or try something a little less ambitious that you can pull off to start.
If on the other hand you think you can pull it off, you should still look at …
#2 – Cost – Will DIY Pay Off?
When it comes to cost, the point of doing it yourself is to save money.
Although contractors can often get products and materials at lower cost, that may not amount to a significant reason not to do it yourself. When it comes to tools, you may be able to rent or borrow what you don’t have if it’s not feasible to buy so that shouldn’t be a barrier either.
What’s going to cost you when doing it yourself is mistakes, especially if a professional needs to come in to correct it after the fact. That will blow your labor savings and then some, so you need to be sure you can execute flawlessly.
If you know you don’t have all the skills to execute the full job, it may be possible to still participate in the project by doing some of the prep work or cleanup to help defray the costs. This should be discussed with your contractor up front.
Another option is to act as your own general contractor, hiring subcontractors to do the work directly. Again, you should only take this on if you know what you’re doing, or rather understand what your subcontractors will be doing … So it comes back to having the knowledge, skills, and experience.
But money isn’t everything …
# 3 – Options – Your Time Is Valuable Too
How much labor is involved? Doing all the research, purchasing, and actual project work will add up. How long will it take for you to do it yourself part time? Are you a patient person? Will you have to forgo some other opportunity?
If it’s going to take you 3 months of weekends and the house in chaos, it might be quicker and cheaper to have a professional do it in a fraction of the time.
On the other hand, if you have the time, can do it right, and will enjoy the work, it may not be work at all. And all the satisfaction of a job well done will be yours.
Do it yourself or hire a contractor: it’s best to consider all the factors before making a decision.
