Redo to Remodel to Facelift
Redo to Remodel to Facelift
So last month my wife says she wants to redo the master bath because it is “old looking” and “out of style”.
How much…I ask.
The wall paper is old, the countertops are out of date, and the faucets are discoloring.
How much…I ask.
The shower stall and hardware is too hard to keep clean, the tub faucets are also discolored, and the cabinets are banged up.
How much…I ask.
The grout in the floor is discolored, the lighting fixtures are out of date, and the towel racks don’t match anything.
How much…I ask.
So then she tells me that a bathroom contactor came by and gave a quote for a remodel. Let’s just say that there were 2 numbers to the left of the comma and neither of them were the number 1. There was absolutely no way that I was going to pay it. Let alone the fact that I can’t afford that amount of money for a bathroom. It’s seems a lot calmer when I write about it, but let’s just say I almost needed a ceiling contractor after I hit it.
So then we had the “discussion”. You know the type…when the husband (me) does not know anything, is stuck in his ways, and doesn’t like change. Yup…that’s me.
Here are my points on the changes:
Lights – They work, I just replaces the bulbs.
Faucets – They don’t leak.
Counters – They hold everything I need.
Shower Stall – It’s better than the locker room.
Tub – Who cares, we don’t take baths (alone or together).
Grout – I’ll get the kids white-out.
Towel Racks – A nail in the wall will suit me just fine.
At least my throne room where I get my Time Out wasn’t mentioned. Though I would like a new toilet paper holder like Al Bundy’s, which holds multiple rolls.
So after the “discussion” (mostly one sided…guess which), she comes up with “I want to get a facelift”. Being the quick to answer husband that I am, I replied, “but honey, you’re beautiful, why would you want to change your face?” She was talking about giving the bathroom a “facelift”. The wallpaper and flooring stays, but other things will change. But I still got good hubby points for the answer.
So here we are, a few weeks in to the compromise facelift.
I am doing the plumbing and electrical myself (saving a bundle), in between my job, my travel, and my other responsibilities (read: hockey).
The lights have been changed ($320), the towel rack installed ($140), both vanities painted ($90), two sink faucet sets and the tub faucet set have been ordered ($710), shower fixtures purchased ($180), and toilet paper holder installed ($35). So far we have spent $1,475 and I have done all the work.
My better half decided to have the counters and shower stall coated with an epoxy type coating (finish) that will give them all a new look. We went to a couple of houses that had this done and it is a good (cheaper) alternative. The cost will be $1,200 and the new shower stall glass enclosure will run $1,250. Those are being professionally done this week and I will be able to install all the plumbing fixtures this coming weekend.
So to summarize…redo yes…remodel nfw…facelift yes.
She already likes the changes and I should be out of this for around $4,000. I still think the old bathroom was fine, but of course I am wrong. My wife says we saved over $20,000. I made a big mistake when I said that we didn't save anything because I was never going to agree to the remodel and you can't save what you were never going to spend. Wrong answer...complete wiped out the good hubby points for the facelift response. Back to sqaure one.
The new problem is we will have to utilize my son’s bathroom for the week and I know what’s going to be next on my honey-do list. After all, I am now experienced.
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Too funny, maybe it's because I am a woman but I agree with your wife I think you got out this pretty cheap. Usually when a woman sets her mind on something...it's an act of congress to get it changed. From 24,000 to 4,000 you should be pattin yourself on the back-until you have to start on that 2nd bathroom.
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I'm just glad she still likes the kitchen. That's the REALLY BIG bucks room.
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You know? This is the nuts and bolts stuff of a marriage. Congrats to both of you.
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..."nuts and bolts"...I was thinking more of flushing money down the toilet...
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I feel better now. I have to spend about $275 to have some bricks refaced, flashing fixed and something-else-or-another done so my chimney doesn't rot.
Be grateful you can do a lot of the work yourself. There are those of us that have to dig deep into the checkbook every time something breaks, drips or fizzles out.
My shower faucet leaks, there are a couple of light switches that need to be replaced, the attic fan needs to be covered and the ignition in my car is about to go out. Need I say more?
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That sounds like a good price on the chimney repair. We had to have a similar repair and it ran around $300. My roof repair days are over (roof is toooo pitched on this house) and I leave that repair to the pros.
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Oh, this sounds so familiar! We have gone through quite a few redecorating and remodeling "episodes" too. It always seems to start out small and then mushroom into way more work and expense than what we had hoped or planned. It can definitely be a stress and strain on daily life!! I enjoyed this post, and the posts you link to within it too! Thanks for putting some chuckles in my day!
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Muhahahaha...it's all a big conspiracy against husbands...seriously though, you did save a lot of $, but are those faucets that you bought made out of GOLD b/c $700 sounds like A LOT!
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Gold...no...brush nickel. As for the price, they are the one that she wanted. Afterall, she did save me over $20,000 since we are not doing a remodel.
Wait a second...isn't this the argument she used in the first place?
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Just remember that the better job you do in that bathroom the more convinced your wife will be that she can save money in other rooms in the house.
Once that faucet opens, you'll never get the water turned off.
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