This past week I said good-bye to an old, dear friend.
We'd been together for over five years.
There was comfort and warmth in the relationship; I could always count on my friend to support me every step of the way.
Alas not all things last forever.
Their ability to uphold their end of our relationship wavered.
I just couldn't keep them around any longer without causing harm to myself and/or my family.
So, I cut them out of my life.
No!
No, I won't change my mind...forever is what I said and forever is what I meant.
What? How could I be so cold? Just throw a long term relationship away so easily?
Oh, I'm sorry! I'm afraid I've misled you into thinking I'm talking about a person....oops! <giggle>
No, no, this past week I said good-bye to my poor old worn out carpet, in the living and dining room, who had started growing mold. <said with an 'oh that's icky' face>
Even after years of good care, Mr. Carpet was just too worn out to continue.
So...
Good-bye Mr. Carpet! Thanks for all you gave during our time together. I hope you understand, I have to move on. Try new things. It's not you, it's me....okay,wait! No, it is you!
Now...
I have my eye on Hardwood flooring! I dream of it. I have visions of grandeur. Life will be so easy with Ms. Hardwood Floors around.<dreamy eyed>
NO MORE VACUUMING!
Sweeping? Okay,Sure! Dust mop? You betcha!
I can handle both of those as long as I don't have to drag that nasty vacuum out every day!
Yes, every day...Oh, did I forget to mention I am OCD about my house and the cleanliness of it. Yep I am a Martha, not a Mary (Luke 10:38-42). God and I are working on that because perfectionism stinks!
Hmm, I think I just stumbled onto another post altogether.
<thinking to self thoughtfully>
Oh, sorry, I got all caught up in that for a moment! <embarrassed>
Anywhoo...
I was really looking forward to never having to push that ol' vacuum ever again! Well at least not for quite some time anyway.
My Mr. Right and I started the search after talking with our landlord, who told us to find what we wanted.
<she's always been great about stuff like this>
HOLY MOLY! Hardwood flooring is expensive!
I had to face the truth, we needed to get something very cost effective because the expenses were not our own.
I wasn't sure hardwood was going to be that something.
Finally, after weeks of looking, the landlord found the flooring!!
HOORAY!
The hunt was now about finding an installer!
Can I just say, HOLY MOLY!?
Okay, HOLY MOLY!!
Installation is expensive!
Are you getting the picture here?
This project could have cost an arm and a leg,
But through determination and lots of leg work and letting our fingers do the walking (aka phone work) we found ways to make it work for our landlord's finances.
Sharing is caring
and...
I'd like to share what I've learned through this process (you know, just in case you need it at some point)
☛ Don't Give Up & Don't Settle! You may not find what you can afford or what you want right away. Hang in there. It's usually out there, you just have to be determined enough to find it at the price you want or can afford! Do a little extra leg work or phone work and you may just surprise yourself! It is worth it in the end when you have what you dream of and at a cost you can live with!
☛ Get at Least Three Estimates: We found, through the magic of Google, several local 'handymen' and a couple of big name flooring companies. It's amazing how competitive folks can be. If you mention you've had other estimates, suddenly prices can change or they have a special. In the end, we ended up hiring a local guy who owned his own construction company. Don't be afraid to shop around or mention that you have done so.
☛ Know Exactly What You're Paying For: Through the estimate process, we discovered installers charge for everything! Everything: removing old flooring, disposal, nails, equipment, lunch time, helpers, clean up afterwards, everything! One guy was going to charge us for his mileage. So ask about charges and get it in writing!
☛ Do What You Can Do: Demolition is FUN!! I would recommend doing your own removal when and if possible. I know there are some things I wouldn't be comfortable removing, plumbing for instance, But old carpet? I got this!! It didn't take us long and it saved us about $400 (Yep, that's what our guy charged to remove it! I know, right?). However, since we decided to remove it, our contractor offered to dispose of it free of charge (BONUS)!
☛You Get What You Pay For: This old adage definitely applies in most remodeling circumstances. This applies to materials as well as labor. If you buy the 'cheapest' the quality may suffer and you could end up remodeling the same thing over again in just a few years. You don't have to break the bank to get good quality for materials or labor. Just use your best discretion!
In the end, I love my new hardwood floors! They look beautiful and feel way better than that nasty old Mr. Carpet! <apologetically>.
Our contractor did an amazing job, even though he went over budget just a little. <I forgive him>
Remodeling doesn't have to be break-the-bank expensive. Just have a plan and take your time.
We'd been together for over five years.
There was comfort and warmth in the relationship; I could always count on my friend to support me every step of the way.
Alas not all things last forever.
Their ability to uphold their end of our relationship wavered.
I just couldn't keep them around any longer without causing harm to myself and/or my family.
So, I cut them out of my life.
No!
No, I won't change my mind...forever is what I said and forever is what I meant.
What? How could I be so cold? Just throw a long term relationship away so easily?
Oh, I'm sorry! I'm afraid I've misled you into thinking I'm talking about a person....oops! <giggle>
No, no, this past week I said good-bye to my poor old worn out carpet, in the living and dining room, who had started growing mold. <said with an 'oh that's icky' face>
Even after years of good care, Mr. Carpet was just too worn out to continue.
So...
Good-bye Mr. Carpet! Thanks for all you gave during our time together. I hope you understand, I have to move on. Try new things. It's not you, it's me....okay,wait! No, it is you!
Now...
I have my eye on Hardwood flooring! I dream of it. I have visions of grandeur. Life will be so easy with Ms. Hardwood Floors around.<dreamy eyed>
NO MORE VACUUMING!
Sweeping? Okay,Sure! Dust mop? You betcha!
I can handle both of those as long as I don't have to drag that nasty vacuum out every day!
Yes, every day...Oh, did I forget to mention I am OCD about my house and the cleanliness of it. Yep I am a Martha, not a Mary (Luke 10:38-42). God and I are working on that because perfectionism stinks!
Hmm, I think I just stumbled onto another post altogether.
<thinking to self thoughtfully>
Oh, sorry, I got all caught up in that for a moment! <embarrassed>
Anywhoo...
I was really looking forward to never having to push that ol' vacuum ever again! Well at least not for quite some time anyway.
My Mr. Right and I started the search after talking with our landlord, who told us to find what we wanted.
<she's always been great about stuff like this>
HOLY MOLY! Hardwood flooring is expensive!
I had to face the truth, we needed to get something very cost effective because the expenses were not our own.
I wasn't sure hardwood was going to be that something.
Finally, after weeks of looking, the landlord found the flooring!!
HOORAY!
The hunt was now about finding an installer!
Can I just say, HOLY MOLY!?
Okay, HOLY MOLY!!
Installation is expensive!
Are you getting the picture here?
This project could have cost an arm and a leg,
But through determination and lots of leg work and letting our fingers do the walking (aka phone work) we found ways to make it work for our landlord's finances.
Sharing is caring
and...
I'd like to share what I've learned through this process (you know, just in case you need it at some point)
☛ Don't Give Up & Don't Settle! You may not find what you can afford or what you want right away. Hang in there. It's usually out there, you just have to be determined enough to find it at the price you want or can afford! Do a little extra leg work or phone work and you may just surprise yourself! It is worth it in the end when you have what you dream of and at a cost you can live with!
☛ Get at Least Three Estimates: We found, through the magic of Google, several local 'handymen' and a couple of big name flooring companies. It's amazing how competitive folks can be. If you mention you've had other estimates, suddenly prices can change or they have a special. In the end, we ended up hiring a local guy who owned his own construction company. Don't be afraid to shop around or mention that you have done so.
☛ Know Exactly What You're Paying For: Through the estimate process, we discovered installers charge for everything! Everything: removing old flooring, disposal, nails, equipment, lunch time, helpers, clean up afterwards, everything! One guy was going to charge us for his mileage. So ask about charges and get it in writing!
☛ Do What You Can Do: Demolition is FUN!! I would recommend doing your own removal when and if possible. I know there are some things I wouldn't be comfortable removing, plumbing for instance, But old carpet? I got this!! It didn't take us long and it saved us about $400 (Yep, that's what our guy charged to remove it! I know, right?). However, since we decided to remove it, our contractor offered to dispose of it free of charge (BONUS)!
☛You Get What You Pay For: This old adage definitely applies in most remodeling circumstances. This applies to materials as well as labor. If you buy the 'cheapest' the quality may suffer and you could end up remodeling the same thing over again in just a few years. You don't have to break the bank to get good quality for materials or labor. Just use your best discretion!
In the end, I love my new hardwood floors! They look beautiful and feel way better than that nasty old Mr. Carpet! <apologetically>.
Our contractor did an amazing job, even though he went over budget just a little. <I forgive him>
Remodeling doesn't have to be break-the-bank expensive. Just have a plan and take your time.
*Have you done any remodeling? What lessons did you learn that could help others?*