Day 13 - Flip Project - Cedar Grove

$ spent since last update - $1826.18

Total $ spent - $2320.18

Budget $10,000
Target Finish Date - 1/5/2006

I realized the hardest part about a remodel is the old saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Well, that just doesn't work anymore. Old light fixtures, old faucets, kitchen countertops... technically, that stuff can last a lifetime. But we're still going to replace them. They look nasty. So I guess I'm going to go with, "If it needs to be updated, then update it." Dark brown wall paint with dark blue carpet not only makes the house look dark (this is probably the darkest home I've ever been in), it also makes the home look cheap. Gold plated bath fixtures mixed in with wood trim towel bars and vanity mirror... was that hot in the 80s? Too bad this house was built in 1997. It looks like the builder cut a couple corners. It feels like it's our job to set things right.

Sorry, I don't have any pictures right now. None that I want to show anyway. Yet. At least not until the "after" pics are ready. And I know I've forgotten a receipt for this house somewhere in this pile on my desk, but I don't think the exact numbers are that important.

I got a sweet deal on stainless steel appliances. A 4-piece set for $1800, tax included... all brand new. None of that refurbished or scratch-and-dent stuff. So I couldn't pass that up. It includes a side-by-side fridge, electric flat-top range, over the range microwave, and dishwasher. The only problem is that an electrician will come in the next week to change over the 110 outlet to a 220 volt (the difference between gas and electric range hookups), and he'll also be adding a hookup for the microwave. Another $500 or so, but not sure about that yet, since I haven't paid the guy.

I spent $26.18 to throw away 580 pounds of base trim, interior doors, and about 15 gallons of paint. So that's a relative bargain. A wall was also removed from downstairs, but hasn't been thrown away yet. I still have about 2 truckloads to throw away, plus the old carpet once we get that ripped up. But I think it's still going to be much cheaper than renting a dumpster (for $300 minimum).

We've finally got a crew going on there this weekend. I think I've done about as much as one person can physically handle. It's taken a little while longer to get started, but I took that into account when I estimated our goal date.

Painters and the electrician will come this weekend. Millwork and flooring for the entire home has been measured and ordered. 2 weeks for that to get in. Garage door installation on January 5th. As long as the little things are taken care of along the way (light fixtures, touchups, and so on), looks like we're set.

Another Junk Caller to add to my list

I keep getting junk phone calls from Discover Card. The Caller ID says the name is "unknown" but the phone number is listed as 888-322-2785. They're trying to sell me some account protection plan. Seems like no matter how many times I to have my name removed, the calls continue (Although this time, they asked for another member of my family that also has a Discover Card).

What sucks is that whether I pickup the phone or not, the calls just continue to come in and they NEVER leave a message.