Project Progress
I think it's time to go public with a project I need to get done. I have been putting it off forever, and now have finally gotten started, but I will need to put it in writing I think to spur me to the end.
The project is a major bathroom remodel, something that has needed to be done for years, and also something that I have dreaded doing. Soooo, here are some major milestones, and some goals I should be able to make if I keep my focus. Doing as much as I can myself will save major $, at least 60% of what it would cost to hire out the entire project. The difficulty will be keeping my energy level up and staying on schedule.
1. Removal of toilet - Completed April 10, 2007 - Unexpected: frozen floor bolts, shattered toilet with hammer to remove.
2. Removal of sinks - Completed April 12, 2007 - As expected
3. Removal of sink cabinet - Completed April 13, 2007 - Unexpected: Had to cut holes in back of cabinet to allow romoval of cabinet over hot and cold water feeds and drain pipe
4. Disposal of toilet and sinks - Completed April 18, 2007 As expected
5. Begin tear-out of East tile and cement board wall - 1/2 complete April 18, 2007 -Unexpected: Gaping holes in drywall behind cement board, will need replacement
6. Complete tear-out of East tile and cement board wall - Complete April 19, 2007-As expected
7. Begin tear-out of North tile and cement board wall - 1/2 Complete April 23, 2007-As expected
8. Complete tear-out of North tile and cement board wall - Complete April 24, 2007-As expected
9. Begin and complete tear-out of tile floor - Complete April 25, 2007 -As expected
10. Begin tear-out of concrete floor underlayment goal 1/2 by April 27, 2007-Complete April 26
11. Complete tear-out of concrete floor underlayment by April 28, 2007-Complete April 26 -Much quicker than expected
12. Shut down use of bath tub and shower, locate and turn off water supply valves by April 30, 2007- No valves exist, may have to install before getting tub out. Overflow plate and linkage out. Began tile removal at tub line.
13. Remove drain and overflow linkage to tub by May 1, 2007 - Drain frozen, need new strategy
14. Remove first row of tile at tub line and locate and remove any tub fasteners to wall by May 1, 2007 -Had to take out complete walls to get at all fasteners, 2 done Complete May 2.
15. Determine tub material and method of removal, including lining up help by May 2, 2007-Tub is pressed steel, which means it has to come out whole or be cut with a power tool. I don't have a saw that will work, so I will try to raise it higher than the heating duct with a system of successive boards and then slide it out. Drain fitting is still frozen, need tool to break it free. Success on May 7!! I actually disconnected the drain piping UNDER the tub, by reaching through a hole in the wall with a wrench. I then used the system of boards to raise it with the frozen drain pipe still connected. The tub is now outside the house.
16. Remove tub and dispose of by May 7. Removed and disposal pick-up scheduled on Thursday, May 10
17. Remove 3 tub tile walls and cement board by May 14, 2007-2 walls done May 1, found out I need to do this before figuring out how to remove tub. 3rd wall removed May 2. Tub fasteners to wall removed.
18. Determine amount of new wallboard and cement board needed and install by May 28, 2007. Will be done by contractor.
19. Shop for and purchase major new components: Single sink and cabinet, mirror, toilet, bathtub, light fixtures, sink faucet, tub fixtures, towel bars, medicine cabinet, and tile for new floor, tub area, and walls by May 28, 2007. Cabinet, medicine cabinet, mirror and storage unit purchased on May 11. Sink and countertop purchased. Tile, soap dish and shower shelf picked out and samples acquired. Combo Fan/light purchased.
20. Determine any work I will need to contract out in installation of tile, plumbing, etc. Have decided to hire the installation of new bathroom, including two plumbing reworks. I will supply all components.
21. Bid and hire per schedule tbd and set my own work schedule tbd to finish installation. First bid in process on May 5, 2007. Done May 12, bids received, contractor hired. Will not start for 4 weeks, or around July 16. May set back completion date some.
22. Complete project by August 7, 2007
The project is a major bathroom remodel, something that has needed to be done for years, and also something that I have dreaded doing. Soooo, here are some major milestones, and some goals I should be able to make if I keep my focus. Doing as much as I can myself will save major $, at least 60% of what it would cost to hire out the entire project. The difficulty will be keeping my energy level up and staying on schedule.
1. Removal of toilet - Completed April 10, 2007 - Unexpected: frozen floor bolts, shattered toilet with hammer to remove.
2. Removal of sinks - Completed April 12, 2007 - As expected
3. Removal of sink cabinet - Completed April 13, 2007 - Unexpected: Had to cut holes in back of cabinet to allow romoval of cabinet over hot and cold water feeds and drain pipe
4. Disposal of toilet and sinks - Completed April 18, 2007 As expected
5. Begin tear-out of East tile and cement board wall - 1/2 complete April 18, 2007 -Unexpected: Gaping holes in drywall behind cement board, will need replacement
6. Complete tear-out of East tile and cement board wall - Complete April 19, 2007-As expected
7. Begin tear-out of North tile and cement board wall - 1/2 Complete April 23, 2007-As expected
8. Complete tear-out of North tile and cement board wall - Complete April 24, 2007-As expected
9. Begin and complete tear-out of tile floor - Complete April 25, 2007 -As expected
10. Begin tear-out of concrete floor underlayment goal 1/2 by April 27, 2007-Complete April 26
11. Complete tear-out of concrete floor underlayment by April 28, 2007-Complete April 26 -Much quicker than expected
12. Shut down use of bath tub and shower, locate and turn off water supply valves by April 30, 2007- No valves exist, may have to install before getting tub out. Overflow plate and linkage out. Began tile removal at tub line.
13. Remove drain and overflow linkage to tub by May 1, 2007 - Drain frozen, need new strategy
14. Remove first row of tile at tub line and locate and remove any tub fasteners to wall by May 1, 2007 -Had to take out complete walls to get at all fasteners, 2 done Complete May 2.
15. Determine tub material and method of removal, including lining up help by May 2, 2007-Tub is pressed steel, which means it has to come out whole or be cut with a power tool. I don't have a saw that will work, so I will try to raise it higher than the heating duct with a system of successive boards and then slide it out. Drain fitting is still frozen, need tool to break it free. Success on May 7!! I actually disconnected the drain piping UNDER the tub, by reaching through a hole in the wall with a wrench. I then used the system of boards to raise it with the frozen drain pipe still connected. The tub is now outside the house.
16. Remove tub and dispose of by May 7. Removed and disposal pick-up scheduled on Thursday, May 10
17. Remove 3 tub tile walls and cement board by May 14, 2007-2 walls done May 1, found out I need to do this before figuring out how to remove tub. 3rd wall removed May 2. Tub fasteners to wall removed.
18. Determine amount of new wallboard and cement board needed and install by May 28, 2007. Will be done by contractor.
19. Shop for and purchase major new components: Single sink and cabinet, mirror, toilet, bathtub, light fixtures, sink faucet, tub fixtures, towel bars, medicine cabinet, and tile for new floor, tub area, and walls by May 28, 2007. Cabinet, medicine cabinet, mirror and storage unit purchased on May 11. Sink and countertop purchased. Tile, soap dish and shower shelf picked out and samples acquired. Combo Fan/light purchased.
20. Determine any work I will need to contract out in installation of tile, plumbing, etc. Have decided to hire the installation of new bathroom, including two plumbing reworks. I will supply all components.
21. Bid and hire per schedule tbd and set my own work schedule tbd to finish installation. First bid in process on May 5, 2007. Done May 12, bids received, contractor hired. Will not start for 4 weeks, or around July 16. May set back completion date some.
22. Complete project by August 7, 2007