Home and Auto Dumb Question: Any remodeling guys on this board?

ChiefsFanatic · 05-21-2008, 10:25 PM

My wife and I are think about putting a bid on a repo house. It has a nice deck in back that needs to be refinished, and a nice size inground pool in the back. However, the people trashed it when they were being evicted. All the flooring needs to be replaced (they had put laminate flooring over carpet in a large section of the house) it needs to be repainted inside, the basement is partially finished (the walls) but needs the ceiling finished and a wall they had built knocked down to make way for a pool table. Maybe some updating to the kitchen and bathrooms.

My question is, how much do things like that normally cost? Does anyone give free estimates? If you do the work, can you get materials at a discounted price?

Really, I have no experience with things like this, so any help would be appreciated.

**DeezNutz** · 05-21-2008, 10:33 PM

In before Phobia.

**Skip Towne** · 05-21-2008, 10:37 PM

Phobia

smittysbar · 05-21-2008, 10:38 PM

gonna need a hell of a lot more info than that to get an idea, but yes if you do the work yourself you could get some deals, just look and ask around.

You should be able to get some estimates for free.

Coach · 05-21-2008, 10:39 PM

Phil.

05-21-2008, 10:40 PM

I give free estimates to everybody except investors. I do consulting/design for investors for a flat, hourly rate.

ChiefsFanatic · 05-21-2008, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smittysbar

gonna need a hell of a lot more info than that to get an idea, but yes if you do the work yourself you could get some deals, just look and ask around.

You should be able to get some estimates for free.

I know that the person doing the work would need more info, I just wanted to know ballpark. And I was asking if the remodeler could get the material discounted, or if I had to provide the material. Sorry for the confusion.

05-21-2008, 10:43 PM

I can get material cheaper than you can get material, yes but not for everything. As a general rule most things I can get 10-20% cheaper than you can but not basic lumber and drywall. The prices at HD and Lowes are unbeatable for those things.

**Bugeater** · 05-21-2008, 11:01 PM

Laminate flooring over carpet? WTF?

wutamess · 05-21-2008, 11:01 PM

My advice is... if you have no idea about none of it... maybe you should do MORE research before even thinking about it.

~Learn from someone that's going through it.

RJ · 05-21-2008, 11:04 PM

I'm in the flooring business but not in your area. Local flooring dealers (not the big boxes) will probably provide free estimates.

Is this a house you want to flip or a house you want to live in?

05-21-2008, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoBo

Laminate flooring over carpet? WTF?

I meant to ask about that. I presume it's over that spongeback crap. It has to be....

BIG K · 05-21-2008, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach

Phil.

I will second that!

Honestly though, home improvement is not that hard. You can buy books that will walk you step by step on how to make an improvement on pretty much anything you want to do. That being said however, for the most part, if you do not have proper training or knowledge, I would leave any electrical work or gas work to the professionals....

Good luck! Sounds like a fun adventure!

RJ · 05-21-2008, 11:14 PM

Laminate could be installed over a glue down level-loop carpet, though I wouldn't recommend it. Maybe that's the case here.

BIG K · 05-21-2008, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoBo

Laminate flooring over carpet? WTF?

I can see carpet, tile, wood over laminate but, anything 'over' carpet just does not work...On a side note, I think basements are pretty darn cool. We just really don't have any though in CA. When I build my ranch house on the property that I am buying, I am going to include a basement, just cause......

05-21-2008, 10:25 PM
ChiefsFanatic DeadPunisher Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Blue Springs, MO. 64014 Casino cash: $2989205	Dumb Question: Any remodeling guys on this board? My wife and I are think about putting a bid on a repo house. It has a nice deck in back that needs to be refinished, and a nice size inground pool in the back. However, the people trashed it when they were being evicted. All the flooring needs to be replaced (they had put laminate flooring over carpet in a large section of the house) it needs to be repainted inside, the basement is partially finished (the walls) but needs the ceiling finished and a wall they had built knocked down to make way for a pool table. Maybe some updating to the kitchen and bathrooms. My question is, how much do things like that normally cost? Does anyone give free estimates? If you do the work, can you get materials at a discounted price? Really, I have no experience with things like this, so any help would be appreciated.
Posts: 7,498

05-21-2008, 10:37 PM	#3
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	Phobia
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05-21-2008, 10:38 PM	#4
smittysbar Right in the Lumberyard Danny Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: LaPlata, MO Casino cash: $10004942	gonna need a hell of a lot more info than that to get an idea, but yes if you do the work yourself you could get some deals, just look and ask around. You should be able to get some estimates for free. __________________
Posts: 6,646

05-21-2008, 10:39 PM	#5
Coach Champs! Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $5788476	Phil. __________________ Super Bowl IV, LIV, LVII & LVIII Champions 2020, 2021, 2023, & 2024 AFC Champions 1985 & 2015 Major League Baseball World Series Champions 1980, 1985, 2014, & 2015 Major League Baseball American League Champions 2015 American League Central Division Champs
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05-21-2008, 10:40 PM	#6
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	I give free estimates to everybody except investors. I do consulting/design for investors for a flat, hourly rate.
Posts: n/a

05-21-2008, 10:43 PM	#8
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	I can get material cheaper than you can get material, yes but not for everything. As a general rule most things I can get 10-20% cheaper than you can but not basic lumber and drywall. The prices at HD and Lowes are unbeatable for those things.
Posts: n/a

05-21-2008, 11:01 PM	#9
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6232680	Laminate flooring over carpet? WTF?
Posts: 70,443

05-21-2008, 11:01 PM	#10
wutamess MVP Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Lee's Summit Casino cash: $5261637	My advice is... if you have no idea about none of it... maybe you should do MORE research before even thinking about it. ~Learn from someone that's going through it.
Posts: 8,282

05-21-2008, 11:04 PM	#11
RJ Supporter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In a shotgun shack Casino cash: $9955202	I'm in the flooring business but not in your area. Local flooring dealers (not the big boxes) will probably provide free estimates. Is this a house you want to flip or a house you want to live in?
Posts: 14,931

05-21-2008, 11:14 PM	#14
RJ Supporter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In a shotgun shack Casino cash: $9955202	Laminate could be installed over a glue down level-loop carpet, though I wouldn't recommend it. Maybe that's the case here.
Posts: 14,931