Dumb Question: Any remodeling guys on this board?

[ChiefsFanatic]

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]

In before Phobia.

[Skip Towne]

Phobia

[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.

[ChiefsFanatic]

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.

[Coach]

Phil.

[BIG K]

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!

Originally Posted by BIG K

That being said however, for the most part, if you do not have proper training or knowledge,

or tools. Tools are a massive part of it. I have tens of thousands in tools and could invest tens more without having everything I think I need.

[wutamess]

Originally Posted by Phobia

or tools. Tools are a massive part of it. I have tens of thousands in tools and could invest tens more without having everything I think I need.

I thought you were a tool?

Originally Posted by wutamess

I thought you were a tool?

You know I don't have any comeback for that. I'll just have to own it.

[BIG K]

Originally Posted by Phobia

or tools. Tools are a massive part of it. I have tens of thousands in tools and could invest tens more without having everything I think I need.

crescent wrench, soap.....

[el borracho]

* deck that needs to be refinished- refinished sounds like simple work (sanding, staining and sealing) that anyone can do inexpensively. You will need a sander to do this.

* flooring needs to be replaced- this one can be quite expensive, depending on what you have, what you want and how much you can do yourself. Be aware that, no matter what you want to install, you will need special tools to do this job.

* needs to be repainted inside- simple and inexpensive

* basement needs the ceiling finished- depends on square footage, really. Most anyone can do drywall without fancy tools but not everyone can do it well and some tools are very helpful.

* a wall they had built knocked down to make way for a pool table- I'm not sure I understand you. Are you wanting to remove a non-structural wall (easy and cheap) or needing to replace a wall that was removed?

* Maybe some updating to the kitchen and bathrooms- updating kitchens and bathrooms can cost tens of thousands, depending on how involved the project is and which finishes you choose.

[ChiefsFanatic]

Originally Posted by el borracho

* deck that needs to be refinished- refinished sounds like simple work (sanding, staining and sealing) that anyone can do inexpensively. You will need a sander to do this.

* flooring needs to be replaced- this one can be quite expensive, depending on what you have, what you want and how much you can do yourself. Be aware that, no matter what you want to install, you will need special tools to do this job.

* needs to be repainted inside- simple and inexpensive

* basement needs the ceiling finished- depends on square footage, really. Most anyone can do drywall without fancy tools but not everyone can do it well and some tools are very helpful.

* a wall they had built knocked down to make way for a pool table- I'm not sure I understand you. Are you wanting to remove a non-structural wall (easy and cheap) or needing to replace a wall that was removed?

* Maybe some updating to the kitchen and bathrooms- updating kitchens and bathrooms can cost tens of thousands, depending on how involved the project is and which finishes you choose.

On the flooring, we wanted to go with some hardwood laminate, but if carpet were significantly cheaper, that could be an option.

In the basement, the previous owner finished the walls, and then blocked off the water heater etc, with a wall, but I would want it knocked down, and moved back about 10 feet. Then I would want the ceiling done, and possibly the floor.

The kitchen and bathrooms could use updated fixtures, flooring, etc.

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

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.