Remodeling ain't as sexy as HGTV makes it out to be.

[ScareCrowe]

Originally Posted by scho63

I purchased a very small but highly suitable home in a retirement community here in AZ at the end of September.

This is the place I have decided will be my final home to live out my life from nearly 62 to whatever time is left.

I began a nearly 90% remodel in November starting with a new hot water heater and all new parts in the external closet after a leak from the old one.

I started at the rear of the home in my bedroom by ripping everything out: built in cabinets, ugly decorative boxes above the window, tore out all old curtains, ripped up rug, expanded closet from slider to walk-in for more storage, changed every light fixture, changed utility closet for washer dryer from behind door to hall, changed plumbing, added 3M whole house water filtration at water meter, brand new bedroom window, electrical changes, custom closet design, new paint, new sheetrock, custom wall design behind bed, new bed, new hanging end tables, new art work, new sconces above night stands, new rug.

I hired people for all of it and it takes a shit load of more time than I could have imagined.

Wish I was a craftsman....

I did it about 10 years ago now but I went the more craftsman route. I think the only thing either me or my Dad didn't do personally was the cabinets (kitchen & bath) other than that all electrical, plumbing, HVAC (we both work in HVAC) & even removing a few walls was done by us. Since we were doing it ourselves we had to do all the work on weekends so it took almost 2 full years to get it done. Granted we moved in after about 16 months & finished the basement while we were living upstairs, but yeah it was a real bitch.