Model Forum / General / Models / June 2005

I did try and warn him :)

Allan

I have to agree.  In my case, everything has taken about double the
cost and time that I had thought, and in the end I've had to rely on
contractors much more than I had anticipated due to my lack of skills.
I will never, ever, purchase a handyman's special again.   Oh, and not
to tar everyone with the same brush, but I've found many of the
contractors (plumbers and electricians especially) are
less-than-reliable and have a way of completely surpassing original
quotes due to "unforeseen circumstances".

Just to confuse the issue, I just finished a complete remodel on a split
level 2600sq ft. house. I consider myself a novice for the most part
(especially at model building). I subbed out the roof, breaker box
replacement, new windows, carpet, and the granite counters. The rest I did
myself. It did take twice the time I originally planned for (6 mo. instead
or 3) and came in about 15% over budget, but I learned a lot and made a
substantial profit. None of the work was mentally difficult. Yes, drywall is
nasty labor but not hard to do. I spent about 40k. If I paid someone else,
that same amount wouldn't even pay for the kitchen! Plan carefully, but go
for it!

Here's the house if you're interested:

http://www.windermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Listing.ListingDetail&ListingID=5
909512

Chris

Air heated by convection rises, radiant heat does not rely on
convection. Check out those infrared heat lamps at a buffet sometime,
same principle.