Home Remodel: Do, Don'ts, Advice

[glademaster]

What about a bidet so Danno can wash his vj when this project goes awry?

All joking aside, I really want a bidet in my master bath when I get around to owning instead of renting. Smearing shit all over yourself with dry paper is for savages.

[Foggy_Goggles]

Smearing shit all over yourself with dry paper is for savages.

Maybe you're doing it wrong? Diet adjustment, shower?

I like a clean bung as much as the next guys but never felt the need for a bidet. Question for the expert, how do you dry your self after a bidet session? A dedicated towel?

[MontuckyFried]

Question for the expert, how do you dry your self after a bidet session? A dedicated towel?

Well, the fanciest toilets I used in Japan (of course) would not only get you squeaky clean with laser precision and perfectly warm water, but it'd even blow dry you off when it finished. One stop shopping. Man, those were awesome. The heated seats weren't too shabby either.

[mcsquared]

I have a bidet for when things get serious. Some call it a shower, but whatever....

[Game Over]

We also have a bidet. Makes shitting without one shitty.

[old goat]

On the other hand, the country that brought us the bidet also still has some hole-in-the-floor shitters and hasn't figured out how to plumb a bathroom so it doesn't stink.

[Flounder]

Well, the fanciest toilets I used in Japan (of course) would not only get you squeaky clean with laser precision and perfectly warm water, but it'd even blow dry you off when it finished. One stop shopping. Man, those were awesome. The heated seats weren't too shabby either.

Toto Neorest, available here in the U.S. We have one. Combined with radiant heat floors it's pure awesomeness.

[iceman]

$3000-$4000 depending on the model. You have too much money.

[Flounder]

$3000-$4000 depending on the model. You have too much money.

You can only spend so much on hookers and blow before you end up like Lamar.


Nobody pays retail, do they?

[Meadow Skipper]

Toto Neorest, available here in the U.S. We have one. Combined with radiant heat floors it's pure awesomeness.

Put a refrigerator in there and I'd never leave the bathroom.

[MontuckyFried]

$3000-$4000 depending on the model. You have too much money.

After spending ample time with them in the land of the rising sun, I must say...Worth. Every. Penny.

[RootSkier]

$3000-$4000 depending on the model. You have too much money.

I know, right? It's almost like the guy has three houses.

[Danno]

You can only spend so much on hookers and blow before you end up like Lamar.

reconciled with a Kardassian?

[Pegleg]

reconciled with a Kardassian?

It's spelled "Cardassian."

[gretch6364]

Thanks. We don't have a firm quote yet, just an "estimate", we're meeting with the bathroom guys this week to start moving forward. But their initial estimate was more detailed than any of the others we received. for the tile install, the estimate did indicate that the tile must be "6" or larger format". And I understand your point re the install, but TBH, we're going to be doing everything fairly straightforward. So, while we are taking down/moving a wall between the bathrooms, everything else will be simple: big tiles on the floor and surrounds (at most one small line of accent tile on the surrounds), fixtures and controls staying in the obvious places, etc. We're trying to make the bathroom look nice, but on a budget. We have a long wish list of things in the house, and want our money to check as many boxes as possible. So, while all of that mosaic tile looks super cool, it also costs a shitton more, and we're going to go with large format tile.

Danno, I will be really interested to see how everything turns out and maybe a recommendation on some local guys. Best of luck with everything!

[Game Over]

We just ripped out a 16x26 cedar deck with a 8x12 landing and 6x20 walkway. PITA. All the base structure is good so I'll reuse it someplace.

Along with that I have around 1200 of these and 222 of these to rebuild and add a hot tub and solarium.

[::: :::]

The more stable your gravel base for your setting bed the better...compact the hell out of it

[Game Over]

I was thinking of renting a compactor. Is that overkill?

[brice618]

I was thinking of renting a compactor. Is that overkill?

No.

[::: :::]

^^^Agreed

Do it right and you should be able to park vehicles on the pavers

Use the preformed edging as well to retain the perimeter pieces -- they look like shit when they tip out

[BigDaddy]

I know, right? It's almost like the guy has three houses.

More like four now, but who's counting?

Poor mans bidet is dampened tp... posted from a $250 shitter, but heated tile floor.

[Foggy_Goggles]

dampened tp

I can't reach the sink from the shitter. Better take a shower.

How's it going Danno?

[Danno]

We're in the process, moving along. Haven't had a second meeting with the kitchen guys yet, have met twice with the bathroom guys and are in the process of checking references; we should be moving along fairly quickly on that project (maybe January?) with the kitchen not happening till late April.

Went down to the building dept to talk to them about permitting. Seems like we should be ok is we as homeowner pull the permit. Both contractors have suggested this route and the building dept confirmed. It's a little bit of a wink-wink-nudge-nudge deal, where what the regs say and what actually happens are different. Because technically any subs I hire still need to be licensed. But from what I heard (from the building dept and through the contractors), the only time they check on licensure is if the inspector comes out and the work done is shit and clearly not up to code.

We did just get central ac installed, just in time for the warm weather!

[Below Zero]

Ask the "bathroom guys" and the "kitchen guys" what the applicable code is for your remodel? I'd just be curious if they really know.

[Danno]

Ask the "bathroom guys" and the "kitchen guys" what the applicable code is for your remodel? I'd just be curious if they really know.

well, they do seem to know (though not sure how asking them that question would help, as I wouldn't be able to evaluate the answer). When walking around the house the first time they made comments to us about code (ie things that weren't up to code, how much space we'd have to allow for things, etc). And the bathroom guys are licensed in the city for residential remodel, just not licensed as plumbers/electricians. So they could actually pull the permit for us, but then they would have to sub out those pieces, whereas if we pull it they can do that work. Kitchen guys just finished a permitted kitchen remodel for some friends nearby, without issue (same deal, friends pulled the permit).

Look, is there a perfect answer here? yes, I suppose, if I have $100k+ to spend. But I don't. I'm actually feeling reasonably good right now, as both projects will be permitted and (presumably) done right. The fact that I will pull the permit doesn't change much. And now that I think about it, spending that 100k+ would not get me more peace of mind; I'd still be at the mercy of the contractor and putting my trust in the inspector.