I purchased my home in 2018. She’s a cozy condo built in 1968. I love her, but she’s got some areas that needed some updating. After a year, I chose to update the master bathroom first since that’s the outdated room I use the most. Sometimes I struggle with making decisions. Especially big ones. Especially ones with lasting consequences. There’s no “undo” button to a remodeling project. At least not without a price tag.
I really didn’t even know where to start. I asked friends for references on contractors or laborers that can do the job. I finally picked a guy who took on the project himself. He seemed pretty confident and trustworthy. I had already started purchasing the tile… I didn’t know these guys get a contractor’s discount and will get the materials for you at a lesser price. (Lesson #1: let them buy stuff). I ordered my vanity from Wayfair. It arrived with the top cracked. I think I cried then too. Luckily they picked it up and replaced it at no cost. I was proud of myself for measuring it perfectly! I failed to do was measure the bottom for the drain pipes so the contractor had to “make it work” (Lesson #2: Measure EVERYTHING you see and don’t see). Who knew you had to measure what you can’t see??
After the project started, I began to use him to acquire the products. Once he got to work, he saw the extent of the wear and tear. He quickly and easily convinced me to do a full gut. I think I cried that night as I looked at the studs of my bathroom.
I went through the motions of excitement and fear. I never imagined I would have to take on a project like this by myself. At the same time, I had to put on my big girl panties and get through this. I prayed for strength, wisdom and protection. I don’t normally live in fear, but you never know what can happen when a man with tools is in your house for hours on end. So I also prayed for supernatural strength if he decided to attack me. He didn’t and all was well.
The project lasted about 3 weeks, 2 weeks longer than expected. Luckily I have another bathroom I was able to use. (Lesson #3: Have a backup plan). Oh, and while I was using the other bathroom, I noticed the floor was getting wet underneath. I called the contractor and he said there was no way since he didn’t touch anything in the guest bathroom. I insisted he come because that had never happened before. He came and found one of the pipes he installed had a small hole. Water was leaking down to the ground and into the guest bath. He fixed it. (Lessons #3: Go with your gut!) And a dear friend installed a barn door to finish the look. I absolutely LOVE my new bathroom! She’s small but cozy and serene.
It took me a while to tackle the next large project: the kitchen and guest bathroom. In March 2021, I mustered up the courage to take it on and make it happen. Again, I asked around to get some recommendations. This time I had to find several different folks on my own. (Lesson #4: Contractors have value). I needed someone to do the floor tile, make cabinet doors, paint the cabinets and to install the counter tops and back splash.
I started with the cabinet doors. A trusted and handy friend took on the project to make and install beautiful doors. Luckily he had purchased the wood right before prices started increasing drastically due to the pandemic. This was the most worry free part of the project.
Then came the painter. The painting was messy and stinky. I’m pretty sure I cried a few times those evenings. He taped everything off and for some reason it felt so intrusive! Then came the counter tops and back splash. The counter guy was fabulous. He was professional and knew what he was doing. The back splash guy was slow and not as confident, which gave me anxiety. But he got the job done, just in a much longer period of time. (Lesson #5: The counter top guy is NOT a plumber). I had updated both the kitchen and guest bath counter tops. Since he wouldn’t install the faucets I had to get a plumber which took a about a week. Luckily I was able to wash dishes in my master bathroom until then.
Finally it came down to the flooring. This guy was a delight. They completed the project in about two days!
Eventually I will need to finish the guest bathroom shower. I’m not sure when I will recover enough to tackle that project. I learned a few lessons with these two projects. I’ve learned the value of manual labor and skilled labor. I’ve learned the difference between ceramic tile and glass tile. I cried more than I thought I would, but the end result was worth it. Home ownership is a blessing, remodeling is somewhat a curse… a necessary evil, if you will. All in all, I love mi casita and will continue to give her TLC as long as we are together.
#priscillastravels 