Welcome to Chez Cliff!

My budget for the kitchen was $10,000.

The breakdown was as follows:

• Appliances:  $3000
• Cabinets:  $5000
• Granite Counter tops:  $2000

The appliances were $3450:  the refrigerator, stove, dishwasher and stackable washer and dryer.  This included delivery and installation.

The cabinets came out to $3800.  This was for 10 cabinets, which included two large corner cabinets and a pantry.

The granite counter tops final cost was $2000.  Back-splash included.  Originally I was thinking this would be $1500 but two things made the price increase.  First, plywood needs to be placed on top of the cabinets before the granite can be installed.  I asked that the installer do that.  Next, I had an undermount sink.

For some reason, I prefer undermount stainless steel sinks to regular sinks.  It gives the counter top a very clean look.  To do an undermount sink requires more work.  More work equates to more money.

This added $350 to the price.

When the original claim of $10,000 was set, there was no accounting for a sink or faucet.  And the garbage disposal?

• Sink:  $300
• Faucet:  $100
• Garbage Disposal:  $100

In total, the kitchen "stuff" came out to $9750.  That could have been further reduced if (1) I had a Lowes coupon when I ordered the cabinets and (2) the undermount sink.  Those two items could have saved $730.

It goes without saying: hardwood floors definitely add value to a home.  In both of my purchases I have been lucky with having the original floors intact.

They just needed to be refinished.

On the first flooring project, it was $1700 to redo the floors.  This included two weeks of labor plus I had to provide material.  For those that remember, a hard black "goo" covered the floors and had to be practically chipped off to get to the original wood.

For this project: the budget was $1700.  The floor was bigger but in better shape.

The formula for refinishing a hardwood floor:  $1.50 per square foot.  The quote initially give was for $1500, for 1000 square feet.  This included material.

It was a deal.

Whether from termite or water damage, several large spots appeared to be in need to repair.  This quickly added to the bill: matching wood; cutting to fit; removal of wood; installation of wood.

In total the bill for hardwood floor refinish:  $2000.

Labor:  between 4 to 6 guys working every day.  Four days for completion.  Two days after to allow for adequate drying.

NOTE:  The finishing coat for hardwood floors indicates 24 hours until dry to the touch.  While this may be true, the coat requires several days in order to ‘cure’ properly.  This simply means the coating will need a few days to harden enough to support weight (such as dollies with refrigerators).

Today marks the first day in a series regarding the budget for this project. 

Four months ago the budget was declared: $32,000.

The number was not arbitrary.  While some aspects were "pulled out of the air", I was confident the number would be in the ball park.

When I examined the house, and after conversations with the handy-woman, the aspects of the project did not seem very daunting.

Initially the game plan:

• Refinish the hardwood floors
• Re-drywall the ceiling
• Paint all the walls and ceiling
• Redo the main bathroom
• Build the master bathroom
• Update the existing kitchen

From the initial list, the only items uncertain was the demo of the bathroom and the creation of a master bath.  Those items were purely a shot in the dark.

Then the decision as made to redo all the electrical.  Following thereafter, re-do the plumbing.  Since it was all original stuff in the house, personally I would feel better knowing the bones of the house were up "2007 standards".

Next came the breakdown of who would be performing what tasks. 

With the delegation of tasks came the dollar figures for each.  Broken down by Material (M) and then Labor.

To break a few items down:

• Hardwood Floors:  $1700 includes labor, material.
• Main Bathroom:  $1000 includes bathtub, sink toilet, shower fixtures
• Master bathroom:  $750 includes shower basin, shower fixtures, sink, toilet
• Kitchen Update:  $8000 includes $3000 for appliances, $3000 for cabinets*, $2000 granite counter tops

For those of you keeping track: the budget spent on materials and some labor was $16,950.  In Southern California, the ratio of material to labor is not 1 to 1.  It is more like 2 to 1.  But considering the original timing was quoted at 6 weeks, $16000 divided by 6 weeks is $2700 per week in labor.  Mentally, I told myself to be prepared for additional costs ($5000).  Whether this may include permits or additional labor costs or material costs.

Right or wrong, I had the numbers and timing put together.  My personal objective was to ensure the numbers were met.

* – This was later increased to $5000 when the old cabinets were deemed unusable and new cabinets would be needed to replace.

It has been nearly two weeks since the ads started running for renting the house.  During that time, several inquisitors called.  Appointments have been made but then canceled.  No one has actually "walked through" the house.

It is either one of two items.

First, the asking rent is too high.  Checking rentometer.com, there are a few three bedroom rentals that are $3,000 plus.  Granted, there are more for less than $2800 which is my asking price.  A debate churns inside me, deciding on whether the rent should be dropped $100/month. 

Second, the perspectives drive by the house and actually see it.  While the interior may look incredible, the theorem "First Impressions" definitely applies.  The exterior has not been touched at all, with the exception of watering the grass.  People who may consider paying the rent won’t if they think the house is a dump.  Based on the way the house looks at present, even I would be hard pressed into paying that level of rent.

A decision has to be made relatively quickly.  Yet another month has walked by; with that another mortgage payment.  It is time to re-run the ads.  Maybe I’ll let another week go by and see if there are any results.  If nothing then I’ll consider lowering the rental price.

I’m sorry about not getting anything up.  My flight back to Los Angeles got jumbled around.

Something will be ready for tomorrow.