Another weekend spent digging. Got to take advantage of the sun while it lasts! In the past year of digging (projects that have required digging so far: creating backyard drainage; attempting to beautify ugly planters in the back; removing countless sickly Azaleas and roses; removing 6 inches of soggy wet newspapers; removing rotting [...]

Our contractor has let another deadline slip.  After stalling for over a week to give us a start date, last week he promised to give us an answer by Sunday.  It now Tuesday and still no word.  Our plan B contractor fell through as well.  So we’re back a few steps.  Hopefully I can find [...]

I have a newfound appreciation for nice yards after the past year.  The truth is, in the past I never really even noticed the “boring” plants like shrubs, groundcover and evergreens.  I certainly didn’t know much about planning a yard or landscaping project other than to know what I aesthetically liked, and even that wasn’t well-formed.  When [...]

Here is the story so far on trying to get my major contractor to start work:

Thu 9/4
I called contractor to set a meeting for Monday to make arrangements to start work.

Mon 9/8
He called me to postpone meeting to Thursday.

Thu 9/11
Called to postpone meeting to later in the afternoon.

Thu 9/11
He finally stopped by to talk. I [...]

When we first moved in the front yard was in quite a state.  It was a vegetable/weed garden with rotting wood beds, clusters of tulips were randomly scattered here and there, and about 2 inches of soggy newspapers dating back to 2001 covering the entire yard.  Not to mention the decomposing vinyl sheeting on the path [...]

This might be the single biggest problem in tackling a home renovation or restoration.  How do you find good people, that you can afford.   Hell just finding contractors who will call you back is difficult enough right now in Vancouver.
Doing the research you find lots of happy stories, and lots of horror stories about contractors.  And [...]

Over the past couple of weeks we’ve picked up some really good deals.

pic
item
paid
regular

Ginger Empire bathroom lights
From Cantu
$5 each
$657 each
from manufacturer

Jado 818 bathroom faucet (some missing parts)
From eBay
$47
$589
from manufacturer

1920s Hoosier Cabinet
From Craigslist
$500
$750 +
from other craigslist
and eBay postings

95″ double-hung window
From Demolition sale we randomly drove by
$200
$1500
From similar Pella
and Marvin windows

Glass back door
From Demolition sale we randomly drove [...]

Yesterday I removed the double-hung windows from the demo house.  It proved to be a lot more work than I had expected.  This is because I didn’t know what I was doing–but not for lack of trying.  I spent a lot of time searching for information on how to remove a double-hung window and frame [...]

So far I’ve been using the following tool to manage this renovation project:
Google Docs Spreadsheet

For collecting a log of which contractors and which suppliers I’ve contacted, when, and the results. This is crucial for keeping track of who you need to follow up with.
For listing all the work that needs to be done in detail.  [...]