Posts Tagged ‘House’

I currently do not pay for heat. It is inlcuded in my rent. Also, (Strange) but I do not know what I pay for electric either. Can you please tell me what these bills usually cost?
My lawyer won my disability case. I have a payee person that pays all the bills for me. I’m actually buying a house. I need to make a budget for the the heat and elect. My payee will help with the budget, but all she said about the bills is that “it varies”. Could someone please suggest some reasonable numbers for me?
Also, #2, The house that we are considering moving into has a TECHNICALLY “Michigan” basement, so it is musty. I said “technically”. It is actually built into a man made hill? It’s very attractive, actually, as it places us above the neighbors yards, and… our basement * should * stay less dry than our neighbors’ basements, as it is technically built “on the level” of the neighbors’ actual house. There is no insulation on the upper part of the basement. The roof is brand new with very good insulation. The furnace is about 30 yrs old (yeah, we will probably contemplate getting a newer energy efficient model. I have some $ to work with now, for the down payment on my house, buying a car, or buying a new Wacky GeoThermal heat – we want to be energy efficient, or hot water heat with solar panals or some wacky hippie stuff. I’m allergic to “everything” so, We like the idea of alternative heat sources. I don’t think we can use a wood burning furnace because there may be city laws about the pollution… but I’m open to the idea. Heat rises. My Grandfather had a wood stove in his basement. It was always SUPER HOT in his two story house. Both of my child’s Grandparents both have wood stove heat , currently, so, we can get lots of tips and insider info about his style of heat.) So, how much does it cost for any of the above mentioned furnaces? I do not know for a fact that the current heater is “bad”, it is simply “OLD” and inefficient, I was told. The house also has central air , so, that may affect your answer. Isn’t central air hooked up to the heating ducts? So,it would collect dust all winter, if I used alternative heat, and blow all that nasty dust out in the summer? EW> I’m allergic to all that dust. And the mold too. It’s pretty musty in our whole entire future house. “musty smells” I can leave with, but not mold. Michigan basements are musty smelling… Just have to live with it? I guess? How much does it cost to “seal” your basement? would that even be worth the price? Our basement floor is very uneven due to settling of a 1920s house.
We would like hard new flooring, how much does that cost? I’m interested in real honest to goodness wood planks, or bamboo? I heard that is ecologically friendly….. or just cheap vinyl? how much does any of this cost? I have some money to work with, but it depends on if I need to purchase a new furnace or not???? and how would I know ? about the furnace? Will it conk out next winter? or last for many more years? how long does a furnace last?
The house currently has brand spanking new carpet. I hate to tear it out..;. but I don’t know if the previous owners had furry pets. I love my pets… but I’m allergic. (as always), mostly just mild itching. But sometimes, I have asthma too. So, I heard that a “special” allergy helper vaccuum costs like $500? Is that a good deal? shouldn’t I just put down new flooring? in the long run, it will need to be replaced anyway!!!! http://www.karawynn.net/mishacat/toilet.…
My cat is trained to go potty on the human toilet. (True story!! Yeah, wierd, huh?) but I am afraid he will make kitty messes on the carpet!!!!! He might stop his toilet training if he sees carpet!! yikes!!!!!!!!
please help!!!!
THANK YOU , sorry so long! 10 pts for best answer,

My cat is a female, desexed, and she’s about 20yrs old. Recently she’s started urinating inside the house within 2 minutes of coming inside. She’s currently banned from inside because it has become so severe! She’s pissed all over our back deck, just on the boarding, on the carpet inside, against a really nice bamboo floor lamp, against our cane laundry basket in the laundry, on my toddler’s big teddy bear that was on the floor (which he loves and we’ve just thrown out – it’s too big to clean) and even on our vacuum cleaner sitting in the corner. She’s been in optimal health since her most recent checkup (about a year ago, so she’s due for another appt nowish), all her bloods and kidney function ect were so excellent it blew the vet away at how healthy she was for her age. She even was approved to go under anethetic to get her teeth cleaned, which we did a year ago. So could it be her kidney’s failing? The vet said that’s the most likely thing to affect a cat as they get older… But I’m wondering if it’s more behavioural?? Any other ideas of what it could be?

I want top get my house revalued. I have painted the whole house inside and out, so it looks nice. The only bad part is the floor. It has really old, prehistoric old lino on the floor. And it is covered in paint too but not lefting or anything. Would it be beneficial to tile and carpet the house before i get it valued? It is going to cost me a few thousand $, and just wondering if my valuation will go up a few thousand to make it worth while?

HELP! which of the two are better in terms of the following:
- cheaper to buy
- easier to assemble
- easier to clean/maintain
- lasts longer/more durable
- easier to replace

A couple notes:
1. I have recently (spring) took out carpet and installed a new bamboo floor. The subfloor is 3/4 plankingwith moisture barrier… 1/2 plywood with lick em tiles (House built in 1948), and 1/8″ Lauan…15#felt and 5/8″ bamboo. I don’t thik the moisture is coming up from the floor.
2. I have also recently (spring) changed the cold air return system. It used to have the returns cut out in the floor. I have since changed the return air on my furnace to recirculate existing air from the house through a common intake located in the living room, central to the house. My concern was the possible lack of air coming out of the bedroom where this is happening. I have cut the door down to allow a 1-1/2 inch gap when closed in order to allow air to circulate.
3. Also in the area of this “sweating” the crawl space vent is on the north wall. I plan on closing off and insulating also.
Is it all of these things or only a couple? I have had the block blown in with an expandable foam product approximately 5 years ago. I think the block is adequately insulated.. Any ideas???

My wife and I decided to redo the kitchen floor with 1 foot vinyl self-adhesive tiles. After research, it said to try a leveling compound on the old floor so the design wont show through the new tile. Well, it didnt really work that well And it was decided to tear out the old sheet vinyl floor. Now we have 1/4inch plywood subfloor with all kinds of bumps of glue and old pieces of sheet tile all over. After research, the options are: Rip up the subfloor and put down new plywood or install luan over the old subfloor. We arent going to be in this house for long, a couple years at most and we were looking to improve the kitchen a little bit. Now this happened Trying to keep cost in mind, whats the best route? The tiles were only 39 cents a piece!! Hehe. Are there other options?

I am a single mother who is thinking of buying a house that needs a little fixing up. From what I can see it will need new windows, a small wall built for a bathroom, a new front door and new porch. They have completely redone the kitchen already and have bamboo flooring ready to install. The house is priced low enough that I can afford it no problem, but I’ve never bought a house that needs any work before. I am going to get it looked over very closely before I make any offer, but I just wanted any advice any one has who may have ever bought or had an older house that needed some work. Thanks

Contractor, left ash, small debris on flore of house,soaked with water for over a month. He removed the small white oak hardwood from three bedrooms and hall and 3/4 particle board from kitchen, dining, and living room exposing soaked 1/2 inch plywood throughout the house. in less than a month the flooring man put bamboo flooring on all rooms except bath, which he put ceramic tile, no problem there, but all the rest of the house the boards of bamboo are warping. he said he would fix it. My question is; are there hardwood flooring that is not affected by moisture. The sub flooring from underneath the house looks new, but the moisture meter read as high as it would register. How to fix?

I am concerned that using the commonly available tapes will damage the underlying carpet. Specifically, if I used carpet tape to attach my rugs to my carpet, if I decide to remove the rugs and tape will my under carpet not be damaged? I appreciate any ideas. Thanks!

I am trying to figure what it is going to cost me roughly to install new carpet in my 1800 sq ft rental this summer. I need to start planning now. Does anyone know about what to expect to pay to install it, with a decent carpet and pad? Anyone want to rent or buy in Lawton OK?