The Home Improvement Thread

[Izzle]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

There’s a super well known poster around here who’s an HVAC tech and his name is slipping my mind but he would be able to answer your questions. Pretty sure he works for chestermere heating and cooling. Hopefully someone else can vouch for them / jog my memory.

Everlast! But I thought he only did maintenance type work. Not necessarily sales of furnaces

[puffnstuff]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

There’s a super well known poster around here who’s an HVAC tech and his name is slipping my mind but he would be able to answer your questions. Pretty sure he works for chestermere heating and cooling. Hopefully someone else can vouch for them / jog my memory.

Thats who replaced my furnace a couple years ago after I contacted Everlast. They were great to deal with.

[topfiverecords]

Had Chestermere Heating replace my blower motor and have no complaints.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by Izzle

Well my 14 year old furnace is close to dying. Heat ain't so good. It was a builder grade Trane I think.

I'm pretty much ready to replace my furnace. Any suggestions on where to research furnaces?

I've recieved two quotes so far for my 1600 sqft duplex -
Lennox single stage 80kBTU for $5800.
Keepright dual stage 80kBTU for the same price.

Realistically, my family and I need the heat for maybe another 2-4 years. We're going to be moving in that time frame. So while quality is important, price is also a factor. While I've heard of Lennox before, I've never heard of a Keepright.

Any help is much appreciated.

Google says they are Canadian and a subsidiary of Carrier.
If the price is the same I would say go with the dual stage for overall comfort levels vs a single stage. My opinion only.

[photon]

I regret not getting a dual stage when I built my house.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

After a decade of trying to get my place built on the ocean, I finally have approval as of today... hopefully the foundation will be poured in the next month and a bit and off we go.

So here's my question: for those of you who have been where I am now or in a similar spot getting ready to make this a reality, what are the things you wish you knew? Finishes, light fixtures, good bang for the buck tips for flooring? Anything.

The soon-to-be Casa de Corsi:

Spoiler!

Figured I'd update this with some progress...





Again if anyone with experience doing this has tips, sees anything they think I should ask these guys about, or any other ideas I'm all ears. Really hoping this all goes smoothly...

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Figured I'd update this with some progress...





Again if anyone with experience doing this has tips, sees anything they think I should ask these guys about, or any other ideas I'm all ears. Really hoping this all goes smoothly...

That's sick bro, good job.

Off the top of my head:

1. Build a huge deck (looks like you are).
2. Your garage will never be big enough.
3. Route ethernet cables during construction to soffits for future security cameras.
4. Pot lights (IMO) are timeless and classy. I'd use them everywhere.
5. Not sure if possible, but I'd get 200amp service. You never know if you want to be running your AC, your hot tub and your welder at the same time.
6. In-floor slab heating for basement and garage are definitely nice luxuries if the cost is reasonable.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

1. Build a huge deck (looks like you are).
Deck will be 55'x14'. But I can always build more deck in the form of a gazebo nearby.

2. Your garage will never be big enough.
Garage is already there and is 788 square feet. Big enough for the boat and 2 cars with room to spare.

3. Route ethernet cables during construction to soffits for future security cameras.
Shouldn't be a need, basically no one has access to the area but people directly related to me (about 30-40 acres of family owned property that is 95% forest).

4. Pot lights (IMO) are timeless and classy. I'd use them everywhere.
Yeah, I'll go with builder recommendation probably but this is likely where it's headed. Just easier, IMO.

5. Not sure if possible, but I'd get 200amp service. You never know if you want to be running your AC, your hot tub and your welder at the same time.
We'll see how it goes - I think the garage may already be on 200amp on its own.

6. In-floor slab heating for basement and garage are definitely nice luxuries if the cost is reasonable.
No basement, just a large crawlspace (had to be under 5' ceiling height to meet land use bylaw requirements). So not worth it.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Had Chestermere Heating replace my blower motor and have no complaints.

Chestermere is indeed great - I've had them do 4 installs at various properties and they are great at what they do. If you are looking for the rock bottom lowest price - don't expect them to be that. But their service has been top shelf, helping me out in situations when they didn't have to.

Chestermere has now merged with Fagnan's Furnace (took over the family business) so don't be surprised if someone from them calls you.

[Cube Inmate]

There was a bit of quartz discussion a while ago and I'll definitely take the advice about asking about leftovers for other spots.

My question is on brands. I don't know how you judge quality of quartz (the samples seem identical in quality) so I'm left looking at reviews. Silestone seems to have a good reputation. Caesarstone, OTOH, has a thread full of angry redditors (staining, chipping, etc). I usually don't put much stock in online reviews, but it's all I have to go on. And we like a caesarstone colour... but now I'm worried about that.

Does anybody have any advice for brands from first hand experience?

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Cube Inmate

There was a bit of quartz discussion a while ago and I'll definitely take the advice about asking about leftovers for other spots.

My question is on brands. I don't know how you judge quality of quartz (the samples seem identical in quality) so I'm left looking at reviews. Silestone seems to have a good reputation. Caesarstone, OTOH, has a thread full of angry redditors (staining, chipping, etc). I usually don't put much stock in online reviews, but it's all I have to go on. And we like a caesarstone colour... but now I'm worried about that.

Does anybody have any advice for brands from first hand experience?

Just go to Granite Guys. They'll never screw you over.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

1. Build a huge deck (looks like you are).
Deck will be 55'x14'. But I can always build more deck in the form of a gazebo nearby.

2. Your garage will never be big enough.
Garage is already there and is 788 square feet. Big enough for the boat and 2 cars with room to spare.

3. Route ethernet cables during construction to soffits for future security cameras.
Shouldn't be a need, basically no one has access to the area but people directly related to me (about 30-40 acres of family owned property that is 95% forest).

4. Pot lights (IMO) are timeless and classy. I'd use them everywhere.
Yeah, I'll go with builder recommendation probably but this is likely where it's headed. Just easier, IMO.

5. Not sure if possible, but I'd get 200amp service. You never know if you want to be running your AC, your hot tub and your welder at the same time.
We'll see how it goes - I think the garage may already be on 200amp on its own.

6. In-floor slab heating for basement and garage are definitely nice luxuries if the cost is reasonable.
No basement, just a large crawlspace (had to be under 5' ceiling height to meet land use bylaw requirements). So not worth it.

Is natural gas available? Get it to both your deck bbq and range.

Think of what luxuries you want and prepare for that. Hot tub? EV charger? Central vac? Sauna? It’s significantly cheaper to prepare for all of this now even if you decide to not use it.

My in laws used to live on the ocean on Vancouver island, prepare for enormous wolf spiders and otters being dickheads.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Cube Inmate

There was a bit of quartz discussion a while ago and I'll definitely take the advice about asking about leftovers for other spots.

My question is on brands. I don't know how you judge quality of quartz (the samples seem identical in quality) so I'm left looking at reviews. Silestone seems to have a good reputation. Caesarstone, OTOH, has a thread full of angry redditors (staining, chipping, etc). I usually don't put much stock in online reviews, but it's all I have to go on. And we like a caesarstone colour... but now I'm worried about that.

Does anybody have any advice for brands from first hand experience?

I don't know if it's about brands. I thought the brand on many occasions was just the company name of an importer. I thought it was more about the companies sourcing and installing it that's more important. A bad installer is more likely to create the issue with chipping to the quartz than a bad "brand". I could be wrong though. The place I used sold Baystone, Valentino and Deltastone "brand". I'm pretty sure the stuff installed in my place is Valentino "brand" but I'm not sure. It's good though.

Quartz is non-porous so it shouldn't "stain". But I think I know what is being mentioned. I've had two quartz counter tops. "Stains" would stick to the surface of one more than the other. It would need more effort (abrasive or chemical) to remove and thus it'd look like it was stained. But it's just on the surface. That same countertop was a darker color and seemed to have a special clear coating or something. Liquids on the surface would cast a shadow that looked darker and like waterlogged stone, but it's on the surface, not in the stone. Once the liquid evaporated, the stone would look normal again. My quartz countertop in a lighter color doesn't do that at all.

Chipping wise, it's not easy to chip quartz, but it's possible to do. Your aim is either to protect it, hide it (repair or otherwise) or choose something where it's barely noticeable. I think I have two smaller 2-3mm chips on my quartz countertops after 5 years. But one was literally dropping a stainless steel pot or pan on the edge, and the other from slamming frozen food on the side to break it before cooking. In both situations, that's on us and not a an issue with the product. But since the counters are white, I can never seem to figure out where it is. I'm sure if needed it could be filled with color epoxy if I find it and it's noticeable, but meh, it's barely noticeable.

When shopping, I guess you could try and ask 3 questions:
- Any examples of what the corners look like if chipped?
- What does the stone look like when wet? (Typically for darker colors vs white or lighter colors)
- What does the stone look like if there is a stain on it? (ie: salesman at a different place than I used a whiteboard marker on the polished side to demonstrate to me coffee or wine stain and how easily it comes off, but in hindsight, this is pure gimmick and this doesn't demonstrate anything useful...)

The leftover thing you mentioned already and that one, sometimes you're lucky, sometimes you're not.

[Brendone]

Does anyone out there actually repair refrigeration units anymore.. or ever?

We have a built in Northland fridge with what should be an easy unit replacement, but… Northland dropped built ins from their line, so if there are no replacements out there, we’re likely screwed. New built ins are the price of a car now.

I can see the old unit has leaked some refrigerant, but I’m guessing the answer will be no one repairs these things.

[woob]

Corsi, your second image is not loading. Not sure if due to a link issue or traffic limit.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Figured I'd update this with some progress...





Again if anyone with experience doing this has tips, sees anything they think I should ask these guys about, or any other ideas I'm all ears. Really hoping this all goes smoothly...

Where i this at?

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Out on the coast... some updated photos as they're getting ready to pour the foundation. If anyone has any experience with this, let me know... I'm sure the guys know what they're doing but it's impossible not to be nervous when this is so important.

Spoiler!

[Shazam]

If you're wanting to hide bodies, now's the time.

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by Shazam

If you're wanting to hide bodies, now's the time.

I'd wait until the cement is poured and the grading is complete, but before final landscaping. Then pick a nice place near a tree or a rock, a place I can see from my kitchen window so I can look out, drink my morning coffee and reminisce about each of my kills.

[Cappy]

Originally Posted by Cappy

Started renovations on my condo this week. Kitchen, living room, dry bar, entryway, and common bathroom.

I don't even want to talk about the overall cost of this thing. I told my wife, its not so much the money being spent, but the fact that its a condo and the likelihood of recouping any of the cost in a sale is slim.

But, we just love the area and don't see us leaving for another decade.

Ill keep everyone posted on our contractor and let you know if recommended in future. He came recommended from our interior designer and seems like a good guy. Slow start, but that is due to the condo board dragging their feet on approval.

For new appliances, we ended up going mostly with Fisher & Paykel for the price and comparable. It was mostly between that and Bosch for most appliances. Prices were similar, and the internet seemed to rate them relatively the same; but the look of F&P won out for now. The price of integrated refrigerators is atrocious

Update on my renovation.

What started in April and was expected to go to July, we are now looking at a January/February completion...

Couple problems off the hop:

- The cabinet maker advised our contractor on several occasions that those were being completed, until one day the locks were on the door and a bailiff notice was up. That was at least a month or two delay.

- Contractor got injured and slowed it down a few weeks.

- One of the main pieces in the kitchen is a custom brass hoodfan cover. One company was originally tasked with that and took months to complete. In or around August, it was finally finished and shipped to Calgary only to be the completely wrong dimensions. Big fallout from that and have had to pivot to a new company.

Since October, we have been dealing with the brass finishing. We have sent it back 3 times now to be re-done as it wasn't up to snuff. It's very close now and suspect to have it done next week.

Cabinets couldn't be put in until the hood fan was completed, so since about August, barely anything has been completed.

We have been living in the place the whole time. We have a bedroom, spare bedroom (office) and ensuite bath. No kitchen other than a fridge. We have been eating out so much its not enjoyable anymore. We forgot what our place is actually supposed to look like and I will feel like a king when i suddenly triple my living space.

If i had to change anything, we would've rented a small apartment and lived there while this was ongoing - for the kitchen alone. However, it was originally a 3 month job and we didn't think much about it.

Excited to see it at the end of the day... whenever that comes