As much as I want to go as eco-friendly as possible, it can not only be expensive, but time consuming. The glitches just get to me!
After finding a contractor that I liked and wasn’t going to talk me into getting granite, thought I’d look for alternative ways to get the job done. Contracted a barter with a guy, room for labor. Well he moved in sorta and now I don’t know where he is! So I have all the flooring, toilets and such all over and no installation!
Moral of Story:
- Work out details first
- Establish timeline
- Establish production schedule.
- If you are doing a trade/barter, always have a backup.
After reviewing my savaged Tile for the flooring, ($125.) decided it looked like Baby Poop! Hated it and knew it would drive me crazy. I’m not a bland, neutral type of gal! I need color. So off I went to Artistic Floors in Encinitas and ordered Whispering Blue Marmoleum! $5.46 a square foot, without installation. EcoHaus has Marmoleum for $3.99 a square foot, but doesn’t include shipping. In the spirit of Energy costs, supporting local suppliers, I ordered from Artistic Floors.
Next because my barter buddy, hasn’t been around, decided to do some of it myself. UGH! I am not a DYI (Do it Yourself) person. Plus didn’t have all the equipment. Went to Dixieline, bought saw, floor padding and wedges.
Also you have to take the baseboard off to put in Marmoleum Click! Thats pretty easy, but you have to replace it! And you have to replace it with over 1/2 inch molding because the Click has to go in 10mm. (Why are we not on this system) Do you know how hard it is to find eco friendly, affordable baseboard over 1/2 inch? Plus I want it primed, don’t want to paint baseboard, don’t have a great place to paint, no sawhorses. The Green thing to do is buy FSC certified wood, and prime with zero VOC. Honestly, couldn’t be bothered. I like one- stop shopping. And EFS was starting to get to me.
Baseboard Story and Pricing :
- Home Depot: Does not have .5 x 3 inch primed baseboard
- Dixieline: Has the best selection: MDF ..5×3.5 $ .75 v.s Pine $1.29 a foot. Not all baseboards and mouldings are in stock in every store.
- Lowes: Has some, but wasn’t any in the bin. No labeling on baseboard, so didn’t know the material, but priced at $.77 a foot.
- Mission Moulding: Called them, they said they didn’t have.
Then promptly came home, used the saw and sliced open my finger! Of course, no band-aids in the house. In fact, no paper napkins, no gauze, no paper towels. Now I’m walking around with Toilet Paper and a rubber band wrapped around my index finger. Try typing with Toilet Paper wrapped around your finger.
EFS is now very strong, wine is not taking the edge off. So Super Grandpa comes to the rescue. Not my grandfather, but the local retired handyman. He gives me bid that is very reasonable. $500 to click in 2 rooms and a small hallway. I tell him I will be his slave if he gives me that price. Now after some of his comments, I think he thinks I’m going to be his love slave!
Super Grandpa, then inform me that he will not do the job with the 6mm plastic sheeting moisture barrier I had already bought. I have to get the foam moisture barrier. I can get it at Lowes or Home Depot. Think OK I have to go to Lowes and look at baseboard anyway, will pick it up there. (27 miles from house vs. Home Depot 4 miles, Dixieline 6 miles) Wasted trip.
Super Grandpa arrives yesterday and informs me that He understands I am a strong opinionated women, but I must obey him! I promise I will keep my mouth shut and obey him. We got the door jambs cut out, plastic laid yesterday. Well see what happens today.
Moral of the Story:
1.) If DYI: add the cost of tools into your ‘savings’
2.) Add the cost of medical supplies into your savings.
3.) Buy supplies locally, so they will be the same. You will not save money driving all over the place.