Turn off HGTV - your house is probably fine

I rather like this quote:
"Consciously or subconsciously, our constant remodeling is an effort to make ourselves more acceptable to others, something we should do as “good” homeowners. Like the beauty industry, the home-improvement industry plays on... insecurity—the fear that we are unattractive or inadequate. But the truth is, “other people” don’t have to live in your house, and when they come to visit, they’re there to see you, not your succulents and marble-and-brass side table..." [Still, we know full well they are tearing your house apart as they pull out of your driveway].
 
Nothing wrong at all with a little remodeling. We've done it every 25 or 30 years even when the house really didn't need it.
 
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My house is so out-of-date. I don't have open concept, big clocks on the walls or a vase full of limes on my kitchen counter. :'(
 
I don't know anyone that regularly updates their homes. Most people that i know will update when the ugly factor is bothering them and do it once. When I choose things for my home I pick items that I love and will not get tired off. For instance we have granite countertops and there is no reason I would ever need to replace them. I do like to watch some of the home transformations. Although, the last time they decorated for the couple and I was thinking they had way too many nik-naks and had made the house look cluttered.
 
Yeah, we updated our bathrooms after about 20 years, and our kitchen after 25 - but we plan to sell this house within a few years. But I figure we're done updating...
 
I think there is a difference between remodeling and redecorating. Remodeling means lots of tools, work, time, and money. Redecorating can be done relatively inexpensively with some fresh paint and accessories. I’ve been busy updating/ redecorating in preparation for DD’s wedding. I’m almost finished and have done five rooms in a couple of months for a couple of thousand dollars. It helps that I can paint and sew.
 
Phil: yes there is a big difference between the 2. We have owned some old houses that were in terrible shape so we remodeled before we ever moved in. Paint only lasts so long and then needs to be redone. We bought our 1950's ranch 6 years ago and it was a foreclosure that had been empty for 2 years. It had mold and in some places you would fall through the rotten floor, etc. We moved walls, gutted the bathrooms and kitchen, redid the hardwood floors, re did electrical stuff. It was a dump and now is quite nice. However, we will never need to do the big things again but will eventually have to paint again. Changing curtains can also change the way your house feels.
 
The HGTV-loving crowd probably doesn't know what a sewing machine looks like :D

We're having to hire out the painting of most of our first floor (for the first time since 1990...even the drywall tape is getting shabby), since I'm really not happy painting tall walls. But I painted the entire finished basement and all the upstairs rooms.

Our "remodeling," such as it's been, has been almost entirely to replace failing fixtures and flooring. Nothing has really been changed about the original house, except to finish off most of the basement. Even this minimal "remodeling" has been quite costly. Those who require continual updates/upgrades, to a house they are living in and not trying to sell, are certainly not doing their retirement plans any good.

Philliefan33 said:
Redecorating can be done relatively inexpensively with some fresh paint and accessories. ... It helps that I can paint and sew.
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Sounds like you are DIYers - a breed I admire but do not dare to emulate

Teacher Terry said:
Phil: yes there is a big difference between the 2. We have owned some old houses that were in terrible shape so we remodeled before we ever moved in. Paint only lasts so long and then needs to be redone. We bought our 1950's ranch 6 years ago and it was a foreclosure that had been empty for 2 years. It had mold and in some places you would fall through the rotten floor, etc. We moved walls, gutted the bathrooms and kitchen, redid the hardwood floors, re did electrical stuff. It was a dump and now is quite nice. However, we will never need to do the big things again but will eventually have to paint again. Changing curtains can also change the way your house feels.
Click to expand...
 
Luckily my DH is really handy so he had just retired and did all the work himself with a helper that I hired. It took 4 months of f.t. work for the 2 of them. I agree that if people are constantly wanting the latest remodeling for their home it could be a big problem. Most people we know though usually buy a new home versus remodeling the old one and that has been to their determent.
 
Amethyst said:
The HGTV-loving crowd probably doesn't know what a sewing machine looks like :D

We're having to hire out the painting of most of our first floor (for the first time since 1990...even the drywall tape is getting shabby), since I'm really not happy painting tall walls. But I painted the entire finished basement and all the upstairs rooms.
Click to expand...

Probably wise. We have a friend who decided to DIY his 2 story living room and fell. He had terrible injuries and has never really fully recovered.
 
Don't get me wrong - if something in your house just doesn't work, or makes you miserable every day, it's worth doing the work. You're going to spend a lot of time there. That said, I think a lot of people feel as if they have to have certain things because everywhere you look someone is telling you it's necessary. We redid the kitchen in our 1960's ranch house, and the added functionality was completely worth it. It's nice, but it's not Subzero, custom cabinet nice.
 
I never stop building for one reason or another. Grandchild overflowed a toilet yesterday with excessive toilet paper and water was gushing thru my man cave ceiling.

I can patch the ceiling. But painting a 26' by 47' ceiling that is 10' tall will be a tough job.

Our church has a ER construction crew with an architect, electrical engineer, union electricians and plenty of skilled slave labor. Most years, we will build a house and give it away. Giving of ourselves keeps us busy.
 
2lhasas said:
Don't get me wrong - if something in your house just doesn't work, or makes you miserable every day, it's worth doing the work. You're going to spend a lot of time there. . We redid the kitchen in our 1960's ranch house, and the added functionality was completely worth it. It's nice, but it's not Subzero, custom cabinet nice.
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We bought a very nice manufactured home. The appliances were low end, the counters were tile, which DW hated, and the cabinets were so so.
Since we spend a lot of time in the kitchen or eating at the breakfast bar, we updated.
New higher end appliances (not Subzero), granite counter tops, and refaced cabinets with new drawers. We are very happy with the results.
 
From the link: .... “other people” don’t have to live in your house, and when they come to visit, they’re there to see you, not your succulents and marble-and-brass side table..." [Still, we know full well they are tearing your house apart as they pull out of your driveway].

Down with critical, shallow behavior.
Blow dough on your home IF it pleases you and you have the means.
 
We remodeled our bathroom, but it was not in the best shape... when it was torn out we found out it was worse than we had thought.... leaks had rotted the wood in the walls... so one way or another we were going to be dishing out some money... might as well change it to what you want...


BUT, this is one of the reasons I have not had my windows replaced (except for 2 where there was more rotten wood).... they are good enough for me and my utility bills are not that bad... I did have all of them re-caulked as I know one was leaking...
 
We remodeled the kithchen 6 years ago, and the master bathroom 3 years ago to increase the size from 4X8 to 8X8 and have a double vanity. All mostly to make DW happy, not impress anyone else. Family room is next.
 
Old houses are like painting the Golden Gate Bridge; you're never done. We no sooner finish one room and then another needs something (an update, water damage, better lighting, worn carpeting, new windows, faded wallpaper, floors re-sanded).

In the middle of a kitchen update now...last one was 30 years ago. Next year, our 31 year old bath will need to be done. The following year, our 32 year old office area....
 
I remodeled a bathroom and replaced our fireplace with an entertainment center last year. Also recarpeted the family room and repainted 2 bedrooms and made a barn door. This was at the 23 year mark. I’m building a new bedroom set in the spring. Then install about 1000sf of hardwood floors, replace kitchen appliances necessary and countertops. And a new roof, but I’ll hire that done. Then hopefully we’ll sell it - too much maintenance.
 
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We've replaced all fixtures in our 18 year old house from gold to brushed nickel. Not difficult for DIY, but time consuming. Faucets, shower doors, hinges, door handles/locks, cabinet knobs...the list is endless. We liked the end result, nonetheless.

Installed new carpet (bedrooms and living area) and linoleum (kitchen and laundry areas).

Removed the popcorn ceiling in three rooms and gave up that endeavor on the remaining part of the house. If you're thinking of doing this yourself...DON'T. All it does is reveal the crappy sheet-rock work underneath. Easy, albeit messy to remove. Most of the work is "fixing" the ceiling afterwards. When guests look at my popcorn ceiling in the living room, I tell them it's custom installed very expensive acoustics for my home theater system.

Now we're almost complete with the outside shrubs, trees and grass. We're ready for the central Georgia heat now, which we will enjoy from air conditioned comfort.
 
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REWahoo said:
Nothing wrong at all with a little remodeling. We've done it every 25 or 30 years even when the house really didn't need it.
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That often?

bbbamI said:
My house is so out-of-date. I don't have open concept, big clocks on the walls or a vase full of limes on my kitchen counter. :'(
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Tread lightly on the big clocks. I have one of those non-working clocks from Magnolia Market(Fixer Upper ppl). A relative sent it to me as a Christmas present. I have it set at 5:00pm. ;)

https://shop.magnolia.com/products/relic-metal-clock
 
We like HGTV, but only 4 the House hunters, Beach, Caribbean, shows etc. The only people that the Remodeling, Fixer Upper, Flip etc. ones benefits are the contractors you will have to hire to do it. And Labor is Never factored into any pricing. They are a big con really IMHO. Although, I do enjoy the "Love it or List it" Couple.
 
DW is a huge HGTV fan. We (she) have four bathroom remodels scheduled (4 of 4). I forwarded the link for this article to her (she doesn’t read this forum). She read the title of the article, gave me a dirty look, and promptly deleted it. Oh well, I tried. Full speed ahead on the remodels.
 
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