flipper

I've used 3 kinds of wood. Regular 3/4" hardwood that gets nailed to skreeds, 5/8" unfinished glue down engineered oak, and 1/2" prefinished glue down engineered oak.

The order I listed them in is the order in which I prefer them. I probably won't do the pre-finished again.

flipper

I uninstalled it this morning. I got the whole unit out in 1 piece including the gas logs. I have two of the "chimney" pipes too. I didn't bother with the pipe that goes through the attic since it is a custom length for this house.

I'm wondering if it's even safe to have a wood burning fire in this thing.

flipper

I can only find one blemish in the finish.

I'm going to try to disassemble it tomorrow. We'll see how that goes

Do you know of a resale place in town that might want to buy it?

flipper

That is "demonstration", I believe, but I also feel like its "demolition", the way things are going.

I'm talking about demolition.

flipper

If you're going to sell any of the old wood paneling let me know. I have to put up a wall in my sunroom and it would be nice to match the paneling in the rest of the room.

Is there any way to incorporate the fireplace in a covered patio area out back? It would look pretty cool as an outside firepit.

I'll see what I can do on the paneling. Demo is next week!

flipper

What part of town is the house in?

flipper

Jason, that really is one of the UGLIEST houses I've EVER seen. Guys, this house we're talking about in Jason's neighborhood really sets a new standard of ugliness and inappropriateness. It's also one of the most out-of-context and out of proportion things you've ever seen.

hahahahahaha - I know the house you are talking about. hilarious.

flipper

That makes my heart hurt. I bet those beautiful cabinets are going, too. You've got a hard job, Flipper.

You are correct. Shame those cabinets weren't built so that you can "remove" them from the wall to be re-installed elsewhere.

flipper

Sorry folks, this is a custom project and that fireplace is right where either a closet or a bathtub is going. I won't let it hit the dumpster though!

memebag, yes it's got both real wood, and fake wood panelling. It's all going though. As a matter of fact, this whole wall is going:

flipper

Ok, the title is misleading. We are actually the GC on this project. We found this house and hooked some clients up with it. We helped them arrange the construction financing, and they will move in when we are done with it. It's getting the full monte. Long load bearing walls are coming down, a living space is being converted to a master bedroom, bath and closet and the kitchen and other baths are being gutted. Should be fun! Here are the "before" pics:

The house already looks different than this morning when I took these pics. The installation of 48 foundation piers has commenced. Unless a mod objects, I will post periodic updates and pics in this thread. If I set up a separate blog I'll be unlikely to update it.

flipper

Ours wasn't an enclosure, just a door opening (one fixed panel and one door panel), and cost around $850. All other quotes were north of $1000.

PS Flipper - thanks also for the granite recommendation. Maicol did a decent job at a very decent price. Now if only I'd asked you for a tile guy....

Don't beat yourself up. I generally don't share my tile guy I'm glad people on here are getting some mileage out of my subs. It can be hard to find work out there as a homeowner.

flipper

Fireplace? Do tell

flipper

The best way I have found is to go to ebay and search the completed auctions--it's under the advanced search function. You can get an idea for what has sold and the going price. You can even check the date of the sale to see when the best time of the year is.

Thanks! I had no idea you could search completed auctions. It didn't work for this particular fireplace, but I'm sure it will come in handy in the future.

flipper

From time to time I come across MCM items in houses we buy or remodel. I usually just donate them to goodwill, because I've never had any luck guesstimating their value online. I'm sure some collectors would like some of the stuff I find though. Are there any good online retailers I can look at to help identify pieces and assess their value? In particular, I have an orange, metal cone fireplace now and I don't know what it's worth.

Thanks,

flipper

If you don't mind me asking, how much does a frameless shower run (ballpark)? We were thinking of retiling our shower and converting the framed enclosure to frameless, but I really have no idea how much a frameless enclosure costs.

$1000 plus or minus $250

flipper

He installed our shower door last weekend. Again, did a great job and was substantially cheaper than anyone else we called. Thanks for recommendation flipper....

He better do my next shower for free with all these referalls!

flipper

Is this about RR? I used him for our glass enclosure and he did a great job. Didn't take long at all - came out once to measure and then came back for an hour or so to install. Many thanks to flipper for the recommendation!

yep, RR is the man. I guess he is just picking and choosing which owner occupied houses he wants to do.

flipper

silverfox is correct...call murff turff..a pallet of sod it is 75$, or wait a while and the big box stores will have it, but its twice the price.

Ouch, they just quoted me $140 for a pallet delivered to 77035. Anyone want to split a pallet tommorow?

flipper

We looked at the Formica House today and love it. I remember when it was built! We are interested in buying and restoring. Liked the idea of a "green" house restoration. Could possibly pay cash, but have no idea how to even begin restoration. There are foundation problems and we are going to have that checked out first. Wondering if there were help available if we get to restoration. We are not planning on flipping this house. My son would manage the restoration for us and live there. Any ideas would be appreciated!

What kind of help do you mean? Before you get too far along I would get in touch with the COH planning department and see what the guidelines are for repairing a house in the 100 year floodplain.

All the best!

flipper

ps. if you have a savvy realtor, they might be able to get you copies of the many inspections already done at this house by all of the previously interested parties.

Sounds cool! Why don't you buy it and do it?

flipper

I still wish someone would buy the house and turn it into a 'house of green.'

Leave the space the way it was, but change all the formica finishes to green finishes. Of course make it LEED.

The cool thing is that it could be marketers of green products, and the Houston design Center that covers the cost.

I guess you could call it adaptive preservation. Sort of like the dream I had a while back for Saarinen's TWA Terminal at JFK airport. I thought they should restore it back to the original, and then use it as a Supersonic terminal (for Concorde flights). It'd mimick the use the building originally had, when airports only saw a few well-heeled travelers.

(And could you imagine how sexy a Concorde would look parked outside that building.)

But then they axed the Concorde, and bastardized Saarinen's building.

God I hope that doesn't happen to the House of Formica.

Hmm... so this house isn't lacking for interested buyers, but nobody can swing financing for it. Are people eveyrhwere just having a hard time getting financing for houses (given the fact that we're in a recession), or is there something about this house (foreclouse, too much fixing up required, whatever) that is scaring banks off?

It's the house, the location and the flood map.

flipper

Its just taking a long time for people to realize the boom days are long gone and the prices need to come on way back.

Houston had a boom?

flipper

that is pimp. i might copy it.

flipper

all panels are up..doesnt look like I will need top or corner trim...will put baseboard made from same wood. This looks rediculously good. I am super happy with the results...once the rain stops I can cut the other boards..but here it is for now.

well the pictures are coming up, so you will have to take my word for it.

boo!!! Just attach them to the post!

flipper

Four minutes, 14 seconds per day.

I always told my mom i was above average.

flipper