^WWYD next?

[auberge]

Ok, so we just got done with the first round of repairs/updates. Their weren't glamorous changes but much needed. (new electric, popcorn ceilings, roof stuff, etc.). We have about 6-7k left for what we want to do next. Here are the options:

1)
-Replace 9 windows in the master BR, son's BR and family room. (They are cheap/old alum. windows and inefficient) $4500-$5000
-Replace the front door and side door (not our style and cheap looking) $1000-$1500

2)
Redo the master bathroom (7kish)

3)
Landscaping for front and back ($1500)
Much needed Furniture (sectional for FR, lighting, custom blinds, guest bedroom etc.) $3000ish

WWYD next?

[countthestars]

I would either do 1 or do the windows now, save a little more and get furniture, and then do the doors third.

[krystee]

What I'd probably do is the furniture, landscaping, and front and side doors ($6,000 total) because I tend to care most about how things look. However, the windows or bathroom would probably be the better financial investment.

[whitemerlot]

1
I like to get the important, yet not fun stuff done first. It keeps me motivated to save for the fun renovations. I also think it would be better to have the windows be efficient and less drafty before winter.

[heygrey]

#1

not particularly glamourous, but the efficiency of new windows and doors will pay off when it comes to heating/cooling bills. then i'd probably lean towards #3, then onto #2.

[aurora]

I would probably do windows first (because of efficiency and comfort), then landscaping. But, I enjoy working in the yard and it makes me happier to have a nice-looking yard than a nice door or furniture. I don't think it would be wrong to prioritize furniture, for example, if it would make you happier.

[Deleted]

1 and I would try to look for 0% financing deals for furniture and appliances.

[sprky79]

Windows. That will help on heating/cooling costs.

[dr.girlfriend]

Windows. Especially if you might have lead paint in there, you don't want that dust around Little Auberge. I wouldn't care about the doors for now. Looks, schmooks, you'll hardly notice them in a month or two.

How long have you lived there? I would try to be in there for at least a few months before I committed to any major renovations. There were things about my house I thought I'd want changed RIGHT NOW when I bought it, that turned out not to be a priority at all once we were in there (hello, pink kitchen!).

[ddi741]

I would redo the windows (and FWIW, we just put new windows in our rental 8 windows was $2300 and they are much nicer windows then we have in our brand new house) and the door
and also do the landscaping.

[kadams767]

I'd probably do the windows and landscaping now, save anything leftover and then do the doors ASAP.

[Awkward]

#1 first. It's not as much fun to shop and plan for, but you'd be amazed how much your utilities could improve with better windows and doors.

Then #3, then #2.

[auberge]

Sept 7, 2012 13:30:33 GMT -5 dr.girlfriend said:

Windows. Especially if you might have lead paint in there, you don't want that dust around Little Auberge. I wouldn't care about the doors for now. Looks, schmooks, you'll hardly notice them in a month or two.

How long have you lived there? I would try to be in there for at least a few months before I committed to any major renovations. There were things about my house I thought I'd want changed RIGHT NOW when I bought it, that turned out not to be a priority at all once we were in there (hello, pink kitchen!).

Good point. We've only lived in it for two weeks but I know for sure the windows are crap. You could literally hear a mouse fart outside they're so thin. I haven't even completely unpacked the bathroom because I thought when we moved in that it would first but I'm leaning towards the windows now.

[vanillacourage]

Sept 7, 2012 13:22:19 GMT -5 countthestars said:

I would either do 1 or do the windows now, save a little more and get furniture, and then do the doors third.

This exactly.

[Deleted]

I vote for windows too but if I lived in a moderate climate I would do the master instead.

[hbomdiggity]

Fwiw, we have original 1920s windows and have no plans to change them. They are wood so look fine, but not insulated at all. But we live in such a mild climate. And due to the historical designation, thy would be $$$$ to replace.

I think I'd prob go with 3 - stuff you need. And then save back up for those reno projects.

[kangaroo11]

I wish we had done windows first, so that's what I'm going with. We kept the original front doors, even though I'm not a huge fan, because they were functional and just not worth replacing yet.

[chessie]

Windows. That was the first things we tackled, saved on heating and cooling the house as a whole. bedroom and landscape, can live with for a while.

[Roc A Bee]

I'd probably do windows first then furniture. It would take me a long time to figure out exactly what I wanted furniture, blinds, and lighting wise, so I'd just continue saving while I figured it out.

[phunluvin82]

Sept 7, 2012 13:24:32 GMT -5 whitemerlot said:

1
I like to get the important, yet not fun stuff done first. It keeps me motivated to save for the fun renovations. I also think it would be better to have the windows be efficient and less drafty before winter.

For exactly this reason, I also vote #1

[dr.girlfriend]

Also, you want windows done before you paint, because you'll have to repaint your trim probably.

For landscaping...some stuff you might want to do in fall weather (e.g., digging up stuff you don't want, etc.) but other stuff you might not want to do now (e.g., planting, etc.) because winter will be coming up so soon. So, maybe you can hit a happy medium for sprucing up the outdoors based on what you have left over when the windows and furniture are bought.

I would also make sure not to rush into buying furniture just to "fill rooms." Hold out for stuff you really like! Or get "placeholder" stuff from CL until you find something you really like. We bought our couch just because we needed one, and I wish we had held out and got something more to my taste instead of "good enough."

[hamster]

I'd definitely do the windows first, but if you're really needing some new furniture then maybe hold off on the doors until the spring as long as they aren't drafty.

[mie]

Windows.

[lys]

What about insulation? If you need more, that would be my first choice, followed by the windows and door replacements. (You really can get 9 windows for under 5K?? -)
Furniture can wait - you do not need to have everything furnished and finished right away --- anyway, by waiting you can find exactly what you want at a deep discount sale.

[thatgirl2478]

I would replace the windows & doors at the same time. That way you can get them all installed by the same company so you have a cohesive look.

We just installed 7 windows. The installers did a GREAT job on the 7 windows they installed, however we have 1 window on the front that we had replaced last year, so it looks different than the other ones. And we still have our old 1960's front door & storm. So we're kind of half finished now... and that looks odd.

We paid $4100 for 7 windows (they are OKNA's and have the lowest air infiltration value you can find). We love them! If you have any questions about replacement windows, don't hesitate to use this forum: www.replacement-windows.com/windowbb/ . They have a number of pro's who can answer just about any question you come up with.

[sillygoosegirl]

I'd do the windows first, as they will help you save toward other things and probably make you more comfortable this winter too. I'd also make lighting a priority, since I get SAD.

My next priority if there is any money after those things would be the furniture for the FR, as I think you'll spend more time there than anywhere else you're talking about changing this winter. I'm assuming when you say "custom blinds" that you do already have privacy, just don't really like the blinds you have now.

It seems to me like waiting a whole year for the landscaping could be good. That way you can see what you already have and what it looks like through the seasons, and you may make different decisions about what to keep and what to change.

[Deleted]

Windows. They cut down so much on noise! It's crazy! Plus utility bills, etc.

Then a sectional.