There's so much to do....(fixer uppers dilemma)

[simpsongal]

I'm sure many of you can relate. We've had our house for 2 months but only lived in it for 3 weeks. We've been tackling a lot of projects. If I run through them, it seems like a lot (painted bedroom, kitchen, kitchen cabinets, new roof, new fence, planted trees, garden, etc.). But when I look around, I see nothing but endless projects. Where to begin?!! Do you just keep slowly working at the house

I suppose this is more of a vent because I don't thinks there's a good solution. I've tried to finish the bedroom (I'm close) but the other rooms have huge obstacles to finishing. For instance, we have a contractor coming in to remove two walls between the kitchen and family room and move the laundry. Until that project is done, I really can't do too much to those spaces.

Then there's the outdoor work. We're working on re-seeding parts of the lawn, planting the garden, laying sod in some areas, laying a patio (eventually). But I really want to repaint the shutters, power wash the house and possibly paint the house. It's all so much!!!! Maybe I'll sand and paint the garage door. DH thinks that's a silly project, but I think it's something I can tackle in a few days. But he's right, it's low priority.

[ssmjlm]

List everything you want to do out

Then prioritize by time/money, etc

Then determine best time of year to do it

Rinse, repeat

We usually have a "renovation" list and then a "decorating" list b/c the latter usually takes longer depending on tastes and budget.

[emoflamingo]

Yep, slowly. Like ssm said, make a list, figure out what the priority is (either weather, money or "this needs done first" wise) and then start going through it.

Good luck.

[simpsongal]

I guess we've been doing that in our heads. I'm a list person - I like that idea. Plus, I think being able to literally cross things off a list would be very helpful.

Thank you. Maybe I'll come back to discuss priorities. We've already given up on a few things - there's no way our entire 1000 sq ft garden will be fully planted this season. No happening!

[amblor]

We've been in our house for almost two years and have yet to even touch the rework we want to do on the kitchen, not to mention other to-dos, like adding on a bathroom and entry.

It does seem overwhelming at times. I feel like I rework a lot of things too before I can get to the things on my list. I no longer like the curtains that I put up in a haste to get the living/dining room ready for Thanksgiving dinner two months after we moved in, so I'm replacing them. DH splattered white paint from painting the door all over the blue bathroom wall, so I need to repaint that and think I'm just going to change the color while I'm at it. I look at it as home ownership is always a to-do list; always a work in progress!

I agree with PPs, make a list and prioritize, especially by time and money!! It has really helped me! Do what will make you happiest once in a while to keep spirits up!

[midwest07]

May 21, 2012 13:01:49 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

I guess we've been doing that in our heads. I'm a list person - I like that idea. Plus, I think being able to literally cross things off a list would be very helpful.

Thank you. Maybe I'll come back to discuss priorities. We've already given up on a few things - there's no way our entire 1000 sq ft garden will be fully planted this season. No happening!

We've been in our house for 2.5 years and I do get frustrated by what seems like lack of progress. Ours isn't a fixer upper, but is in need of a lot of cosmetic changes. Two things help me - look back at photos from before you moved in to remind you of how much you have really done. And second is the list. I have had an ongoing spreadsheet on google docs for quite some time and it is nice to go back on there and see what I have crossed off and to cross more things off. I can also use the list to prioritize, budget, add websites for how to's, etc.

[ssmjlm]

May 21, 2012 13:01:49 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

I guess we've been doing that in our heads. I'm a list person - I like that idea. Plus, I think being able to literally cross things off a list would be very helpful.

Thank you. Maybe I'll come back to discuss priorities. We've already given up on a few things - there's no way our entire 1000 sq ft garden will be fully planted this season. No happening!

At one point our list was on the fridge so I could literally cross stuff out as it happened.

Plus we have to work to not burn ourselves out. Sometimes it's nice to have a weekend where all you do is mow the lawn and then not worry about house stuff for 2 days.

[FoxInFiji]

Yes make lists. If you have a plan you'll feel better even if you don't stick to it exactly. Luckily those mostly sounds like maintenance and cosmetic projects no major renovations besides the project you're hiring out. Here's some things to consider:

- Get the "guts" of your home working first. Furnace, A/C, water heater, water softener, etc. should be in good working order. Have them serviced if needed.
- Exterior takes the next priority. The roof, gutters, siding, windows, and doors need to be water tight and sealed off properly. Of the things you listed the roof would be my #1 priority right now if it really needs to be replaced. Nothing else matters. Save up all of your money for that don't waste it on decor. Decor doesn't matter if you're permanently damaging your house (ie. rotting sheathing, mold growth, wet insulation, water damaged drywall, etc.). New roofs should not be put on in cold weather anything below 40degF can start to become an issue with the tar and caulk used. Ideally they are put on in the spring or fall. Exterior painting projects should also be looked at as important if the peeling paint is significantly enough. There is a fine line between a few spots of peeling paint to the siding is rotting and shortening the life of product (that is if you have wood siding).
- Trees should be planted in the spring (and watered all summer and fall) or the fall.
- Consider how one project will impact another. Landscaping around the house should ideally be done after you power wash, hand scrape, and repaint the exterior so as not to damage the plants. The water from the power washing could also wash away the new grass seed in low areas of your yard. Either power wash first or wait two growing seasons from when your laid the seed down (the first season of growth is just an annual and the second season is the actual perennial grass that makes up your lawn).
- Don't bother decorating the areas that are about to be remodeled.
- Having a new fence will probably damage your yard so wait to re-seed and plant the trees until after that is done (assuming you'll have a gate to get the trees in there).
- Planting the trees and re-seeding could be done at the same time so that you can water both at the same time.

[wawa]

And then for the counterpoint to fox's totally reasonable and logical points - if there are some low hanging fruits on that list don't feel bad knocking them off first just to make yourself feel better.

I agree that roof and serious outdoor maintenance are #1 - no question. A house ain't worth a damn if you still get rained on. But once that's squared away, if there are some high impact/low effort items on that list they are great for those times you feel really frustrated. You can just bang those things out in an afternoon and it'll help your state of mind immensely. I'm thinking stuff like changing dated light fixtures, hanging curtains, changing door hardware, a kitchen faucet, adding a planter to your front stoop - stuff like that. It's quick and easy and makes you feel like you're making progress.

Otherwise...yup, it's just slow. Keep the long term plan in mind and remind yourself often how much progress you've made.

[emoflamingo]

I like Fox's thinking. ESPECIALLY the exterior part. When it comes to your homeowner's insurance, you can have it cancelled if you have issues with the exterior of your house. I have seen it happen on numerous occasions. If the agent doesn't catch it when they inspect before writing, the underwriters and inspectors always catch it. Make sure you follow up with repairs if they tell you that there are some necessary repairs.

[simpsongal]

Thanks everyone - I made the list in Word. It's about 6 pages long. I listed projects by room and then by priority (w/little $$$ signs based on projected cost). I also listed things I have arleady done and crossed them off (it feels good!). I highlighed the projects I'm working on. I also made the 'pipedream' projects (e.g., new kitchen cabinets) in a light gray font.

No worries about priorities. We already put a new roof on the house, insulation, new fence, new dishwasher (other one leaked), etc. In 2 months, we've spent about $25K on the house....

[vanillahip]

May 21, 2012 12:44:14 GMT -5 ssmjlm said:

List everything you want to do out

Then prioritize by time/money, etc

Then determine best time of year to do it

Rinse, repeat

We usually have a "renovation" list and then a "decorating" list b/c the latter usually takes longer depending on tastes and budget.

This! I have 2 lists- one for the serious projects that'll take a lot of time to complete and one for 1 day (or less) projects so if I happen to have a free afternoon (or if I feel like MAKING a free day lol) I have a less over-whelming list to choose from!

Definitely make one or two lists and try to stick with them. They'll grow, that's inevitable, but if you start rewriting it, or don't have a list at all and just wing it, you could have a little project-remorse when you spend X time or money on something and then remember some other project that's more important but slipped your mind, kwim? (I've had that remorse, it's a bummer when I'm working full time and have to spend my time wisely!)