[MelonBoy]

Planning to renovate my downstairs (ground floor) bathroom, had some contractors quote my dad about 9k for the job.. I have decided to take things in my own hand..

Below are some pictures of the bathroom.
Some notes of what I plan to change/redo.
- Sink cabinet/area, redone (new cabinet, maybe keep the sink since its fairly new)
- Add in tiles to the floor
- Take down dry wall, check for bug/leak problem, replace drywall
- Replace bathtub + tiles if neccasry
- Plumbing work may be fixed/redone (will hire plumber)
- Repaint entire bathroom


Special notes: Reason for taking down the drywall is because we had/have a massive ant problem around that area (pockets of sand + ants starting appearing around the corners of the walls) Though they have stopped coming out since I massacred them with raid.. :)


Do you guys think im going way over my head? How diffucult will this be?

Any comments and tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!


My experience isnt much, I have dont clean up, paint jobs, replacing dry walls and a bunch of small hands on things around the house but nothing to this extent...
Also im pretty down for doing this because 1st this is gonna turn into my personal washroom after :D, 2nd im actually interested in learning how to do it and get hands on experience!

[Fafine]

easy, you'll have fun.

and 9 is on the pricey side for what you have mentioned.
i can do it for 7

[snowball]

youtube is your best friend, i'd dump everything except the toilet and take it down to the studs, and i would get a professional to do the shower tiles if you aren't familiar with it.

[MindBomber]

If your not changing the structure or layout it shouldn't be to difficult, just take your time and use the proper materials. Depending on the type of tiles you choose you might consider hiring a tile setter, but if your just using basic porcelain/ceramic tiles it's pretty simple. Definitely use a proper tile backer like dens shield, as opposed to just tiling over drywall. Have all the plumbing checked out when the bathroom is gutted, it's worth the expense even if you don't plan on making major changes to the existing plumbing. Don't forget that renovating an entire bathroom isn't a small job for home owner, you'll need to put in some serious weekend and evening time to get it done at a decent pace.

Post some progress pics, it'd be great to see how it turns out.

[MelonBoy]

Thanks for the info!
I will take some pics of stages of my reno and post it up for sure.

Quick question
Would it be better for me to cut out areas of drywall to fix possible damage spots or should I just tear down the whole wall and replace after? (pros/cons)

Thanks

[MindBomber]

That depends on the amount of drywall that needs to be removed to fix possible damage, if you need to make-4 small holes in one section of the wall I would say it's not a big deal to cut and patch. If you need to do more than that then the amount of work it takes to patch the drywall will exceed replacing an entire sheet, and you'll have increased difficulty getting a smooth even surface.

Personally, I would take down the drywall just to get a look at everything behind the walls and make sure I'm not missing anything that needs to be repaired. Drywall isn't the most fun job in the world, but it's not that bad and the materials wouldn't be to expensive to just re-sheet the bathroom.

[highres604]

9 is highway robbery dude. My bathroom is easily 2x the size of yours and I completely gutted it to the studs and bought all new everything (double vanity, toilet, tub). tiled the floor and tub walls. new drywall all around. New lighting and new exhast for approx $8000

[MindBomber]

^
A bathroom that size and in an older home where there will likely be unexpected issues uncovered, I would expect the bid to be between $7200-8200 price range depending on the clients material choice and location.

Special notes: Reason for taking down the drywall is because we had/have a massive ant problem around that area (pockets of sand + ants starting appearing around the corners of the walls) Though they have stopped coming out since I massacred them with raid..

Factor in potential unexpected work as a result of this problem and I would say $9000 is reasonable estimate from a reputable contractor.

[Fafine]

Thanks for the info!
I will take some pics of stages of my reno and post it up for sure.

Quick question
Would it be better for me to cut out areas of drywall to fix possible damage spots or should I just tear down the whole wall and replace after? (pros/cons)

Thanks

you could redrywall the whole bathroom. forgot the name of the place but its just off marine drive by knight bridge. the drywall are half the price of homedepot

[MelonBoy]

^
I will hunt that place down for sure! thanks

[Speed2K]

you could redrywall the whole bathroom. forgot the name of the place but its just off marine drive by knight bridge. the drywall are half the price of homedepot

I recall seeing a sign on Marine Drive @ Crompton St (the street before the Knight St bridge on ramp) advertising a building supply store; is this the one you are referring too?

[Speed2K]

- Replace bathtub + tiles if neccasry


If necessary? If you are going to do all that other work why would you not replace that tile?!?!?! :confused:

I agree with MindBomber though, unless you don't need to work or go to school this project will take up quite a few of your eves and weekends! I'm no expert though, I just like to DIY as well and I like to watch Disaster DIY on HGTV. :D

[fliptuner]

Thanks for the info!

Quick question
Would it be better for me to cut out areas of drywall to fix possible damage spots or should I just tear down the whole wall and replace after? (pros/cons)


If the ceiling is in good shape, I would lose all the drywall 12" below it and 6" below the window - it's easy enough to blend in after. If the ceiling has any moisture damage, I'd take it all down. It's a good opportunity to add potlights and upgrade the fan.

[fliptuner]

9 is highway robbery dude. My bathroom is easily 2x the size of yours and I completely gutted it to the studs and bought all new everything (double vanity, toilet, tub). tiled the floor and tub walls. new drywall all around. New lighting and new exhast for approx $8000

Did you diy, though?

[racerman88]

don't forget to use something like Rhino board around the tub or shower walls before tiling.

[MelonBoy]

So after cutting up my floor and pullig a bit this musty/wet/moldy smell is filling the bathroom.
Is this a problem or should I just continue with breaking down the walls?
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[blkgsr]

rip all the drywall out

[Speed2K]

you could redrywall the whole bathroom. forgot the name of the place but its just off marine drive by knight bridge. the drywall are half the price of homedepot


I recall seeing a sign on Marine Drive @ Crompton St (the street before the Knight St bridge on ramp) advertising a building supply store; is this the one you are referring too?

I managed to drive by here today and I saw a sign advertising for Home Max Building Supplies, it's on Marine Drive. Is this the place Fafine?

[Speed2K]

I did a quick Google search on Home Max. Here's there website: Blog (http://homemaxbuildingsupplies.com/blog) It doesn't mention anything about drywall, although they do sell some nice vanity cabinets: Contemporary Style (http://homemaxbuildingsupplies.com/products-2/bathroom-vanities-vancouver-bc/contemporary-style)

[Fafine]

i have a receipt laying around somewhere ill find it for the name and address

[MindBomber]

So after cutting up my floor and pullig a bit this musty/wet/moldy smell is filling the bathroom.
Is this a problem or should I just continue with breaking down the walls?
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

You can buy commercial mold killers meant exactly for the type of situation you described, I would just use a quick bleach/water solution to clean the floor and then continue. A bit of mold won't kill you, but it's not exactly good for your lungs either so it's best to take the time and clean it up.

[fliptuner]

Is the floor glued directly to concrete or do you have a plywood subfloor?

[quasi]

^
I will hunt that place down for sure! thanks

You can go to any drywall supply they all sell to the general public. Find the one closest to you and go there. They'll sell Drywall, Aquaboard, screws, mud, tape whatever you need for the walls. They can deliver for a price but for a room that size either use your own or borrow a truck cause it isn't worth it.

Dryco 3555 - Bainbridge Ave. Burnaby
Slegg 560 Raymur Ave, Vancouver
Pac West 100-2550 Boundary Rd Burnaby
Kenroc 2350 beta ave. Burnaby

[MelonBoy]

^^^
Yup, grabbed a mold killer and sprayed a bunch

^^
Its glued straight onto the concrete


^
Awesome thanks for the info

[Gridlock]

Be careful on the lino. If the house was built before the late 70's, it potentially contains asbestos. Same deal on drywall actually.

In a place like that, I think you'd want to get rid of every lick of drywall and start fresh. If you are going diy, drywall is a bitch. The actual boarding isn't too bad, and the tools are cheap to do it, but mudding is an artform.

I usually do my own drywall, but am far from a "drywaller" and in the end, I'm so-so. When I bring my drywallers in on larger projects, and watch them, I feel even worse about my skills.

Installing a bathtub is actually really easy.

Hire out the plumbing.

Installing a toilet is also really easy.

That leaves you with 1)tiling 2) drywall and whatever you do for flooring

The best thing you can do is do all your own demo, and hire out parts of the project. A drywaller that works in your area can fit you in around other large projects and if you aren't in a hurry, its kind of free money for them. Drywall works on volume, as there is downtime on each project. You end up having a day on site where all you do is come and slam some mud on the wall and leave.

Tilers expect to get paid large for their efforts.

You should totally be able to paint it yourself. Use tape if you can't cut a straight line.

Then its finishing baseboards, the vanity and so on. Surf craigslist for a guy that has nothing to do for a day.

Boom! I just saved you $3000. I'll take 10% for my efforts :)

[Gridlock]

PS...that bathroom is fucking shit nasty. Get started soon, and take it out of its misery.

[gdoh]

micro wave and micro oven in bathroom fuckin genius

[s300ae]

Have a project of my own: turning old bathroom by turnin walk-in closet into a bigger on-suite bathroom
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v366/vancityjoker/589a5bc4.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v366/vancityjoker/268e0ae8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v366/vancityjoker/2a9d424d.jpg
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[MindBomber]

A drywaller that works in your area can fit you in around other large projects and if you aren't in a hurry, its kind of free money for them. Drywall works on volume, as there is downtime on each project. You end up having a day on site where all you do is come and slam some mud on the wall and leave.

The key if you decide to sub out the mud and tape is to make clear to whoever you hire that your not that experienced with boarding, because the amount of time it takes to tape will be affected by how well you did hanging the board. It's a pretty small space so it won't take them long regardless, but it's better they know what to expect walking into a job.

[MelonBoy]

Finally had the time to start this bad boy.. cant really see it but the floor + tub is filled with drywall ..
Whoever built this house decided to leave a LOT of random drywall in between the walls.. I pulled out enough small/medium size pieces behind the wall to remask a full wall.. that and a medium sized tube/plumb cleaning stick...

Ill post more pics once I clean + take out the tub.. maybe.

[Fafine]

found it,
marine drive and knight - Google Maps (http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=marine+drive+and+knight&hl=en&ll=49.209744,-123.080746&spn=0.002061,0.00493&t=m&z=18&vpsrc=6&layer=c&cbll=49.209945,-123.080739&panoid=BpNoRexMCaVS2mcgyGNWpQ&cbp=12,273.91,,3,-0.06)

just in case you live in this neighborhood, you can go to them for the drywall.

and if your not good with the mudding then it just equals to more sanding LOL.

[Gridlock]

PLEASE wear a respirator while you are doing the demo. Not one of those paper ones, but spring the $40 and go buy a big heavy duty respirator.

[MelonBoy]

uhhh might be a little late but I was using a N95 mask + safety goggles ?

[blkgsr]

good enough

just replace it every once in a while

[Chronix]

does the fucking devil shit in your washroom? fucking groce.

[MelonBoy]

Anyone mind giving me a quick quote on how much this would cost for plumbing? Would really appreciate it!

The below picture is my tub plumbing... The problem is the the water faucet part is to low and my new tub will cover over it.. also need to slightly change/extend the tubing for the overflow and where the general waste water goes.

I aint no plumber but from what I see all that really needs to be done is.
- A: needs to be cut and pulled up higher to fit the tub
- B: both need to be cut (to allow the pull up) then reconnected by putting extension pieces in
- C: cut and resized to fit new bathtub





Edit: Got a quote from a contractor(over the phone) - he said the job would probably take about 2-3 hours, labour + material would be MAX $400.. said he would have to see the site before making a better estimate.
(Pretty much told him what I said above.. minus the picture)
Some input would be awesome. Thanks!

[blkgsr]

do yourself a favor and get a new tub faucet that has a temp regulator...the plumber will re rough everything in and really shouldn't take more than an hour or two

the tub drain should be fine, those are pretty standard but either way he'll get a new overflow kit and install it....the only tricky part is it looks like this is in the basement and he may need to jack hammer the concrete away to reconnect the new overflow

[Gridlock]

Ok. Everything you have there is garbage. Bag it up, and sell it for scrap.

Basically, you need to do the following:

1. Drain: You can buy a new one at HD for 24.95 for the fancy kind with the clicker for the drain stop, or less for the fug rubber stopper kind. The pipe gets cut, sand the edges and use a fermco rubber adapter to connect the PVC to the existing pipe. The adapter is $7-10

2. Call a plumber to install a new single handle shower faucet assembly, with the heat regulator as stated above. I like to use the type with the built in shut off valves, so if there is an issue, you don't need to shut off water to the house again. They are usually $100 and up depending on what you want to do. The ones I use are Glacier Bay, which doesn't excite me, but they have the shut off valves, and are available at HD. $119.

You'll need some fittings: couple of elbows, some pipe some and threaded fittings either male or female depending on the faucet. Your plumber can provide these as needed...probably about $30-40.

Most plumbers over the phone are quoting you at roughly $100/hour.

So, that should be max 3 hours-$300. I'd have him do the tub at the same time so that the drain is done correctly, and that can be an hour extra depending on how tight the room, and fit is.

I come out to $500 plus tax. Doing anything less is risky and asking for trouble. Why are you going to go to all this effort or a new tub, and new tile and do all that on top of old taps?

You've got it all apart-now is the time to do it right. Call my plumber if you want it done right, and not be jerked around on time. His contact info is in the polybutylene thread. I think his charge out rate is $98/hr but he doesn't fuck around on site and run up a bill.