The current home project is back on track with the office painted and carpet/pad to come out today. The flooring will be installed in this room on Tuesday evening and the flooring in the living room will go down on Wednesday. Even with the glitch, it’s all good again even though I have about 10 miles of wood trim to clean.
But this stuff…
I was turned on to this product via a Facebook friend and WOW! Howard’s Feed-N-Wax should take the #1 spot on your shopping list. It not only smells great, but also transforms any tired, dull wood surface to a rich finish. There’s a warning on the label stating the product is combustable so don’t blow yourself up and blame me. 🙂
3 things I’ve learned from this project applicable to all service providers…
Be clear about what you are — and what you’re not. (Not exactly the phrase Scott McKain uses, but you get this idea.) If you’re not a pilot with an aircraft, don’t offer to fly someone to Bermuda for any amount of money — same thing applies across the board no matter the service.
Never overpromise and underdeliver. You’ll blow any chance of future business if you promise the moon and deliver a rock.
Stick to what you’ve been hired to do. Don’t try to manipulate timelines to make it easier for YOU (or so you can get an advance on the next job). If you’ve been paid to bake cookies for an open house, don’t try to dictate where the purchaser should display the cookies or suggest the best time for guests arrive. Just do what you’ve been paid to do — bake amazing cookies.
When you offer a service, you are the employee and have been hired to serve. That’s why it’s called a “service.”
I prefer home projects without specific timelines… this is NOT one of those casual fun ventures. I’ve vaguely mentioned a little about what’s going on around here with the 80’s house, but want to tell you guys something important — first, let me restate my previous warning:
If you’re going to hire a painter, hire a professional. A standard contractor may not be a very good painter (as evidenced below):
Today’s PSA — have your gas fireplace serviced at least once per year.
When we had a gas fireplace installed a few years ago, I didn’t know it required a yearly cleaning service. I knew not to burn candles but figured diffusers would be ok. They are not ok.Clogged gas logs make soot and soot collects on ceilings and walls. This home project consists of painting several rooms and now also includes fixing boo boos of paint in the ones that were “finished.”
I figured the timing was perfect to continue the hardwood flooring into a couple rooms (office and living room), but this brilliant idea was complicated by the fact that the “painter” was also to be the flooring installer. By Tuesday, I have to be finished cleaning out the office closets, have the carpet out and painting complete as Seymour Decorating is sending their crew for the install. I’m working as fast as I can, but could sure use more grease for these ole’ elbows (and back too).
For sure it’s for me, but honestly… I did it primarily for my favorite granddaughter on the planet. I pulled the trigger and July 6th is the date digging will begin for our pool.
I figure we’ll be swimming about a week before time to close for the winter.
In the meantime, there’s plenty of pre-work to be done starting with a building permit and an electrician. Yippee!
I knew the weather was going to take a turn later today when I awoke this morning. After a cup of coffee, I headed out with a paintbrush and a step ladder into the above 70 degree morning to paint the garage. Pretty crazy for November, right?
No sooner had I finished the 2nd coat of paint that tiny droplets began to fall. The shutters have yet to be painted — but it was too windy outside to tackle those today anyway. I’m hoping to finish those up tomorrow, even though the temps are forecasted to be at least 20 degrees cooler. That is… if everything is still standing by then…
Tornado warnings came soon after I came inside, and we dodged the bullet getting just a bit of hail, moderate winds and lots and lots of rain. The weather this evening is supposed to be worse. Not looking forward to that, for sure.
So looking back in time, here’s a photo taken of the front of the house when I purchased it:
First order of business — happy birthday to my favorite brother!
Because he’s celebrating in Hawaii, I had a paint party to celebrate here in Indiana!
I don’t know if it’s because Ben has a new house to decorate and paint — or if I’m feeling sentimental because I’m selling the ole’ home place — but whatever it is, it’s me inspired to move forward with a few projects here.
Here’s the door of the 1980s house when I bought it…
Like everything else, it was probably the original from when the house was built. While I put in a new door earlier on, I left it white for a couple years. I thought about color for a long time because I LOVE dramatic door colors. But… I live in a stuffy (sorry neighbors) area that is pretty conservative.
I had a gallon of paint matched to paint the exterior of the house in the Ville to touch up a few spots to sell. We instead decided to just give her a new coat of paint, and the color we matched wasn’t exact — but this one gallon was! So guess what I’m doing with it!
I don’t know who’s having a birthday tomorrow, but I’m going to celebrate by painting the garage door… and hopefully the shutters too if it doesn’t rain me out.
Happy birthday, Scott — hope your special day was amazing!
