From P. 21 I also moved a toilet four inches. Yeah, that was me. It was too close to the wall. I won’t go into detail but I managed to turn a moderate annoyance into a pretty big deal. But I got it done. Setting tile was much easier and much scarier than I thought. Once you start it’s like driving a load of logs down a mountain without brakes. There’s no round of golf in the middle of it, if you hear what I’m saying. It’s heavy, meticulous and pretty fun, actually, and when you’re done, it’s very satisfying. And I’ll never do it again. Wanna buy some knee pads? Drywall is nowhere near as bad as I remember it. I rented a gizmo that picks it up and presses it against the ceiling while you screw it in, so you don’t have to yell at someone to hurry-hurryhurry while your back is breaking and your head is exploding. Much better. Taping isn’t as bad as I remember it, either. But texturing? I’d
reBAr lumBer truSSeS rOOFinG Siding doorS
leave that to a pro, well, actually no I wouldn’t. I learned to skip-trowel and as it turns out I’m not half bad at it. Hardwood floors are a snap ... if ... you can measure and ... if ... you can get your hands on a pneumatic floor nailer. But even if you can’t measure (because you can’t find your glasses, which is my excuse) it only means your waste factor will be a little higher. But I admit I cheated by having a pro friend start the first line for me. Don’t be proud. Don’t worry, they won’t laugh at you (well, not in your face). You will find that one of your biggest helps will be the lumberyard. I got most of my stuff at Methow Valley Lumber and Cascade Pipe. When they got used to seeing me six or seven times a day – the mark of a real pro – it wasn’t so traumatic having to ask for stuff that I don’t actually have a clue what it’s called. “You know, that sticky asphalty stuff in the yellow wrapper that smells like diesel.” My tip for getting the
It doesn’t hurt to know your way around power tools. maximum good advice? Look progressively more crazed throughout the life of your project. That’s when they come right out and say, “Nah, you don’t want that. You want this.” Things I would hire pros to do are cabinetry in an old unlevel, unsquare house, anything involving taking
down bearing walls, high work like chimneys or very steep roofs, any plumbing involving 4-inch cast iron pipes or dirt, picking your house up off the foundation and major electrical. I’m sure there are others. All of those things can be done by a homeowner, but your life will be consider-
Photo by Sue Misao
ably better and maybe even longer if you employ some good judgment. The time for good judgment is before you start the project, because there just isn’t a lot of time for it later. So would I do something like this again? Why would I? My wife has found me just about as handy as she can take. B
The source for all your building needs. Certified boom Truck and Driver
windowS ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
decKing inSulAtiOn SHeetrocK cABinetS
CabineTs
Hardware paint & Stain GlASS & Mirror 22 Methow Home
We Make Great Paint... With Pride
We deliver
mvli@centurytel.net
997-8541
1309 HigHway 20 SoutH • twiSp • LocaLLy owned and operated