Renovation in the time of Covid.... I already work slow enough and that's without a 2 month-long lockdown during a pandemic. The basement is now ready for drywall and in this episode of the podcast, I review the steps that got me to this point. Framing: The joy of relying on someone else to pick lumber when curb-side pickup was the only option.Electrical: Not much to say in this episode, but I did it myself and it has passed the rough-in inspection.Plumbing: Why I chose to hire a plumber and how failure to take my own advice led to a bit of tension. I also share my opinion of our new HVAC equipment after it has been in use for 6 months and explain why a tankless water heater may not be the green environmentally friendly solution that it has been hyped up to be.

Thumb and Hammer Home Improvement Podcast

Ep. 59: Basement renovation update

There is no shortage of scam products on the internet. Ted's Woodworking has been offering 16000 woodworking plans for a ridiculously low price for the last decade. Inventors strike out on their own after creating innovative air conditioners, drones, vacuum attachments and their stories are all oddly similar. Plus the one sure way you can get an impressive endorsement for your own product.

Ep. 58: It’s a scam

You want your basement to feel like the rest of your house. It should be dry, and comfortable. However, the basement is NOT like the rest of the house. The basement is in a hole in the ground. The ideal solution for a warm dry basement is a subject of much debate. I talk about a few of the popular options and the one that was recommended by the insulation company we are hiring.

Ep. 57: The ONLY way to finish a basement

Figuring out which tasks need to be done first in our basement renovation. Energy audit to qualify for home efficiency rebates. And I completely rethink the layout of the basement at the suggestion of the HVAC installer.

Ep. 56: Order of operations, energy audit, rethinking layout

Stuff is happening. Big stuff. In this episode of the podcast, I talk about our choice of furnace and air conditioner for the house, why I decided on a split ductless system for the garage-workshop, and our reasoning for ditching our hot water tank and going with a tankless water heater.

Ep. 55: House and garage HVAC

How do you react when someone tells you that something you did is "all wrong?" In this episode of the podcast, I respond to just such a criticism.

Ep. 54: Everyone’s a Critic

If getting stuck in the snow taught us anything, it's that we have to replace our furnace this year. Plus I do a little surgery in the basement.

Ep. 53: The cost of procrastination

Looking for a new home improvement or DIY podcast to listen to? Here are my personal favorites that you may enjoy, too.

Ep. 52: That’s good pod!

I've come across news stories about people running afoul of their HOAs by painting their house the wrong color, or putting up Christmas decorations that were deemed too tacky. But I've never experienced what it's like living in an HOA community or talked to anyone who has. Until now. John from AZDIYguy joins me to talk about life in an HOA.

Ep. 51: HOAs with John from AZDIYguy

Paying down a mortgage isn't necessarily the end all be all. In fact, by increasing our mortgage, we could end up further ahead in the long run. And in the short term, well, we're finally getting relief from the financial pressure we've been feeling for the past few years.

Ep. 50: A weight has been lifted

We are always looking for ways to save a buck. But it's a fine line between cutting costs and cutting corners and often saving a buck now will cost you more in the long run.

Ep. 49: The cheap comes out expensive

So what do you get someone who already has everything?

Ep. 48: The Perfect Gift

As homeowners, we have more information and resources available to us than ever before. In this episode I complain about mostly complain about contractors who refuse to acknowledge that we do know what we're doing and know what we're talking about.

Ep. 47: It angries up the blood

Someday. Eventually. In the future. Whether talking about debt repayment, retirement, or home renovations, it's all so abstract. In this episode, I talk about figuring out how realistic a goal is and creating the road map to achieve it.

Ep 46: Defining Someday

John from AZDIYGuy.com returns to talk about kitchens, kitchen design and IKEA. And why it's a bad idea to step on the back of a farmhouse sink. John shares his experience from planning to design to execution, why IKEA was the right choice for him and why it pays to hire a designer.

hubhopper

Thumb and Hammer Home Improvement Podcast

hubhopper