Whew! Just finished meeting with the first roofing guy

[Siwsan]

And I'm still waiting to hear back from the 2nd. They told me on Monday that the estimator would get with me within 72 hours. Ummmm……..

The house is a 2072 sq ft ranch house, built in 1969, that includes 2 additions in the back, which means lots of gables. That made the price several thousand more expensive than I had fantasized and the price for a metal roof is $7,000 more.

I started to balk at the price, and guess I looked pitiful. Earlier I had mentioned to him that I also wanted a price on 2 new windows (living room and my bedroom, both of which have the original large sliding windows 8X5 and 6X4) and 2 new security screen doors. SO, after a bit of him looking at me looking shocked and concerned, he rolled the 2 big windows and 2 security "screen" doors, all into the price of the metal roof.

That comes to probably pretty much is what I'd pay if I opted for the asphalt roof and the rest of the work, unbundled, next year. No he wasn't going to bundle those into the cheaper roof.

So, no decision yet. I'm giving the other place until tomorrow to get back with me. If I book this company (We've used them for several projects and their work is great) the windows and doors can be done in October, and the roof in November or December.

All in all, it's more than I anticipated spending, at once, but with this option I'll have a metal roof that will add to the house valuem and, no more worrying about the neighbors shooting off fireworks over my house.

[MLAA]

1. Sounds like you have a good plan🙂

[Siwsan]

2. Now if I can just get motivated to rip out the carpeting!

There's practically untouched hardwood floors throughout the house (everywhere but the kitchen, laundry and bathrooms).

[MLAA]

3. Oooh, nice wooden floors!

I’ve just started a project to double size of guest room. I’m not actually doing anything except watching 😬

[Rorey]

5. I love my hardwood floors

One of the first things I did when we bought this house was to check to see if there was hardwood under the ugly old carpeting. I was disappointed, but I finally do have my hardwood floors and couldn't be happier about it.

[Siwsan]

7. Sophie Stinky Toes will be very disappointed to lose the carpeting

She uses her claws to pull herself down the hallway because, apparently she's too lazy to walk. Hilarious to watch.

I'm looking forward to exchanging the vacuum cleaner for a Swiffer. Carpets are dust and cat dander magnets.

[Rorey]

8. Hilarious name for a hilarious cat

I still use my vacuum. I bought an attachment for my Dyson and it's a big time saver. I did try the Swiffer, but it's not for me.

If you haven't dealt with finishing a hardwood floor yet, I'll warn you that the mess and fumes are a challenge. My son and his family moved in with me for nine months last year while they were building a house and they left a couple of scratches on my floor. My son offered to have them refinished, but I said no thanks. For one thing, he had no idea how much it was going to cost ($$$$$), and for another, I just want to enjoy my house. I can live with a scratch or two.

[doc03]

4. You buy a house you never get done

shoveling money in it. I hope you live in an area that
home prices aren't depressed. I bought my house for $60000 25 years ago and have probably sunk $40000 in plain maintenance. If I put it up for sale I don't think I would get more than the $60000 I paid but repcement value is $180000.
I wish I would have gone for the metal roof when I replaced mine 10 years ago.

[Siwsan]

6. The house has actually gone up in value

I've had to buy a new furnace/ac, a new well pump, new windows and a new garden barn roof, since I moved in. Well, and a new riding lawn mower because it's a really, really huge lot. This was my uncle and aunt's house. After my uncle died my aunt went to live with my mother and housing values were busting. Since I was on the quit claim, anyway, I moved in and took over all of the taxes, maintenance and expenses. Once she died, I refiled the deed.

I found the old paperwork for the house. They paid about $38,000 for it in 1969. Right now it's estimated at about $162,000. I've got about a 7 to 10 year plan to fix it up and sell it so I can spend my twilight years in a much smaller, easier to maintain abode.

[Rorey]

9. Look at it this way.

$60,000 plus $40,000 = $100,000. You've lived in it for 25 years, which is 300 months. That figures out to $333 per month rent. Well worth it, IMO. (Plus, at the end of the day, you have the house, even if it didn't appreciate.)

I had to refinance last year when I got a divorce, and it's very unlikely that I'll pay off the house before I move out or die, but I still just consider the mortgage payment to be rent. I love my neighborhood and my neighbors, and I love my house, even though there's lots to do. At this point, I know that I made the right decision to stay here.

[doc03]

13. I agree over 25 years it is better than renting. I have thought of selling out and moving to Florida

but I would would have to come up with another $100,000 and probably pay a homeowners fee every month.
Where I live all I have is upkeep and taxes are only $700 a year.

[jimfields33]

10. In Florida, roofs are outrageous in cost

My house is 2100 square foot and has those architectural shingles. The only type were allowed. 17,000 to do the roof. My roof needs replaced in 5 years. Some of my neighbors have done it already and are bigger homes so they are closer to 20 grand. I just hope I get a huge hail store about 5 years from now.

[safeinOhio]

11. That's because they require 5 inspection for a new roof. Contractors

pay more for Work Mans comp for a worker than wages for roofers.

[Siwsan]

12. One of the reasons I'm leaning towards going with a metal roof is longevity

I'll never have to worry about it, again and it adds value to the house. Who knows. If the family plague of Alzheimer's skips me, and the family curse of longevity doesn't (lots of relatives survived into their late 80's, my maternal grandfather was still cognitively sharp as a tack when he died at age 97 and I have a paternal 2nd cousin, who is 104) I might be here longer than anticipated. I'm still pretty sharp, limber, feisty and lively for my age, so who knows.

[jimfields33]

14. I hope you have a long and healthy life.

[Delarage]

15. I want a metal roof

When mine goes, that's what I want to look into. They should last pretty much forever.