2021 Fall Home

Page 24 2021 Fall Home Improvement LINCOLN DAILY NEWS Sept. 23, 2021 This is the story of Popeye and Olive Oyl: It took years of analyzing the problems: It’s an old farmhouse, with radiators, a drafty ceiling vent, year-round access for the insects that like to come in for the winter. The stand-alone shower didn’t give much room in the event we needed some handicap accessibility, which ironically, we did as soon as we finished. The window and radiator took up space on the outside wall. The plumbing layout for the shower, sink, toilet and radiators needed to be adjusted or completely moved. Not to mention the ugly plastic tile that needed to go. Ugh! I started writing down all the little details, and making some phone calls to the plumbing and heating company that we do business with. I asked for recommendations on a suitable contractor, and they did not disappoint. Take note here: any good contractor is busy, Really busy. That’s a good thing, so patience is needed. If you find somebody that can start next week, there’s a pretty good reason why they don’t have a waiting list. Plan ahead. Way ahead. Have your thoughts written down, do some research on what you like as far as design and materials, and get some pictures ready. Anticipate a sizable budget if you want it done right. The bathroom is the most permanent room in your home as far as fixtures go, so I recommend doing it right the first time. Keep all the fixtures classic. Splurge on the bath towels and shower curtain if you want something trendy. Once I had a tentative game plan, we discussed who would do what. Popeye wanted to save money, he was more of the do-it-yourself thinker. Since this is our main bathroom, we work full time, and are getting too [#!] old to be gutting and remodeling, I just wanted it done. I was willing to pay for this job just to get it done, done right, and sooner rather than later.” The upstairs bathroom was completed last spring with Popeye and Olive doing nearly all the work. It took just over a month. That renovation didn’t involve moving any plumbing, and they hired the floor done by a contractor. Now come-what-may after three decades waiting, they met with both a contractor and a plumber to discuss the issues at hand for the main downstairs bathroom. Olive continued, “There were still things CONTINUED u