Home

[homedecor1]

@KateE

I had to sit down when I saw the estimates of replacement windows living in FL!!! Those estimates in my estimation are/were insane...I had 13 double hung, 2 palatial and 1 transon over my front door. they are beautiful and made a great difference in the exterior of the house and so nice compared to the old aluminum ones...

just thought I'd share because I also was doing the small galley kitchen on a budget of $10,000 - and nothing was salvageable .those extras added up so I picked things that were a necessity at

the time. (Sadly, I don't like my granite I should have got it lighter...oops to late now!!!)

I wish I had made a list of what would be needed after the cabinets and granite, I didn't take into consideration the little things: electrical re-wiring, plumbing,  hardware, new switch plates, backsplash tiles, uneven walls, and other little add-ones. These added up but needed them.

next I had all new wood blinds (faux) put thru the house with plantation shutter style on my big front window that has the palatial window above. 

i just purchased the lighting over $400! 8 recessed ceiling lights, pendant for work area (have old tired track lighting), under cabinet LED light bars (4) and over kitchen table chandelier.  Thank goodness I hired a reasonable electrician.

I plan to be done with all rooms by Christmas hopefully. Next step house completely painted -- 20 ft ceilings thru entire house getting estimates now. Trying to decide what neutral colors to blend in with family room eating area attached to kitchen area.  Then I'll work on window treatments $$$$$$!

Good luck with your remodel!

[151949]

@homedecor1  We found out that in Sarasota county they require you to get a building permit then increase the assessment on your home for taxes when you replace your windows. So you have to figure the tax increase into the cost of the windows. We want to put in new windows anyway as the ones the builder used are horrible. We can hear every noise from outside and when the window is open the screens are so misfit the geckos & frogs can get in the house.

[homedecor1]

---

@151949 wrote:

@homedecor1  We found out that in Sarasota county they require you to get a building permit then increase the assessment on your home for taxes when you replace your windows. So you have to figure the tax increase into the cost of the windows. We want to put in new windows anyway as the ones the builder used are horrible. We can hear every noise from outside and when the window is open the screens are so misfit the geckos & frogs can get in the house.

---

@151949

I did get permit for Windows only because I wanted to have "no problems" with the nosey neighbors calling the county I was having "exterior" work

done (I also had to get it approved by HOA BOD) & more importantly, the code in our area we must have "triple pane/80 mph wind mitigation for projectiles, and something with the argon gas" ( I think) the price of a "normal" replacement double pane window runs about $300-400 but with this code it doubles the price, our palladium style ones were $1,700/ea. -- scary this didn't include the install (labor). I wanted to make sure what we paid for was what we got!  I love them....and so easy to clean -- the exterior looks beautiful.  I also replaced the front storm door.  Actually the windows were manufactured by PGT Window Company, Sarasota, FL.

And I did NOT replace the full wall slider Windows off my dr or kitchen because under the code they are 2 large sliding Windows (165" w) but would have to be replaced with 3 triple pane sliders which would be almost a "down payment" on another home -- INSANE!!!

BTW: the code for the state of Florida on replacement windows states: if you do only 25% of the Windows the homeowner can use reg double pane replacement and do the balance same way after 1 year.

i was going to get the permit myself - $175 but when I got the packet OMG it was 1/2" thick with ?s I had no idea how to answer, so that cost me $300 for the contractor to do it -- so believe me these better be the correct Windows!!!!

(I opted to do all of them I think I'm the only house in this section with new Windows but I'm fussy, horrible old & tired and I figured better for re-sale.)

As for increase in my property tax, I don't know BUT I hope the inspector they send is better then the "idiot" they sent for my new air conditioner system. We just found out the "high voltage" connector is not connected....

per my power company -- waiting for contractors electrician to come and fix it. (And that passed county inspection although I don't recall anyone coming out but got permit in mail from contractor.)

I am slowly learning how expensive things are buying a pre-owned home!!! And to do a lot of homework on every contractor as they are hard to find reputable and ones that show up!!!!

My other homes were new construction.

[151949]

@homedecor1  My house is new construction but they used awful windows. We don't require hurricane proof windows though because we have hurricane shutters. It will cut the total cost by $5000.

[homedecor1]

 @151949

Lucky you!!!! you're a snowbird which is why I think the majority of the homes in our community never have any updating done (exterior) 70% are snowbirds. The house I bought the people were only here Jan-March, they also had a home in St. Thomas, VI which was their "winter home" and main residence in Wisconsin.  The costs are something you need to consider when having 2 homes to upkeep, I'm sure. 

and when I said we always had new construction, I had a custom built home. There were only 20 homes and I approved all materials, plus up north they definitely use better Windows, etc. because of weather issues.

[151949]

We are sorta opposite snowbirds as our primary home is our Florida home and our secondary home is a camper in Pa. I agree with what you said - in my plan only 8 of 140 homes are occupied year round and no one wants to spend an extra dime to keep things fixed up.Hopefully, as our neighbors age and the grandchildren get older more will want to move full time to florida and this demographic will change.

[homedecor1]

@151949

you're lucky to have the best of both worlds! I fly home every 8 weeks for 10 days and always meet with my FA to discuss buying a home in NJ.....after all the house expenses, taxes, insurances, etc. I'd be cutting it close. Lucky for me I have a lovely widowed friend and I stay with her we have good times!

if I hit lotto then I might be able to afford both BUT I'm selfish I like my cruises & Caribbean vacations 2x's/year.

[151949]

---

@homedecor1 wrote:

@151949

you're lucky to have the best of both worlds! I fly home every 8 weeks for 10 days and always meet with my FA to discuss buying a home in NJ.....after all the house expenses, taxes, insurances, etc. I'd be cutting it close. Lucky for me I have a lovely widowed friend and I stay with her we have good times!

if I hit lotto then I might be able to afford both BUT I'm selfish I like my cruises & Caribbean vacations 2x's/year.

---

Yeah, can't have everything. We could stay with my SIl (a widow) but I don't think my DH would feel comfortable so for now we are better in our camper. I understand homes and related expenses like taxes in New Jersey are very pricey.