All Forum Posts by: Shirley X.

@Kiley N. Thank you Kiley. 

$558 for floor materials, $3350 for labor and other materials.

@Anthony Rodriguez Thank you for your kind words. The laundry is on the other side (unfinished side) of basement, but there is no bathroom. I was tempted to put in one, so that the basement alone would be more functional, and might become a rental unit as it has separate entrance. But my husband is not a fan of that idea. So we leave it the way it is. 

I have been hating the basement and wanting a change since I bought our home (a raised ranch built in the 60s) about 3 years ago. I am sure the previous owners put quite a bit work on it, and it possessed its uniqueness. Though I couldn't really appreciate it...

What pulled the trigger was an incidence that I attempted to take down a broken drop ceiling tile, but ended up with all the dust and mouse droppings above it falling all over my face......

This is a minor cosmetic job completed in three and half day by my contractor and one of his guy. Below are the before pics, working pics, and after pictures. Any questions/comments/suggestions/advice are welcome.

Before

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

After

  r

@Erin K. Thank you Erin for sharing your thoughts and experience. Does the one in your SFR have any sort of vent? (I was confused because it was called vented gas heater, and your house didn't have any vents).

Did yours have a long pipe on the back as was in the picture? Is that the gas line, or the vent that goes out?

@Sam Shueh Valid points. Need to look for that when visiting.

Thank you @Jimmy Seaborg for sharing your knowledge. Yes, I do remember that I saw a similar stuff in an open house of other multi's upper level. The listing sheet says this property has forced air, though I currently don't have the information whether that is for first level only.

I am now in the process of renovation planning and estimating cost, using which to see how much to offer.

Does natural gas parlor heater not meet code (say in MA) nowadays? I assume no updated/improved models being made for this type of heater, am I correct?

@Victor N. Thank you for sharing Victor. Was the new ductwork put in for just this area?  Or this was retrofit ductwork for the entire house, which sounds really extensive (expensive), (but of course would add a lot of value to property). 

Where did you put the new furnace? Attic or basement?

@Brian Pulaski Thank you for the quick reply!

It is in the middle of a living space, so it's likely a kind of wood stove as you indicated. The listing sheet says this property has forced air using gas. So maybe this is supplement to that, or in a unheated area, like an addition. I will try to find out. I am now relieved a bit by knowing that this might not be the only source of heat for the entire unit :) 

I just read about mini-slit today. If this area is unheated and does need to be heated (not an enclosed porch for which I don't think heat other than space heater would be necessary), I agree that it could be an good option.

Thank you again for the direction that you pointed!

Very nice after pictures. I am learning from it. Congrats! Keep doing the great job!

We are planning a complete cosmetic rehab on a duplex with this for heating (see pic below). 

What the name is it? What would be the reasonable options to deal with it? (It looks unsightly and outdated.)

Any thoughts would appreciated!