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PaperclipPerfector  3d ago (text post)   1746 thread views

Friday Fun Thread for June 26, 2026

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Ugly custom house update

DateInvoicePayment (k$)(% of contract price)
2025-03-05Design commitment2—
2025-07-24Contract signing2210
2026-03-02Commencement of work3315
2026-03-18Completion of groundwork and foundation3315
2026-04-01Completion of framing, roofing, windows, and doors4420
2026-04-08Completion of rough plumbing, electrical, and HVAC4420
2026-04-24Change order for replacement of torn-up govt. sidewalk2—
2026-06-23Completion of interior finishes3315
2026-07-06?Final completion and walkthrough115

Photographs:

In theory, under the draft zoning code that I mentioned two weeks ago, I could add a 428-ft2, 0-bedroom ADU (accessory dwelling unit) in the backyard of the 858-ft2, two-bedroom primary house. But in practice (1) renting out a property to someone sounds like a major hassle, and (2) I don't have the money.

Why that kind of vinyl floor tile, just for looks? Hopefully you are aware that while durable, it also requires occasional specialized maintenance? VCT actually requires more maintenance overall, not less, despite its use in hospitals and schools, at least if you want it to stay nice visually.

I didn't put too much thought into the specific material. My cursory opinion was based largely on this Home Depot webpage:

Vinyl flooring is extremely durable and cost-effective. It’s made from plastic, usually consisting of acrylic, PVC and similar polymers. It's a budget-friendly option for homeowners who want luxurious style and commercial-grade durability. Vinyl flooring is available in planks, sheets or tiles. Since it is scratch- and stain-resistant and waterproof, vinyl flooring is both functional and stylish.

Accordingly, my email to the contractor on this topic included the following passage:

To memorialize what was discussed [on the telephone]:

  • Finishes are low-end—e. g., vinyl flooring, vinyl siding, and MDF(?) cabinets

On that basis, the contractor picked "vinyl composition tile".

I see that the manufacturer's maintenance instructions mention "floor polish" and "floor cleaner", which I certainly have no plans to use. And this other webpage says:

[VCT] was the first widely popular form of vinyl flooring, but it is now much less popular than sheet vinyl or luxury vinyl. VCT generally requires surface polishing to protect its porous surface, and thus it is not as low-maintenance as sheet vinyl, which requires only routine sweeping and mopping.

The prevalence of many seams between tiles means this floor will not be as moisture-resistant as sheet vinyl. Water seeping through the seams can cause the base layer to loosen. High maintenance costs can cause the lifetime cost of a VCT installation to exceed that of other forms of vinyl flooring.

So this may have been a mistake on my part. Time will tell.

It’s not all that bad if you don’t mind it looking a bit more matte over time. Just have the installer wax it really well the first time and it should still be fine.

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