Completed (N. 36th Street)

Move the completed tasks here.

Recent Completed Tasks

  • Re-draw Main & Second Level
    Posted Aug 2, 2010, 7:52 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong
  • Replace kitchen drawers Since the dovetailed kitchen cabinet drawers can bring value to the house, we may want to swap out the drawers to put in the dovetailed/soft-close drawers.Suburban Kitchen ...
    Posted Aug 2, 2010, 7:30 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong
  • TV For Living Room The recessed area dimension for TV is 44-3/4" W, 30" H, and 3-1/2"DSo, this space will fit for these TVsVIZIO 47"SONY BRAVIA ...
    Posted Aug 2, 2010, 7:35 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong
  • Warming Drawer Buy & install warming drawerThe 30" Convection Professional Thermador WDC30E warming drawer has the following cutout dimension: 10" x 28-1/2". However, the GE Profile warming drawer has this ...
    Posted Aug 2, 2010, 7:33 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong
  • Dining room wine rack Build a dining room recess wine rack, using Cherry or Black Walnut woods
    Posted Aug 2, 2010, 7:36 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong
  • Library recessed shelves Build two library recessed shelves, using red oaks
    Posted Aug 2, 2010, 7:36 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong
  • Family Room Shelves Build two recessed shelves, using cherry wood & glasses.
    Posted Aug 2, 2010, 7:44 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong
  • Basement Needs:Carpet - Berber, 135 lin-ft. Because carpet will come in roll of 12' width, so the calculation is based on linear-ft, basically how long of 12' wide carpet ...
    Posted Aug 2, 2010, 7:38 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong
  • Deck Estimated $5,000 Design: draw plan Get permit Estimate Contract out Deck cost calculatorThe deck is going to be built 6' off the ground, about 16x16 (less cutting), pressure ...
    Posted Aug 2, 2010, 7:38 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong
  • Lanscaping Estimated $4,000 Design: Huong proposes:in the front: azaleas ($13.49 each) and pieris ($17.99 each) in the front, every 12 inches on both sides.  On the left ...
    Posted Aug 2, 2010, 7:25 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong
  • Wet bars Estimate Budget The budget for putting in both wet bars is $5K, so around $2.5K for each. The process of putting in wet bars are pretty simple: Measure the ...
    Posted Aug 2, 2010, 7:28 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong
  • Door levers & locks Estimated $500 Order & install door levers Identify current door knobs brand, specifications (hole size, distance from edge of door, etc.) Select online store. No where can I find which has ...
    Posted Feb 3, 2010, 10:09 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong
  • Open house Open house on 11/8PreparationAny staging materials/stuffs?Floor mats, outside/inside?Wreath for door?Bowl of fruits/crackers?Drinks?Email to known associates?Update the websites?Craig ...
    Posted Nov 16, 2009, 9:19 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong
  • Remove floor scratches Stain the scratch on the floor and putty where necessaryMaterials:Closest color matching wood puttyLeft over stainUse old cotton t-shirt, cut into small strips, soak with ...
    Posted Aug 2, 2010, 7:45 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong
  • Install Microwave Clean & installCleaningNeed to bring:409 cleaning solutionOld t-shirt, cut up into 3 piecesVinegarApply 409 to inside & cleanFor chrome rust, may need to apply ...
    Posted Nov 8, 2009, 4:16 PM by Quoc-Anh Vuong
Showing posts 1 - 15 of 17. View more »


Re-draw Main & Second Level

posted Jul 6, 2010, 3:37 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong   [ updated Aug 2, 2010, 7:52 AM ]




Replace kitchen drawers

posted Dec 7, 2009, 8:10 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong   [ updated Aug 2, 2010, 7:30 AM ]

Since the dovetailed kitchen cabinet drawers can bring value to the house, we may want to swap out the drawers to put in the dovetailed/soft-close drawers.
Suburban Kitchen gave us the quote around $2900 for these.

TV For Living Room

posted Nov 15, 2009, 6:14 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong   [ updated Aug 2, 2010, 7:35 AM ]

The recessed area dimension for TV is 44-3/4" W, 30" H, and 3-1/2"D
So, this space will fit for these TVs
  • VIZIO 47"
  • SONY BRAVIA 46"


Warming Drawer

posted Nov 9, 2009, 7:24 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong   [ updated Aug 2, 2010, 7:33 AM ]


Buy & install warming drawer
The 30" Convection Professional Thermador WDC30E warming drawer has the following cutout dimension: 10" x 28-1/2". However, the GE Profile warming drawer has this cutout dimension: 9" x 28-1/2", which is 1" shorter than the Thermador's.

Dec 6.2009
  • Bought the warming drawer for $280.
  • Need to pickup the filler strip from Suburban to install this drawer.
Mar 14, 2010
  • Need to cut a trim piece 1-3/4 x 29-3/8

Dining room wine rack

posted Nov 9, 2009, 7:22 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong   [ updated Aug 2, 2010, 7:36 AM ]

Build a dining room recess wine rack, using Cherry or Black Walnut woods

Library recessed shelves

posted Nov 9, 2009, 7:21 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong   [ updated Aug 2, 2010, 7:36 AM ]

Build two library recessed shelves, using red oaks

Family Room Shelves

posted Nov 9, 2009, 7:20 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong   [ updated Aug 2, 2010, 7:44 AM ]

Build two recessed shelves, using cherry wood & glasses.

Basement

posted Nov 2, 2009, 8:19 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong   [ updated Aug 2, 2010, 7:38 AM ]

Needs:
  • Carpet - Berber, 135 lin-ft. Because carpet will come in roll of 12' width, so the calculation is based on linear-ft, basically how long of 12' wide carpet will it take to cover the area. $2500.
    • Material $2,250
    • Labor $250
  • Ceramic/Stone - 110 sq-ft. Estimate around $5/sq-ft (installed, including grout & mortar and shoe-molding). Total: $550.
    • Material $330, at $3/sq-ft
    • Labor $220
  • Laminate - 280 sq-ft. Budget for $4/sq-ft (installed, including pads and shoe-molding). Total: $1,120.
    • Material $700, at $2.50/sq-ft
    • Labor $420
  • Paints. Total $270.
    • 1Gal of semi-gloss for bathroom.
    • 10Gal of flat interior for bedroom, rec room, reading room, exercise room, and stairs.
    • 3Gal of flat interior for media room.


Budget breakdown: estimated $25,000
  • Permit # B1000031, http://permits.arlingtonva.us/Permit_Status.aspx?p_number=B1000031
  • Plumbing, $1400
  • Electrical (???),
  • Egress window, $3500 per window + cost of relaying bricks (budget $1500, total: $5K)
    This is a tricky stuff to do, first is the cutting into the foundation poured concrete wall. Then installation the drain pipe to take the water all the way into the foundation water well, which is "inside" the basement (more digging), or tie the drain pipe at walk-up drain. Basically, more digging & laying pipe. Only then can the contractor pour gravel (12") into the pit, and put the galvanized window well. This well probably take about 2 sections of this. So, make sure we have one contractor to take care of this: dig down to twice the size of the well, cut the wall, tie in the drain pipe, pour the gravel, installing window, install the galvanized wall sections, install well cover, finish grading, put back grass.
    Now, when the contractor dig & lay the drain pipe, might as well lay down more drain pipes at the dip area to drain the water out more quickly.
    • Jorge, City of Concrete, (703) 203-8400
      • Need permit? Yes
      • Can we leave the upper window alone? No
      • Is it going to be below grade? Yes, and City of Concrete will dig down & create a window well. No need for landscaping services afterward.
      • What else do we need to have this complete and move on with the interior framing & partition? Finish the brick work outside, to cover up the top window, and re-tie in the bricks.
      • Who will take care of installing new window? Jorge will put in 3'w x 5'h window. This is big.
      • Who will put in the drain pipe for the window well? Jorge will put in the drain pipe & connect it to the foundation drain. Good.
      • Who will install the window well? Jorge will install a well, 5' w x 4' projection. This is big!
    • Advanced Alternative Technologies
  • Interior (Santos (703) 926-2082 gave us a quote around $25K)
    • Framing
    • Drywall
    • Flooring
    • Finishing
  • Permits & fees,
  • Design & Architecture,
Typical builder cost is around $82 per finished sq-ft, or $51 per average sq-ft. So, if our basement is around 1,500 sq-ft, the cost is around $17 per sq-ft, which is not bad at all!

So, let's start by identify what do we want for the basement:
  1. Additional bedroom
  2. Full bath
  3. Media room
  4. Wet bar
  5. Wine cellar
  6. Exercise/Play room
  7. Lounge area
  8. and of course mechanical/utility room
To start, the additional bedroom requires cutting into the concrete foundation slab, which is a job which did not covered in the 25K quote from Santos. So, this is an extra. Also, we need to calculate the county permit fee; so as you can see, we already exceed the budget.


Arlington County Links

    With wet bar next to bathroom


    With wet bar next to utility room


    Recent Files

    • Before_After_Layout0001.tif   424k - Jan 15, 2010, 8:49 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v3)
      ‎Modified plan to address the reject comments‎
    • A3.0.pdf   237k - Jan 15, 2010, 8:48 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v3)
      ‎Second floor plan‎
    • A2.0.pdf   247k - Jan 15, 2010, 8:48 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v3)
      ‎Main floor plan‎
    • A1.0.pdf   355k - Jan 15, 2010, 8:47 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v3)
      ‎Foundation Plan‎
    • Bathroom.skp   9887k - Jan 12, 2010, 2:20 PM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v4)
    • Before_After_Plat.skp   1330k - Jan 7, 2010, 9:48 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v3)
    • Before_After.skp   5341k - Jan 7, 2010, 9:48 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v3)
    • Before_After_Layout.skp   5346k - Jan 7, 2010, 9:47 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v3)
    • Before_After_Layout.tif   244k - Jan 7, 2010, 9:47 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v3)
    • Before_After_Plat_01.skp   1328k - Jan 7, 2010, 9:46 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v3)
    • Before_After_Plat.tif   59k - Jan 7, 2010, 9:46 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v3)
    • After_01_WallsUpFixed.skp   5320k - Jan 4, 2010, 2:43 PM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v4)
      ‎Basement finishing plan with 9' wall‎
    • Before_Plat.skp   1317k - Jan 7, 2010, 4:23 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v5)
      ‎House plat ‎
    • After_01_Electrical.skp   9787k - Jan 4, 2010, 1:33 PM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v5)
      ‎Basement electrical Plan‎
    • After_Plat.skp   1327k - Jan 7, 2010, 4:23 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v6)
      ‎Plat to show egress window well‎
    Showing 15 files from page Files.

    Deck

    posted Nov 2, 2009, 8:18 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong   [ updated Aug 2, 2010, 7:38 AM ]

    Estimated $5,000
    1. Design: draw plan
    2. Get permit
    3. Estimate
    4. Contract out


    Deck cost calculator

    The deck is going to be built 6' off the ground, about 16x16 (less cutting), pressure-treated wood (composite wood is twice the cost). 1 stair to the landing area which connected to the patio.

    Since the house foot print is too big, not enough for the deck, thus we now have to build a lower deck, only 4' from the grade. Out from the morning room, we will have a stoop and 3 steps to walk down to the deck. This stoop is around 5' 6" square, landing at the corner of the deck below.

    Quick Links


    Recent Deck Files

    • LowDeck.skp   16617k - Apr 19, 2010, 2:59 PM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v4)
    • Lowes_Two_Level_01.pdf   739k - Apr 13, 2010, 2:42 PM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v3)
      ‎Deck plan from Lowes, two levels‎
    • Fiberon_Two_Level_01.pdf   402k - Apr 13, 2010, 2:41 PM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v3)
      ‎Deck plan from Fibertron, two levels‎
    • Deck.skp   55k - Apr 14, 2010, 7:14 PM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v4)
      ‎Plat with Deck drawing ‎
    Showing 4 files from page Deck Plans.

    Lanscaping

    posted Nov 2, 2009, 8:17 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong   [ updated Aug 2, 2010, 7:25 AM ]

    Estimated $4,000
    1. Design: Huong proposes:
      1. in the front: azaleas ($13.49 each) and pieris ($17.99 each) in the front, every 12 inches on both sides.  On the left side as we face the house, put annuals or tulips in the front before the azaleas & pieris.
        Azaleas, to me is the "medium" height plants, and it needs 2' - 3' space to spread.

      2. on the side: before the fence, Rhododendron every 12 inches $18.39 each.
        Depends on which species, some Rhododendron kind can grow to 15', so we need to know specific kind.

      3. on the side inside the fence: blue spruce globe (high graft) $112.99
        This one will spread too big for inside the fence. It will spread from 3' - 6', and grow from 3' - 5' high. Our strip next to the house is only 3' wide max.

    2. Buy plants and top soil
      We need to figure out how many bag of top soil, and also fertilizer

    3. Put in (us or contract out?)
      More likely just us, because the time we are available Santos may not be there.

    4. Decide to take down playground or not?
      Take it down.

    5. Remove tree stump and put down sod, or mulch in the back?
      Can't remove the stumps/roots; we need to cover them

    6. Get estimate from Santos to put down sod or mulch.
      I thought that's included in the deal


    Recent Landscaping Files

    • Plants_04.skp   16597k - Apr 19, 2010, 2:16 PM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v5)
    • Plants_03.skp   16566k - Apr 19, 2010, 1:18 PM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v3)
    • Plants_02.skp   16420k - Apr 19, 2010, 12:01 PM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v3)
    • Plants_01.skp   16312k - Apr 19, 2010, 11:04 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v3)
      ‎Planting areas with dimensions‎
    • Plants.skp   16330k - Apr 19, 2010, 10:51 AM by Quoc-Anh Vuong (v3)
      ‎Layout of plants & trees‎
    Showing 5 files from page Plants.

    1-10 of 17