Posted by jsexton – November 12, 2006 12:11 PM
It is easy to add on to this kitchen remodel. In website design this is called "scope creep," or piling new features on to the original plan. At several points, our contractors offered options or upgrades that weren't part of the original plan or budget.
For instance, Gretchen has never liked the fireplace mantel in our living room. For the record, I'm fine with it. "It has a clunky, rough finished look," she says with some disdain. "Plus the top of it curves." So when she found that Wes had created a custom cherry mantel in his last job, she wanted him to build a new mantel for us. I tried to slow this train down, but when Wes offered to do it for cost, or $300, I said fine. What's another $300, right? But these things are adding up.
When the plumber was rerouting pipes that affected both toilets upstairs, he offered to replace the toilets with new, state-of-the-art Toto toilets -- the low flow Drake that uses half as much water. "I can get you a good deal on them," he said. "Each one will save you an Olympic swimming pool full of water in a year." Cost: $260 each for the toilet and installation.
Well, our toilets are 40 years old, and I liked the idea of saving water and making our home greener. So we moved forward with these also. I gotta tell you, these are cool toilets (is that a guy thing to say?). They flush with a quick burst of power, and refill quickly.
The new toilet in the kids' bathroom.
The inner workings of the new toilet. Simple yet high tech.
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HI
We are coming to the end of a remodel of 2 loos and one kitchen/dining room and living room combined to make a 'great room' look in old house.
I can understand your notes and love the comments!
We have added and removed so much! :)) like I have no closet anymore in master loo as so small I voted for storage instead and now use a closet in a back bedroom. Not a big deal at all. I redid a loo for just me and love it!
Take care and enjoy!
Sherry Whiting
Posted by SHARYN WHITING – November 14, 2006 1:05 PM
CAN YOU BUY THE INSIDE PARTS OF THE TOLIET WITHOUT PURCHASING THE ENTIRE TOLIET?
Posted by DEBBY – November 14, 2006 1:20 PM
I concur with your evaluation of the high tech toilets. My parents recently replaced their 15 year old toilet with one of these new models and were very happy with the flushing power. One thing to make sure of if performing this on your own is making sure all connections are tight, maybe even sealed. A lazy flush from older toilets conceals possible leak points.
Posted by Susan – November 14, 2006 3:15 PM
I am a new reader, but I assume that you were going to replace the toliets anyway. If you deduct the cost of less efficient models from the $260, they are not so costly. Then ADD the savings of using so much less water, and they will pay for themselves in no time. I think it was a good decision.
Posted by Rosemary – November 14, 2006 6:50 PM
We installed this exact toilet a year ago and it was a worth while investment. Frankly, mine cost what you paid for both the toilet and installation. So, I'd say you got a really good deal. Twice in the past year, however, we've had to call a family meeting to "review" appropriate toiletpaper usage, but the clog cleared easily. I think that you've made 2 wise additional expense decisions that will pay you back many times over.
Posted by B – November 14, 2006 9:23 PM
I can understand about the creep in costs. My wife and I are remodelling the kitchen in our home that we just bought last year. the house is only 11 years old but it was built with builders grade and was falling apart.
Everyone says that when you remodel the kitchen get what you want because you'r only going to do it once.
As for the toilets make sure they have a flush thats powerful enough to clean the sides of the bowl when it's flushed. Otherwise you will need to be using the toilet brush several times a week.
Posted by Jay – November 15, 2006 7:30 AM
I want to know if the new toilets can be purchased in different colors. Also I am very interested in the handicap toilets. Are you able to get them in the handicap height?
Posted by Helen – November 15, 2006 6:25 PM
yes there is also a gerber with a power flush option which gives a burst of power. I found one at a local plumbing supply house for 240.00 then come in bone and white, i am not sure about other colors. the paper issue is that some people like to use a wad to protect thier hands. they need to tear up the wad or use a small wad for sure.
Posted by fred shoup – November 18, 2006 8:03 AM
