Well, I did it... installed my wood floors....

[TheVTCGuy]

All by myself... OK, so that's a lie, I had my friends help me but there was not ONE professional (or probably even competent) person in the bunch. Carpet wasn't in too bad a shape, but needed replacing, I thought, "why not, let's put in wood" (actually, laminate, Pergo).

Pulling up the old carpet was the hardest (and dirtiest) work, I wore a full respirator, and my whole place looked like a room out of the Munsters house there was so much dust everywhere. It took me a good part of the weekend, but got it done and the floor prepared. Then went shopping. Bought the Pergo, underpadding, baseboard, various tools, all in all it came to around $1,500. MUCH less then the lowest quote I had received from installers. Last Saturday was the big day...

Five of us, that have all known each other since college, got together and did the deed. It was the most fun I've had in six months; I have good friends. And for five middle-aged men that have known each other for 30 years to get together and spend a Saturday TRYING to acomplish something productive... Well, you can imagine the flying insults, language, and genuine male-bonding that went on. We had bagels, Pizza; it took us about five hours to complete, (my place is not that big). Considering we had three Engineers, a tech-sales guy, and a Zoo animal care manager (trying to) put in a wood floor, it's amazing the whole complex didn't come crashing down. But I smile and laugh everytime I think about that day. I wish I could repeat some of the things that were said but...

Oh, and I am THRILLED with the way it came out! Really, for a bunch of nerds that don't know much about constructiona and nothing about laying floor, I think we did a pretty good job!

Oh, next week, I'm putting up tiling in my bathroom.... Never done that before either and it's a solo job... Anyone want to stop by and help?