Let’s watch some videos today, shall we?
I’ve seen a few really bad renovations of late, and when one of my clients asked me the other day, “Why would somebody do this?” all I could muster in reply was, “This is what happens when you combine boredom, money, and a false sense of confidence.”
Everybody and their grandmother think they can flip houses in Toronto, but contrary to popular belief, not everything sells…
Where to start…
Oh, where to start…..well, I suppose I’ll lead with the one that made me laugh the hardest. Just try and picture how I discovered this renovation mistake.
What does $1,4000,000 buy in Toronto these days?
What kind of quality and workmanship would one expect?
And how much does a ruler cost these days? Maybe $2.00? Maybe the person who installed the door and sink in this video could have ponied up for one?
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The MLS listing for this home reads:
“Completely Renovated Throughout With Only The Highest Quality Finishes.”
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I’m not a fireman.
But I’m pretty sure that this is not in any way, safe…
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This is called “Doing 90% of the job.”
Install these really cool reproduction French doors, and then ruin it by not finishing the installation properly.
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The YouTube thumbnail spoiled this one already, so you know where this is going.
But why in the world would the seller think it’s okay to have this in plain sight during viewings?
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Some photos, now, perhaps?
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Look, I know enough about Chinese to ignorantly say “that’s Chinese writing below,” when I’m pretty sure “Chinese” isn’t a language.
So if I’m this ignorant, then what hope does a home-owner have when they take possession of their new house and all the wiring and plumbing is labelled as follows:
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Another listing that says “Fully Renovated” in the description.
Here is the entrance way to two bedrooms, from the hallway.
That makes three rooms for those of you counting along at home, and I count three different types of flooring:
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Soooo………
…….buddy in the middle doesn’t get a driveway?
Or we just assume that giant tree is going to suddenly fall ill, and need to be torn down?
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I’m not a structural engineer, but I don’t think a single brick, under a cinder-block, with wood shims on top, placed in a dirt base, is any way to prop up a beam…
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And last, but oh-most-certainly not least, let me tell you how much I hate ambiguity.
I need everything in my life to be clear as day.
So when I see a property like this one below, and I’m not quite sure if it’s sold, it really bothers me…
Mike
at 6:59 am
Thanks for providing useful information
Real estate agents in Lafayette
Marina
at 10:43 am
The floor thing I’ve seen a few times. Not necessarily in this configuration, but just cases where it’s obvious that either they renovated while living there, or they bought whatever remnants they could. Things like mismatched doors, weird combination of lighting fixtures or door handles, mismatched tile, odd combinations of paint and wallpaper. All things that I’m sure saved 2-3K at the most, but will cost way more in lower price. It boggles the mind.
Sarah
at 11:12 am
LOL – yikes
downtown
at 1:25 pm
I used to have something very similar to that propped-up beam at my cottage. Except there was also an empty tuna can jammed in there. It seems some people will just grab whatever is handy at the time, and then forget about it.
Sardonic Lizard
at 2:07 pm
This is the sad state of affairs in the home reno business: unscrupulous contractors, poor craftsmanship, cheap materials, unrealistic deadlines, rampant fraud, and broken promises. Every schmuck out there is looking to make a quick buck in the F.I.R.E. economy, no matter the cost. Integrity and self-respect has gone out the window in favour of the almighty dollar.
Rachelle
at 1:33 pm
My favourite reno story involves laminate as well, David, were you aware of the versatility of this magical building material? For instance you can use it as a backsplash for your kitchen, and if your front door looks rough, just put laminate on it as well. Don’t worry about anything, just cut around the door handle, people like that.
This was a rental and when I suggested some paint and some updates I was accused of “trying to get kickbacks from my contractors”
Other highlights include the Koi pit in the back yard, no Koi just algae, but 5 feet deep so the Koi can overwinter, or you can drown neighborhood children.
The owner was part time living in there, I couldn’t tell if he loved Parmesan, or had very smelly feet. Anyhow potential tenants love that smell combined with the stale cigarette odour.
Anyhow after I was accused of suggesting he perform work in the place so my contractors could give me kickbacks I drove back and left the keys in the door slot. Good luck getting quality tenants to live in there. I have pictures lol
Also if you come across a company named “Reliable Contracting” I can assure you they reliably turn new materials into something you need to tear out and replace with more new materials installed by another contractor. Just saying.
Lucie
at 1:39 pm
Am I the only one who LOL’d so hard at the first one in the bathroom? COME ONE!!! Don’t know about you, but I KINDA like my privacy in the bathroom.