The Home Improvements Thread (2)

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prOd said:
Has anyone recently replaced their windows with aluminium windows? We're busy getting quotes but the labour to install and plaster/paint seems kinda crazy, nearly as much as the cost of supplying the windows. On the one quote it comes to ±R3500 per window for installing/plaster/sealing and painting...is this expected cost?
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Misconception they are expensive so installers rip you one.

Just phone a hardware store for Swartland windows to see how cheap they actually are.

As for labour, if you have metal-framed windows then all they do is remove the glass and leave the edge. They then sandwich the window with the metal. No need to plaster. We had one window done like that and it looks like the house was built with it.

If it is wooden framed, then they will carefully cut out the frame before installing the windows. I cannot see how they would use a single spoon of plaster.

I don't know where you live, but here in Somerset West I only use Lens Glass.
 
Other Pineapple Smurf said:
Misconception they are expensive so installers rip you one.

Just phone a hardware store for Swartland windows to see how cheap they actually are.

As for labour, if you have metal-framed windows then all they do is remove the glass and leave the edge. They then sandwich the window with the metal. No need to plaster. We had one window done like that and it looks like the house was built with it.

If it is wooden framed, then they will carefully cut out the frame before installing the windows. I cannot see how they would use a single spoon of plaster.

I don't know where you live, but here in Somerset West I only use Lens Glass.
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Did that improve the insulation? As my windows are horribly buckled
 
Lupus said:
Did that improve the insulation? As my windows are horribly buckled
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Yes.

My metal windows are from the 70s even though my house was built in the 80s - ex Denel houses and looks like they stole it from a school building yard.


My wife works by the window all day and has never complained about any breezes in past four years. She makes everything my problem when it comes to this house.
 
Other Pineapple Smurf said:
Misconception they are expensive so installers rip you one.

Just phone a hardware store for Swartland windows to see how cheap they actually are.

As for labour, if you have metal-framed windows then all they do is remove the glass and leave the edge. They then sandwich the window with the metal. No need to plaster. We had one window done like that and it looks like the house was built with it.

If it is wooden framed, then they will carefully cut out the frame before installing the windows. I cannot see how they would use a single spoon of plaster.

I don't know where you live, but here in Somerset West I only use Lens Glass.
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Do you have pic to share . Am curious how it looks. Have been super nervous about replacing wooden windows since we changed a couple of windows a few years ago and coming home to find the house looked like a massive 100Kg cocaine bag had been blown up inside the house . We were not aware that they would be chopping up all the plaster, etc to pull the windows out. Face brick on the outside.
 
TheBadMadMan said:
Are you in CPT by any chance? Would be keen to hear who will be doing the work for you and how it all goes.
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Yup in CT, will feedback when/if we decide to go forward.

rodga said:
If you have existing steel frames they can fit an aluminium window system over the exisitng frames without having to do anything to the walls
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Unfortunately not the case, the old ones need to be bashed out.

surface said:
Is the material cost per window about 2500 rands ?
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Hard to say as the sizes differ greatly, but average cost for 8 windows is ±R3300 per window.

howardb said:
Weird, ours was opposite, the frames were more costly and the installation was not too bad.
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Frames are still more expensive, but labour is close!
 
prOd said:
Yup in CT, will feedback when/if we decide to go forward.

Unfortunately not the case, the old ones need to be bashed out.

Hard to say as the sizes differ greatly, but average cost for 8 windows is ±R3300 per window.

Frames are still more expensive, but labour is close!
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Many a times, I have noted that labor cost is between 25% to 40% of material cost. Of course, it is not applicable to every job in home improvements but that is something I used to note in a excel file and it worked out in that range for many jobs.
 
prOd said:
Interesting, thanks!


The frames aren't really what surprised me, it was the installation. In fact we were chuffed when we only got the supplier quote and thought "damn this is cheap". 5 minutes later when the installation quote came we gunned for the liquor cabinet :p
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Just make sure about any exclusions to the quote. Many exclude waterproofing. Now I am not sure why anyone would want a non-waterproof window or door, but some aluminum installers make it an optional extra in the fineprint.
 
prOd said:
Has anyone recently replaced their windows with aluminium windows? We're busy getting quotes but the labour to install and plaster/paint seems kinda crazy, nearly as much as the cost of supplying the windows. On the one quote it comes to ±R3500 per window for installing/plaster/sealing and painting...is this expected cost?
Click to expand...
That doesn’t seem that bad at all if that includes the plaster and paint. A good plasterer is worth their weight in gold in my opinion.
 
prOd said:
Hard to say as the sizes differ greatly, but average cost for 8 windows is ±R3300 per window.
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So, 36K + labor. I briefly looked at builders/chamberlains for material costs as we are also thinking of it but not now - in 2-3 years time. As per my estimate, if you get all job done for 50-55K, that would be reasonable.
 
ElixirCoder said:
That doesn’t seem that bad at all if that includes the plaster and paint. A good plasterer is worth their weight in gold in my opinion.
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I agree, we decided to go for it and had a call with our contractor last night. At least we know the quality of their work as they replaced the 2 bathroom windows as part of the renovations. And we're very happy with them.

surface said:
So, 36K + labor. I briefly looked at builders/chamberlains for material costs as we are also thinking of it but not now - in 2-3 years time. As per my estimate, if you get all job done for 50-55K, that would be reasonable.
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Labour comes to ±R29000, so the total is a bit more that 55k but also not too bad. We've now asked him to include an extra door without raising installation cost and he agreed, so we decided to go for it. It's a lot of money but I think it will be worth it long term.
 
Any decently price companies that can wrap kitchen cupboards.. Preferably someone you have used and recommend.. Thx in advance
 
finishing other small stuff then maybe I will do another coat for both colors

the lighter still shows spots of the green through but it adds some kind of effect to it

 
I'm investigating whether it's viable for me to install my own automated sprinkler system for grass and flower beds. I've never done it before so will need to do the required research. Has anyone done this? Any tips?
 
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Morning all

So I have tried adding alkalinity up and put about 4 cups

I added a cup of hth as choline was right

I also added 1 pack shock it last night and ran the pump over night

It's not changing colour

Last night also whne I put the pump on a thick cloud of dust blew out the blower thing

What is that and what am I doing wrong IMG_20220218_080918.jpg
 
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