It's Easy to Install an Exterior Door

About the author: It's so important that you make the right impressions on your visitors whether it's for your home,

or for your office. Leaving a everlasting impression should begin with the entry of the house or

office so it all begins with your door hardware.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/its-easy-to-install-an-exterior-door-325431.html

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Who can give me some rough home fixer-upper estimates?
   My wife and I looked at a house yesterday that definitely has some problems and I was wondering approximately how expensive various projects would cost.. any help on providing rough cost & time estimates for any of the following is appreciated:

   1) Install automatic garage door. The garage is already wired appropriately for this, but lacks the motor & installation.

   2) Install hardwood flooring. We would like to do this project on our own in the kitchen, dining room, living room and hallway. It seems most people suggest floating hardwood floors, so that's probably what we would do.

   3) Some baseball-sized holes in the wall (would this just be spackle?)

   4) Remove existing two toilets and replace with brand new toilets

   5) New carpet in two bedrooms (old carpet has already been removed)

   6) A few tiles on the roof are missing

   7) Repainting whole house (approx 1500 sqft of living space) - we will be doing this ourselves.

   8) Painting/Replacing cabinet doors in kitchen. Addition of knobs/handles.

   9) Removing satellite dish from side of house (presumably there would be some fixes to the siding too?)

   10) Need to buy appliances: refrigerator, stove, washer, dryer (I think this one is approx ~00?)

   11) Two small spots look like they have mild mold.. one in the bathroom and one in the basement.

   Umm.. yeah, any help is appreciated. We're deciding if we want to buy it. It's clearly been foreclosed, and needs some work, but structurally it's sound (basement looks great).

   • ANSWER:
     -25,000 depending on quality of materials used

2. QUESTION:
   Trying to up the value of our not-so-great home?
   Hi, My husband and I are living in his parents house. (They have 2) We are a family of 6, with one low income. My husband does not make good money, and it'd cost more in childcare expenses if I worked right now. We are remodeling this house, because when we do, we'll be able to sell it and get this property we've been wanting to get. We just can't do it on our own yet. We are getting Stainless appliances in the Kitchen, we already have an 05 Stainless Dishwasher, and plan to buy a brand new Stove and Fridge this year. In our kitchen, we are putting hardwood flooring in. We have panelling with wallpaper, Right now, I am stripping the wall paper off, because it looks better without it. (I don't know the best way to strip wallpaper off either) My husband wants to take out the panelling, but with everything going on, I don't picture us getting to that this year. We are in No rush, but want it as fast as we can get it done. Was also wondering how well would Black go with Stainless steel? Like to have a Black Fridge or stove, and everything else stainless??? We are wanting to get new faces for the cabinets, because the cabinets themselves are fairly good, and I'm not sure, but I think it'd be cheaper to just get new faces? The cabinet doors are outdated, and the faces are a little rough, so we would definitely like to get new ones. I am going to get new door knobs soon.

   With our livingroom, we have hardwood floors, hardwood walls, and a wooden door, so we will not be painting in here at all. We have a built-in book shelf, and a closet that could use some fixing up, but I'm not that worried about it, should I be? We are getting two ceiling fans in here, and we have 6 windows. Can't think of anything else to say on the livingroom.

   Our bathroom has a blue tub, and instead of replacing the tub (because we also have to replace the toilet, and sink) I was thinking we could just make the bathroom to match the tub. I mean, right now I have it matched. The walls are yellow (were that way before I moved here) And, I have found several different shower curtains that actually blended well. What color should I paint the walls in here? It's an old bathtub. This whole house was last updated in the 70s, I believe. What's a good, easy to install floor to put in here? We definitely need a new floor. And, as long as it's good quality, we would prefer a cheaper bathroom floor, but if we must, we'll get more expensive. Right now, I have the bathroom matching the tub, it doesn't look cheap or anything, it actually blends well. I just don't know what color I could paint the walls.

   We have paneling in the dining room, and my husband would like to put carpet in there instead of hardwood floors, what color (neutral) would go best in the diningroom? We don't want to turn the new buyers away with a snowy white carpet, or a terrible carpet. I'm trying to figure out a nice-friendly color for the carpet. There is a pantry, needs new doors.

   Our outside, we are thinking about putting a new pathway, if we can afford it. It isn't too bad, but not great either. We have put a new flowerbed in this year, and are going to paint the front porch. We are going to pressure wash the house this year, it hasn't been pressure washed in a long time, and I want it done. I don't know if we should do it again in a couple years when we are done and decide to sell, or not. We keep the yard decent. And, we know to keep our house clutter-free, and clean.

   Right now, I'm looking for something cheap we could do that would up the value of the house, make it look nicer, etc. We are not going to use any cheap runarounds to make something half way decent, we want to make something 100%, if we can do something cheaper, with good quality, we'd love to. But right now, I'm looking for things under we could do to up the value of the house. And we'll get to the big stuff later! Thanks!!

   We are painting all the bedrooms a solid neutral color, fixing all the holes in the walls. And, everything we do is NOT going to be a cheap-runabout, unless it's a good quality cheap.

   We have a two story house, with two bathrooms. We have two livingrooms, etc. Thought about doing a duplex. Any ideas?
   Erin-We don't have cable We just watch movies, I love Better Homes and Gardens and magazines like that though.

   • ANSWER:
     Ok- this is a LOT of info!

     I would start by watching HGTV, there are shows about people buying and selling homes- Curb appeal, house hunters, my first place...etc. There are also shows that give you help on fixing things on a budget. Some of them are decorating shows, which really is not what you need- you need renovation help, the beef of the home, if you will. But you might find some ideas in there.

     I would suggest going to a local tile distributor to re-floor your bathroom. do NOT choose laminate no matter what you do! you can ask for a closeout price on some out of stock tile, maybe there isn't enough, fine, mix two! you can get nice quality tile for around per square foot. I went somewhere the other day and their closeout for sale tile was 90 Cents per sq. foot for a basic white tile. You cannot beat that!!!! I would not suggest Lowes/homedepot but you should shop around and see what you find.
     For the tub, have you heard of Bathfitter? its cheaper than replacing the whole tub. or if you got a lot of that closeout tile, go on the internet and learn how to install tile, maybe pull the tub out and make a standup shower, with all tile!! that would look great and very helpful to making you more money. my cousin had her hubby install a tile standup shower. looks great and he had no experience in laying tile before. i would not keep a blue tub.

     to remove wallpaper, use steam. if you must, rent a steamer! it will save you time! I always look online for tutorials for how to do things. you can google "remove wallpaper" and you will find tips, videos, and tricks for doing it yourself.

     for the dining room, i understand not wanting it with wood floors and walls, but i would not do carpet... i would suggest tile again.

     check the net, and those coupon books that always come in the mail for discounts. i think recently i saw an ad for a few hundred dollars savings on cabinet refacing. if you have power tools, why not sand down your doors, get all new hardware(including hinges) and re-do them yourself? you can sand and restain or even paint.

     I understand why you want to update your home to make more money... but will you make more than you are spending? I would consult with a realtor or someone who can help you make those decisions. I am the type of person who hates neutral walls, i hate ugly tiles, i hate blue tubs, i hate laminate countertops... etc etc. BUT i am an interior designer, and my little voice inside says "get a fixer upper!!" i would much prefer to get a home like yours and re-do it myself than think that the person before me just re-did a bunch of stuff and now i am going to rip it all out and waste their time and money. plus why would i want to pay more for a home like that. thats double waste!! i wouldnt use your brand new fridge, etc so then i would have to re-sell it somewhere and not get all the money you just paid for it?
     ever thinking of just selling it as a fixer-upper? as long as you make it look nice and fix anything that is glaringly obvious- such as holes in walls or roof leaks... the cosmetic stuff is going to be changed by the new owners probably 80 percent of the time! if not immediately, then likely within 5 years.

3. QUESTION:
   How can I get out of my apartment lease? If I go to court, do I have a strong case?
   Beginning:
   I picked the apartment in the middle of june, the landlord said it would be ready on August 1st. We moved in Aug. 3rd, with a lot of work needing to still be done. He said it would only be two more weeks, and that it is live-able because we have a working bathroom, although it was not completed.

   Middle: Over the course of 3 months (We've been living there), he has been in and out of our apartment a number of times.. he would come to work on things for a few days, and disappear for a week or two, and come back when he's ready. Also, we asked that he comes in the day time so he's not to disturb us after work, he comes usually while we are there, after 8pm, and doesnt leave till we are trying to go to sleep.

   He is always asking for me, and refuses to discuss problems with my roommate, she has a temper, but he started before she lost it. He only comes to work on the apartment if I'm there... which ive been trying to stay somewhere else, because he's there.... and he will even come late if there was work to be done, in my room.

   He does everything himself to avoid paying more. He finds cheap (time consuming) ways to work on the apartment. He will hire people to work for the day. And sometimes creates more work for himself to do later (most of the time through using the wrong paint, causing bubbles, or when he installed my ceiling fan, he drilled holes to look for the beam, instead of using a beamfinder...things like that). Another reason I want to move, is that I live in a crappy, "Crackhead-filled" neighborhood. It isnt safe. I dont like to leave after I get home from work.

   Now:

   I should mention that my roommate and I are two 20 year old females, and he does have wondering eyes.. So I see that he would want to pro-long his work. It is getting ridiculous, we waited a month and two weeks to move in, and then, it's been 3 months now we've lived there, and we still need smoke detectors and a carbon monoxide detector. He needs to put door moulding on my closet and a new front door and windows which he has already purchased. There are other things he's promised, and not provided, A micro-wave to go with our stove, bathroom cabinet knobs, the doors dont open without them.. New ceiling fans and light fixures, in my roommates room, and living room and kitchen. New Toilet... His excuse is (HE HAS MANY) He relies on the other tenents rent to pay for things for the apartment, (and at one point for oil, for our heat), and when they dont, we get screwed. That sould NEVER be an issue.

   It is starting to get cold now, (I live in Brooklyn NY, by the beach, coney island), and it isnt even winter. Our heat has been a problem the whole time. He turns it on for only a half hour or so, and then it shuts off. My roommate has Lupus, and she gets cold and sick easily, she can do what she can to keep warm but sometimes it isnt enough. He came one day, because we told him to patch up tiny cracks and holes in our walls that the wind from outside has come in. It is a 120 year old building. He always says that he isnt, "One of those landlords who dont care". And tells us that if we are still cold, we can turn on our stove (which is dangerous, for us, and we have two small active dogs, and did I mention, WE PAY THE GAS.)

   Another issue, We have Mold in our bathroom, (Which he worked on when we were moving in, so he should know that it was there, and chose to stay quiet, and collect)

   I know that he would want to go to court, please be aware of what he might say,
   * My roommate was late with her half of rent twice but only by a week
   * My roommate's boyfriend has been staying there, the whole time. (Mostly because he doesnt feel comfortable leaving us with him always in the house.) And he has threatened to raise the rent, because of the boyfriends presence.
   * He spent time building me a bigger closet, but still had plenty of time to work on other things in the apartment after, and before we became upset.
   * He may say that we told him, "no it's okay, take your time, we want it done right"... But we didnt mean 4 months, for something that should only take 2 weeks. And a few times we turned him away, because it was too late and we had work in the morning.. Or we just got tired of seeing him in our apt.

   So this is the most I can think of... What do you think? We only want to break the lease and get the F#%K out!!

   If it helps, I live in New York City... those laws would apply.

   • ANSWER:

     By law, building owners must provide all tenants with the following levels of heat (During the heating season, October 1 through May 31):

     Between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., heat must register at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit when the outside temperature falls below 55 degrees;
     Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., heat must register at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit when the outside temperature falls below 40 degrees.
     Tenants in New York City with heat and/or hot water complaints via the City's Citizen Service Center by dialing 311 and ask for the NYC Central Complaint Bureau's Hot Line.

     In addition, rent stabilized and rent controlled tenants can file a complaint with the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (718-739-6400) if the landlord is violating the above rules. For more details, see the relevant fact sheet on our web site.

     If you find that the landlord IS in fact meeting the heating standards but it still feels cold to you, you might talk with the landlord about repairing windows or other openings that are allowing drafts to enter the apartment. Sometimes some caulking, tape or insulation around windows will provide tremendous heat saving benefits.

     New York City Housing Maintenance Code requires landlords to provide and install smoke detecting devices in each apartment unit. Renters are responsible for maintenance and repair of the smoke detector(s) (i.e.; installing batteries, etc..). If the smoke detector is battery operated, the owner may charge the tenant up to per smoke detector. For more information, see the Attorney General's guide on smoke detectors.

     Landlords are also required to provide and install at least one approved carbon monoxide alarm within each dwelling unit. The landlord may charge the tenant per carbon monoxide alarm. More details can be found on the NYC HPD website.

     For more, visit this website: http://www.housingnyc.com/html/resources/faq/quality.html#dreading

     Also, now make sure your landlord knows that you KNOW the laws. Tell him if he doesn't comply with the laws, you will report him. So, if he wishes not to comply and he wants to avoid the hassle you are going to cause him, tell him he can let you guys out of your lease without penalty (and be specific here, with 30 days notice to find a new place, full refund of your deposit, etc. and GET the agreement in writing). So, basically, learn the laws, threaten him, give him choice to be compliant or to terminate the lease for you.

4. QUESTION:
   Texas Property code regarding security deposits?
   Please be patient this is a pretty detailed list of reasons and details following my move out.

   I recieved a notice to vacate in December due to my landlord wanting to move back into the residence to save money. My lease was up on Feb 2, 2011 but due to my landlord having surgery (implants)she asked if I moved out a week or two early she would pro-rate the rent. I surrendered my keys to her on January 26, 2011 which she would owe me for 5 days of rent which she said she would return to me with my security deposit. She then picked up the keys at my new residence only 4 houses down from my old one (the one she currently resides in). After several text messages and phone calls she failed to let me know about the deposit. I recieved a certified letter postmarked March 4, 2011 with a list of deductions from the deposit plus an additional 777.41 on top of that. Here is the list with some explanations.

   A/C coil/blower cleaning 0.00
   She states due to dirty air filters. We changed them once a month and the outside unit went out 7/09 and she did not get the inside serviced she only had the outside unit installed with a used unit that cost her 0.00.

   Junk Hauling 0.00
   This is due to a new privacy fence the neighbor put up without any money from the LL he bought all wood himself and my husband helped with the labor, but he left all wood in our yard stating since she did not help out money wise with the fence she could haul it away but now she is charging us for that. I felt this was an issue between them two.

   Hole in backyard $ 175.00
   The phone company was putting in new lines and dug a hole in the yard but did not come to fill it or finish the work. I did not have service with AT&T I had Time Warner so I feel that is definantly not my responsibility. She states she called and they have no records of this.

   Back Yard Mowing 0
   Due to the large hole and the fence it was hard to weed eat around it and due to a rainy January we did not cut the grass in the back so I feel I should be held responsible for that.

   Exterminator 7.09
   She had an exterminator come out and perform pest control and she recieved a years service and took that out of my deposit. I can understand being charged for a month but a whole year come on?

   Painting 0.00
   Upon move in the house was painted crazy with one blue wall and the rest white but with dirty hand prints everywhere and she gave us permission to paint it so we painted it dark brown to cover the dirt and because it matched our furniture. Which made the house look quite nice. Also we put in flooring in the kitchen at our own expense to make the house look nice which we understood this was something we would not be getting credit of we did that on our own. We just like our house to look nice and presentable for our guests.

   Hole behind bedroom door .00
   There was no door stop so this caused a small hole where knob hit the wall. This I agreed to pay.

   Hole in Fireplace .00
   I am not sure how that happened but agreed to pay that as well.

   Now from what I researched under the Texas Property code if the landlord does not either return security deposit or itemized deductions they are acting in bad faith and cannot charge for damages and must return the security deposit. I am not saying I won't pay for any fees for some of the mess because I will but I feel she is taking it to the extreme and just does not want to give it back to me. Let me also include that she picked up the keys on 1-26-11 and the next day they converted the garage into a bedroom and the trash she had hauled from the back also included the trash she had from the garage and from her move in on 1-28-11. I saw the invoice from the haul/lawn company and it was dated 2-11-11 and I have neighbors confirming this.

   As far as the charges she only paid for the extermination and the holes in the walls but just got bids on the others. Can she do this to me? Are these acceptable fees? Should I be charged for each one? I am just a little upset she always said how nice we made her house look and made all repairs except for a/c on our own paid on time in fact almost a week early everytime. It seems her breast implant cost her to much and now she has bids but no actual receipts to return at least my pro-rated rent or a portion of the deposit. So I am very upset and am thinking of consulting an attorney but not sure if I would even have a chance. Help! I need some advice. Should I just swallow the bitter pill and pay these crazy fees??

   • ANSWER:
     lets look at the questionable ones you listed.

     First, Texas Security Deposits are covered under the Texas Property Code, §92.101 - §92.109, protecting the rights of renters regarding their security deposit.

     According to Texas law, the landlord has 30 days to return the deposit or give an itemized list of deductions.

     Jan 26th to March 4th is greater than 30 days.

     !) The A/C, if she can prove that the dirty air filters led to the problem, then you will have to pay, if you go to court, you may get the judge to reduce the cost, or ignore it if the repairs have not been made.

     2) Junk hauling, in court, if you can prove that the amount included her trash as well as yours, again, the amount may be reduced, this one is tricky, you can't just ignore it and assume that 'they will sort it out between them'.

     3) hole in the backyard, again, if the work was done while you were living there, then it was your responsibility to make sure it was completed, you need to call AT&T and follow up on that one yourself.

     4) Painting, this should be in your lease, assuming you were there for a year, then you are not responsible for repainting, that said, if you painted the walls a different color (brown) then the landlord can charge you for repainting to a 'normal' color, off white or eggshell.

     5) Exterminator, unless your lease states that you will pay for extermination to the property when you leave, she can't charge you for it. She certainly can't bill you for a years service contract.

     Do I think you have a case? Absolutely. I think you need to file in small claims court, start with requesting the entire deposit back, if you can prove that she acted in bad faith, you can collect 3 times your security deposit back.

     If the total you are seeking is 5000.00 or less, small claims court is the avenue to take.

     If I were your landlord, I would negotiate your fees down to no less than the hole in the fireplace, the hole in the wall, painting, backyard mowing, 1/4 the cost of the junk hauling (assuming you can prove that they also hauled her trash) and half of the A/C repair (less if you can prove that you religiously changed the filter). for a total of 635.00.

     Start with an attempt at negotiating, then send a registered letter disputing the claims, then file a suit.

5. QUESTION:
   Tenant Security Deposit/Tenant right's?
   Please be patient this is a pretty detailed list of reasons and details following my move out.

   I recieved a notice to vacate in December due to my landlord wanting to move back into the residence to save money. My lease was up on Feb 2, 2011 but due to my landlord having surgery (implants)she asked if I moved out a week or two early she would pro-rate the rent. I surrendered my keys to her on January 26, 2011 which she would owe me for 5 days of rent which she said she would return to me with my security deposit. She then picked up the keys at my new residence only 4 houses down from my old one (the one she currently resides in). After several text messages and phone calls she failed to let me know about the deposit. I recieved a certified letter postmarked March 4, 2011 with a list of deductions from the deposit plus an additional 777.41 on top of that. Here is the list with some explanations.

   A/C coil/blower cleaning 0.00
   She states due to dirty air filters. We changed them once a month and the outside unit went out 7/09 and she did not get the inside serviced she only had the outside unit installed with a used unit that cost her 0.00.

   Junk Hauling 0.00
   This is due to a new privacy fence the neighbor put up without any money from the LL he bought all wood himself and my husband helped with the labor, but he left all wood in our yard stating since she did not help out money wise with the fence she could haul it away but now she is charging us for that. I felt this was an issue between them two.

   Hole in backyard $ 175.00
   The phone company was putting in new lines and dug a hole in the yard but did not come to fill it or finish the work. I did not have service with AT&T I had Time Warner so I feel that is definantly not my responsibility. She states she called and they have no records of this.

   Back Yard Mowing 0
   Due to the large hole and the fence it was hard to weed eat around it and due to a rainy January we did not cut the grass in the back so I feel I should be held responsible for that.

   Exterminator 7.09
   She had an exterminator come out and perform pest control and she recieved a years service and took that out of my deposit. I can understand being charged for a month but a whole year come on?

   Painting 0.00
   Upon move in the house was painted crazy with one blue wall and the rest white but with dirty hand prints everywhere and she gave us permission to paint it so we painted it dark brown to cover the dirt and because it matched our furniture. Which made the house look quite nice. Also we put in flooring in the kitchen at our own expense to make the house look nice which we understood this was something we would not be getting credit of we did that on our own. We just like our house to look nice and presentable for our guests.

   Hole behind bedroom door .00
   There was no door stop so this caused a small hole where knob hit the wall. This I agreed to pay.

   Hole in Fireplace .00
   I am not sure how that happened but agreed to pay that as well.

   Now from what I researched under the Texas Property code if the landlord does not either return security deposit or itemized deductions they are acting in bad faith and cannot charge for damages and must return the security deposit. I am not saying I won't pay for any fees for some of the mess because I will but I feel she is taking it to the extreme and just does not want to give it back to me. Let me also include that she picked up the keys on 1-26-11 and the next day they converted the garage into a bedroom and the trash she had hauled from the back also included the trash she had from the garage and from her move in on 1-28-11. I saw the invoice from the haul/lawn company and it was dated 2-11-11 and I have neighbors confirming this.

   As far as the charges she only paid for the extermination and the holes in the walls but just got bids on the others. Can she do this to me? Are these acceptable fees? Should I be charged for each one? I am just a little upset she always said how nice we made her house look and made all repairs except for a/c on our own paid on time in fact almost a week early everytime. It seems her breast implant cost her to much and now she has bids but no actual receipts to return at least my pro-rated rent or a portion of the deposit. So I am very upset and am thinking of consulting an attorney but not sure if I would even have a chance. Help! I need some advice. Should I just swallow the bitter pill and pay these crazy fees??

   • ANSWER:
     Go to a local reputable real estate office and ask them to refer you to a lawyer that can help you. Usually offices work with ones that get the job done in a way that gets people to come back as customers. Hope this helps and good luck.

     You can investigate these things on your own too. Like the hole in the backyard. Don't just rely on her word.

     IMPORTANT: DON'T PAY ANY MORE MONEY UNTIL YOU TALK TO A LAWYER THAT WILL HELP YOU.