Denver Modern Remodel Gets Drywall

Before and after remodeling pictures and drywall advice and tips…

The first picture is the Raleigh House in Denver Highlands before we began remodeling the upstairs. It is rare to find a vaulted ceiling in the Sloan’s Lake / NW Denver area. About five years ago this home was “exploded” from it’s original 1949 brick ranch… a “fix and flip” by a guy who still lives in the neighborhood.

I do not recommend buying a fix and flip. Before buying a “recently remodeled” house, find out how long the remodeler lived there. A quality remodel is more likely if the home was owned for at least two years by the owner who had the work completed.

When we purchased the house the stairs inside only led to a small carpeted loft “sitting room”. Wooden doors on either side led to unfinished rooms…plywood floors, exposed framing, no windows and limited electricity. 

Terry Bickford before he tears out the wall

 

The additional bathroom was to be built in the large unfinished room but decided against it as having the bathroom door right next to the TV was pretty unappealing. The bathroom was redesigned and moved to the loft area. 

Wall down, door framed (far back wall), bathroom framed (right)

 

Below, the drywall has been put in place. It is finally starting to look like a house again! 

Drywall in & Josh mudding the bathroom seams.

Drywall advice:

1. Hire someone!

2. Write out a list of everything you need completed, including protective coverings and clean up. 

3. Get at least three bids (ours ranged from $2600-$7500 for the same job)
     -Ask for a recommendation from friends and family
     -Check Angie’s List for A+ contractors (that’s how we found Torress Drywall 303.358.9248)

4. After at least three companies/contractors walk through the house with you, add to/revise your list (it is amazing what you learn from these contractors by the questions they ask)

5. Make sure that you give this list to the drywall boss to make sure expectations are set before work begins

6. Mark outlets and electrical fixture hook-ups that you don’t want drywalled over. Do it and talk to the head guy about talking to his guys about it.

7. Make sure to get an inspection on the drywall before tape and mud are applied. The inspector wants to see that enough screws were put in and in the right places. (Do you have a permit to do the work? You should.) 

8. Make a payment AFTER all work is complete and satisfactory.

 

Additional Notes:

* 5/8 inch drywall thickness is for the ceiling
* 1/2 inch for the walls 
* A carpenter or the drywall guys (ask first and put it in writing) will need to make sure the walls have the proper supports for drywall to be attached 
* 12″ between studs on bathroom ceilings with cement board and tile 

Other remodeling related posts of our home:

Bang, Bang, Bang 
Two Reasons to Pay Construction Contractors  
Skylight Drama   
Hallelujah    
Wrong House Color    
Hard Work Fun   
Bye-bye Bad Band   
Game: Find five things that are different    
The Cave

Recommended Denver Area Remodeling/New Construction Contractors:

Stucco
Denver Custom Plastering
Robert Davey 303.627.0066

Drywall
Torres Drywall
Marcello Torres 303.358.9248

Electrical
Cell Electric
Joe Boyd 720.989.7465

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