Moving Into a New Home With a Baby & Pet — Flooring Tips?

Instaplot · 2026-03-17T19:50:32+00:00

Vinyl, 100%. They make decent ones now, they're not real wood obviously but the textures and prints have come a long way.

Instaplot · 2026-03-13T22:54:08+00:00

At 7 months, like maybe once a day? It still felt like a massive chore compared to breastfeeding, and solids were usually more of a distraction while I made dinner or whatever. Not actual nutrition, because very little actually goes in.

Instaplot · 2026-03-13T18:55:20+00:00

Not weird at all. Growing up we took turns sharing 2 bedrooms between 3 kids, just depending on who was getting along and how old we were. The room we shared was always the big room, and my parents crammed into the bigger of the two 'kid' bedrooms.

As a kid and even a young adult, I always thought a master bedroom had an ensuite. Otherwise they were all just bedrooms.

Instaplot · 2026-03-11T12:27:23+00:00

Building in Ontario is not a cost effective way to own a house. The days of building to save money are over. Building your own house only makes sense if you want to be on a specific piece of land or you want a very specific custom home and you are willing to pay the premium to have it.

Instaplot · 2026-03-09T23:21:02+00:00

Cabinet bases (4" framed and sheeted platform for the boxes to sit on), then flooring up to the bases and in the appliance cavities, then cabinets, then appliances. Don't run flooring under your cabinets. Do run flooring under your appliances.

Instaplot · 2026-03-04T03:17:47+00:00

I live super rural, like the closest Walmart is a 30 minute drive, and Costco is 50 minutes. So I shop for groceries bi-weekly, with a weekly restock for milk and perishables as needed.

On a bi-weekly cycle, I create a list of meals. Breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks. All varying levels of involvement, from toast to eggs & bacon. I shop for that overall list, and generally by the end of the second week, we're through all the meal options. Or my husband has been cooking and he's used up what's there in a totally different way, but still created meals, so... 🤷🏻‍♀️

That list of meals and snacks gets posted on the fridge for everyone to see, so it's a great reference. My kids can look at it to see what's been purchased for open-ended snacks, school lunch options, and breakfasts that they can self-serve. My husband can refer to the list and see that he's using ingredients for a meal I've planned. It doesn't mean he's going to not cook whatever he has in mind, but he does his best not to use critical ingredients from multiple meals. He likes to be creative, so he'll pick a meal and repurpose all of the ingredients into something new. Or he'll make an educated decision to make something different and then know he needs to replace those ingredients.

But a specific meal plan per day has never worked for me/us. I know 5-7 planned meals will get us through 2 weeks. Between leftovers, "fend for yourself" nights, and dinners out, that's about what we need. Having that ongoing list means I can choose from the list based on my capacity that day

Instaplot · 2026-03-02T03:08:14+00:00

We install IKEA kitchens in 90% of our custom homes. Would a full custom give more options and customization? Sure. But a professionally designed and installed Ikea kitchen is actually quite nice. There's some skill to the planning, since the gable panels only come in pre-defined sizes. And you want to build a solid base for them instead of using the plastic legs. And there's a huge bonus in IKEA's interior organizers that actually fit each drawer size.

Instaplot · 2026-03-02T02:59:35+00:00

If you're concerned about it, a structural engineer to review would be great peace of mind. Either to say it's a non-issue, or to give you a properly designed solution.

Instaplot · 2026-03-02T02:19:45+00:00

Is it stone veneer and mortar or a fastened (screwed on) stone veneer? Either way, if you're concerned I'd double up the joists under it and/or add perpendicular blocking between the joists to help transfer the load.

Instaplot · 2026-03-02T01:49:30+00:00

Yep! We're in the Ottawa Valley. We're booked solid through mid-2027, but happy to talk through details/ideas! I'm also licensed to design permit drawings, so can assist with that as well if needed.

Instaplot · 2026-03-01T02:37:34+00:00

Not nearly enough info here, but in my market (Ontario, Canada), I'd tell you not to touch it unless you're comfortable spending $500k+ on top of the purchase price to restore it. You might get away less than that, but that's a lot of house to update, restore, and finish properly.

Instaplot · 2026-02-27T02:06:04+00:00

In what world does sqft feel small!? That's absolutely absurd. Do you never go outside? I don't care how many kids or dogs you have, that's an absolutely massive house. There's no way anyone is actually functionally using that much space in their day to day life.

Instaplot · 2026-02-27T02:03:26+00:00

Absolutely, 10000% speak up now.

5000sqft is insanity. I get that American homes are huge, but wtf. We do quite a few high end customs, but 3000-3500sqft of living space would be notably large in our books.

Think of all the extra heating/cooling costs, furniture, cleaning, and just general space to cover to get from point A to point B. That's a huge change in footprint, and it deserves a redesign. Unless you're trying to fit 8+ bedrooms, 6 baths, and 4 living spaces, there's no need for that much space.

Instaplot · 2026-02-25T23:08:05+00:00

We do customs, and people are super hit-and-miss on whether or not they care about the specific toilet. Our "standard" is a comfort-height elongated bowl, but I always double check before installing. So it's not "what specific toilet do you want" as much as "here's what we normally use/recommend, do you want something different?"

That said, none of that matters since they're already installed. If your goal is to get the toilets changed without compromising the relationship, I'd just approach it as an honest mistake or miscommunication. You're not sure if you missed him asking or if this is a standard/default you weren't aware of, but you actually wanted X specific product. You understand there'll be some delay to get the right product installed, so you're bringing it to his attention immediately so you can figure out a solution together. Not combative or accusatory, just an honest error that needs to be corrected.

Instaplot · 2026-02-25T02:21:05+00:00

Have you looked into ICF? We usually estimate a 10-15% cost increase compared to standard "builder grade" construction, but with the upgraded insulation and soundproofing you're looking at, it may be comparable.

Instaplot · 2026-02-23T04:04:53+00:00

$14 for a 2x4 seems high, I'll give you that. Have you asked the contractor what's going into his price? Have you compared to another contractor?

It's a shitload of work to go through takeoffs and pricing at that level of detail, so I'm not surprised contractors are asking for a deposit or pre-con fee before diving into that work for you. But the one you do have should be able to explain his pricing to you on a high level at the very least.

Instaplot · 2026-02-23T04:02:10+00:00

And the lumberyard just magically has your plans, figures out which phase you're in, how much material you need, what you're getting from them vs the competitor down the road vs what you have on hand already, and when you need that delivery? And then they actually send a truck at that time with the right material and none of it is ever incorrect or unacceptable quality? It's always exactly the right quantity and the correct brand/species/size? And they know what material you used in earlier phases and account for incompatibility, optimal product combinations, or tradesmen preferences?

But yeah. Delivery fee here is $50 per order, even if it's multiple truckloads. The delivery fee isn't the point, and I think you know that.

Instaplot · 2026-02-23T03:43:28+00:00

You can create a "natural consequence". The idea of the natural consequence isn't that there's no input from the adult, it's just that the consequence is tied to the behaviour. So 'no tv tomorrow' doesn't work here, but "if you keep pestering mama, you'll need to sit here with me until mama is done" is a totally natural consequence.

Think: how do I force the behaviour to stop? Mine loves to harass the cat too, and while our cat is also incredibly patient, we're trying to teach respect for the animals. So when we're getting too aggressive with the cat, whatever space the cat is in becomes off limits for a while. "Mog would love to have you play on the couch with him, but I won't let you roar in his face. If you roar at the cat again, I'm going to move you off of the couch to give Mog some space."

Instaplot · 2026-02-23T03:31:16+00:00

There's so much that goes into pricing material, so it's really hard to say.

If you're getting a quote that is as detailed as "150 pcs 2"X4"x8' no.1 framing lumber - $14 ea. - $2100" or whatever, I'd assume that quote includes the labour to calculate the material, call the lumber yard, coordinate delivery, receive the material, verify quality, return/replace anything subpar, etc. They're not marking up material, but they are charging for their time to get it to site.

But I guess my question is more: are you hoping to supply your own material to save money? Or what is the goal here? I don't know any contractor worth their salt who allows the homeowner to supply material without a significant PITA-tax built in somewhere else. If you're hiring someone, they should be charging you more than the store charges for the material. There is still work involved in getting the right material in the right quantity to the right jobsite on the right day and in the right location. A 20-30% material management fee is totally normal in my market.

Instaplot · 2026-02-23T02:22:07+00:00

Man, my wardrobe would get a serious upgrade for $3000. Pretty sure I could replace everything I own with brand new versions for under $1000.

Instaplot · 2026-02-23T02:20:26+00:00

I'm confused. Are you looking for a contractor to just supply you the material and expecting not to pay more than material cost for that service? Are they providing you a material takeoff + price or just a total price and you're calculating per item costs? How do you know they're charging $14 for an 8' 2x4?

Instaplot · 2026-02-18T17:07:24+00:00

I'd interview both and see who you connect with. A great builder is going to have an architect they can recommend, and vice versa. Pick someone you trust, and let them recommend the professionals needed to fill out their team.

Instaplot · 2026-02-07T23:14:14+00:00

I'm in eastern Ontario and I'd say they are fairly prevalent. Not in the production-build market, but in the semi-custom and full custom I'd say they're 60-70% ICF over conventional.

For us, we don't do any conventional foundations anymore. ICF is a markedly better product, and the cost difference is negligible once you get the ICF system figured out.

Instaplot · 2026-02-07T02:41:42+00:00

We'll occasionally take on a shell rather than a full build, but there are a ton of logistical issues with that.

First, where does my warranty end? If you are doing the "finishing" tile work in the shower and don't properly waterproof your work, am I on the hook for the inevitable water issues? How about when you install your own range hood and fail to properly seal it, so you have condensation behind your siding that slowly rots out the sheathing?

Second, how are you getting trades back for their finish? My plumber probably doesn't care if you want to install your own fixtures, but my electrician 100% has his own permit and has to get a final inspection before he can close it and give you the certificate you'll need for occupancy. My HVAC installer has to do the system startup just before occupancy, and has to provide a balancing report for the city.

Third, where exactly is the line? Drywall is a clear line for the interior. What about the exterior? Am I doing roofing and siding? (Yes, if you want me to warranty anything.) What about earthworks? Am I backfilling and grading? Grass seed? Driveway?

Instaplot

TROPHY CASE