What home improvement work did you do today?

Well after building my deck the wife said she didn’t want the Griddle or pizza oven on it so I had to build another deck for ‘cooking’. Anyways, my wallet, knees and back hurt but it’s done.




also, started to redo the garage and built a tote storage system. Takes up less space and uses the space way better.

 

Tell them demo the Sheetrock and plywood for the arch, use same width lumbers for plates and staggered the studs so you have a full width wall. And tell the client it’s better for noise reduction. Make a jamb extension for door. A 2 years apprentice could do better than that.

 

When I get my building next year, I will be doing the same. Already have a stack of empty totes for more aggressive organization and full totes to go through still. Looking forward to getting this all off my patio...

Speaking of patio, finished coating the roof. Missing cold beverages other than water right now, but it works.

Before:



After:



Spotting is just coating, it actually looks pretty decent this time around. Hoping to call it done, although I will go up and caulk some edges when it isnt 100 degrees outside.

 

I like the tote storage. Might attempt that myself if I can find time. I’ve been using $200 Whalen industrial racks for now, gets the job done and super stable. Some of my bins are pretty heavy. But that cubby approach is more compact, 5 high in about what I’m using for 4 and flexible width which would help me for some specific spots.

one thing I decided long ago, despite the cost penalty, clear bins only. So nice to see what’s inside vs having labels. More expensive though.

Did you anchor to the floor or are these freestanding? Toenail or build the studs on the ground as prefab walls?

Wish someone sold a kit for this out of steel.

 

Every bit of this has to go. Structural or not, it’s very poor craftsmanship. I wouldn’t let that pass in a garden shed remodel. It certainly isn’t close to meeting code requirements for that door framing, where’s the header supported by jackstuds to keep the house from settling and pinching your door closed?!! Looks like the home improvement version of “this just rolled in” when there’s spray foam and baling wire along with drywall screws holding a car together. If I was the contractor I would be embarrassed. If I was the framer I would look for a new line of work.

 

seems the professionals agree it’s shit

https://www.reddit.com/r/Carpentry/s/eGTYfHMSxx

 

Got my sprinklers going after being in my house for a year. We got a ton of rain last year, so i didn’t even bother turning them on. It’s been way drier this year so after a little troubleshooting and replacing heads, we’re good to go!

 

Based on my previous post I’m sick of hiring help right now. I have a few that need replaced. In a DIY scale how hard is it?

 

Not bad at all! Especially if you're just replacing heads, it'll take you longer to drive to Home Depot and buy the heads than it will to actually replace them. Just remove one of the broken heads and bring that with you so you can match up thread patterns. I think total I'm out less than $65 for five heads and some small spare fittings.

 

It is straight forward. You might as well get used to fixing the sprinkler system now as you will have experience for future repairs. I have lots of spare parts to be ready for a repair when needed. I’ve become comfortable with adding bubblers and added sprinkler heads. Water requirements change as the landscaping matures. Plants die off or are replaced over time.

 

Buy a whole bunch of different lengths fittings and return the wrong ones afterward.

 

Took down some trees and bushes in prep for a ground mount solar system. Gotta get a skid steer in here to grade it. Unfortunately those two oaks will be felled soon. Had to stop work as a doe decided to temporarily take up residence to give birth.

 

Have a tankless on propane and considering adding another smaller tankless under the kitchen (furthest fixture) so I can shut off the recirc and only run it when i need tonuse it. Waste of propane.

 

Step 1: Fire the framer.

Step 2: Tear out that abomination.

Step 3: Do literally anything else and have it turn out better.

 

I literally could have done that. Even my wife asked first thing, “aren’t they supposed to cut out that drywall to attach it”

 

Not really home improvement, but home building, haha. But the heck with it on this Fathers Day and I am getting some couch time for the first time in months. We are building and I am doing the work myself. Got a Bobcat e60 for the weekend. Dug the main power line (130 feet) and dug the sewer line out (200 feet). Also dug out where the 1,000 gallon under ground propane tank will go. Also tour out a bunch of waste concrete in the driveway when we poured the footers, foundation walls, and basement slab.

 

Anytime spent operating some heavy equipment is enjoyable.

 

That's why best practice for recirc with a tankless is to run the loop downstream of the heater with a small (like 2-5 gallon) tank heater.

 

Went and purchased a new property toy. Then I mowed the yard.

 

Nice. They originally built those about an hour from where I live. Headquarters is still there I think. Batesville, AR

 

Yeah, he got big and made some moves for sure. Owner has a house down this way too. I was torn on a couple different factors, but I am happy with my decision. At least, for now lol

 

There's the dog....haha.

 

Siding is now fitted and the gutter downspout is routed. I had to use some flashing material to make a “custom” chute for the water to follow under the downspout and keep it away from the ledger board and get the exit down to the concrete foundation. Probably totally unnecessary but I couldn’t leave it alone.



Still waiting for the electrician to install outlets and wiring for sconce lights, and post cap lights.

I’m also informed that a motorized roof mounted 16’X12’ awning is next. So I guess the sparky can install a box and switch for that too.

Pretty soon I’m going to be into this for $30K.

 

Nice!

I bought a new mower too. Just much smaller.



22” deck EGO with their aluminum deck so it can run 3350 RPM, I guess blade speeds that high aren’t legal with composite mower decks.



The old Husqvarna is going to storage, if we buy a rental I’ll let the tenants use it.

 

Well this has turned into an absolute nightmare…..we went with a big East coast company because of their reputation and reviews. Paid more than we should but wanted the peace of mind that they knew what they were doing. The county inspector has come three times and failed them…..for the past nine days absolutely no work has been done (on a job that the contract says would take 3-5 days to complete). I have called the office manager twice with no response to get an update on why they haven’t shown up and what’s going on. I am trying to be patient and understanding but the lack of communication is unacceptable to me. Running a business that way is beyond my comprehension and I have no patience for it, especially after they have $25k of my money. Next course of action is to get a lawyer involved but I want to try to play nice as they still have a ton of work to do and I don’t want them to just slap it together. Kind of at a loss here………I have considered calling the inspector to see what’s going on as well.

 

Step one would be to withhold any further payment if you haven't already. A delay longer than the duration of the schedule is absolutely unacceptable without a viable reason (natural disaster or equivalent). If their office is located locally, I'd just show up and ask WTF is going on, that's a classic one. They can't ignore you if you're standing at the front desk lol. The fact that they would fail inspection three times on a non load bearing structure is pretty fishy as well. I'm sure there's strict requirements for hurricane ties to fight uplift and things like that, but if they charge that much money, I would at least expect them to be fluent with the local codes. I wouldn't shy away from calling your local building inspector and explaining the situation. If you're working with a larger contractor then they likely have some experience with them and might be able to help. That's a bummer that you're in that situation, it seems that the days of builders and contractors doing the right thing have all since past. Best of luck and keep up posted as things progress.

 

All of this. Bluntly put, I know we all want to be nice, and being respectful is always a good thing...but a contract is a two-way street and you and I both know there's no way in HELL they would fail to enforce said contract if you fell short on your part (e.g., didn't make payments or the like).

One thing I did learn when having work done - I never go with a company based on reviews alone. I check reviews and the like and THEN I specifically ask the elderly people where I live who *THEY* would go with for two reasons:

1. They've been around a while and know things.
2. They won't hesitate to get crochety on you, so if THEY are happy that means something.

 

Yes sir, he is still being a PITA and not losing his trauma..... but he is still here near me at all times. He did not like the mower and followed me around for the first hour or so before he went a dug a hole to hide in.

Nice! And you spent a lot less, who is the real winner here LOL. Good luck with the new setup, everyone I know with those love them and hope the same for you!

I will not like this.... good luck getting this resolved!

 

Found the contractor he’s working with

 

It's nice to see that you kept him and are working with him. You have had him long enough that he is attached to his pet parent.