STRUGGLING WITH VENTILATION INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS LATELY - Honestly, I get the urge to document everything, but sometimes I think it just adds more...

- You’re spot on about the discipline that comes with staged payments. I’ve seen clients get carried away with upgrades when they get a big chunk, and...

WHAT’S A “NORMAL” LENGTH FOR CONSTRUCTION LOANS THESE DAYS? - Twelve months is what I keep seeing too, but honestly, it’s not a one-size-fits-all sit...

- Ran into this exact issue on a client’s home office conversion. Original slab was fine for light use, but when they wanted to add built-ins and a bi...

MY ADVENTURE WITH DIY CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS - Permeable concrete is interesting, but it’s not always as “set and forget” as people think. I’ve seen it...

Totally get where you’re coming from. Here’s what I see all the time: - Kitchens and baths are the “money rooms” for appraisers, even if you’ve got a...

Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen plenty of buyers walk away from homes that felt “dated” even if they had top-notch efficiency ...

I get the struggle—version control can be a headache. My workaround: - Always date-stamp filenames clearly (like "KitchenPlan_10-12-23_v2"). - Keep a...

Exactly. I've seen interiors ruined by moisture issues behind brick walls—beautiful finishes warped, paint peeling, and don't even get me started on m...

Good call on skipping the skylights—those things can be a headache down the road. Seen too many clients regret them later (leaks, maintenance, glare i...

Yep, learned this the hard way too. I've noticed appraisers often prefer doing their own digging, so handing over too much info upfront can backfire. ...

Totally agree on Zigbee bulbs—Wi-Fi bulbs drove me nuts with random disconnects. A few quick points from my experience: - Battery backup on the hub i...