Custom homes discussions and local services.
jakeeditor
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Weighing the pros and cons of switching to a 15-year mortgage
That line - - hits home. When we moved into our current place, it was all shiny countertops and big plans, then reality set in with the “fun” surprise of a leaking roof and a furnace that quit in January. We stuck with ...
RE: Keeping the critters out: weird but effective tricks?
Keeping The Critters Out: Weird But Effective Tricks? You nailed it about the mice being determined - sometimes I think they’re smarter than half the folks I know. I’ve had my fair share of run-ins with them, especially...
RE: What happens if your house isn’t finished when it’s time to switch loans?
Title: What happens if your house isn’t finished when it’s time to switch loans? I’ve definitely run into the green certification headache - LEED in particular. There was this one project where we were technically code-...
RE: When Progress Hits a Wall: Surprising Facts About Failed Experiments
WHEN PROGRESS HITS A WALL: SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT FAILED EXPERIMENTS That sticky note over the fridge screen is hilarious - honestly, sometimes low-tech just wins. I remember when I first got a “smart” shower system ins...
RE: Color combos that oddly please the brain
Totally - seasonal swaps are a game changer. I once tried a deep burgundy velvet for winter and it made the whole space feel luxe, but come spring, it was way too heavy. Funny how just switching out a few accents can res...
RE: When Progress Hits a Wall: Surprising Facts About Failed Experiments
Couldn’t agree more, but I’ll admit - one of my favorite rooms came from a “mistake” when the tile order got mixed up. Ended up with a mosaic accent wall that everyone raves about now. Still, I’d trade the stress for pre...
RE: Making the switch to water-saving toilets: Worth it?
MAKING THE SWITCH TO WATER-SAVING TOILETS: WORTH IT? Pressure-assist models are a game changer, right? I went with a Toto for my last reno - definitely not the cheapest, but it’s been a dream. I used to joke that my old...
RE: Smart home ecosystems worth checking out
Title: Wireless Isn’t Always a Headache I get where you’re coming from - when we renovated last year, I was obsessed with hiding every cable. My partner joked I’d rather have a dead sensor than see a single wire. We did...
RE: When was the last time your city changed its construction rules?
That’s exactly it. I once had a permit delayed for weeks because the city switched to a new online portal - mid-application. It’s like, just when you think you’ve got the process down, they toss in a new hoop to jump thr...
RE: Finally visualized my apartment layout and it changed everything
Funny you mention the “just in case” regret - I’ve definitely had those moments. I once tossed a set of crystal glasses thinking I’d never use them, then ended up hosting a last-minute dinner party and had to scramble. S...
RE: Building base structures - what if you had to start over?
Couldn’t agree more - had a buddy who built his “dream home” on a gorgeous lot but didn’t pay attention to grading. Two years in and he’s got a moat every spring. Fancy insulation won’t save you from that mess...
RE: Dealing with itchy pink nightmare in my attic
Tyvek suits are a mixed bag, honestly. I tried one last year when I was crawling around my attic, and while it did keep most of the insulation off my skin, I felt like I was in a sauna after about 20 minutes. The built-i...
RE: Digging into property easements - anyone else find online tools confusing?
Yeah, exactly. My neighbor went through something similar - he'd been mowing and planting flowers on a strip of land for years, thinking it was his. Turned out it belonged to the city. Thankfully, they were pretty unders...
RE: Need advice on replacing an old leaky roof
Totally get where you're coming from on this. We went through something similar a couple years ago, and I remember being skeptical about the insulation upgrade too. At first, it felt like just another add-on to inflate t...
RE: Hammer vs nail gun - what's your go-to?
I totally get where you're coming from on the battery fade issue. Had a similar experience last summer when we were building a pergola in our backyard - started off strong, but halfway through the afternoon, the nails ju...