Custom homes discussions and local services.
mariob57
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: What if your city paid you to use less water?
WHAT IF YOUR CITY PAID YOU TO USE LESS WATER? You nailed it with “old habits die hard.” I’ve been in my place for 18 years and honestly, there’s still a chunk of folks who expect that classic green lawn out front. Whe...
RE: When You Think You Know Better Than Your Lawyer
WHEN YOU THINK YOU KNOW BETTER THAN YOUR LAWYER I’ve been there - thought I could just “figure it out” and save a few bucks. Turns out, those codes are written in a way that makes you second-guess every step. I doubt mo...
RE:
I’ve run into that with old oak beams - borate just doesn’t seem to soak in much. I tried drilling a few small holes and injecting it, but honestly, it’s a pain. Oils look great, but yeah, bugs are a nightmare. Sometimes...
RE: Weekend crafts: do you prefer building from scratch or upcycling old stuff?
That’s fair, and I get the appeal of the quirks - sometimes those little flaws are what make a piece stand out. I’ve had a few “surprises” myself, like finding a drawer full of old screws and nails in a thrifted dresser....
RE: Choosing the Right Grips for Your Doors
Choosing The Right Grips For Your Doors I hear you on the mixed finishes - sometimes it works, but with kids in the house, it usually just ends up looking like a before-and-after photo. I tried painting some old brass h...
RE: When the night sky turns to day: what if your neighborhood was lit up 24/7?
WHEN THE NIGHT SKY TURNS TO DAY: WHAT IF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WAS LIT UP 24/7? I hear you on those blinding porch lights - one of my neighbors has a setup that could land planes. Honestly, it’s not just personal preference...
RE: Appraisal came in lower than expected - now what?
Yeah, lenders just don’t care about your utility savings yet. We had the same issue - spent a fortune on upgrades, but the appraiser barely blinked. Did you try submitting any documentation from your builder or installer...
RE: Smart thermostats and chill vibes
I've tried the hybrid setup you're considering, and honestly, it didn't really solve my issues. Geofencing lagged behind sometimes, and sensors still got confused by my cat's midnight adventures. Ended up ditching both a...
RE: Looking for affordable land - any hidden gems?
Permeable paving is decent, but honestly, it can get pricey fast if you're covering a larger area. Have you considered gravel driveways with proper drainage underneath? I did that on a property a few years back - worked ...
RE: My Adventure With DIY Concrete Foundations
Did you end up putting landscape fabric around your drainage tile, or just gravel? Clay's definitely a beast - learned that the hard way myself when I redid my patio. Thought I'd skip the fabric to save a few bucks, and ...
RE: Anyone else feel awkward talking to their TV?
Transparency would help, but honestly, does anyone really trust companies to fully disclose that stuff? I've just disabled voice control entirely - felt weird at first, but now I barely notice it's gone.