Custom homes discussions and local services.
richard_johnson
Discussion activity
Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Digging up the backyard: found more than just dirt
Had a similar surprise when I started digging for a garden bed - ran into a layer of old bricks and what looked like a buried drainpipe. Took way longer than I expected to clear it all out. Kind of interesting, but I agr...
RE: Estimating building expenses: what tools or sites do you trust?
Estimating Building Expenses: What Tools Or Sites Do You Trust? We ran into similar issues during our build - especially with those hidden fees. I remember budgeting for tile after using an online calculator, only to fi...
RE: Keeping things cool when arguments heat up
I get where you’re coming from, but I actually like the open concept for arguments - hear me out. When things get tense, it’s harder to just storm off and stew in another room. You kind of have to face each other, which ...
RE: No more dead zones: how I got wifi in my backyard shed
I had the same question when I started looking into WiFi bridges for my place. The marketing always talks about “line of sight,” but it’s not always clear just how strict that is. From what I’ve read (and tried myself), ...
RE: Finally upgraded my living room lights - anyone else tried smart bulbs?
I totally get the appeal of smart switches, especially in a house where not everyone wants to use their phone or voice to turn on the lights. I went with smart bulbs in my new place mostly because I liked the color optio...
RE: Building greener: simple swaps that make a difference
Building Greener: Simple Swaps That Make a Difference I get the hesitation on heat pumps, but I actually went for one last year after a ton of research. The upfront cost was rough, but there were some local rebates that...
RE: WHERE DO YOU EVEN START WITH HIRING SOMEONE TO DESIGN YOUR HOUSE?
WHERE DO YOU EVEN START WITH HIRING SOMEONE TO DESIGN YOUR HOUSE? I hear you on feeling awkward about pushing back on the designer. When we started our custom home process, I honestly had no clue what was “normal” to as...
RE: What If Your Home’s Airflow Suddenly Went Haywire?
I can relate to this a bit too well. When we moved into our new place, I was all about the smart thermostat and those fancy air quality sensors. I figured if anything went off, the system would just tell me what’s wrong....
RE: Brick veneer or real brick walls - worth the extra hassle?
I went with real brick walls in my living room, and while I love the look and feel, I have to admit the acoustics were a bit tricky at first. Like you mentioned: We ended up adding some thick rugs and curtains, which ...
RE: Color combos that oddly please the brain
Your point about lighting is spot-on. When we moved into our new place, I went with a deep plum and soft sage combo in the living room - honestly wasn't sure at first. But once we swapped out the harsh ceiling fixture fo...
RE: Color combos that oddly please the brain
I wasn't convinced about dusty rose at first either, but after seeing it paired with charcoal gray in our guest room, it really grew on me. It's subtle yet sophisticated, and guests always compliment it... Sage and eggpl...
RE: Just put in a new kitchen sink and wondering if anyone else struggled this much
Totally relate to the silicone struggle - spent way too long scraping off dried bits afterward. Thought I'd save money doing it myself, but after the third alignment attempt, I was seriously questioning my life choices.....
RE: Digging into property easements - anyone else find online tools confusing?
Yeah, that's a fair concern - local governments usually aren't built to keep pace with tech trends. When I was researching easements before building my place, I noticed how quickly online resources became outdated or inc...
RE: Just put in a new kitchen sink and wondering if anyone else struggled this much
Haha, sounds painfully familiar... I recently tackled my first kitchen sink install and thought I'd save a few bucks with plastic fittings. Big mistake. Ended up with a slow drip that drove me nuts for days until I final...
RE: Navigating construction loans without losing your sanity
That's definitely solid advice, but honestly, I found that too much documentation sometimes made things feel overly complicated. For me, having a single point of contact at the lender who knew my project inside-out was m...