Custom homes discussions and local services.
roberth37
Discussion activity
Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Choosing between energy efficiency or water savings for green building points?
CHOOSING BETWEEN ENERGY EFFICIENCY OR WATER SAVINGS FOR GREEN BUILDING POINTS? Funny you mention resale value - had a project a few years back where we went heavy on energy upgrades, and buyers actually asked about insu...
RE: Sink fixtures driving me nuts lately
Sink Fixtures Driving Me Nuts Lately You nailed it - those “statement” fixtures look great in the showroom, but in the real world? I can’t count how many times I’ve gotten a call from a homeowner about some ultra-modern...
RE: Building green? Watch out for those sneaky VOCs
That lines up with what I’ve seen on a couple of my smaller projects. The air felt cleaner, but yeah, the extra coats were a pain. I guess if you’re not in a rush, it’s a fair trade-off. I do wonder if the longevity is a...
RE: Just put in a new kitchen sink and wondering if anyone else struggled this much
Funny you mention the tilt-out trays. I put one in during a reno thinking it’d keep things tidy, but honestly, it ended up being a junk collector for random screws and bottle caps. Maybe I just don’t have the discipline ...
RE: Appraisal came in lower than expected - now what?
That hits home. I’ve had projects where we poured money into things like upgraded HVAC, spray foam insulation, and even a tankless water heater - stuff that makes a real difference in how the place feels and what it cost...
RE: Struggling to keep walls straight when building with lumber
Interesting approach, being picky definitely helps. I remember one project where we did exactly that, but still had some minor bowing after a few months. Wonder if humidity or storage conditions play a bigger role than w...
RE: Bank loan vs. investor funding, which makes more sense?
I've been down both roads, and honestly, the structured approach banks take can be a lifesaver when your ideas start spiraling out of control. A few years ago, I was working on a residential project - had all these grand...
RE: Hammer vs nail gun - what's your go-to?
You're right about the cold affecting lithium-ion batteries - I learned that the hard way last winter. Left my cordless nailer in the truck overnight during a cold snap, and next morning it was barely firing. Thought I'd...
RE: Construction's done, now what - stick with builder's lender or shop around?
We had something similar happen when we were finishing up a small development last year. Everything looked great on paper, and the lender seemed straightforward enough - until suddenly, out of nowhere, we saw these "docu...
RE: Struggling to understand window insulation ratings and it's driving me nuts
Totally agree on the SHGC thing - didn't even know what it was until my contractor explained it. I went mid-range thinking it'd balance things out, but summers here are brutal, and now I'm wishing I'd gone lower... hinds...