That hits close to home—literally. I’ve worked on a bunch of these old bungalows, and you never know what you’ll find once you open up the walls. One ...
I’ve seen PEX hold up just fine in remodels I did over a decade ago, but you’re right—install is everything. Had a job where a guy used bargain-bin fi...
Had a kitchen reno a while back where the owner insisted on keeping the original oak floors. I was a little skeptical at first, but with the right fin...
I’ve actually had mixed results with that delicate surface tape. Sometimes it’s a lifesaver on fresh paint, but honestly, I’ve seen it still pull up t...
Honestly, you nailed it—those “LED compatible” switches are hit or miss. I’ve swapped out a bunch for clients and sometimes it’s smooth, other times y...
That lines up with what I’ve seen too. I once did a full kitchen refresh in a rental—new backsplash, swapped out the old fluorescent light for somethi...
Totally get where you’re coming from on the “kitchen or not” debate—seen so many folks hit that same wall. I’ve built a couple of these backyard units...
I hear you on the closet door thing—been there, done that, probably spent way too long fussing over a 1/16" gap that nobody else would ever see. Funny...
I get the appeal of a quick fix, but honestly, those cardboard shims tend to compress over time and you end up right back where you started. I’ve swap...
Couldn't agree more about the imperfections. Reminds me of a client who was stressing over uneven plaster on their ceiling beams. After we finished st...
Good call on the linseed oil—I used it on a client's porch last summer, and it held up surprisingly well through winter. Just make sure to wipe off ex...
Had a client who did something similar—he kept everything neatly organized in a binder, even labeled it "IRS Survival Kit," haha. Seemed overkill at f...
Totally agree with this. Had a kitchen remodel last year where the inspector flagged my wiring layout. Turned out the confusion was just over labeling...
I've sealed a couple patios after using polymeric sand, and honestly, it's worth it if you pick the right sealer. I remember one client who insisted o...
Couldn't agree more about the ledger board. A few years back, I was called out to fix a deck that had started pulling away from the house—turned out t...