Remodeling discussions and local services.
kimhiker
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Topics and replies this member has contributed.
RE: Delayed payments driving me nuts - does this ever get easier?
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had a couple of deals go sideways because I was *too* rigid with the process. Sometimes folks who seem like they’re trying to shortcut things aren’t necessarily flaky - t...
RE: How to spot if your home is actually quake-ready
Totally get where you’re coming from about those sneaky little cracks. I’ve been burned before thinking, “Eh, just a bit of paint and we’re good,” only to find out later the house was doing the cha-cha underneath me. Her...
RE: Navigating the do’s and don’ts of fixing up your place
Man, I’ve been there - standing in front of a mess of wires or insulation and just thinking, “Is this future me’s problem?” Here’s what I usually do: if the wiring looks sketchy or super old, I’ll at least replace the wo...
RE: Need ideas for draining my pool without flooding the yard
I’ve drained a few pools over the years, and I’ll second the utility pump advice - though I’d add a couple things I learned the hard way. First, double-check your hose connections before you start. One time I thought eve...
RE: how much should I budget to renovate a beach house?
I’ve worked with fiber cement siding a couple times, and honestly, it’s held up better than I expected near the coast. The install’s a bit of a pain - heavy stuff, and you need to be careful with the cuts - but once it’s...
RE: Just hit 20 years with the same HVAC - am I just lucky?
Funny you mention tracking gas usage - I started doing that a few winters back after my neighbor kept bragging about his “ultra-efficient” new furnace. Turns out, my old beast wasn’t guzzling as much as I thought, especi...
RE: Smart lights vs smart switches for yard setup?
I get the appeal of smart switches for bigger setups, but honestly, I’ve had more luck with a hybrid approach - switches for the main runs, then a couple of smart plugs or bulbs for accent stuff. That way, if one thing g...
RE: how often do you actually check your deck for safety?
Haha, I feel this. I've definitely been guilty of the "build-it-and-forget-it" approach myself, but after a similar incident (thankfully no drinks were harmed in mine), I started doing quick deck checks every spring and ...
RE: finally got our storm shelter checked out and passed with flying colors
Totally agree on the drainage angle - good call. One thing I'd add: make sure your downspouts actually direct water away from the shelter. I had mine dumping too close at first...just extending them a few feet made a not...
RE: my house is getting smarter than me, and it's kinda weird
Totally get where you're coming from. I've tackled a bunch of DIY remodels, and every time I dive into smart home tech, I end up questioning if it's worth the hassle. Like when I installed smart lighting in my kitchen - ...