Home Buyin/Maintenance Thread - Where most of us are 30ish but act 47. Oh, and fuck home inspectors

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by Swim Cantore, May 4, 2015.

  1. kinghill

    kinghill Cool American Flavour
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    god Damn IT my a/c is fucking up AGAIN. This damn thing is a little less than 5 years old and shouldn't be fucking up so much.

    Really not trusting this company who has serviced/repaired it. Feel like I've been ripped off. But want to figure out the problem and have them come fix it for free/under warranty.

    How much would ya'll expect to pay/have paid for AC company adding refrigerant? A simple diagnostic come out and determine it's low and add. (and yes, I know the only reason I should have to add is if there is a leak. And they "fixed" the leak 9 months ago.)
     
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  2. infected donkey

    infected donkey Arkansas Razorbacks
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    What brand of unit is it? I had issues with my old condensing coil because it used two dissimilar metals and it was an issue with it so I got a different unit all together.
     
  3. kinghill

    kinghill Cool American Flavour
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  4. NC Wolfpack

    NC Wolfpack Go Pack Go
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    Removing popcorn ceiling, refacing cabinets, adding wetbar, and new floors throughout home all being completed in next 3-4 months.
     
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  5. NC Wolfpack

    NC Wolfpack Go Pack Go
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    Yes, significantly off the highs from the past two years. Comparing to long term, we are still high, but many consider this to be the “new trading range”. Interest rates, builder confidence, and additional capacity in the supply chain has led to the drop.

    With that being said, don’t expect pricing to drop over night. A lot of dealers sell off of average cost and have weeks to months of inventory on site or already ordered.
     
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  6. HuskerInMiami

    HuskerInMiami Well-Known Member
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    Funshot Residue . Do you have any opinion on this? Does the quote seem about right? Any tips for things to look out for? I'm meeting with the contractor on Monday to go through the process.
     
  7. Funshot Residue

    Funshot Residue Mammoth Stabber
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    Will look at it again in the morning and reply. Today has turned into a shitshow.
     
  8. fish

    fish Impossible, Germany
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    Went out to transfer clothes from washing machine to dryer, opened the lid, clothes are sitting in water. Fiddled with the dial, machine will agitate but will not drain and spin.

    It’s not the lid switch, most likely the water pump died. It’s an old Kenmore so I think it’s time to move on.
     
  9. AptosDuck

    AptosDuck Pedantic Hausfrau
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    I've replaced evacuation pumps on my dishwasher and washing machine. Not that hard with help from YouTube videos, and a lot cheaper than replacing the unit
     
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  10. fish

    fish Impossible, Germany
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    Damn it, I ordered a new pump. Gonna try to fix it… again.
     
  11. dblplay1212

    dblplay1212 Well-Known Member
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    Yea HELOC boom incoming. If you can't move due to rates, might as well use the equity you have to upgrade your home to something you love.
     
  12. LSU90

    LSU90 Well-Known Member

    Wife and I have been working on plans and details for a 300k reno/addition since June of last year. Finally got our last bid back yesterday for 439k and its not even everything we want. We pulled the plug on the whole thing today. Everything is insane right now including interest rates, contractor prices, material prices, material lead times, etc. Just due to interest rates, the difference in our projected monthly note went up $1,100 between December and today. An extra 300k+ in just interest alone over the course of the loan.

    In the meantime just going to keep banking cash that would have gone towards the increased mortgage from the reno and be ready to pull the trigger when everything gets better whether thats in 1 year or 5 years. In the meantime we started making a list of smaller projects that our cash can easily cover and wouldnt overlap with our future renovation. I think we have definitely reached the point where unless you 100% have to build/do a large renovation (especially if it requires a loan) right now, just wait and save up some cash that you would have used for the loan payment. Thats coming from someone who was a lets do it regardless of what it costs because we will get it back in home value and quality of life. Sucks but is what it is.
     
  13. Funshot Residue

    Funshot Residue Mammoth Stabber
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    Some thoughts, in general:
    -With the stuff you are providing, you're going to be a ways over $100k for a 375 sq/ft structure. I am NOT saying that's too much, but make damn sure you're satisfied with every detail before you pull the trigger. I'm reluctant to give ROI advice, especially where it means family proximity. I could see this project being massive value added, moreso if you plan to be there for the long term.
    -Small space design can be really cool, done well. It can also be a lifelong pain in the ass, done poorly. Oft overlooked in this style of construction are mechanical spaces. Where is the water heater going? What kind of HVAC system is being used (says includes main house?)? If this is for your Mom, maybe include her, or at least make sure it will meet her needs in the future (dumb stuff like grab bar capabilities, etc.)
    -Double check electrical service requirements. Around here we have 100A min sub panels for accessory living structures. Make sure existing house service won't suffer, if new space is being fed from there.
    -What is septic plan? No pump system I hope (space concerns).
    -Have you worked with the contractor before? Feel like they will be considerate of your property/driveway/lawn as possible? I always include a line about clean up and repairs of site.
    -That's the easy/quick stuff. Holler if you need help. Site pictures/plans would be helpful if you have specific questions. Apologies if I hit the high spots, big day and I have to run out of the office here pretty quick.
     
  14. Boo MFer!

    Boo MFer! No longer a cog in some powerhouse machine
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    Funshot Residue I know you aren’t a pool builder but hoping you can provide some perspective on costs here. We’ve been getting quotes on a pool. Assuming we officially enter a recession before the end of the year, what do you think will happen to pool construction prices? Wife is concerned about buying at the absolute high point right now and then the market cratering in six months. My retort is we live in an affluent area that’s not likely to be impacted by normal market conditions all that much. I can’t imagine demand drops all that much here and vendors have always upcharged here because of our zip code. Thoughts?
     
  15. Det. Frank Bullitt

    Det. Frank Bullitt God Bless Texas
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    Thanks for the update. Seeing your post jogged my memory and I was curious if you ever went for it. You sound pretty rational and your decision seems to line up.
     
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  16. Funshot Residue

    Funshot Residue Mammoth Stabber
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    I think a.tramp is probably more qualified than I am. I'll submit that in general, business owners will become more aggressive (cheaper pricing) IF economic downturn becomes reality. Agreed that this is less applicable for high end or high volume contractors. My gut (worth very little) is that waiting may save you a bit, and won't actually cost you much pool time. I'll defer to trampster on the specifics, as he's more immersed in that line of work.
     
  17. a.tramp

    a.tramp Insubordinate and churlish
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    Honestly, you would know more about new construction of pools than I do in regards to pricing and demand. I know that may sound silly but it is not. I only deal in existing pools and once they are built, there lies a necessity to keep them up and running less they become a health & safety hazard. But demand for new build and pricing, along with recession concerns, I have no clue.

    All I can say is on the repair side, I have never really slowed in work when the economy turns south. But that is mostly because people are already saddled with the pool.
     
  18. Rabid

    Rabid Fan of: DQ Treats
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    I read a survey of pool builders this week. Builders are still mostly in backlog until 2023. Supply chains/parts delays has extended the timeline for builds and that is contributing to the backlog. On the margin, supply chain delays and inflation is leading to some reduction in size or scope of projects (for instance doing pool now but delaying an outdoor kitchen build for a couple years). 75% of builders forecast 2023 to be flat to decline for their sales which should help improve timelines and labor costs. Pricing is still going up at present but a softer 2023 could reduce that (but, yeah right in this economy).

    Fwiw, the responses were heavily weighted toward FL and TX.
     
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  19. Boo MFer!

    Boo MFer! No longer a cog in some powerhouse machine
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    This is exactly the route we’ve talked about going. One idea was pool and footers now. Cage and outdoor kitchen later.
     
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  20. Imurhuckleberry

    Imurhuckleberry Avid spectator of windmill warriors
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  21. Boo MFer!

    Boo MFer! No longer a cog in some powerhouse machine
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  22. ned's head

    ned's head Well-Known Member
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  23. Imurhuckleberry

    Imurhuckleberry Avid spectator of windmill warriors
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    Looking for the ability to make golden hour light anytime we want. And different hues for cooking etc. I’m looking at 20 bulbs for just the living room and the kitchen though.
     
  24. Imurhuckleberry

    Imurhuckleberry Avid spectator of windmill warriors
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    Thanks!
     
  25. Name P. Redacted

    Name P. Redacted I have no money and I'm also gay
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    Have fun setting all that shit up. NOT. Smart switches are the way to go
     
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  26. ned's head

    ned's head Well-Known Member
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    Gotcha. I have these above my fireplace and they've been flawless on the color changing and scheduling. I like that you don't need a hub.

    GE CYNC Smart Light Bulbs with Bluetooth and Wifi, Alexa and Google Home Compatible, Full Color Changing, Dimmable, A19 Bulb Shape (2 Pack) https://a.co/d/iumBuAw
     
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  27. Smuggy

    Smuggy Well-Known Member
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    Any good stick vacuum recs that aren’t outrageously expensive? My Dyson is finally dead after about 8 years. If the Roomba didn’t do most of our cleaning I’d be all-in on buying another Dyson for $600 or whatever.
     
  28. Han Solo

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    Wyze lights are cheaper but just as good.
     
  29. texasraider

    texasraider thanks
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    After two dysons we switched to a shark. Cheaper and much better imo
     
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  30. Upton^2

    Upton^2 blocked just a park away, but I can't really say
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  31. fish

    fish Impossible, Germany
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    Pump should be delivered later today so I set up my phone to show the golf while I tried to remove the old water pump. Everything came off easy just like in the videos. Disconnected the hoses, had towels ready for the water, etc. Every video said to "just wiggle the old pump off".

    I couldn't get it to budge. Tried leveraging with a screw driver, then a flat bar, and finally a small crow bar. Zero progress. At this point I decided I was going to get this thing off without giving a shit if I broke/damaged the motor shaft. 30 minutes later and I essentially destroyed the old pump piece by piece using channel locks, flat bar, hacksaw, and fortitude. Got it all off and the sleeve of the pump is the only thing left on the shaft. It was essentially bonded due to rust and calcification. Chipped it away with a screwdriver and hammer and was shaft was unencumbered. I have sanded it clean and will slap on the new pump when it gets here.

    I'm fairly certain this will all be for naught but for an hour of time and 19 bucks it was worth a shot.
     
    #33481 fish, Jun 18, 2022
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2022
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  32. AptosDuck

    AptosDuck Pedantic Hausfrau
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    If it makes you feel any better, when I replaced the evacuation pump on the dishwasher I still had the same problem so I broke down and hired a repairman. Within five minutes he had pulled out a wayward ketchup bottle safety seal that had lodged itself in the evacuation port, problem solved. I'd pulled apart the bowels and checked the evacuation port, but it was just a bit further down the piping than I'd gone. At the end of the day I just had to laugh at the absurdity of it all.
     
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  33. Baseballman86

    Baseballman86 Well-Known Member
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    Having a discussion with the wife, group poll time.

    How many of you have organizers for all of your drawers. Silverware or a single dedicated junk drawer doesn't count, but how many have dividers or organizers in every drawer?
     
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  34. NDfanPSUgrad

    NDfanPSUgrad Well-Known Member
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    I put sink/tub shrooms everywhere. Never used the stopper to fill the sinks and saves the mess you have.

    SinkShroom Ultra Revolutionary Bathroom Sink Drain Protector, Stainless Steel https://a.co/d/4ejY5ed
     
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  35. Name P. Redacted

    Name P. Redacted I have no money and I'm also gay
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    None.
     
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  36. fish

    fish Impossible, Germany
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    Didn't fix it, gotta be the coupler or the motor itself. Moving on to a new unit.
     
  37. Kevintensity

    Kevintensity Poster/Posting Game Coordinator
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    The different drawers act as organizers by themselves imo, keeping like things together
     
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  38. goblue31602

    goblue31602 Well-Known Member
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    Fuck they're everywhere in my drawers and pantry. Wife is obsessed with them
     
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  39. Imurhuckleberry

    Imurhuckleberry Avid spectator of windmill warriors
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    Only silverware
     
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  40. Bruce Bowen

    Bruce Bowen Well-Known Member
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    We have organizers in the pantry I quite like.
     
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  41. Snakes

    Snakes clumsy interloper
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    We have them in everything, with labels. Pantry, refrigerator, bathroom closet, kids bedrooms, etc. my wife loves it and it calms her anxiety to be overly organized. I don’t give a shit either way but I play along.
     
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  42. Snakes

    Snakes clumsy interloper
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    Is a roomba Worth it?
     
  43. Dildo Dawgins

    Dildo Dawgins Well-Known Member
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    I had one years ago and it was alright but felt it didn't get corners or other tight areas very well. Plus it was a pain to clean compared to my other vacuums. If you don't have one I'd highly recommend cordless stick vacuum instead. It's a game changer.
     
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  44. Snakes

    Snakes clumsy interloper
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    Yes we have one of those. It’s awesome and very hard to ever go back to a corded vacuum. Just thought a roomba would be good in addition.
     
  45. dblplay1212

    dblplay1212 Well-Known Member
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    Absolutely. Get the self cleaning one and you only have to empty the bag once a month or so. I say this as someone with 2 dogs, so maybe it's different for others, but it's awesome for us. We run it daily. The older ones weren't as good bc you had to empty them and and they would get stuck in the same spot all the time. Now they have a docking station that empties it for you and there's a map on the app and you can label rooms and draw "no go" spaces on the map and it'll avoid those. The also upgraded the brushes a few years ago from ones with bristles, those really got knotted up with hair, to rubber ones that are way better. So yea, old ones were ok, new ones are fantastic.
     
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  46. devine

    devine hi, i am user devine
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    Yes
     
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  47. Simon Templar

    Simon Templar Well-Known Member
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    We have the organizers in the pantry and every drawer. It makes it easy for me
     
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  48. dblplay1212

    dblplay1212 Well-Known Member
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    Snakes they have two versions, the s9 and the j7. Short summary is the s9 is the best cleaning one but the j7 is really good and has a camera on it to avoid a pile of dog shit if you're dog has an accident. If you have a dog that ever has accidents, do that one. If not, do the s9. Either way, get the + version with the self cleaning base.
     
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  49. a.tramp

    a.tramp Insubordinate and churlish
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    We have organizers in all the drawers that need them. Love it.
     
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  50. Name P. Redacted

    Name P. Redacted I have no money and I'm also gay
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    Depends what you’re expecting from it. Roomba doesn’t replace a regular vacuum or broom, but it does a good job of keeping things cleaner in the interim. Also forces you to keep shit off the ground.
     
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