The Home Improvement Thread

[Taco Loco]

The easy way to pull out dead shrub.

Going to have shovel out all the rock, wash it, add new weed barrier and decide on a replacement shrub that can tolerate S. Tx heat, of coarse this has been the hottest year since we moved here in 5yrs. August temps was almost 4* higher than normal and everyday so far in September has been above average with a few days breaking the record, and only 3/4in of rain in 3 months.

 

[tx_shooter]

Oh damn I would love to have that tractor setup around my house.

 

[AlienXtx]

Shovel the rocks back in, they are drought resistant

 

[Silverback]

Oh damn I would love to have that tractor setup around my house.

True.. Don't need one but I would love to have one.

 

[Anathollo]

Shovel the rocks back in, they are drought resistant

And then pour concrete on top of it.

 

[AlienXtx]

Exactly

 

[Taco Loco]

And then pour concrete on top of it.

Exactly

and I thought I was lazy.

 

[Taco Loco]

3 dead Hickory Trees, died from drought.
Pic from August

Started last Friday on the tops and branches.

Took advantage of the cloud cover for today, knock the last top off.

3 Trees taking a dirt nap.

 

[Oswego]

DD13: Door Devil Door Security Kit

Still on sale & pretty good stuff. If you don't have the recommended clearances & you're handy you can recess the strike & some of the plates. Ill be doing that to my front door tomorrow night.


Old deadbolt strike screws vs new

old deadbolt strike vs new double strike

Hinge plate

Door anti-split plate

 

[Silverback]

No pics, but I finally had gutters put on all sides of the house today. Got a very good deal on them. Saved over a grand from other quotes. They did my buddies house first (that way if they sucked I would back out ). But yeah, now we just need some rain to test them out.

 

[Oswego]

I need new gutters. Waiting to see if the company does a good job on my moms house first because she's impatient

First ten quotes she got the ding dong's just quoted replacing what she had which was not correct. None of them caught the issues that she had way to long of spans for the single downspouts (over 40' runs) she has so I threw them all out for the one guy who actually knows fluid dynamics and took the sqft of the roof + pitch into account so they will function in the horrible storms we keep getting. He's also the only guy who actually got his ladder out and walked the roof first. Amazing what scam artists some subs can be. if the first ten "pro's" don't catch what I did - that's pretty freaking sad because I know nothing about gutters until I started researching them. I found a one page PDF that answers it all concerning volume vs gutter size vs gauge thickness but I have it saved at home.

 

[Taco Loco]

Anyone have a Release of Liability (Hold Harmless Agreement) Template for contractors working at their house?

 

[Silverback]

Anyone have a Release of Liability (Hold Harmless Agreement) Template for contractors working at their house?

I do not.. but that sounds like something I should have had before I let those guys put up gutters. Thankfully nobody got injured.

 

[balakay]

Nope, but it sounds like something I need before they come cut down this fucking massive pecan tree.

 

[Taco Loco]

Nope, but it sounds like something I need before they come cut down this fucking massive pecan tree.

Exactly, I have a couple business coming out to give me tree quotes, and I know that some workers may be illegal.

 

[Taco Loco]

Bad contractors make the industry look bad for all contractors, I would just feel better to have Hold Harmless agreement wether it’s an HVAC, Plumber or Tree guy working at my house.

 

[Silverback]

Free Release of Liability (Hold Harmless Agreement) Template - Word | PDF | eForms – Free Fillable Forms

 

[Oswego]

Exactly, I have a couple business coming out to give me tree quotes

first rule of fight club - don't put it in writing

 

[Taco Loco]

first rule of fight club - don't put it in writing

Shit, nowadays it seems like the home owners need protection and are the ones that should have the LLC.

 

[Oswego]

Shit, nowadays it seems like the home owners need protection and are the ones that should have the LLC.

They should. Subs can do whatever they want and homeowners have very little recourse - or thats the issues in the region up here. I know Ive never paid anyone upfront and for as long as I live Ill do my best to stick to that. Even when the job is done retainage should be kept until the warranty expires if its a short one. If it's longer and or lifetime - good luck - you had better of hired a real good sub.

Most homeowners are clueless and even the educated ones forget that GC's & CM's are out there for a reason and if you decide to self manage your own subs and projects expect issues if you aren't up to date with all the rules/laws/codes.

I may blast architects, but following the proper chain of command has it's benefits. if you hire a good Architect, GC, and CM and the tenant (you the homeowner) doesn't have their head up their rear - most projects are successful. its when you remove one or two of them from the chain and sh*t hits the fan.

I don't do any residential work, but when I work direct for buildings or clients and there is no GC or CM I raise up my mark up a minimum of 20% because Ill be stuck dealing with nonprofessionals that typically have no clue so while they think they are saving money by avoiding the proper chain - typically they do not.