Yinzer Moto
Well-known member
Many of us work in the home improvement field. Sometimes we come across a challenge that we have never seen before, or we want to show off a current project. Lets see what you have got.
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In my neck of the woods that wouldn’t fly for numerous reasons.
It never ceases to amaze me how much money gets wasted on projects by guys ignorant of local codes. I’m definitely one that likes to avoid the city when possible. I can’t stand that bureaucratic bullshit, I like staying under the radar, but for fucksake, know the codes at least.
Yeah, I’d say 95% of my work classifies as “repair” which there are gray areas of course, avoids needing permits.I used to hate permits, I am beginning to like them. Now I hate the people who skirt the permit process and then do non-code compliant work. Especially on decks, they fall down all the time.
A few years ago, I quote a friend on a deck project, I describe how I am going to build it, to build it in a way that it will last a lifetime. The whole way, he is getting hung up on details, that will make the deck last longer. I am having to defend these details. Like wrapping the tops of the joists in ice/water shield, or doing solid concrete piers to above ground level. These details would add very little to the scope of the project but insure the main structure of the deck would last forever. He gets another friend to do the deck, it looks nice but I see all those details were skipped. I see posts that were buried in concrete, they will rot out quickly.
The flip side to all this is most of my income comes as a result of another man’s shoddy work.
So true!Yeah, I have made a lot of money, fixing half assed jobs.
I hate to admit but I have done a good number jobs, trying to hit the budget of the customer. Doing stuff that I knew would not last a lifetime. This was when I was first getting started. As time went on, I just started turning jobs down when the customer was too focused on getting the job done for the least amount of money.
When I quit trying to compete in the race to the bottom, life got a lot better.
Absolutely. It’s criminal.I work in commercial construction ... not a pro carpenter, but I enjoy doing my own work and have a general interest in construction practices. Shoddy work for the sake of holding onto every penny with a vise grips is one thing, but what really puts fingernails to a chalk board for me is stuff like this where for the same amount of effort it probably could have been done right. Effort is no substitute for knowledge.
Thats an accident waiting to happen...A few each year pull off from the house because ledger is not bolted on correctlyI came across this deck that someone built on a house flip, up the road from me. It has been a few years since I did a deck for someone and the code is changing yearly, but I don't think this would ever pass an inspection. I noted some activity at the house recently, in the area of the deck, so maybe the local inspector called them out on it.
Thats an accident waiting to happen...A few each year pull off from the house because ledger is not bolted on correctly
For the brain trust here, I have a problem. Our bedroom door squeaks. It squeaks bad. Liquid lubes didn't work, cleaning the hinges and applying graphite hasn't worked for more than a couple days. Trying to realign the hinges isn't working. I think the best option is to start from scratch with a new prehung door but I'd like to try to salvage this one if I can for a little while longer. Things look wrong, some of the screws feel stripped. Would installing new hinges in different spots be better? It is cheaper than a new door but the fuss is probably worse. What say ye?
Start with easiest solution First ..I would pop the pins one at a time and put a little grease on them and pop back inFor the brain trust here, I have a problem. Our bedroom door squeaks. It squeaks bad. Liquid lubes didn't work, cleaning the hinges and applying graphite hasn't worked for more than a couple days. Trying to realign the hinges isn't working. I think the best option is to start from scratch with a new prehung door but I'd like to try to salvage this one if I can for a little while longer. Things look wrong, some of the screws feel stripped. Would installing new hinges in different spots be better? It is cheaper than a new door but the fuss is probably worse. What say ye?