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Sundae posted:Imagine three switches
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Nov 17, 2020 03:22
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Dik Hz posted:Try a single photon and see if you can observe quantum splitting.  I'm honestly scared to try and fix this. I just know I'm gonna open up that socket plate and see something beyond mortal comprehension. Eldritch wiring, its tentacles spreading in dimensions I cannot fathom. Or more likely, I'll see the porch light tied into a circuit board that makes no sense and has no reason to exist, and I'll screw it all back up and pretend the whole sorry affair never happened.
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Nov 17, 2020 05:00
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Sundae posted:
I need photos of it. I have to know what's inside. Is it a three and a four way switch? There has to be a switched neutral here backfeeding something right?
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Nov 17, 2020 05:26
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I had a similar situation going on with my hallway light where the 3 way switch had been wired wrong. Of course, that was a single fixture, but when I opened it up to replace one of the switches (because it broke) I had to trial and error until something worked. The wires did not have different colored insulation so there was no way to tel what was what. I ended up just leaving the breaker on and being really careful with my pliers until I found the right combination. You kshould probably explin your problem to the DIY electrical thread and maybe they can tell you what's wrong with it.
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Nov 17, 2020 07:15
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StormDrain posted:I need photos of it. I have to know what's inside. Is it a three and a four way switch? There has to be a switched neutral here backfeeding something right? Pardon the terrible photo - it's late at night and I didn't want to risk having to put together more than I was bargaining for at 11PM. I'll disassemble it more clearly for the DIY thread and cross-post when it's daylight and I won't hate myself when it all goes sideways.   There are three switches -- two 4-way dimmers and one 3-way (porch light, far right). The leftmost dimmer only has two terminals connected, while the middle has three connected but one doesn't actually go anywhere. (Refer to the floating red/yellow.  ) The porch light is the three-way on the right with all terminals connected. In the back, you can just make out where the Stranger Things mindflayer is building a new conduit into our world.Also present: multiple layers of the shittiest paint choices ever from former residents. Nothing like Dusty Pink to greet your guests.
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Nov 17, 2020 08:00
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Three more master bathroom remodel quotes, all starting at $50k for economy grade materials and no features other than basic bathroom appliances. Definitely not the time to do home improvements! The 4th guy no-show'd the appointment I have now gotten 14 bathroom remodel quotes between September 2019 and November 2020. Cheapest was ~$45k and most expensive was $115k, all for the same scope
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Nov 17, 2020 08:48
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Honestly the house has appreciated $70k in the 18 months that I've been here. Might be a smarter move to just sell & buy a renovated place, since a commission and closing costs would be less than the cost of renovating one single room in this place.
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Nov 17, 2020 08:52
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GoGoGadgetChris posted:Honestly the house has appreciated $70k in the 18 months that I've been here. Might be a smarter move to just sell & buy a renovated place, since a commission and closing costs would be less than the cost of renovating one single room in this place. The popular thing in our neighborhood is to renovate your garage and put a nanny suite/room above it. Here's me thinking (wishing) that might be doable for ~100k. We like our house, but I have a feeling when we get to that point it'll just make more sense to move to another one in the same neighborhood (which is what the previous owners did).
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Nov 17, 2020 14:11
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GoGoGadgetChris posted:Honestly the house has appreciated $70k in the 18 months that I've been here. Might be a smarter move to just sell & buy a renovated place, since a commission and closing costs would be less than the cost of renovating one single room in this place. My understanding from talking to family who are in a similar situation to you (just bought want to renovate before move in) is that any kind of construction costs are loving insane right now. It looks like everyone has more work than they can do and are just handing out gently caress you quotes because, hey, if this person is actually willing to drop 75k on a 25k job whatever we’ll make time. Ymmv, this person isn’t in your region, I’m just an idiot on the internet, etc.
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Nov 17, 2020 14:21
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Cyrano4747 posted:My understanding from talking to family who are in a similar situation to you (just bought want to renovate before move in) is that any kind of construction costs are loving insane right now. It looks like everyone has more work than they can do and are just handing out gently caress you quotes because, hey, if this person is actually willing to drop 75k on a 25k job whatever we’ll make time. This is my brother and his remodeling business here in central Florida. People are dropping stupid money on jobs right now and he’s killing it.
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Nov 17, 2020 14:34
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Residency Evil posted:We like our house, but I have a feeling when we get to that point it'll just make more sense to move to another one in the same neighborhood (which is what the previous owners did). This is exactly what we did two years ago, moved 6 houses down the street to a much bigger house/lot. We were in the process of taking to an architect and drawing up some plans for an addition when the one down the street went on the market. Ultimately we made the right choice since even with an addition it wouldn’t have given us everything we wanted/needed. The new owners then immediately turned around and tacked on a garage expansion.
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Nov 17, 2020 15:00
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GoGoGadgetChris posted:Three more master bathroom remodel quotes, all starting at $50k for economy grade materials and no features other than basic bathroom appliances. Definitely not the time to do home improvements!
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Nov 17, 2020 15:06
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Renovating isnt stupid to do right now if you're doing the majority of the work yourself though right? (Plumbers gotta plumb) Im planning to gut and re-do my kitchen 
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Nov 17, 2020 15:16
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Yeah I wish I could hire out finished my attic but now I'm contemplating the effort to build a knee wall, do some mild wiring of can lights and some sheetrock and just hiring out the mini-slpit install. The real downside of working from home for a year is being way too focused on everything about your house you want to fix.
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Nov 17, 2020 15:24
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Sundae posted:Imagine three switches One or more of those switches are an incorrectly wired 3/4-way, but I've not had enough coffee to tell you which. Oh...yeah, there's your other post. That's not gonna be fun to sort out. It basically takes pulling everything, and figuring out which are feeds/jumpering them, etc. So....hot work. The best advice you'll get is to call an electrician.
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Nov 17, 2020 15:30
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eig posted:Renovating isnt stupid to do right now if you're doing the majority of the work yourself though right? (Plumbers gotta plumb) Im planning to gut and re-do my kitchen I think it's labor and lumber that have skyrocketed in price this year for the most part, though I haven't been following the prices of tile, fixtures, drywall, appliances, etc too closely. Yes, DIY good if you are handy enough.
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Nov 17, 2020 15:35
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Sirotan posted:I think it's labor and lumber that have skyrocketed in price this year for the most part, though I haven't been following the prices of tile, fixtures, drywall, appliances, etc too closely. You can't even FIND decent dimensional lumber in <pick random size this week> near me. Lots of other things have spotty availability as well. And when you can find them you're absolutely paying a premium. I was going to build a new barn this summer. It didn't happen because I'm not paying double for subpar lumber that I'd have to scramble just to collect everything I needed for the project. I think it's super obvious what's going on: people are stuck in their houses so that's what they're thinking about. They're also now using their house for an office/school. The ones with money to reno also skipped their summer vacation/not gonna go on one next year so they have cash to burn on this newfound "most important thing in my world to fix/change." All of my contractor friends are out killing it right now. If I want to make some quick money I should buy a bigger excavator and start dilling pools next spring. loving EVERYONE wants a pool now.
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Nov 17, 2020 15:40
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Sundae posted:Pardon the terrible photo - it's late at night and I didn't want to risk having to put together more than I was bargaining for at 11PM. I'll disassemble it more clearly for the DIY thread and cross-post when it's daylight and I won't hate myself when it all goes sideways. There it is. I was wondering if there was going to be a smart or electronic switch involved here. Something using a neutral wire that could back feed the porch light when it was on first but would release when you shut it off. It doesn't necessarily have to be hot work, I figured one out with different combinations. Make a few guesses, wire nut it all, flip the breaker. Make notes, make new assumptions, and go at it again. Then think real hard if you want electronic switches. How badly do those lights need to be on dimmers. Simple toggles buys some extra room in the box too, which is probably stuffed right now. Edit: They're probably not dimmers but the point stands. Typical four ways aren't much bigger than a regular switch. StormDrain fucked around with this message at 15:48 on Nov 17, 2020 |
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Nov 17, 2020 15:45
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I'm pretty sure my wife is getting me a Toto for Christmas. I wonder what 12 year old me would think.
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Nov 17, 2020 16:00
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Motronic posted:One or more of those switches are an incorrectly wired 3/4-way, but I've not had enough coffee to tell you which.  First at least let us see what happens when all the devices are pulled out.Protip: masking tape label everything with a sharpie and take pictures of it before undoing anything. Just 1,2,3 etc. And make a Rosetta stone page with where they go and what they do.
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Nov 17, 2020 16:48
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OK this should be an easy one, but we're getting our deck demo'd, rebuilt bigger and screened in, side deck built, electrical, composite materials where they make sense, skylights, etc. etc. All said and done it's nearly $40k in work (we worked hard to nail this down as close as possible so it shouldn't creep too much). We're even paying them to sub out some basic landscaping (ripping out stuff and laying down weed block/gravel/etc.). Already happy with price and committed, but payment terms are the last thing to nail down. We've already sent the down payment, but they're asking: 10%: down payment 20%: permits issued 20%: framing completed 20%: roof on porch completed 30%: completion Only stipulation I'm going to add is that completion means work is done and inspections are passed. I assume that's inherent with "completed," but I want to make sure there's no question that final payment is contingent on passing inspection. Thoughts? These seem very generous for a $40k project, so I just want to make sure I'm not missing anything here. Our first big improvement project, so I dunno.
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Nov 17, 2020 19:05
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Residency Evil posted:I'm pretty sure my wife is getting me a Toto for Christmas. 12 year old LOVE bathroom humor.
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Nov 17, 2020 19:09
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DaveSauce posted:OK this should be an easy one, but we're getting our deck demo'd, rebuilt bigger and screened in, side deck built, electrical, composite materials where they make sense, skylights, etc. etc. All said and done it's nearly $40k in work (we worked hard to nail this down as close as possible so it shouldn't creep too much). We're even paying them to sub out some basic landscaping (ripping out stuff and laying down weed block/gravel/etc.). 30% on final permit signoff is generous, this seems reasonable to me. Spell it out in the contract that "completion" means final permit signed, lien release signed, and punch list completed. Don't assume anything unless you're OK assuming they will do $12,000 in labor out of the goodness of their hearts. 30% "up front" (materials cost), another 40% as they complete material amounts of labor (pay their guys), and 30% on the tail end for finish work and P&O seems correct.
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Nov 17, 2020 19:10
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Motronic posted:One or more of those switches are an incorrectly wired 3/4-way, but I've not had enough coffee to tell you which. Yep, in the spirit of the current thread title, I'm just going to call an electrician.
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Nov 17, 2020 19:38
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Sundae posted:Yep, in the spirit of the current thread title, I'm just going to call an electrician. Expect a free side of profanity while they are sorting this out. It's annoying trying to fix the parts of an unlabeled and inconvenient to access logic gate. Sometimes you guess well and it goes faster. It's also a lot better when you have a couple of people so you aren't running around between panel/switches.
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Nov 17, 2020 19:47
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H110Hawk posted:30% on final permit signoff is generous, this seems reasonable to me. Spell it out in the contract that "completion" means final permit signed, lien release signed, and punch list completed. Don't assume anything unless you're OK assuming they will do $12,000 in labor out of the goodness of their hearts. 30% "up front" (materials cost), another 40% as they complete material amounts of labor (pay their guys), and 30% on the tail end for finish work and P&O seems correct. Yeah that's kinda my thinking. I totally missed that 10 + 20 is functionally the materials down payments split up, so that makes a lot more sense. But in any case the 30% at the end seems like a ton, and very much in my favor, so I'm all for it. Good catch on the lien release, didn't think of that. Though I do have a question on that: would this be a lien waiver, or a lien release? Google says a lien waiver is what I want here...? And is it typical to ask that this also includes a lien waiver/release from each sub as well before final payment? Or is a lien waiver from the GC all I can hope for?
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Nov 17, 2020 20:38
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DaveSauce posted:Yeah that's kinda my thinking. I totally missed that 10 + 20 is functionally the materials down payments split up, so that makes a lot more sense. But in any case the 30% at the end seems like a ton, and very much in my favor, so I'm all for it. Whatever the process is for your jurisdiction, you follow it. Here it would be all subs + GC. Whether it's a waiver or release probably depends on exact wording on your contract and if they file a lien or choose to skip it. (There is standard language GC's have to put in contracts around this in California, I just followed that language. If they don't put the language and follow the steps then they automatically waive their lien and it might even count against their GC license.)
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Nov 17, 2020 20:43
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The building supply crunch has me extra worried as someone who is half-way through building a house. Luckily I ordered my lumber package in March before the prices skyrocketed and got it delivered in april when the lumber yards opened up, before they started running out of everything. I had been waiting on windows that I ordered 6 weeks ago but those just came in so now I have something to do. Now I will be waiting another 4-5 weeks on siding I ordered 6 weeks ago. That’s why I’m installing my Tyvek very carefully, extra tight with no slack or wrinkles. I’m using Tyvek tape on every single seam. I also spent $300 on a cap nailer so it should be ok for a month or more while I wait for the siding to come in.
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Nov 17, 2020 21:27
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Modus Man posted:That’s why I’m installing my Tyvek very carefully, extra tight with no slack or wrinkles. I’m using Tyvek tape on every single seam. I also spent $300 on a cap nailer so it should be ok for a month or more while I wait for the siding to come in. That's gonna pay back anyway, so good on you for taking the time.
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Nov 17, 2020 21:36
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H110Hawk posted:Whatever the process is for your jurisdiction, you follow it. Here it would be all subs + GC. Whether it's a waiver or release probably depends on exact wording on your contract and if they file a lien or choose to skip it. (There is standard language GC's have to put in contracts around this in California, I just followed that language. If they don't put the language and follow the steps then they automatically waive their lien and it might even count against their GC license.) Ah, I see, I had assumed that there would be a common practice in the US, but of course there isn't. I'm in NC which appears kinda complicated, but also kinda not. Looks like if the GC signs a lien waiver, then I should be all good. I guess subs can only file a lien against the unpaid funds to the GC, OR on the property through subrogation (up to the amount that is unpaid to the GC). So if I pay off the GC and get a lien waiver before any subs file a lien I should be free and clear if I'm reading this right. (edit: I believe all this this is to say that a sub can only file a lien for what I owe to the GC (not to exceed what the GC owes them), and I can't clear it by paying the GC after that lien has been filed). DaveSauce fucked around with this message at 21:58 on Nov 17, 2020 |
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Nov 17, 2020 21:43
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Pretty sure my siding contractor has sheeted or maybe? hopefully? only wrapped over the vent opening for the bathroom fan. I have a camera on a string thing, but the vent is that insulated flex duct stuff so I can't get the camera to the end of it to confirm. Cathedral ceilings with the bathroom on the 2nd floor, so I can't go into the attic to point it out. It's possible that it was incorrectly done previously and wasn't there, but I distinctly remember the general location of the vent on the exterior and now it's missing. Wonder how much of a fight this will be tomorrow, wish me luck. Definitely not going to use this contractor again for anything else. 
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Nov 18, 2020 03:32
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therobit posted:12 year old LOVE bathroom humor. Yes, but: 12 year old me: I bet when I'm a grown-up, I'll be able to get the new PlayStation whenever it comes out! Me in my 30s: Yes, but let me tell you about this toilet that cleans your rear end in a top hat.
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Nov 18, 2020 18:24
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Residency Evil posted:Yes, but: Do you have a bidet seat now and if so what kind? I'm in the process of deciding if I'll go with a Geberit or Toto wall hung toilet carrier, both of which can also accommodate a bidet seat. The Toto carrier really only works with Toto seats and bowls, but the Geberit works with a bunch of manufacturers. I just got a bidet seat install guide from them which had some really interesting photos: Models that work with it:  Concealed vs exposed. The AquaClean Sela looks slick af, but is about $3k not including the carrier and not even available to purchase in the US, lol  Unfortunately the cheaper Toto seats look like complete garbage with all the adapters you need:  Higher end Toto+ Geberit carrier looks a lot nicer and would also run me $600 more  At this point I am probably leaning towards the Toto carrier so that I can get a Toto seat without a million adapters. If somebody has a bidet seat they really love please poo poopost about it since I am still trying to figure out the best combo here. I don't need "plays a song to hide my embarrassment" functional level but it needs to at least come with a heated seat. Sirotan fucked around with this message at 18:45 on Nov 18, 2020 |
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Nov 18, 2020 18:42
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We got a Brondell Swash from Costco for around $300 and it’s been absolutely fantastic. I have no clue what kind of toilet I had I just knew we needed a rounded seat and not an elongated seat.
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Nov 18, 2020 18:47
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DaveSauce posted:Ah, I see, I had assumed that there would be a common practice in the US, but of course there isn't. It's similar to that in California. The big "surprise" for most homeowners the first time around is that, basically, you can pay a GC the full bill, they can stiff their subs, and the subs can put a mechanics lien on your house for the full amount they are owed. The process for this differs state by state, probably county by county to a certain extent, but they generally have this same general setup. Here it's something like subs have X days to file the lien, otherwise they forfeit the right to do so. This of course is something you may not learn about for a few days, and for many trades their jobs are in and out in a day or three if a job is well-GC'd and there isn't a bunch of curing time they have to wait on or whatever. They can also waive that right up front. If you haven't gotten waivers, you must get releases from them. Do Not Pay until you get those releases, a properly filed mechanics lien will survive any challenge unless you can find where the GC is currently hiding your money, which costs a lot of legal fees. It might be 10 years later, but if you sell the house your title company will just pay off the lien to clear it before they give you a penny, or your buyers lender will tell them they flat will not write the mortgage until the title is clear of other liens.
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Nov 18, 2020 18:51
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Sirotan posted:Do you have a bidet seat now and if so what kind? I'm in the process of deciding if I'll go with a Geberit or Toto wall hung toilet carrier, both of which can also accommodate a bidet seat. The Toto carrier really only works with Toto seats and bowls, but the Geberit works with a bunch of manufacturers. I just got a bidet seat install guide from them which had some really interesting photos: Ooof, you've done a lot more research than I have. I don't have a bidet right now, but have used a Toto on vacation in France/etc. I was just going to get the C200 and hope for the best.
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Nov 18, 2020 18:53
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H110Hawk posted:It's similar to that in California. The big "surprise" for most homeowners the first time around is that, basically, you can pay a GC the full bill, they can stiff their subs, and the subs can put a mechanics lien on your house for the full amount they are owed. The process for this differs state by state, probably county by county to a certain extent, but they generally have this same general setup. So that's the interesting, and complicated, thing about NC laws (that I have only been reading about in the last 24 hours), which is that subs actually only have limited power against the owner. They can file a lien against funds easily enough, but they can't file a lien against the house unless they already put a lien on the funds AND I paid the GC anyhow. So if I send the GC the final payment, then the GC signs a lien waiver, and THEN a sub decides to file a lien, the sub is SOL. I mean, they can go after the GC I'm sure, but I'm in the clear near as I can tell. Ultimately what I gather this means is that if a sub manages to actually get a mechanic's lien against the house, it's likely deserved. That, or they caught an exact moment in time where they filed a lien against funds, but the owner didn't see it and sent final payment to the GC anyhow. With all that, I feel reasonably safe against subs filing liens as long as I can get the GC to sign off on a waiver. The tricky part looks to be making sure nothing new has popped up before that happens. One note though is that in NC, pre-contract lien waivers are illegal. They cannot waive their right to a lien as a matter of bidding for the work, so getting that up front is not possible.
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Nov 18, 2020 19:49
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Sirotan posted:Do you have a bidet seat now and if so what kind? I'm in the process of deciding if I'll go with a Geberit or Toto wall hung toilet carrier, both of which can also accommodate a bidet seat. The Toto carrier really only works with Toto seats and bowls, but the Geberit works with a bunch of manufacturers. I just got a bidet seat install guide from them which had some really interesting photos: At the beginning of the TPocalypse, we bought the wirecutter recommended Toto C200. Even managed to save 75$ by buying slightly used  It’s completely changed my life, I’m never going back to scrubbing my own rear end in a top hat, Imma just let the robots rotor rooter that poo poo. I will say the warm water runs out fairly quick on the high setting, but the cold water transition doesn’t really bother me. I am looking forward to using the heated seat in the winter though. I’ve had that turned off for the summer. Seriously, owning a bidet has made me realize toilet paper is barbaric and long overdue for obsolescence.
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Nov 18, 2020 23:21
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Aw man, my kitchenaid dishwasher (mfg 2007) seems to have well and truly croaked. I even replaced its fuse and it's still an inert chunk of plastic. This is not a fun time to be shopping for appliances!
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Nov 19, 2020 03:10
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Three weeks and counting past our fence installation date, and no end in sight. I called some other fence contractors and they said the same thing: finding materials is drat near impossible. Some had inventory, and one of my rear neighbors will end up with his before me, even though I started the process months before him. Bastard.
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Nov 19, 2020 03:31
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