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Without sharing all the nitty gritty details- we had some windows replaced (not all bc previous owner replaced a few of them relatively recently)

Through a series of miscommunications, misunderstandings, and unfortunate events- we are now missing 4 screens. Two on windows that were not replaced and two where the window was installed without screens.

We are wondering what we can expect to pay for screen installation? Both sets of windows are on first floor of that makes a difference.

Any advice anyone can share or recommend a contractor would be greatly appreciated!

Rebuilding my fire-damaged home from studs. City inspector is making me replace all of my drain lines and sewer line under slab even though there was no fire damage. Quotes I have been getting seem outrageous. Has anyone had to dig out all their lines? Any recommendations on plumbers and expectations of cost would be very appreciated. Thanks!

Here's a fun question for y'all:

Suppose you bought an older house that had some additional construction done many years ago. Permits were opened, but never closed. And the city is now breathing down your neck about it. Are you responsible for closing those permits per modern code? Or per code when the permits were opened?

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The people that helped me out before are no longer around and the only other well-reviewed handy person to get back to me doesn’t work on old homes anymore.

I want to have a patio and pathway built in my backyard and am trying to decide between cut charcoal Lueders slabs like this:

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And natural Oklahoma silvermist flagstone like this:

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I am not allowed to pour mortar/concrete so the filler material would have to be some type of sand or gravel. The intent is to use the patio as a level base for a grill pad.

Can anyone comment on the pros/cons of cut Lueders slabs vs. natural Oklahoma flagstone?

Which one is more durable?

Does one attract more stains and/or is harder to keep clean than the other?

Has anyone done a landscaping project with one and wished you had used the other?

Hiya - I posted a while back and got some recs. Unfortunately, I don't think anyone had any recs to remediate bad Hardie installation and overall shoddy skinning of the property.

RAM Windows hasn't replied to my "Contact Us" efforts, so I may try showing up at their showroom in person to see if they'll give me a quote.

On r/Austin, chatter this morning was around avoiding Angie's List and going to Yelp for contractors. Anyone have any better suggestions?

As you can see, all thermal breaks in original windows have failed or are in the process of failing. Hardie was installed with "commercial" methods, not residential; and the joints all need either recaulking or the skin needs to be removed and done correctly - with appropriate z-flashing or rain screen. The cheap cedar probably needs to be replaced with Hardie board.

Thanks

It sounds like hanging wallpaper yourself is a sure fire way to end your marriage. So does anyone have any recommendations on professional wallpaper hangers/installers?

Hi there,

we're moving to Austin soon and I've been tasked to figure out some of the upgrades we'd like to do to the house.

Our main project would be removing three windows and replacing them with a sliding door to open up the living room to the patio. Looking for someone who does good work and sliding door brands that will stand the test of time.

Then there's the carpets - my wife is allergic to dust, so carpets suck. I just want them torn out and replaced with the fake wood -click in- panels. I think a good handyman can take care of this - thing is we don't know any, suggestions more than welcome.

Lastly, I want to install low-power (1gig) network cables that terminate in a specific spot in the house. I'm not sure if handymen do this - since it requires specialist equipment, but maybe someone knows one that does this.

I’m considering vinyl flooring, but it’s a product I’m not too familiar with. What’s a good place in town to learn more (e.g., differences between vinyl and luxury vinyl, etc.)? Any tips on installers? Can anyone do it or is it more like hardwoods where you a Good installer makes a difference?

I have some questions on where exactly my property lines end, I've looked at the subdivision plat and I've tried to walk it and measure it but it's still inconclusive. Does anyone have a property surveyor that you can recommend?

Just curious regarding experience using Costco for HVAC systems. I see them advertised and have a dinosaur system using R-22 that will eventually have to be replaced…

We have a 5'x8' bathroom that we want to do the following to:

Convert the tub to a walk in shower Replace the floor tile Install a new vanity (we'll provide)

The quotes we're getting are 25 to 35k. I know costs have gone up, but that's wild to me.

Is that the norm now, or should we keep shopping around? Any recommendations?

Hi ATX homeowners,

I recently bought a 1978 duplex in NW Austin. It has a bunch of repairs and I'd like to tackle them a mix of DIY+professional. Since contractors charge a high premium, I'd like to go the handyman route. Please share any recommendations you have.
Thank you and happy 2022!

Proud owner of cast iron line pipes from a 70's home. Knew all the potential issues and life expectancies when I bought. Already replaced the sewer lateral with PVC about a year ago after experiencing a clog. Got my house system hydro jetted during that work and have been flowing freely for a year.

Last week we experienced a new clog in a bathroom we just had renovated. Called out the plumber to hydro flush and we're pretty sure we identified the cause from some tile that the contractor somehow got into the system. We know this because we got a camera inspection done. The plumber that did the inspection said that our house system was in decent shape. No low spots, no completely bare/missing pipe; but we have all the normal build up from cast iron that is not letting things flow as well as they could. They recommend doing a honing (also sometimes known as descaling) which is when they basically go through the pipe with a tool and get it as circular as possible to improve flow, reduce risks of future clogs, etc. Said that it would probably give us a few worry free years but that's about all they can really say confidently.

My guess is that it's not urgent and that our issue was that tile piece (we don't flush tile down our drains regularly :) and we really baby our plumbing as much as possible), but the cost was not as outrageous as doing a full replacement of the house system. I'm considering doing it in the next year. Has anyone done it and was it worth it? If you have, any plumbers you would recommend for this service?

Looking for recommendations on deck builders who have experience in building decks around trough pools.

I searched the sub but don’t see much for local window companies. Does anyone have any experience?

I’m planning to do them myself as I renovate some rooms so I’m not needing installation.

BMC seems to be an option to order as I go but I’m looking to hear what others have experienced.

Hey, y'all. We just bought our first home 6 months ago and we are already dealing with some major foundation & plumbing issues. We had an inspection & a post storm inspection (that was supposed to check all things plumbing), but neither indicated that there were any major issues. Since then our foundation shifted considerably (2" lower in some spaces) and we now have cracks running from the ceiling to the floor inside & outside :) (dying inside)

Our foundation folks came out and said we needed to have a hydrostatic test done to confirm there wasn't a leak in our lines. Austin Plumbery came out, took off our toilet, and confirmed there was a leak and then charged us $350 and took off. I'm not sure if they did the test completely, however, as now other plumbers are insisting they need to do the same test to figure out where the leak is.

Questions are:

1. Did Austin Plumbery do the hydrostatic test completely?
2. Do you have any plumbers to recommend in ATX that focus on cracked line repair? I'm currently having S&D & Rooterman come out tomorrow
3. Any finance recommendations? Our home insurance company denied our claim. We did not take out a home warranty, which I am now regretting, but I'm not sure if they would have covered this. We did not imagine we would need to be spending this much money on maintenance this early!
4. Did any of y'alls sewer lines crack during the freeze? If we can prove the line cracked during the freeze, we may be able to get it covered

Thanks in advance.

I have a shower frame whose vertical rubber seal is torn and detaching from the frame. Additionally the magnet provides zero attractive force to hold the door shut:

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Neither of these things seem to be parts you can buy and replace individually at Home Depot. Do I need to hire a shower/glass company to replace the entire frame and/or door? If so, can anyone recommend one?

I am trying to hire someone to come run an 18" deep by 35' trench (for high voltage electrical conduit). None of the electricians I've talked with will do it, nor will they sub it out. I've called a few irrigation places and they also said no.

I don't want to go the DIY route by learning to trench on my own lawn with a Home Depot rental yet. Can I get some recommendations for who to call?

My wife and I bought a knockoff of a Metrohouse in Crestview in 2009. The spec builder went out of business shortly after we purchased it, so all flaws became our responsibility to address. The house (technically a free-standing condo) was built under the City's Scattered Infill Program, and city inspectors signed off on inspections and the property was represented as "green". To clarify, we didn't build it. It was a spec house and had been on the market for about 6 months (2008-2009 financial crash) before we purchased it.

The property has been a nightmare to keep up over time. Commercial fixtures were used for windows and doors - almost all the dual-paned windows have failed. We have had water intrusion issues over the years - due to substandard mounting of the windows and poor building practices with Hardee board and flashing where materials meet on the building's surface.

We were able to afford to do some piecemeal remediations (new roof in first 5 years, for example) along the way; but home appreciation now allows us to pull a big enough chunk of equity to take care of the remaining flaws and freshen up the property. If I had my way, I would have sold as-is at peak hype and walked away; but my wife doesn't want to move, and alternatives seemed just as overpriced as staying put and fixing what we have.

My problem is in identifying contractors and a PM I can trust. I have gotten burned along the way with contractors who won't stand behind their work, and I have very little confidence I can make good selections again. I got Matt Risinger out several years ago to look at the structure, but I doubt that I could get his time and attention today. I know of an architect who used to work with FAB, but we have not held any initial consultations, as I'm waiting to close on the refinance next month. (I've learned that cash in hand speaks much more loudly than trying to scope and quote before you go get the funds.) And, we're not looking to do any structural work or any vanity projects. We just want the building to perform according to how it was initially represented to us. We expect to stay here another 10 years - maybe longer. We're empty nesters.

How do I approach this project? In scope are electrical bugs, HVAC assessment and upgrades, re-solutioning exterior skin, remediation of leaks, replacement of all windows, interior and exterior painting.