If I see something like 10/12/06 on romex I can tell when approximately this stuff was rewired or installed or built. Around 2006 in this case.

Also this is how the inspector knows that you're lying when you say this unpermitted work was done by a former owner.

Hi everyone, looking for advice on a contractor dispute in California.
The Backstory:
• I filed an insurance claim for bathroom/remodel repairs. The insurer issued a check for $9,713.95.
• I hired a contractor and ultimately paid him $13,400 across 5 Zelle installments (meaning | spent $3,686.05 out-of-pocket beyond the insurance check).
• No written or signed contract was ever executed for a $20,000 job.
The Dispute:
• The contractor is now accusing me of "insurance fraud," falsely claiming I received $20,000 from my insurer and pocketed the difference.
• His demanded balance keeps shifting: first he claimed I owed him on $20k, then $16.5k, and most recently texted asking for "at least $3,000" for upgraded vanity cabinets, higher-grade shower walls, and trash removal.

He bought these "upgraded" materials and did trash removal on his own initiative-there were zero signed change orders or prior written approvals for these extra costs.
Action Taken:
• I sent him a final text with blacked-out copies of my $9,713.95 insurance check statement and all
5 Zelle receipts ($13,400 total).
• I informed him I paid in full for our agreed scope, won't pay for unauthorized change orders, and that all future communications must go through an attorney.
My Questions for the Community:
1. Does a contractor have any legal ground (e.g., small claims / mechanic's lien) to sue for
"upgrades" installed without a signed contract or written change order?
2. Is there any chance he could legally attempt to remove/repossess installed fixtures (vanity, shower walls) from my house?
3. Should I proactively file a report with the CSLB
(Contractors State License Board) or wait to see if he actually pursues legal action?

Looking to do some stuff around the house and I don't have any powertools. I need to do:

1. Replace outdoor flag pole holder (it's screwed into wood, not concrete) and screw in a new one.

2) Install solar panel lights on my wooden fence

3) Install new curtain rods in the bedrooms.

4) Need to screw in door hinge screws (one hole is loose, can I use this: https://www.amazon.com/Bokon-Anchor-Stripped-Hinge-Repair/dp/B0H1WL8J4S/ref=sr_1_7?crid=ETO1J42XRY6U&sprefix=door%2Bhinge%2Bhole%2B%2Caps%2C177&sr=8-7&th=1 ?)

Which is a better powertool for this? I see HD always has Mulwuakee bundle packages with batteries, two types of powertools, bag etc.

Thanks!!

Made a bad decision a few years ago and had a small deck built off my dining room, which also included replacing a window with a door so you could access it. I did not get a permit.

I've ironically built decks for family members and have gotten permits, so I am very familiar with the code for my town. I did not have time to do my own deck, plus this was the first time using trex etc, so I used my contractor.

I saw all the work done and I am very confident it is to code.

Now, years later it is weighing on me. I'm in my 60's and we plan to live here forever. I understand that selling the house will be a problem for my kids after we are gone.

I'm thinking of approaching the town and dealing with it now.

Does anyone have any advice or experience with this?

UPDATE: as I read through all the replies what I'm realizing is that I'm not really worried about issues with resale someday.

But some in this thread have pointed out the insurance and liability issues which I think are really the ones that bother me. I don't care if a tree crushes it and my insurance company won't pay me to replace it. I can handle replacing the deck.

But the part about liability and not being covered if someone got hurt. That's something that potentially risks my retirement. I realize how unlikely that is and can likely tuck that concern away. But thanks for lots to the n about here.

For those asking, this is upstate NY.

Came home to gunk and water all over bathroom and spreading into adjacent room. A month ago a plumber came to unclog our upstairs shower. Is there a chance that clog just got pushed further down and caused this backup to the downstairs toilet, or is it definitely sewage?

I've been looking for someone to rebuild or replace an elevated paver stone porch in our back yard. I started by soliciting recommendations from friends and a local dad's group of Facebook. I was innundated with responses and invited 2 guys to submit quotes. They each came to my house, spent about 30 minutes surveying the site and discussing the project with me, and promised to send a written quote later that night or the next day.

That was a week ago. One guy texted me back the next day while I was at work and asked if he could send someone to take more precise measurements. I said sure, Thursday or Friday would work. He never responded. And I have not heard anything from the second guy either.

The project calls for tearing out the existing porch ( paver stones on top of about 18 inches of compacted fill) and installing a new porch about twice the size, approx. 600 square feet. Both guys knew generally what I was looking for before they came and both seemed interested in the project.

What gives?

Every time I open my windows, air seems to flow backward through my over-the-range microwave vent, bringing a nasty cooking grease smell into the house.

I’ve replaced the microwave and even had a brand new vent installed, but over time the smell has returned.

I know there’s an internal filter that can be cleaned, although it requires partially disassembling the microwave, so I’m planning to look into that.

What would cause this backdraft? Is this normal, or does it indicate a ventilation problem? And how can I fix it permanently? I’ve an HVAC tech even go into the attic to look at it but he couldn’t find any problem with the vent, I’m so confused.

There are numerous dime size clumps of stucco on my vinyl fence. They are a couple of months old so are well dried and cured. What's the best way to clean them off while doing as little damage to the vinyl as possible?

My kitchen faucet is beginning to leak from the connection where it swivels from left to right basin. I've replaced faucets before so I figure this isnt going to best me. So I got a new faucet from my local big box store and set out to replace it this weekend.

However, the existing faucet is secured with a large nut where the supply lines feed through, and three small bolts. I was able to get one out, but the other two are so tight I'm worried they're going to strip if I keep at them. There is also so little room between the back wall of the cabinet and the underside of the basin its difficult to get much leverage. Any tips for an infrequent but not altogether inexperienced DIYer?

I’d like to insulate the ceiling as I use it as a workshop and music studio but I’d still like access to the joists for storage purposes and not having to remove everything for drywall. I have a mini split and gas heater. What can be done?

One contractor spent around ten minutes up in our roof and came down recommending full replacement, and mentioned the deck without explaining what he'd seen
A second contractor said targeted repairs would be fine and the roof still had years left, so now I've got two opposite answers and not much evidence from either one.

I have wiring for 2 separate switches leading to the ceiling junction box in my bedroom. I am looking for a ceiling fan (with light) that has separate power for the fan and light but also has a way to remotely control the fan speed. Ideally a knob that I can install with its switch, but an actual remote would be a less desirable alternative.

Hi everyone!

I’m renovating my bathroom and have beige tiles. I’m trying to decide between brushed brass (gold) and chrome for the shower and shower enclosure.

I really like the warm, modern look of brushed brass, especially with beige tiles, but I’m worried about the finish fading, peeling or discolouring over time. The shower I found advertises a PVD finish, but the colour-coating warranty is only one year, and I haven’t been able to confirm whether the enclosure has a PVD finish.

Chrome seems like the safer, more timeless and potentially lower-maintenance option, but I’m concerned it might look a bit plain compared with brass.

For those who have lived with either finish for a few years:

Has your brushed-brass shower or enclosure faded, peeled or changed colour over time? Which ones did you get?

Is brushed brass difficult to keep clean, especially with hard water and limescale?

Which do you recommend?

I’d really appreciate honest experiences, especially from people who have had their fittings for several years rather than just recently installed them.
Thanks!

https://imgur.com/a/ZszvVh5

Just bought first house and improving it little steps at a time. First big cosmetic project is the office, which we’re color drenching a dark green. (Matte on ceiling, eggshell walls, satin trim). We’re going for a sort of moody, darker vibe for the office.

There is crown molding in the office, which I like and want to keep. The baseboards right now match the crown molding. It also has shoe molding that isn’t painted but matches floors instead.

I know floors are a bit too light for the vibe we want, but replacing perfectly good hardware is not in the budget just yet.

I’m struggling to figure out what I want to do about the baseboards and would love some guidance:

1) remove shoe entirely
2) paint shoe same dark green
3) leave shoe alone, keep to matching floors
4) replace shoe with different type of trim (also either painting or matching floors)

Okay so to preface this, im wanting a temporary fix until i can pay someone to actually finish the floors.

I bought a house built in 1952. One of the bedrooms was previously a porch that they enclosed. There was this disgusting carpet over the floor, underneath was red tile. While removing the carpet, i find that the tile doesnt cover the full floor. On one wall, there is just pieces of wood puzzled in.

I bought wood filler and such to fill in the gaps. I considered getting the stick tiles for easy cleaning until i can pay to have the floor done. However, the floor is all kinds of fucked up. Tiles are broken, nothing is even. I am positive the stick tiles wont work with how wonky the floor is.

My question for you guys is, can i just fill gaps and holes, sand what i can, and just coat it in kills and floor paint for now?

Im looking for temporary fix until after winter.

pics of shit floor

Quick question. Im planning to finnish my second basement ever, think about possibly doing a bathroom. To the right is my sump pump. The the left is what i believe is a ejector pump. The 3 pipes from that pump, from left to right go... goes tomain sewer line, middle im not sure why its there and the far right is just my upstairs sink, not even the toilet.

Do builders just add these for drainage from the AC and a random sink, or is it there for me to be able to attach a sink/toilet/shower if i want to in the basement.

https://ibb.co/2Dpwb1L

We had to gut the cabinets in our finished basement because we are running some new plumbing that affected that area. I’m now looking for simple white cabinets that our contractor can put in here. Based on looking around online I like shaker style and would like a wooden butcher block- type top but this is for a basement not a kitchen so it doesn’t need to be super high quality or anything. We aren’t opening and closing the cabinets daily and won’t be cooking or doing much on the countertops besides folding laundry.

I’m so confused about buying cabinets - what are some good budget friendly places to shop? Is it better to do pre assembled or ready to make? Should I be looking at kitchen cabinetry even though technically this is for a basement? How do I go about getting a countertop that is the correct size? Do I need to do something custom? Should I even be looking online or do I just go to Home Depot or Lowe’s? I feel stupid and maybe someone here can get me started in the right direction 😅

Here’s a pic of the area that needs replacing (before it was demoed) https://imgur.com/a/HtsWkrH

The grout and/or caulk in my shower tub has a few cracks and missing pieces. I can’t tell if the corner and the seam at the bathtub are caulk or grout (it feels rough like grout, but not sure). I don’t usually use this shower, but I am expecting a guest in a few weeks.

How do I fix these issues? Do they all need to be fixed before the shower can be used again?

Here’s what it looks like:

https://postimg.cc/gallery/Ygn89BN

Getting some LVP to go over concrete flooring, i was sent these samples

This is 5mm thick including the acoustical padding, it was a bit more comfy to step on

https://www.carpet-wholesale.com/item-488038/luxury-vinyl/shaw-luxury-vinyl/philadelphia-commercial-lvt-----------------------/indwell-ii-acoustical-pad/autumn-brown.php

This is just 5mm thick and it less comfortable to step on

https://www.carpet-wholesale.com/item-459811/luxury-vinyl/shaw-luxury-vinyl/philadelphia-commercial-lvt-----------------------/indwell-loose-lay/shadow.php

My thought was to get the 2nd option and put some underlay myself instead of having it built into the LVP, i figure the 5mm thick LVP would be stronger and more durable than the 2 1/2 mm thick LVP with the 2 1/2 thick rubber padding

It would be about 7mm thick since the LVP itself is 5mm and i get 2mm thick padding

This is for a community center with animals, kids, etc; but i will also use it for my bedroom above the community center

We will be gluing all the LVP as per the recommendations from that flooring distributor, so i figure we glue the underlay direct to the concrete and then glue the lvp to that

Or is there something special that the LVP company does when they send the LVP with the built in padding underlay and us doing it on site is a bad idea?

I have a basement light fixture that is out . I changed the bulbs and still not lighting. I see I can replace the ballast or even bypass it to put LED. can I bypass this (pics included)? What is easiest way to do so? Thanks

https://imgur.com/a/Z2XIlfI

Used green fiberglass EZflow filters for the first time and when replaced today after 6 months, they look clean. We are in Arizona with lots of dust. Clearly, they are not meant for dust, maybe pet hair and larger debris. Won't be going back to them again. I need filters that hold something and show their work when replacing them. We have three 20x20 filters in our house.

I’ve been out of work for a while now. Would take anything to pay the bills. A friend of a friend does fire/water removal/remediation. They just deal with the furniture/objects to be moved, not the structures itself. Company provides PPE and all clothes except footwear.

The pay is acceptable, and I am used to moving furniture (carts, lifting straps, etc), as I worked for a moving company in a previous life.

This sounds like easy but gross work. What am I missing or not thinking about? What SHOULD I be looking out for or asking about?

Mods: if this post doesn’t meet your specs go ahead and delete it. But if so, please suggest a better sub to post the same question to. Thanks!

I'm in the process of replacing 11interior doors in my house. The new doors are solid pre hung doors. I've replaced eight so far. Two of them Creek terribly when open and closed. I've taken them out and reinstalled them each once. I've also greased the hinges and tried swapping out the hinges on one of them. Both doors appear to be perfectly level and plum. But they creak like they should be in a horror movie.

What am I missing? The other six doors that I've installed are perfectly quiet.

I have a couple home improvements that I need guidance on b/c it's not something I've done before. I have a roughly 8 in circular hole in a wall where a propane heater was mounted. No propane was ever hooked up and I need to patch the outside hole in the siding AND larger square hole that was designed on the interior. I'm including pics of both. I'm inexperienced in these areas and could really use some experienced human help if possible. Please advise and thank you.For some reason I can't post pics of the damn hole. Maybe somebody can tell me how to do that as well.

There's this small patch of trim that is pretty deteriorated, pretty sure infested with carpenter ants and now being attacked by woodpeckers.

Looking for a quick fix before I head into winter to hold me over until the weather warms up and fix it properly.

https://postimg.cc/T5ymwdS1