All Forum Posts by: Bill Patterson

As a plumber in a past life, I would recommend pex. I use it in all of my new condos that I build. You don't need to cover it in a basement where it is exposed. It is the direct UV rays that affect it. You should not use tight holes, but instead as Marc said, use water hammer arrestors. You should also strap the tubing in the center of the studs to stop the rattle and to avoid drywall screws when the stud is missed! I have used it for years in radiant floor applications and it has been used in Europe for years, so it is well tested. Jon is correct, I always use copper stubs out of the walls for my sink and toilet stops. Looks a lot more professional!
Bill

Two of the Realtors we are working with now will be getting a bonus after closing because of the effort they have put forth. One is our listing Realtor and the other is the Realtor for the "C" buyer on a different transaction (our listing Realtor on that one is not too great!). It would have been very, very difficult without the extra effort of these two outstanding Realtors! BTW, neither of them is expecting or knows about the bonus and that will make it that more fun to give it to them!
Bill

Timbertech is a good material, too. With any composite, make sure if you use a power washer, be sure to set pressure low, so as not to damage the grain in the decking!
Bill

Hi!
I'd measure the opening size and check with your appliance store to see what is the most functional and economical unit that will fit. For a 750 ft apt, I would think that a 14 or 15 cu ft would be fine. A standard size refrigerator often will cost less than a smaller, less popular sized one. Also, from an aesthetics point of view... lots of room around your refrigerator looks like you have skimped on the fridge and may leave a bad impression on your prospective tenants! Put yourself in the tenants place...would the refrigerator work for you?
Good Luck,
Bill

Most MLS rules require that concessions be detailed, so that you can easily find out what the true sale price is. The above example would have stated "$7,000 buyers closing costs paid by seller" in the Concessions line item. This is also true in all price ranges as a "perk" to attract buyers.
Bill

Suppliers, subcontractors and contractors are disappearing every day here in Michigan. I just lost my siding supplier, but there are other places to buy it. That is all you can do. Every week I get subcontractors stopping by looking for a chance to bid on work. Today it was a plumber. So far, my subs are all still in business, except for my siding installers. I lost my asphalt company that I had used for 5 years, but my new one has done a good job on the past two condos.
Good luck and be thankful that you are buying and not selling the supplies.
Bill

Bryan,
The Transcend rail system is hollow, but is designed in a structural way so that it is solid. The Transcend balusters are hollow, but when the rail system goes together, it is a solid system and installation is quite easy with the templates supplied. Post covers, fascia boards, rail kits, etc. are expensive and your budget may be short on that end. The deck board price is in line. Up here in Michigan, labor is higher. Most suppliers will take your plans and give an itemized bid. That is your best bet.
Thanks,
Bill

Bryan,
The stain test video is pretty impressive! I think it may be a lot like the Transcend that I am using. If that is what your installer recommends and uses, I'd go with his product. He probably has a relationship with the supplier and gets good pricing and service. That's as important as the deck materials themselves.
Bill

In retirement, I just want to stay active in what ever I want to do! Maybe a little work for some mental stimulation. Travel to satisfy my curiosity and meet interesting people. Give back somehow....maybe re-join the Red Cross Disaster Team. BTW....I've gotta pick things that Jackie wants to do, too!
Bill

Bryan,
I like the Trex - Transcend series decking. It is a composite decking with a pvc shell that helps prevent fading and also is easier to keep clean. It doesn't support mold growth like typical composite decking. I also like the fact that stains like wine, grease from grills, etc. that would be very hard to remove from a composite deck will wipe off from the Transcend deck. Check it out on line.

What ever you use, ask about the hidden fastening system. I tried it on the last two decks that I built and really liked it. It saves quite a bit of labor and makes a nice uniform surface.
BIll