All Forum Posts by: Bryan Devitt

 Was it so mismanaged that they're trying to make up for the past? That fee is just insane 

@Shane Elias-Calles the only time we put tubs in masters now is when they're 7' soakers. Everything else is a big walk in shower. At least 4 x 4, up to 6 x 6 usually. If you're doing it anyways add a couple body sprays, they're cheap up front cost but people love them and they can actually sway someone to rent just for the shower. You should be able to get away with 2 before you would have to run bigger feed lines. Just make sure you're not paying for the water bill

@Steve S. Mike hit the nail on the head. My showers are waterproof before tile even goes on them. Lesser installations are not but the bottom 3-6" should always be waterproof and the walls would be made of a board of some sort and rely on the grout and sealer to stay waterproof. If it is leaking below, the pan is probably junk and if that is the case, there is nothing you can do but tear it out. If the tile is ceramic or porcelain, scrape any loose grout and caulk every seam, grout joint, etc and that will get you a little while. There is no good long term fix that is cheap though

@Ashley Cao YES!! There is no guarantee they'll be gone at the end it the month. This could drag on for months and you'll be a month behind in the legal process. Do everything by the books and don't hold back because they say they're going to leave

Talk to the building inspector, they're the ones who handle egress for us and they are the ones who set the standard on what is a safe means of egress. The fire dept just makes sure there are 2 and smoke detectors 

I have never heard of a loophole with 1 egress being fire rated and not needing a second. National code requires 2 means of egress, so that would have to be a state addendum that overrides the national code. To me it doesn't make sense but when it comes to codes and locally specific laws, there are lots that surprise me.  

On the left hand side of the house, can you make a walkway over the back roof and have steps that come down the back and wrap the corner onto the 2nd floor egress? 

generally a roof doesn't count as egress. Is it possible to lower the window to the floor and install a tempered window? I assume adding an exterior set of stairs is out of the question? Adding one across the roof so the roof itself isn't egress or asking if you can add railings to the roof and considering it a ramp?

Usually the utility bills are tied to the building, not the person on the bill, so yes, generally they can go after you for it 

Don't partner with someone you don't know. Don't get in too deep with a contractor you don't trust. Make sure your contracts are solid before any work is started. Unless they said they would be willing to trade labor or a lower price for equity, it would instantly rule out using that contractor. People who ask for 1 sided contracts usually feel entitled and think they always deserve more than they do, so they will somehow make sure they get more money out of the deal no matter what