All Forum Posts by: Jim Adrian

Are you a tree hugger or like being sustainable?  If the roof is for a rental then will YOU (not tenant) see your money back in 3 years or less? Then yes.  If this will benefit the tenant; then I would pass.  If this is for your primary house and YOU will see your money back in 7 years (max), they yes.  Are you planning on staying here +10 years?  It all comes down to cost and what you are willing to spend. 

In 2020, new homes in California will require them.

http://www.jlconline.com/business/california-mandates-solar-panels-with-a-battery-option_o

I second what @Eric Teran and @Charlie Hampton have said.  I would be the $65k does NOT include crane rental and site crew.  It might include delivery.

Prime everything you skim coat or texture.  Sounds like this will be everything if I read correctly.   The drywall compound will suck up the primer / paint so its worth the $15 for a gallon of primer. You will have to 2 coat it for sure whether its paint or primer and paint.  Primer will allow for better adhesion of the paint to the all. 

Most commercial painting is a 3 coat system.  Primer, Paint & Paint.

They are right, you can't block the stairs for code reasons.  You want about a 5' sq landing where the unit/duct would interfere.  If this is a duplex and you are converting this to a single family.  Wouldn't you want one central air & heating for the house?  Without seeing the place its hard to follow / envision.   If its a gut job then you an put the unit anywhere you want and modify the structure and rooms accordingly. 

Side note: A silicone roof is extremely slippery when wet so please keep the unit at least 15' (osha issue) away from the edge unless you have a 42" high a parapet on the roof.

You can skim coat the entire wall to get it smooth again.  You will still need to prep the wall where the paper came of with a skim coat of drywall mud over it.  I would not texture one room when the rest of the house I bet has no texture.  Smooth walls are easier to repair drywall holes later on.   You can skim coat the entire wall which is providing a "Level 5 Finish" on the wall.  A drywaller will know what your talking about.

is the roof a flat roof style?  Assuming its not.  This creates a dangerous work condition for installing and to do any maintenance on the unit.  It will never get maintained like it should.  Find a way to put it on the ground or provide a larger opening for it.

@Chetan C.

Why do you have a someone living in your unit not on the lease? Because now you have a swatter if the one on lease leaves.  Then you will have to evict the squatter.  

You send them a notices for breach of contract.  Tell them the person not on the lease needs to moves out, gets added to the lease after screening or both move out.

@Rich Riesmeyer

I know im a little late with article.  I had just read this article before seeing your post but couldn't remember where I read it until the mail today.

http://www.jlconline.com/how-to/foundations/a-crawlspace-moisture-mystery_o

 This removes any arguing later.  Everything is pre-defined and shows you are not making things up when you hate your tenant, but rather enforcing the lease the tenant signed.

 I am running around ~$80 a month for a small 1000sf  sfr.