All Forum Posts by: Kyler J Sloan

Assume that you have a 1100 square foot cabin renting on Airbnb that you want to incrementally improve over time and later take a HELOC to reinvest.

You have the following two options (below). Which would you choose to do first, and why? 

(1) Convert its crawlspace -- which is half filled with dirt -- to bring the square footage up to 2000 square feet

(2) Build a garage with an upper-level ADU on an existing pad

Although (1) would be the obvious choice in the abstract, the latter option would allow me to continue renting the main unit without disturbing guests, considering that the pad is located a comfortable 75 yards away from the main unit.

The crawlspace conversion would put all rent on pause, which I would really like to avoid. 

I would appreciate any feedback; thanks

Who should I contact about determining how much weight a deck space is rated for? 

Thank you in advance for any insight. 

@Mitch Davidson The wildfires are what got me second-guessing, but I will definitely be sure to take all of the precautions I can. Gravel for sure, and I'll also look into adding a chimney. 

Below is one that happened just recently. 

@Bud Gaffney About right. 

@Bruce Woodruff Thank you for clearing it up. One thing is for sure though -- I will have a lawyer in the future ready to ask these kinds of questions. 

@David Avery Yeah, he is a rare case. I actually wondered myself if this was the same guy mentioned by @Robert Abasolo in one his videos and in [ Tiny Houses, Interior Design, & Drunk Locksmiths w/ Robuilt - YouTube ] because he acted the same exact way, and used the same expression ("I got you . . . I got you"). I even asked if he went up as far as Gatlinburg to do work, and he said yes, and that he makes a fishing trip out of it every time he does. However, I am not sure if that story by Robert occurred back in San Francisco or after he moved over to Gatlinburg. 

Also, yes -- if he tries to sue, I will counter-sue. But I'll probably just leave things as they are rather than instigating the suit myself. 

@Scott Mac I have managed to find some great contractors, although they are certainly harder to come by. No, I certainly have no intention of hiring him for anything in the future. Yes, a simple push would have sent him over that hill. I also don't think drunk driving is "ok" anywhere in the country (???). 

Last night I agreed to meet with a contractor for an estimate on kitchen and bathroom renovations and he came drunk out of his mind. Although my driveway is steep and winding, I had given him an advance on bringing a 4WD. He brought a van, and somehow ended up in the position below. I spent that afternoon helping him get out of the situation, and left him and the wrecker to pull his van out as I went back up to the house. After they got him out, the wrecker came up to my house and told me the contractor said I would pay for it. We both went back down and confronted him, which sent him into a rage. Eventually he paid and took off. This morning, I got a text threatening to sue for the $220 wrecker charge, and an additional $120 trip fee. 

I do not think he is entitled to either, considering that he would not have gotten stuck if he were not totally drunk, and we had not agreed before he came to any trip charge. 

Just want to be sure -- does he have a case? I certainly don't think so.

@Rolly Weaver I figured it was fine but just wanted to be sure. Yeah, I sure enjoy it out here.

What do you all think of adding a fire pit to an Airbnb? -- Surprisingly I have not found many posts on this topic. 

I am about to do the landscaping on my renovation and am debating whether or not to level out an area in the front and add a fire pit. 

Is there a general consensus among hosts regarding potential liability issues and the potential ROI?

Thanks.