All Forum Posts by: Robert S.

Good day, @Stephanie Goodman, do you know what type of exterior security features currently exist on the property?

@Kellen Canfield 1) Is this a flip or a rehab for you to rent out? 2) Ok, so sometimes a person can make a mistake and it turns out to change a trend, i.e. - the current trend of businessmen in suits wearing pants that look uncomfortably tight and show a lot of sock between the tops of their shoes and bottom of their pants. For generations men’s suits did not look like this, however it is now present in everyday life at almost every office everywhere. Another example, women expressing themself by wearing two different colored, non matching socks. One woman did it, now a whole group does on a regular basis. Not judging, just acknowledging that it happened, and others followed it and essentially made it socially acceptable to do dress like this. Unfortunately, in the case of your subway tile, once the adjective of subway, it completely means horizontal every time. The likelihood that your installer went to a subway station where the tiles were ran vertically and then that same person ended up installing your tile is a massive statistical outlier bordering on impossibility. Now let’s take into account that his/her technical knowledge is sound based on price and quality of install. His/her “eye for fashion” is way off the mark. Recommendation: If this is a rental, and your market dictates perfection at every turn, obviously come to a resolution with the contractor to rip it out and replace it. If your market will let it slide, then do the same. If this is a flip, and your market demands perfection, give a credit back to seller to get the deal done, if this is not the case, let it fly. Most importantly, I doubt anyone walked away from buying the house they wanted based on the current owner’s backsplash selection. If your contractor is good on time, money and quality, explain your issue, and move on to the next project. Full disclosure: I’m an electrical contractor and I once watched a person install a fixture meant to go on a ceiling as a wall fixture above a bathroom mirror (the fixture was 3 independent lights hanging by 4” hollow metal tubes off of one common frame with the bottom of the bulbs facing out of the glass trims). Sadly, he presented it like he finished the Sistine Chapel, unfortunately he needed to be informed that no one would ever, under any conditions, accept that in their bathroom. He never made that mistake again. Best of luck, I think you’ll come out ahead on this one. Based on your pics the kitchen looks really good so far, sans the backsplash misdirection.

@Brandon Rodriguez Ok, others have mentioned common area lighting should go on a common area panel. I agree with that. I do not know of the laws in your area regarding this topic, especially when applied to an existing structure. If you find out it is acceptable and decide to go with one light fixture per unit, it should be a relatively easy solution to implement based on the exterior being stucco. Your main obstacle will be finding long enough screws to fasten the fixture to the underlying sheathing. Other than that, your electrician can use the existing power from any of the receptacles inside each of the units that are on exterior walls, just find the ones on which walls make the most sense to set up the best spread of light. Best of luck.

@Brandon Rodriguez What is the exterior of the building made out of? Siding? Brick?

@Ronald Bowser Thank you for all of the posting on this thread. Definitely checking up on what constitutes a responsible party for the 20-mile law.

@Jay Hinrichs @Casey Powers We have the same Bitcoin ATM’s located in the corner markets in the trendy areas of Jersey City. I will admit, after working in the neighborhood for over a year, I have not seen one person executing a transaction with it. As Casey suggested, it’s not coming, it’s here.

@Dan Johnson Good day, I’m a licensed electrical contractor In NJ and would like to shed some light on this situation. I will stick to the information covered in your original post. Reciprocal agreements between states do exist. Although they exist, they are not automatic. ThIs means, the license holder in state “A” still needs to be apply for a license in state “B”. If a reciprocity agreement between the two states exist, the license holder still needs to meet a certain, albeit minimal, set of requirements to receive a license in State “B”. After this process is complete, the license holder will have two license #’s, one for each state. I would simply ask the contractor for his license number, bond info and insurance info. The license number can be easily verified on the state web site, the bond and insurance info can be confirmed by his insurance carrier. As for the low bid portion of this thread, I would address it only after all of his license information checks out. I hope this helps, best of luck.

@Louis Phlips AFAIK (Acronym) - As Far As I Know... Not a nationwide insurance company, that specializes in North Pole, Alaska duplexes

@Daria B. Good day Daria, I’m a licensed electrical contractor in NJ. Perhaps I can shed some light on your questions. The AFCI and GFCI protections are different types of protection. AFCI is required for all circuits in new construction and GFCI is required for all receptacles around water, outside and unfinished spaces. So, if you build a new home, the preferred method of installation is to install AFCI circuit breakers throughout the electric panel and then when you get to kitchen, bathroom(s) and exterior, install a GFCI receptacle at the first location so all receptacles past the first one receive both AFCI and GFCI protection. If you have any other questions, I would be more than happy to answer them. Best of luck.

@Mona C. Good day, I’m a licensed elwctrical contractor in NJ. All professionals who perform residential construction in NJ need to be licensed and carry proper insurance, including a ”handyman”. The proper designation is a HIC license(Home Improvement Contractor). Please make sure anyone you bring onto your property to perform construction carries these credentials. It does not matter if the work requires a permit or not. Also, all work over $500 (or $600, not exactly sure but can be easily confirmed on Division of Consumer Affairs web site) requires a written contract. I hope this helps you with your contractor search. Best of luck.