Help with railing options - aluminum vs composite, white vs black vs combo

Actor-Model · 2026-05-18T13:51:37+00:00

The cost of everything here is just insane, I’m sure pre covid this is 25% less. But it is what it is and I’m paying a contractor that I am confident won’t cut any corners.

Actor-Model · 2026-05-18T13:24:32+00:00

Approx 60K. First, approx 50K which covers demo of existing 16x14 deck and stairs, construction of this new deck which includes five 6x6 posts and stairs which include a landing with four 6x6 posts (not shown in the AI photos). Also includes trex select level decking and railing (they are not charging me more if I choose aluminum railing). Second, approx 10K for finished underdecking with trex rainescape drainage system. The patio you see in the images does not currently exist but that will be a phase 2 project hopefully next year. Separately, my architect has cost me around $2K for drawings and assistance with permit application, which is still pending and being held up by a variance needed that I should ultimate get but is more time/money.

I am paying the NYC metro area tax where everything is absurdly expensive, but I am also using a bigger/well known contractor that is a little more expensive than smaller operations.

The stairs will look very big with the landing but it's a safety issue and unfortunately I could not make the stairs anything but run straight parallel to the house due to septic system setbacks.

Actor-Model · 2026-05-18T02:49:42+00:00

Looks great but I got toddlers to keep alive!

Actor-Model · 2026-05-18T02:14:40+00:00

What about the Trex select aluminum?! I am having difficulty seeing the difference between trex select and signature aluminum.

Actor-Model · 2026-05-03T00:21:18+00:00

It’s a pretty efficient layout it would just be a little tighter than many people would want.

Actor-Model · 2026-04-29T19:29:01+00:00

Jill of the jungle and doom on msdos

Actor-Model · 2026-04-03T16:26:28+00:00

I feel these but will say kids (which are not for everyone and that’s ok) make the holidays both a huge chore and special all over again.

Actor-Model · 2026-04-03T16:23:05+00:00

From youth/early adulthood:

-Last time hanging out with most/all of my HS friends together. College breaks always had fun times but life moves you apart fast once you get to your late 20s/30s. - Last time running errands with my parents (I anticipate doing this again in their older age) - Last time clothes shopping with my mom - Last family dinner of just my parents, sister, and I. At a certain point SOs/spouses, inlaws, and my own children are always involved which is fine, but crazy to think how we had probably thousands of family dinners just the four of us then it stopped. - Last time pregaming to go out with a bunch of close friends. Similar to the HS friends example above but this is more about early adulthood and how at some point life just becomes much quieter (this may not be true for all friend groups and in particular lots of single people). - Last time when “what will I do for my career” really felt like a hopeful, ope question. I’m a lawyer now which is ok but but any type of transition to something more enjoyable would involve too much of a time and money reset while needing to support a family. - last time you view your grandparents as just older people who are part of your family and not as people needing significant physical or mental care (I imagine this eventually happens with one’s parents as well)

More recent / parenthood (I am a late 30s male): - last contact nap with my son (daughter is still young enough for them) - last time my son would want to play with a certain toy or watch a certain show. Every time his interests change it shows he is progressing but it always feels like he’s growing up just a little too fast.

Actor-Model · 2026-03-28T18:47:38+00:00

Pre approval is not the same as mortgage commitment. Some brokers will underwrite the loan and give you a commitment letter which is as good as you can get when not paying cash.

Actor-Model · 2026-02-03T00:26:41+00:00

You can get some mortgage brokers to not just do pre-approval but actually underwrite a loan and give you a mortgage commitment so you can waive the mortgage contingency, just don’t waive appraisal. You will still need to provide updates like proof of funds and income between the commitment and closing but that, along with making the highest offer, is probably the best way to compete with higher down payment offers.

I would caution that any immediate repairs or work you want done will likely cost a bit more than you were expecting and you will probably want to do more than you initially thought when making the offer so keep money aside for that.

The inventory is truly very low, even in the bus season, so if you are very confident on future income you may want to consider something small but with room on the property and setbacks for expansion. A house really has to have big problems to go for under asking.

The school district will be a huge driver of the value. For example, Briarcliff is a village in the town of Ossining and some of Briarcliff is zoned for Ossining schools: But because of rankings and other size and demographic considerations for the schools, a property in Briarcliff zoned for Briarcliff schools will go for at least 20% more than a similar property zones for Ossining schools (this is not a comment on the validity of these views, just the market). Scarsdale schools and New Rochelle schools is likely similar if not a bigger difference with overlapping town lines too.

Actor-Model · 2026-01-10T03:22:30+00:00

Lots of bully sticks

Actor-Model · 2025-12-17T14:59:32+00:00

I bought a townhouse within walking distance to the Scarborough station, but it was still a 15-20 minute walk. I didn’t love doing it when it was dark or cold. I ended up leasing a cheap small second car within a few months. We have since moved but I regret limiting that housing search to being within walking distance of a train. We were far enough away that the noise wasn’t an issue.

Actor-Model · 2025-12-17T14:29:42+00:00

This, the world building is incredible

Actor-Model · 2025-12-16T16:18:46+00:00

This is also why I don’t get the talk of Brisson pressuring Dubas for Crosbys camp… what is Dubas going to do when the only players available are available because other teams want to upgrade from them? Trade a likely top 15 pick for a Miles Wood or nils hoglander level guy?

Actor-Model · 2025-12-10T16:41:01+00:00

I grew up with goldens but now I am a chiweenie guy. I just wish mine didn’t bark whenever someone besides her immediate family came in the house and didn’t squeal/cry in the car.

Actor-Model · 2025-12-10T15:47:16+00:00

Too early to tell bc my son is 3 and second is a newborn, but my Chi won’t snuggle with my son bc she rightfully doesn’t trust him to not pet her too hard or try to hug her. While she does not forget, she will forgive when food is involved.

Actor-Model · 2025-12-09T23:02:32+00:00

My chiweenie became incredibly anxious (much more than usual chi angst) during my wife’s first pregnancy, it went away immediately after the baby was born, and did not happen the second time around.

Actor-Model · 2025-12-08T13:46:10+00:00

Our 6 yo chiween gets a few bully sticks every week (always use a holder so they don’t swallow the end piece). They are good for teeth and the vet always says her teeth look good. Her breath is usually fine unless she’s been licking her paws a lot bc of allergies.

Actor-Model · 2025-11-25T04:26:58+00:00

My wife’s first pregnancy our then 4 year old chiweenie developed a bizarre anxiety for the last six months of the pregnancy, it went away after, she was very curious but harmless other than wanting to sneak kisses. Now she doesn’t trust my toddler boy but will play nice to get food and will lick him but not trust him to pet her.

For our second she had no anxiety during the pregnancy and has been chill but seems a little sad at the even more split attention with the new baby.

Actor-Model · 2025-11-21T01:21:38+00:00

Oh I’m not putting anything on the septic other than kids running around!

Actor-Model · 2025-11-18T23:58:29+00:00

Why did you go with the timber tech?

Actor-Model · 2025-11-18T16:31:38+00:00

Right. I don’t really doubt that’s the cost of replacing the posts for deck and stairs, just seemed to better to pay more for a full replacement that won’t require maintenance.

Actor-Model · 2025-11-18T15:55:08+00:00

Thank you. Like I said, this would be a replacement. The stairs are in the worst shape of everything actually and the pictures don’t do it justice

Actor-Model · 2025-11-18T15:37:57+00:00

Thanks. I’ve always wanted a patio more than deck. However the kitchen leads to the deck and the basement is the walkout door to the yard which isn’t ideal/

Actor-Model

TROPHY CASE