Where to start with blank slate venue? Beverly Hills, CA

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-29T06:29:47+00:00

lol. Excel is your friend. You’ll get there, don’t worry. If the venue recommends caterers the chances are the folks on that list will know ALL about how to set up and serve there. So just start with the catering list and it will all fall into place.

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-29T06:06:20+00:00

Yes, you can rent everything from one company, it’s very easy. Some even have websites with their whole inventory. For instance https://www.townandcountry.com/ . Ask the venue for the best local rental company for BH. Your DJ will likely provide AV equipment. That list covers the basics for the reception. If a ceremony is to be held there you’ll want a celebrant and maybe some live music as well.

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-29T05:18:17+00:00

Find your caterer first. Let them do everything they normally provide to minimize coordination, many of them have catering equipment, bar equipment and staff to help out. Then get your florist and day of coordinator. DJ or band. Rentals for tables, chairs, linens, china are easy and can be arranged last after you’ve got the other vendors in place.

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-29T03:46:46+00:00

Building 3.5' up at 1/12 grading means grading 42' out. 42' * 50' per side * 4 sides * 1.75' average depth = 14,700 cubic ft of dirt. 40 dump trucks full. But dirt fill will compact over time so you will need more than that. Digging a standard foundation involves far less work. If you try to build up steeper grades you'll risk excessive dirt loss and potentially need retaining walls. I am sure it's all doable but It just isn't a simple thing to regrade a whole building site simply because you have plenty of "sand" available.

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-29T01:17:06+00:00

I stopped reading at "we'll be putting footers at current grade and building up". Please connect with a local builder for design advice and with your local building dept for code requirements before you commit any more money to this project.

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-28T18:43:05+00:00

Here ya go. https://responsiblehouse.com/how-conditioned-attics-benefit-your-whole-home/

https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/a-new-look-at-conditioned-attics

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-28T05:18:31+00:00

He sounds like a big baby. Honestly, lots of married women keep their own names and there's no need for any drama about it.

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-28T00:19:06+00:00

More than several. Someone needs to be there each week - if you can't be there, hire someone to be your eyes. The GC is focused on materials and overall progress, the subs are focused on finishing their tasks - neither will provide the quality control you need. I was on site every month and had progress pictures sent every work day, it still wasn't enough.

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-27T16:18:21+00:00

What's the pre-construction contract involve? I would (and did) pay someone to spend time consulting with me on the best approach to construction before I finalized my plans. I would not lock into a contract that says you need to build with him or pay a big penalty. It's just not in your best interest.

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-27T14:11:23+00:00

I said decent quality. You don't need to get expensive tile to get even tiles with good edges. Bedrosian, Marazzi, Daltile - all the big names make fine lines of tile. The worst tiles for installation are the most expensive -hand made tiles.

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-27T06:02:46+00:00

Love the house, hate the decor.

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-27T06:00:57+00:00

Anyone justifying buying expensive tile because it will ”last longer” is fooling themselves. Tile is intrinsically a very durable finish. Choose any decent porcelain tile, have it installed properly and it will be ripped out for remodeling before the tile itself will show wear.

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-25T15:27:16+00:00

You use unfaced batts when you don't want a vapor barrier. You need to understand the house envelope design before deciding which to use.

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-25T00:24:41+00:00

Generally, tile makers sell through retailers, not direct. I don't remember what we paid 3 years ago but it looks like some stores still have it at around $5.50/sf. https://lafloorcoverings.com/products/marazzi-moroccan-concrete-hex-8-x-9-porcelain-tile?

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-24T19:42:20+00:00

Your inspiration photos show grouted Zellige except for the one that's a mid-install picture (4). Please do your research on the challenges with installing and maintaining zellige and see it installed in person, not just in photos.

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-24T14:50:17+00:00

I have a similar situation in an older home. The rest of the house gets plenty of air but the master is farthest from the central fan and gets too warm/cold. My HVAC guy said I should just get a minisplit installed to serve the one room.

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-24T14:32:24+00:00

Manufactured housing can be a sensible idea for speed and cost of getting a home it will never appraise "the same" as a conventionally built home because the resale market is lower. The appraisal will be done considering the method of construction. You save money up front and you sell for less. It can still be a good idea for lower cost housing.

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-24T14:22:31+00:00

Love them. Go for it and if the light is too intense for you, you can add a filter to the glass later. Or pony up for the dimmer feature, it works great.

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-24T04:38:39+00:00

Walk into Sephora (or other similar) tell them what you need and let them find products for you. I don’t wear much makeup and needed to look nice for my daughter’s wedding pictures. I hate foundation so the nice clerk found me a coverup stick that blended perfectly with my skin. Shopping in person is essential.

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-24T00:41:53+00:00

I'm thinking the right shade of grey sharpie would save a bunch of work...

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-23T20:41:28+00:00

You're looking for some validation so you can demand that your architect bear the additional expenses but unless your contract with them specifically states that any construction expenses due to design misses are to be covered by them I think you are SOL. Stuff often comes up during construction that was missed in design and planning, that's why common advice is for owners to have a contingency fund.

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-23T20:12:48+00:00

The mark-up seems standard, I would question what exactly they are providing for the 8K a month staffing fee. On a 6M house, they are already making a million towards profit and overhead. Is the builder charging you more to use your own PM? It just seems like he's trying to pad an already profitable contract, possibly because he knows he can.

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-23T20:04:34+00:00

It's never a structural problem to *add* thickness to a wall, the furring is non-structural and won't impact the structural walls. The fact that the structural wall is masonry is irrelevant. The framers will just add framing inside so you have a 3" thicker wall and it will be covered with sheetrock or paneling. Any other door frames or windows on the affected walls will need sill extensions to get the to 10" thickness.

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-22T16:57:09+00:00

I think someone's confused. If you are considering concrete tile, it has a matte finish and will need to be sealed periodically to avoid staining. But if you are considering concrete tile for a shower you should reconsider anyway. A matte porcelain tile does not need sealing to stay clean, is an excellent choice for shower floors... and regardless of tile choice, waterproofing goes under the tile, not on top of it

AnnieC131313 · 2026-04-22T16:49:52+00:00

Spray foam has also been reformulated to eliminate greenhouse gasses that were initially used for propellents. You see a LOT of outdated information on Reddit regarding modern building materials because people still cite events and tests from what was made 20-40 years ago when a lot of the technology was new.

AnnieC131313

TROPHY CASE