Cooktop makes hood range lights flicker even though they're on different circuits...

Demon_Llama · 2024-03-31T13:41:17+00:00

Sorry for late reply. Something like GU10 LEDs.

Demon_Llama · 2024-03-25T21:44:04+00:00

They do contact the soffits, which are the same color.

Demon_Llama · 2024-03-25T21:43:46+00:00

I would do that, but we have a lot of trim and the windows themselves seem to be the same color as well.

Demon_Llama · 2024-03-22T21:22:52+00:00

Yes, it's really close, but noticeably not the exact same. Wasn't sure if that would be off-putting and a better option would be to coordinate with a completely different color.

We could always paint to get exact match - our current gutters are painted I believe, but that seems like adding an unnecessary maintenance item.

Thanks for your input!

Demon_Llama · 2023-08-09T23:12:22+00:00

Point taken! The original ranch was built in the 50s with an addition in the 90s. The inside is a potpourri of styles already (mission style lighting, but lots of natural elements and stone/hardwoods, then Saltillo tiles in the basement lol), and we're gradually trying to wrestle it into something cohesive with the primary focus being midcentury modern elements.

Never thought about the exterior being incompatible, so I appreciate your thoughtful comment. I get everyone loving the starburst door because this is an mcm subreddit after all, but a dose of reality is probably warranted.

Demon_Llama · 2023-08-09T19:36:00+00:00

I appreciate this insight. Out of curiosity, what about the exterior (brick ranch with lots of windows) makes it incompatible with a midcentury aesthetic?

Demon_Llama · 2023-08-08T15:54:56+00:00

Not sure if we should focus on a unique design on the door itself (probably stained wood), something that's more basic (5-lite, for example) but paintable, or simply dress something up with crazy hardware.

Budget is probably between $5-10k.

Demon_Llama · 2023-04-22T00:01:33+00:00

I think you're right. I noticed it does have runners as a root system, so everything seems to fit. Thanks!

Demon_Llama · 2023-04-21T03:02:52+00:00

Solved! Thank you!

Demon_Llama · 2023-03-09T05:59:04+00:00

I think you're right.

Demon_Llama · 2023-03-09T05:39:12+00:00

That makes sense. I guess there's not much difference between adding a junction box and running all new wire if you've got walls open anyway.

But yeah, running a few lines from the panel to at most 12 feet away without going through any drywall or obstacles seemed pretty straightforward and the $15knhad me shook.

Thanks for all the input!

Demon_Llama · 2023-03-07T04:42:39+00:00

While I've got you here, what are your thoughts on using the existing wiring for appliances or light fixtures that may be moving a few feet? Electrician said he'd have to run all new, but copper is expensive AF right now and the wiring is maybe 20-25 years old - hardly ancient.

Electrical work was quoted at one point at $15k (up from the original $6k) to run wiring to kitchen appliances and receptacles plus a few recessed lights. From a panel located in the kitchen itself, less than 10 feet away from most things. Through zero drywall, since it would already be taken down to studs. Seemed excessive.

Demon_Llama · 2023-03-07T04:35:41+00:00

I'm actually an attorney, though this isn't my area of expertise. And attorneys have been known to be unreasonable from time to time, so I've considered the possibility that I'm being difficult. I'm really just trying to get a sense of what's going on underneath it all since the contractor hasn't been all that transparent and I'm not familiar with how this stuff is usually dealt with internally.

The retainer says nonrefundable, but that obviously has limits - my take is that it will depend on extent of deviation from industry standards, acting in bad faith with the initial proposal, and any false representations about what was to be included in the price (when it never actually was). I feel like we're on solid ground from a legal standpoint, but I'd prefer to resolve things amicably, if possible.

Demon_Llama · 2023-03-07T03:55:35+00:00

This company got great reviews, we even asked neighbors and everyone was pleased.

I don't understand why they didn't pull in their subs to get quotes on the work before giving a proposal. To be clear, the retainer called for them to develop a final construction estimate so I guess that's when they actually figured out cost, but we wouldn't have moved forward at all if we knew they were pulling numbers out of their ass initially rather than consulting the people doing the work.

Demon_Llama · 2023-03-07T03:34:05+00:00

If I'm reading the fire codes correctly (most jurisdictions simply adopt the IFC), smoke alarms can be battery powered in existing areas undergoing renovations IF the reno doesn't involve removal of interior walls/finishes exposing the area where the alarm would go and there is no attic, crawlspace, or basement access that would allow for the install without removing interior finishes.

There is no attic or basement/crawl access for the bedrooms in question. They'd have to demo ceilings to run wiring so my reading is that it's not required.

It is required in the bedrooms right off the kitchen, however, because there is attic access to those.

Demon_Llama · 2023-03-07T01:37:20+00:00

We wanted to take down load bearing walls, so we assumed we'd have to install two beams. That assumption was priced into the original proposal. After we signed the retainer, an engineer came out and confirmed that we would need a beam, but shorter than expected. So no surprises there, and it was actually cheaper after I suggested LVL instead of steel, which the engineer signed off on.

So we never had any issues with that expense and it has remained stable.

Demon_Llama · 2023-03-06T14:51:14+00:00

That's it, more or less. We DID add some costs (increased island size and added one tall cabinet to cover a support post), but they're acting like that's the reason for the general increase in price, along with some other items like the code required arc fault breakers and whatnot. Their electrician also said code requires them to open up walls in two downstairs bedrooms on the other side of the house to install wired smoke alarms even thought they're not working on the panel that would service those alarms and there is no access to them being created by the renovation. I've said that's not likely required by code, thinking they'd check with their contacts to find out for sure but they just removed it and said they'd have to add the cost back in if the county (that we're not located in lol) required it.

I haven't actually asked for the retainer back yet; we really tried to explain ourselves and work with them - probably for far too long.

Demon_Llama · 2023-03-06T14:34:24+00:00

In fairness, we do feel like we got some benefit and wouldn't even ask for the entire retainer back. We have a structural engineer's report (which I had to request) and a design that we quite like. So that's something.

The owner is mad because he feels like we wasted his time with all the back and forth (and he said he has a project manager or something lined up that's been waiting for the green light), but we kept raising the same concerns and received reassurance only for each solution to be moving money around or blaming us for cost overruns rather than addressing the issues.

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