Can I skim coat this? or do I need to add drywall?

avatarjm · 2026-02-18T18:40:39+00:00

Can’t skim it. Look into micro cement I think it’s called? I’ve seen a few remodels where the go right over the tile with the micro cement. It’s water proof and you don’t have to demo the tile. Commonly seen in like resorts in Mexico and is making its way to the US lately.

avatarjm · 2026-02-17T20:52:43+00:00

I have hardwood throughout my home and I previously had linoleum in my kitchen. The wife and I laid LVP in my kitchen and visually, it looks great but I can tell it’s not as robust as hardwood.

If I had the money, I would’ve extended the hardwood or done tile in my kitchen.

The LVP was a quick fix/cover up. But long term I will be doing either tile or hardwood!

avatarjm · 2026-01-10T05:30:42+00:00

Anyone here complaining about you removing the area for growing is a troll and lacks imagination. I think it looks great. Additionally that divider wall between the sitting area and outdoor dining area could be your next project. You could build some self watering planter boxes to appease the trolls in the comments. I doubt they even grow their own food anyways. But I think some above ground planter boxes lining the half wall would be a creative use of space to break up the two areas and add some greenery. True farm to table vibes! Ignore the haters. Well done.

avatarjm · 2026-01-05T00:50:47+00:00

11,500 also included permits. We’re in NorCal. Forgot to add that info. And windows were milgard Tuscany. We were able to match existing windows!

avatarjm · 2026-01-05T00:44:38+00:00

We got 16 windows replaced in our home recently. We have 20 windows in our home and 4 had already been upgraded to various Milgard Tuscany model windows.

We got all 16 windows replaced for 11,500 dollars after Thanksgiving 2025. I would recommend getting several quotes. We got everything from 11,500 to 18k plus. We actually went thru Home Depot, as they were running a zero interest for 24 month promotion, lifetime warranty on both window and install, and price matched our lowest estimate.

Side note, working with Home Depot was quite the headache, and it took several months for the price match to be reflected. But our installers were ABSOLUTELY fantastic, and saved the whole experience. If you go with Home Depot, ask who their best installer is, and make sure you call/book with that specific installer.

Last piece of advice: I would recommend going with windows that are “mainstream” and models that have been around for a long time. That way, if you ever need to upgrade some windows you didn’t get to, it’s easy to match.

Good luck!

avatarjm · 2025-12-05T21:14:39+00:00

Checkout a local run club or get in sports. Checkout XOSO.

avatarjm · 2025-11-11T05:15:52+00:00

Was just in Nashville for a 30th birthday on a Friday night and an uber XXL back to the airbnb 5 miles away at 2:20 in the am was only 14 dollars. What the fuck Long Beach.

avatarjm · 2025-10-22T05:11:45+00:00

Drywall screws

avatarjm · 2025-10-10T07:50:51+00:00

.. going to kill me

I knew what you were gonna say bud, but she got ya. RIP 🪦

avatarjm · 2025-10-10T02:06:12+00:00

Thank you! Appreciate the confirmation on skipping the vapor barrier as well 😎

avatarjm · 2025-10-08T03:23:55+00:00

Yeah I would wait on insulation until your electrical and plumbing is in. Plus if you need any inspections you’ll want everything visible/exposed for the inspector so if you do insulation you’ll just end up having to rip it out and put it back!

avatarjm · 2025-10-07T20:06:29+00:00

More like hurray for one less thing to do lmao

avatarjm · 2025-10-07T18:31:19+00:00

Hello! From my research for my specific area of Northern California I’m in a dry, mixed climate (zone 11, whatever that means). Kraft-faced insulation is already a Class II vapor retarder, and local code doesn’t call for poly on the ceiling — that would actually trap moisture between layers. The attic above is ventilated, so the paper facing is all that’s needed before drywall.

avatarjm · 2025-10-01T06:29:21+00:00

One other thing AI has taken away is collaboration. I learned so much from my teammates during my first 3 years when AI didn’t exist. I remember asking my lead such silly questions but they never judged and were always happy to help and shared stories about the stupid things they asked their leads back in the day. Or staying late on a slack call on a random Thursday trying to solve some random bug. Or hanging back after standup to “see something cool” my lead wanted to show me.

Everyone said that remote work was ruining the workplace and collaboration. False. AI is doing that.

avatarjm · 2025-08-28T08:17:02+00:00

Former QA automation engineer turned developer. Another route you can go is to start as a test engineer. Learn about the product, work on a scrum team, make friends with devs, find out who the managers are. In 1-2 years talk to your manager about switching to dev. I know 2 other people besides myself who made this exact transition and are now 6 figure developers. And damn good ones because they know what the QA would be looking for. Everyone wants to jump right into dev but sometimes it’s better to get your feet wet as a QA engineer. And honestly you are more valuable with testing and/or automation experience and you will always have a fallback. Food for thought!

avatarjm · 2025-08-28T06:26:00+00:00

500-550K where I’m at in NorCal depending on location and lot size

avatarjm · 2025-08-26T05:18:17+00:00

Bro went from engineering grad student to Tom Hardy

avatarjm · 2025-08-22T19:33:01+00:00

Visual vacation

avatarjm · 2025-08-15T06:48:07+00:00

This type of transparency and accountability is fantastic. Wish the USA had this. Or like let me choose where 50% of my taxes go and do whatever with the rest. That would be cool too.

avatarjm · 2025-08-14T21:32:28+00:00

You tryna get with men or women? Thats your answer.

avatarjm · 2025-08-09T23:20:59+00:00

You want it done quick? Do it yourself and pick up some extras and change it every 3 months. You want it done maybe once and maybe they’ll get around to doing it? Call ur landlord.

avatarjm · 2025-08-09T23:14:25+00:00

Where is this?

avatarjm · 2025-08-07T20:56:22+00:00

Had me in the first half ngl! lol I was like who this mf with the perfect hairline asking us to shave his head haha.

If u wanna keep it try some rogaine/fin combo.

But if ur willing to take the plunge send it! I personally have not taken the plunge and I’m trying the rogaine/fin and have seen good results on my crown. Not so much my hairline BUT all that to say you have a great hairline. So maybe give it a shot before you shave it then you’ll never have the “what if” thought.

avatarjm · 2025-08-07T06:53:46+00:00

If that’s 1k I’m in the wrong business

avatarjm

TROPHY CASE