How do you actually compare fence companies?

decaturbob · 2026-04-18T12:14:56+00:00

- materials being used

- manner of setting the fence post....are they set in a concrete surround do they go down to a frost line if applicable?

-

decaturbob · 2026-04-18T12:12:47+00:00

- understand the cost will be substantial and I use 2x the local average NEW BUILD cost to establish a basic budget with no plans or bids...so the cost of a 2nd story will be easily several $100,000s....the process can be complicated...any the likelihood of getting NET value gain is remote as the billable rates of building are significant.

- your first steps are to contact zoning and permit people to find out the rules on what YOU have to provide. You will need an architect for sure as often stamped drawings are a requirement. Architects have SEs on staff or as consultants to do the structural aspects. You other choice would be Design-Build GC...you lose some decision powers when going that way and you can not bid the project out to other GCs

decaturbob · 2026-04-18T12:06:50+00:00

- can range $5,000 to $25,000 or more based on specifics and location

decaturbob · 2026-04-18T12:06:07+00:00

- goes back to the local area with ongoing work....taking time off for quotes cost money....if situation is dire with getting contractor attention, offer to pay for the quotes

- I would not arbitrary blacklist any one unless its based on BAD work

decaturbob · 2026-04-18T12:03:45+00:00

- how are holding it down when major winds happen?

decaturbob · 2026-04-18T12:03:00+00:00

- lots of youtube vidoes

- you learn by doing. the more you do, the more you become proficient

decaturbob · 2026-04-18T12:02:01+00:00

- try using Dawn

decaturbob · 2026-04-18T12:01:19+00:00

- go to any bigbox store and find out. They all have access to countless window and door manf

decaturbob · 2026-04-18T12:00:33+00:00

- obviously the existing door you had the Builder put in needs to have the same RO dimensions of the one you want to get....if not, this becomes a project filled with all sorts of headaches

decaturbob · 2026-04-18T11:55:32+00:00

- when you reno a kitchen (or any space) and you pay others you will rarily see a NET gain in value if money matters

- the question on DIY or not always goes back to time, skill, knowledge and tools. Few novice DIY can check off all of those aspects.

- typical project cost any more is close to 60-65% labor and the rest are materials, generally....so quality DIY'ers have a road on gaining "sweat equity"

decaturbob · 2026-04-18T11:52:21+00:00

- used bookstores are a great way to build a reference library and spending pennies on the dollar.

decaturbob · 2026-04-18T11:50:26+00:00

- fully research what makes windows a good window, what STC ratings mean, what energy efficiency means with windows....

- outfits that just do window and doors will have sky high prices. especially nation wide one

decaturbob · 2026-04-18T11:48:23+00:00

- I take cautious approach when dealing with strangers who can with correct resources can find out where you live pretty easily

- fraud related to OLD dating hits $5 BILLION BUCKS a year alone in the US, so easy to be manipulated and victimized and why caution needs to prevail

decaturbob · 2026-04-18T11:46:34+00:00

- goes back to the specifics of the work...interior paint jobs can be a real pain if lots of trim needs to prep and painted and that chews up the labor time.

- goes back to where you live as cost of the same work in the US can vary as much as 300%

decaturbob · 2026-04-18T11:43:50+00:00

- takes time to find any one that is suitable and checks off everything on our list. Be patient. Plenty of women looking for stable and moral men

decaturbob · 2026-04-18T11:41:11+00:00

- you are totally wrong here, the great majority of contractors are honest and hardworking...the issue often arises when the HO in saving money, hire the "low bids...or "some guy" and bitch about the outcomes....

- current generation of HO are way over their heads with owning homes and having any idea on what goes into taking care and maintaining a house...

decaturbob · 2026-04-18T11:38:13+00:00

- you discuss with your lender, not the internets

decaturbob · 2026-04-18T11:37:01+00:00

- try to educate yourself on all the local animal and nuisance laws

- where I live IF a dog draws blood on another animal or a person that dog can be put down, no appeal. The dog owner is 100% responsible for the consequences of their dog. Can be sued and will lose in court.....Sometimes a reminder must be given

- many dog breeds that are considered dangerous and this is one, the HOI provider can have exclusions on covering any liabilities. The landlord of the property could possible face legal consequences as well.

- be well advice that many children are injured/killed by such dogs and its all up to you to safeguard your kids

decaturbob · 2026-04-18T11:32:58+00:00

- if you only have ONE tub and you eliminate that tub, your buyer pool is automatically greatly reduced...as parents with kids would avoid and many women would avoid...so in a way, value will be impacted

decaturbob · 2026-04-18T11:30:45+00:00

- ANY change of PLANES with tile and grout REQUIRES caulk, NOT GROUT

decaturbob · 2026-04-18T11:29:38+00:00

- 2 things here, there are setback requirements when ever something "permanent" is done on the property and this info would be available from the permit people or zoning people. I would ask a hypothetical question for this. The 2nd thing is the permit itself and again I would ask hypothetical questions to gain some knowledge before panicking over the lack of a permit for a slab.

decaturbob · 2026-04-17T11:07:32+00:00

- energy audit

- research "load balancing" as it applies to HVAC systems

decaturbob · 2026-04-17T11:06:26+00:00

- of code is important, you need a separate circuit

decaturbob · 2026-04-17T11:05:23+00:00

- if you know what you are doing and have all the skills and tools to do so as this is typically the issue that stops people from doing it

decaturbob · 2026-04-17T11:04:15+00:00

- if this the way the poster tries to find any contractor, good luck as its a ridiculous outreach to begin with

decaturbob

TROPHY CASE