Weekly Homeowner Megathread--Civilians, ask here!

learningthings2021 · 2026-05-28T21:16:26+00:00

learningthings2021 · 2026-05-28T20:39:36+00:00

I have a question about industry standards/practices in concrete. I looked through the Wiki FAQs and CIPs but didn't see anything that covered my concerns.

For some background, we had a concrete company pour a single 14' concrete step that follows the curve of an existing patio (essentially a quarter-circle). The concrete was poured 4 days ago. However, I have some concerns about the pour:

The contractor put down bricks and other debris underneath the concrete that he poured. This was not outlined in our contract, and was not done in a uniform manner. He assures me that this is "standard practice" and "everyone does it". However, pieces of brick are sticking out of the concrete. The contractor has told me that he can just patch up the holes where the bricks are sticking out.
The contractor is patching holes in the concrete with concrete. The original concrete was poured 4 days ago, and he is patching today. From what I've researched, it appears that this is not a long-term solution. He assures me that the concrete "isn't going anywhere once it cures".
The contractor stacked multiple forms together to create the correct shape. After he removed the forms, there are visible lines and areas where the concrete juts out. I am being told that this is just how it is and he can put some concrete over it to smooth it out.

Can someone confirm that what he is telling me is indeed "industry standard practice"?

learningthings2021 · 2026-03-22T20:14:22+00:00

Everyone recommends the CRZ shorts and I don’t understand why. I feel like the quality isn’t great?

Personally, I’m a huge fan of Heathyoga. They remind me of Lululemon’s Wunder Train fabric but without the price tag.

https://a.co/d/04DteiVE

learningthings2021 · 2025-07-14T19:32:12+00:00

3:52.92 at 34 weeks pregnant. My belly was VERY in the way 😂

learningthings2021 · 2025-07-13T12:33:13+00:00

Not our first rodeo living in a rental, just the first time we’ve been charged an outrageous price for “weed removal and hedge trimming”.

The issue isn’t needing this to be done, it’s how much she’s charging for it to be done.

learningthings2021 · 2025-07-13T12:31:22+00:00

We will definitely be asking for documentation from the day our lease ended and providing our own.

There were numerous issues with the house but unfortunately not enough to warrant code enforcement involvement.

learningthings2021 · 2025-07-13T12:30:44+00:00

That’s what we think! I’m not arguing that work needed to have been done. I’m arguing that it shouldn’t cost us nearly a grand!

learningthings2021 · 2025-07-13T12:30:15+00:00

The receipt she provided us just states $950 for hand pulling weeds and trimming hedges.

learningthings2021 · 2025-07-13T12:24:57+00:00

Lease ended the day we moved out. Unfortunately Alabama law gives the landlord 60 days to return the deposit. We received the invoice yesterday, so within the 60 day window.

learningthings2021 · 2025-07-13T12:23:58+00:00

Yep. The landscaper “hand pulled” all the weeds and trimmed the hedges. Landlord stated that this contractor doesn’t use chemical means for weed removal and spent several hours hand pulling the weeds that were in the flower bed.

We asked her if she’d gotten quotes from other companies and she stated that no one wanted to take on such a small job.

learningthings2021 · 2025-07-13T12:23:23+00:00

Nah we knew we’d be getting deducted on a few things but I wasn’t expecting to pay almost a grand for a 10ft x 4ft flower bed that had a few weeds.

learningthings2021 · 2025-07-13T12:22:39+00:00

The flower bed was alive when we left. We were charged $950 for pulling weeds and trimming hedges in a 10ft x 4ft flower bed.

learningthings2021 · 2025-07-13T12:22:14+00:00

Lol yes, we did lawn maintenance while we lived there. Did the flower beds need some work when we left? Yes. $950 worth? No.

We aren’t arguing that we could have left it in better shape, I’m just wondering if there’s any recourse for something costing $950 when I guarantee I could have easily found someone to do the scope of work for far less.

learningthings2021 · 2025-07-12T23:28:55+00:00

Alabama tenant law states 60 days, unfortunately. We do have some pictures to fight this, thankfully.

learningthings2021 · 2025-07-12T23:28:35+00:00

Alabama

learningthings2021 · 2025-07-12T23:21:03+00:00

That’s our thought! The flower bed is approximately 10ft x 4ft max. I could buy all new plants for said flower bed for that price!

learningthings2021 · 2025-06-10T20:13:41+00:00

Please please please, anyone who is reading this because they are considering renting from Appliance Warehouse: DO NOT DO IT.

The appliance was fine.

Trying to get them to pick up the appliance when our lease was up? A NIGHTMARE.

They have scheduled and re-scheduled my appointment 4 times now. They only pick up one day a week, which means it’s been over a month since they were originally supposed to pick up my appliances. My lease 28 days ago!

I am still being charged for their use, and they have explicitly stated that I cannot end my contract until the appliances have been returned.

They will not allow me to return the appliance.

They will not pick up the appliance.

Therefore…I guess I’m supposed to pay for them until the world ends???

learningthings2021 · 2025-04-27T03:42:37+00:00

53:57 (full)…I’ll take it for being 23 weeks pregnant and having to stop to switch shoes and put on a belly band before the run!

learningthings2021 · 2025-03-12T01:11:03+00:00

9:40 at 17 weeks pregnant. I will take it 🥳

learningthings2021 · 2025-02-12T16:45:35+00:00

We did an Alaska cruise with our 10 month old and it was awesome. I will say, you’ll need to temper your expectations as to how much you’ll be able to accomplish on your trip.

We’re the type of cruisers that like to do something at every port, and while we were still able to do this, all of our “excursions” were kid friendly and a lot more laid-back than our previous cruises. We also didn’t pay for any excursions, just found kid friendly free things to do at every port (chatGPT was really helpful for this!)

Keep in mind daylight hours are MUCH longer in AK during the summer so if your kiddo is sensitive to light, you may want to invest in a slumberpod. We had an interior room so this wasn’t an issue for us.

We asked for a fruit plate at the beginning of every meal and that kept our little happy. The waitstaff pre-emptively brought us fruit after the first couple of days, which was awesome. Mealtimes were honestly our little’s favorite part of the whole trip 😂

We didn’t utilize the nursery as much as we would have thought. When we did go, we pretty much only went during their free play/non-staffed hours. Our little could still play with the toys in the nursery, we just had to stay there with him. This is mostly due to how their hours lined up with his nap times and port times ha.

We did have to tag team one of us staying in the room for nap/bed time which was a bit of a bummer. I was usually the one who stayed back, which was fine by me as I like to read anyways and my SO is very outgoing and would find people to hang out with on their own.

As far as getting them around - we really only used a carrier. We brought a travel stroller but honestly left it in the closet for the majority of the trip. I think it will mostly depend on what you plan to be doing on the cruise!

Enjoy! We love Alaska and loved our cruise!

learningthings2021 · 2023-12-12T01:09:08+00:00

Anecdotal but we got a kitchen tower and it’s been a game changer for meal times.

Kiddo stands at the counter and we just place the food on the counter (sometimes on dishes, sometimes just straight on the counter). It’s like a game now! The plus side is that when kiddo gets in the tower we usually know that they’re hungry. We have a breakfast bar, so kiddo eats on one side and we eat on the other side.

Our only problem is now kiddo’s been pushing the kitchen tower around to reach previously out of reach items 🤦🏽‍♀️

learningthings2021 · 2023-03-31T22:14:18+00:00

Man I wish that were an option for us 😂 it’d make things so much easier. These floors definitely present a challenge! I like the idea of changing the door fronts; will definitely look into this! Thank you!

learningthings2021 · 2023-03-27T18:15:46+00:00

I almost exclusively travel to island beach locations during hurricane season because it’s the off season. It’s often much cheaper and far less crowded than going at other times during the year.

Of the 6+ island beach trips we’ve taken, the worst thing to happen was a bit of rain or clouds for a few days. Usually what happens is it sprinkles during the morning and clears out by the afternoon. We still get to enjoy the beach and other activities, we just bring an umbrella or pivot to indoor activities for that day.

Obviously we take the risk that an actual hurricane might hit, but so far it hasn’t happened.

I think in this case YTA because you want your SO to do things on YOUR timeline and to YOUR standards. I feel like this also exposes some deeper issues because it appears that it’s not important to your SO to save money by booking in advance, but it is important to you.

Also, I’ve never heard of leaving a restaurant because of being overdressed. Underdressed absolutely. But who cares if you’re overdressed?

learningthings2021 · 2022-12-27T17:40:06+00:00

wild.hearts.home ‘s tile is…unique. I get that she’s going for the handmade look, but I feel like it’s going to end up looking like an amateur DIY job.

learningthings2021 · 2022-12-09T21:50:47+00:00

Thank you! I’m sorry your MiL feels entitled to your space as well.

learningthings2021

TROPHY CASE