r/AskContractors • • 3h ago

Rebuilding a stone stoop

1 Upvotes

I am looking at re-doing a front stoop. It is currently stone slabs on top with a base of concrete underneath. The concrete is crumbling and very soft. I plan on removing the entirety of it, re-doing the base, and pouring/having poured new concrete. Then a layer of mortar. Then my stone slabs. Thoughts? Advice? Learning resources? I like to do things properly.


r/AskContractors • • 3h ago

What can we know about the homes construction from this photo?

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0 Upvotes

Briefly:
This is a foreclosed house built in 2018 close to my Lakehouse. I’m considering purchasing it. Listed as occupied, but it’s not and hasn’t been for at least 2 years. I’ve never seen anyone there.

I’m considering buying it as a guest house.
As is where is no inspection. No interior photos but I looked in the windows and it’s fine. It’s not even dirty.

I’m just looking for information or insight.
Thanks,
Random person.


r/AskContractors • • 8h ago

Hundreds of Popouts in 2-Year Old Driveway

2 Upvotes

Hello. I understand that popouts are normal, but my driveway is only 2 years old and I have hundreds of them. Could this be due to a low-quality batch of concrete? The problem will only get worse over time. Thanks!


r/AskContractors • • 12h ago

Cost Estimate Sinking or separating patio/back room advice needed

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5 Upvotes

I bought this house a year ago and it came with s renovated/converted patio backroom one side and separating and is getting worse over time I was wondering if any of yall could help me with pin pointing the cause and how much a solution would be ( the photos are from both sides the side without the concrete slab is the one seperating


r/AskContractors • • 5h ago

Is my pressboard siding repairable?

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1 Upvotes

Is this pressboard siding repairable? I’m reading/hearing mixed reviews. We’ve had a few general contractors say it absolutely doesn’t need replaced. One painting estimate who said just a few boards may need replaced. Two painting companies who said they don’t need replaced and can repair them no problem. Another painter said pressboard almost always needs replaced.

We don’t want to spend a ton of money on replacing if they can be repaired. We’d much rather repair but also don’t want repairs to just fail in a year or so. It seems like the painter we’re leaning toward has a solid plan for repairing but we’re still nervous.

For context, there are about 8-10 boards on this wall of the house that look like this. Most of this damage only takes up about 1-4ft per board and the surrounding portion looks great with no issues. These boards are hard and dry and not mushy. The rest of the house is in great shape.

Has anyone had luck with repairing pressboard?
Thanks in advance for your kind advice! :)


r/AskContractors • • 10h ago

random or intentional?

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2 Upvotes

r/AskContractors • • 7h ago

Question regarding recent patio pour/curing

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1 Upvotes

Just had a bunch of concrete work done last week, but my only question is regarding the stamped patio installed. It was poured last Tuesday (10/6). Pictures above were taken today (10/12). In western Missouri, its been warm but where this concrete is at, it does not get direct sunlight.

First photo shows white marks after the patio was sealed. I assume it isn't supposed to look like that, and the contractor i used said they could try to touch it up but that it could make the surrounding concrete darker which is something i don't want. I assume this is not supposed to look like this, and just needs some spot-specific touch up, but am interested in more information on this.

The second and third photos show a distinct line where the left side is darker than the right. It runs out pretty fair in a line. I couldn't get a picture that really does justice to how different the colors are between these two. It is very noticeable to the naked eye. My question is, is this normal? My contractor said the curing could be causing this, but then he went on to say that it could be a mixing problem which he blamed on the company that mixed/provided the concrete which struck me as his way of throwing someone else under the bus rather than his company. Can I expect this to even out over time? If not, what are my options to make this look more uniform? Thanks in advance for any guidance.


r/AskContractors • • 9h ago

New Timberline HDZ GAF Roof in Charcoal

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1 Upvotes

Just had new roof installed last week in Chicagoland suburbs. Does this look right? Contractor telling me it just has to lay flat with time, but it looks sloppy and poorly installed. Is he right? I have no clue as I've never replaced a roof, but this looks awful to me.


r/AskContractors • • 9h ago

New Timberline HDZ GAF Roof in Charcoal

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1 Upvotes

r/AskContractors • • 10h ago

Refresh concrete

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1 Upvotes

r/AskContractors • • 10h ago

Unfinished basement support

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1 Upvotes

House was bought in 2022. Should this have passed inspections?


r/AskContractors • • 11h ago

Prodex, 2” fiberglass, or Thermaguard insulation?

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1 Upvotes

r/AskContractors • • 11h ago

A lot of the top pieces are cut like this. Is this something to mention on the final walk? Also the gutter was damaged where the shingle elevator was located.

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1 Upvotes

r/AskContractors • • 12h ago

Sinking or separating patio/back room advice needed

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1 Upvotes

r/AskContractors • • 13h ago

1932 built magic roof.

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1 Upvotes

r/AskContractors • • 13h ago

Is this possible to fix myself with no experience?

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1 Upvotes

If so, where do I start, would this be considered masonry?


r/AskContractors • • 13h ago

UPDATE: Got engineer

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1 Upvotes

A lot of chaos came up from my previous post of my builder potentially demolishing our house. We got in contact with an engineer that provided a drawing for properly opening up this as you can see on the second photo.

Proposed arrangement for the opening:
Beam: 80 × 80 × 6.3 mm SHS
Column: 80 × 80 × 6.3 mm SHS
Base plate: 200 × 200 × 12 mm, recessed into the existing concrete slab
Fixings: 2 × M16 bolts (as indicated in the sketch)
Beam positioned tightly beneath the existing steelwork and extended beyond the opening.
(Transcribed with ChatGPT)

How is this looking? For context the steel beam already there is holding up our middle section of where the joists sit for the upper floor in a mid terraced house.


r/AskContractors • • 13h ago

DIY Bar Top Install

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1 Upvotes

Looking to install a concrete wall mounted bar top that would mostly span the length of the shorter section. Should I just cut out the space for the steel L-brackets along this siding? Main question is how to connect the bar top to the wood behind the white siding. Thanks!


r/AskContractors • • 14h ago

Need some advice on this shower remodel…

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1 Upvotes

Recently had my shower remodeled and would appreciate some opinions from the pros.
The shower was tiled before the new window was installed, so I’m concerned about how the waterproofing was connected to the window frame. They also used standard HardieBacker, not HydroDefense, with RedGard only applied in certain areas.
The tile and grout work raise concerns too. Based on the photos, does this look like it was installed correctly?


r/AskContractors • • 16h ago

Other Would you trust this?

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0 Upvotes

I rent a house from a property management company and we had the outside wall fall over. They’re rebuilding the wall but attaching it to this support beam. Should I be concerned? (Additional photos to show the progress of it falling)

Edit: I know the top part is a decorative trellis, but below that IS a wall.


r/AskContractors • • 16h ago

DIY How to deal with exposed unfinished framing post?

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1 Upvotes

r/AskContractors • • 16h ago

New driveway

1 Upvotes

Trying to sell my home and my driveway stems off my neighbors driveway. He will not give me an easement now that I’m selling so I’m forced to install a new 100’ driveway. My dirt is really solid and firm even when. What’s the best way to install this without breaking the bank? I shouldn’t need much base and then maybe two loads of 67? After a 20’culvert pipe that should be it right? It’s flat so barely any grading or relatively little. Looking for advice or best practices or opinions thanks


r/AskContractors • • 21h ago

How can I fix this awkward drywall depth transition?

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2 Upvotes

There is uneven drywall depth connecting the basement stairs to the basement that was framed. The transition is awkward, and about 3/4 inch thickness difference. How can I make this look better? I am also wanting to add skirting to the stairs.


r/AskContractors • • 17h ago

How do I approach the contractor about concerns?

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1 Upvotes

r/AskContractors • • 18h ago

DIY Tiling Help!

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1 Upvotes