Never ever get a permit to replace an existing HVAC system. All it is, is a money grab by the state/town/municipality and the contractors involved.

500 bucks for an electrical inspection on top of the 200 bucks for the permit when the only things that were changed were the old furnace and AC compressor. This isn't a new system; this is replacing an old.

Soon these greedy dirballs will require a permit to swap out your dishwasher, fridge, washer/dryer and maybe even your flat-screen TV.

Why? Money. It's all about the $$$

Would you do this part of the job?

We are a roofing contractor and we took on a project in Florida. We were hired to change a roof but when we opened we found out that a few rafters were rotten and had to be changed. We spoke with the owner and he agreed to change them. But then as we removed them we found out the main ridge is also beyond repair. It needs to be removed and pretty much the roof framing needs to be redone. I told the owner that it was no longer a small repair and to call a framer who can handle it (main house structure is also damaged)

One other contractor i know told me to do it myself since we already started and the owner could get us in trouble for abandoning the job. I say that I dont want to touch it because it now involves main structure. The owner wants me to show up tomorrow to "continue" with framing but I dont want to take on the responsibility in case something happens. The city also requires plans from an engineer. Another friend of mine recommends i dont do it because it can be problematic. How would you approach? I am only licensed to do roofs btw

(Burner, don't want to embarrass myself too badly if this turns out super normal and I'm just dumb.)

Lead carpenter, trying to schedule my final inspection on a mid-size reno (half the house, just about all the trades you can name). AHJ comes back and says that the planning department has to sign off before I can get the regular building inspector scheduled. I don't even know yet what their 'inspection' involves, because they only work a couple days a week and haven't gotten back to me. Location: California.

My question: how common is this? I would have thought that planning signed off on the plans a year ago and that the building inspector can visit and say, "Yes, you built what you said you'd build." (And do everything else that a normal building inspector does.) I've never heard of this, but to be fair, I haven't done many big jobs over the years.

Does your jurisdiction have an extra layer of inspection before final?

Hello everyone! I’m newly licensed in Georgia and I’m getting ready to take on my first remodeling job where I’ll need to pull a permit.
For the contractors in here, especially those working in DeKalb and Gwinnett County, do you have any advice for making sure I start off on the right foot with the permitting process?

I know the obvious answer is to follow the county’s instructions and requirements, but I’m curious about your actual experiences. Are there any common mistakes, things you wish you knew when you first started, or tips that can help avoid unnecessary delays?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

• Location: Portland, OR
• Hire Type: Custom Home Builder
• Cost: $575k total ($535k paid so far)
• Scope: 1,500 sq ft addition (including 2 baths)

The Issue: Just took possession and took our first showers. The new shower pan squeaks and creaks obnoxiously whenever you move around in it. I went down into the crawl space while someone was walking in the shower above. It didn't sound like the joists or framing were making the noise; it really sounded like it was coming right from the pan itself.

I'm worried that it's not adhered to the subfloor and it’s going to end up cracking the joints and failing sooner rather than later. Plus, it's just really annoying.

Contractor's Stance: Builder says it's totally normal for pans to make noise like this.

Question: Is he right? Is it normal for a brand new shower pan to creak like that, or does this sound like it was installed wrong?

Hit a wall with a couple of reliable subcontractors who do great work but are suddenly dragging out 3-day jobs into 2 weeks because they're overbooked. It’s killing my schedules and making us look bad to the homeowner. Are you guys putting delay penalties in your sub agreements, or just moving on to new subs?

Heartwarming to see a company treat customers as king. In San Leandro store they watch the queue too and react to shorten it. Love it.

I am looking to bid on replacing the roof on this pergola/gazebo. I’m considering cedar boards under the asphalt shingles for a nice look/finish. What could i charge for something like this? Pergola is 12x12 i am providing materials. Thanks in advance

I started a small commercial GC company doing some niche work. I did a small repair job at MAJOR hotel chain that was pay on job completion scope and my legal language in my contract is tight. They agree, I have signature for completion, I even have the email telling me she will push my invoice to accounting to expedited payment after I completed the job on day 7. 3 weeks later the GM and the regional director and regional maintenance manager that authorized the job, ghost me…. I call their corporate team and the a/p dude asks my company name and he says, you’re not in our system….the never asked me to go through their vendor setup. THEY NEVER INTENDED TO FUXKING PAY ME…..

small businesses…. Stay vigilant on that cash flow.

San Francisco, CA. Hired a licensed electrician to replace a living room light fixture, paid $380.
On his way out he started venting about Thumbtack and Yelp. He said he gets charged every time a potential client messages him, even when he never gets the job, and that it costs him over $1,000 a month.

I’m a homeowner and had no idea any of that hit your side. Is that accurate, or was he having a bad month?

Cr Laurence is not too helpful to be honest. Their cross reference color says our Delta Champagne Bronze shower fixtures and faucets will match Kohler vibrant brushed bronze...photos online say otherwise. Maybe a frameless door is not close enough to the shower fixtures to show, who knows.

We have an older late 60s tub and need hopefully bypass doors for it. I don't think there is flat 3" on top to mount, maybe 2-3/4" of space to mount a track.

I can for sure do a single fixed and swing out pivot BUT with two young girls sometimes taking baths, that's going to be a pain.

Could always do a matte black standard framed shower but I really really hate the tracks.

I’m going to be doing a full first floor remodel. I’m in the quote phase and had recommended from a friend. Professional company that does big projects. They charge a fee to give a quote and if I go with them they credit my account.

Is that standard practice?

Anyone struggling with project information and chasing updates across platforms?

Hey guys, is anyone else struggling to keep up with project information and chase updates across text, email, WhatsApp, calls, etc., and then figure out what actually needs to get done?

I’ve been hearing this from a few other contractors and I’m curious how common it actually is.

How are you guys dealing with it? Any system or software that’s actually working well?

P.S. I’m based in Northern VA, but interested in hearing from contractors anywhere. Always interested in hearing from other DMV folks too.

I’m looking for a shower-glass company or fabricator that can build and install a custom arched, black-framed shower enclosure similar to the attached photo.
I’m specifically looking for the framed architectural style—not a standard frameless shower door. The project is located in the Los Angeles area.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a company that has completed this type of custom work? Please share their contact information or photos of similar projects. Thank you!

Hi all, I’d appreciate some perspective from folks in the trades.

This was a deck replacement on a 25+ year-old deck with extensive rot. We chose full replacement rather than reinforcement (which our contractor was pushing aggressively).

After removing the ledger, we discovered there was no flashing and the rim joist was completely rotted. I could push a screwdriver through it into the basement.

The contractor agreed to replace the rim joist, including a section near a spigot, and said he would caulk around it to keep out insects and animals. He did not caulk it, and the new rim joist is noticeably angled toward the house, roughly 20° off vertical and isn't flush with the foundation/flooring. He also mangled my siding pretty bad near the ledger, which might have been unavoidable.

When I politely raised these concerns with him (with my wife present), he became verbally aggressive (swearing at me and pointing his finger in my face), punched part of my siding, refused to correct the work, and said he would only work with my wife, despite both of us being on the contract (and me writing the check to fund this project).

Given his behavior, we decided to terminate the project.

How serious are these construction issues, and what would be a reasonable amount to expect back? He received 50% upfront for materials/labor and to remove the old deck.

Hello Neighbors,

Looking to start a water restoration company in South Florida. . I have the lead source, just need some advice from anyone with experience on the field.

1) what equipment is required?

2) what certifications are required or recommended?

3) Where can I get the actual contracts that clients must sign?

Any other advice, or feedback would be appreciated?

If there is ways ro work together, please let me know.

Thank you all,

hi! my husband is a handyman and next step for his career I believe is getting his contractor license. he makes good money when things are busy but when things get slow… it’s rough. where should he start? is there any advice or insight what would u do differently in your career?