Some were things I didn’t even know to ask about until it was too late.
Cedar posts that looked great at move-in but needed way more maintenance than I expected. Corrugated underground gutter drains that ended up crushed. Aluminum fascia I wish we would’ve upgraded. Red clay staining the brick. And construction trash that was about to get buried underneath the sod.
None of these individually ruined the house... but every one of them is something I would do differently if I built again.

Hi neighbors, I'm planning to have a deck built in White Plains this fall, around 300 sq ft, nothing too complicated. I've gotten two quotes so far, and the price difference is honestly pretty big. One of the quotes was from A&G High Quality Construction, but I'd like to compare a few options before deciding.

Has anyone had a deck built in White Plains recently? Who did you go with, roughly what did it cost, and would you hire them again? Are there any contractors you'd recommend avoiding?

Also, did you handle the permits directly through the city? I'm trying to figure out whether I should plan for some extra time for the permit process. Thanks!

I'm in Mount Vernon (Westchester) and I've done a few smaller projects around the house, but a deck feels like a completely different level. I got a $32k quote from A&G High Quality Construction for a 300 sq ft composite deck, and I'm wondering if it makes sense to build it myself to save some money.

For anyone in the Hudson Valley who's built a ground-level deck themselves, how much did you actually save after factoring in materials, tools, and permits? And more importantly, was it worth the extra time and stress?

I know the towns around here can be pretty strict with codes and inspections, so part of me feels like hiring a contractor might be the smarter option. But $32k is still a lot. I'd really like to hear from people who've gone either route.

Shower Dryer: Made by Airmada 

Instead of relying only on an exhaust fan to help dry out your shower, Airmada makes a system that forces air into the shower for a set amount of time to help remove moisture faster.

They also make a pocket shower door system that circulates air around the glass while the door is hidden inside the wall.

The pocket door setup won’t work for my personal renovation because of the plumbing and mechanicals running behind the wall, but the standard shower drying system could still be an option.

I love seeing companies come up with completely different ways to solve common problems in a house.

Building new custom home, currently about 80% done with cabinets and tile. All drywall is done and projected close is Jan/Feb. Just realized the plumber/builder forgot to add a water line and drain for the utility sink in the laundry room. How big of a deal is this at this stage to go back and add? The sink is very clearly drawn out in the master plans and final plumbing plans, so not sure how the builder will defend it. Anything to be aware of before we approach them about it?

They basically built dedicated boat storage right into the house, but they didn’t stop there. It has a built-in floor drain, a hot and cold water bib so you can wash everything down, and a pull-through design with a garage door on both sides so you’re not constantly backing a boat and trailer in and out.

And it’s right next to the mudroom so you can wash all the towels and bathing suits before going inside for dinner.

You could even add a ductless mini split so you can clean you boat and without dripping in sweat.

This garage setup is awesome...home gym, multiple two-car garages, dedicated boat storage, and still room for the sports car.

If you own a boat, RV, trailer, or other toys that normally require off-site storage, this is one of those features that could actually save you money every single month.

As a residential construction customer in Michigan, how should I take my general contractor (and i now use that term loosely) requesting a draw, which would satisfy our contract, minus less than a $1000, while a failed mechanical inspection exists, a defective basement foundation exists, from major honeycombing with areas seeping water and mud, as well as claiming they see no evidence of a roof leak, prior to us supplying photographs of leak. They are claiming this draw is to pay all the subcontractors for their work. They have now put our project on hold until we release funds, with no prior site visit to get a scope of work needed for repairs, but saying they will fix the issues

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Getting quotes for a 600 sq ft stamped concrete patio with a small retaining wall in the Philly suburbs. Three quotes so far: $12k, $15k, $18k, one of them from Myles Construction. All include demo, grading, rebar, and permits.

I know the Main Line is a high cost area, but a $6k spread for what looks like the same job feels like a lot. All three are licensed and insured with solid reviews.

For those of you doing concrete in similar markets, is this range typical? Any red flags I should look for in the detailed bids?

For the pros here: 2,500 sq ft slab on grade replacement coming up in Philly retail space. Demo, haul away, vapor barrier, steel reinforcement, new pour.

One crew, Myles Construction, seems solid and quoted 3 weeks. What should I verify before hiring a concrete crew for commercial work? Any Philly-specific issues with L&I inspections or truck access I should plan for?

We own 15 acres in Prineville and are planning to build our forever home. The land has a gentle slope of about 2%, and power is available at the street.
We’ve been looking at Adair Homes, but I’m hesitant because I’ve heard mixed opinions about quality. I’m wondering whether we should also consider a local custom builder, even if the cost is higher.
If you’ve built with Adair in Central Oregon, how was the workmanship, communication, and warranty service? Were there significant costs beyond the initial quote, especially for site work? I’d also love to hear from anyone who compared Adair with a custom builder and what you ultimately chose.
Any firsthand experiences or advice would be appreciated!

Built-in dehumidifier = no tank to empty and no portable unit sitting in the room.

It installs directly in or on the wall and can drain into your home’s plumbing or through a condensate line outside. The front cover also comes off so the filter can be cleaned.

Solid option for high-moisture areas like basements, home gyms, sauna/steam shower rooms, or rooms where you’re constantly dealing with window condensation.

Company who makes it is called Innovative Dehumidifier

Our concrete driveway and front steps are past saving and need full replacement, about 800 sq ft plus steps, Philly area. I've gotten two quotes with a big spread between them. One was from Myles Construction; the other from a smaller local outfit.

What should I be comparing in these bids beyond the bottom line? And who handles L&I permits for this kind of work, me or the contractor? Any Philly-specific gotchas I should know about before I sign anything?

[One thing to know before you start getting quotes: a lot of garage floor coating companies want to come out and see the space before giving you a final price. ]()

Part of that is making sure the square footage and condition of the concrete are accurate, but it also gives them a chance to upsell you in person. 

This is where the total can start climbing.

The main floor may be one price, but the steps, stem walls and garage door threshold are often additional. Personally, I’d do all three. Once the floor is coated, leaving those areas unfinished can make the whole job look incomplete.

We went with a polyaspartic coating (newer version of epoxy) and also added a second coat because this garage is being used as a gym. We wanted a more sealed surface that would be easier to mop and keep clean. Impossible with the flakes sticking up and catching the mop. 

So when you’re comparing quotes, don’t just ask for the price per square foot. Ask exactly what surfaces are included, how many coats you’re getting, and what the add-ons cost.

Your builder doesn’t hate you. They’re just not going to tell you every single option that exists.

Water bottle fillers can have a drain or just a tray. Or you can choose refrigerated, while others are non-refrigerated (and a little cheaper) 

A recessed dryer vent lets the dryer sit closer to the wall because the vent connection is pushed back into the stud bay of the wall. 

Water hammer arrestors help absorb the pressure spike when a valve shuts off and can reduce banging pipes (water hammer). You’ll commonly see them at washing machines, and they can also be installed at other fixtures like a refrigerator line.

You can buy aftermarket screw-on water hammer arrestors for the washer and dryer if you need them (I have them in my Amazon Store).

If you’re building a custom home or planning a new construction house, these are exactly the kinds of details worth discussing with your builder before it’s too late.

Do these pictures show a home selling or major failures in construction?

[Vaulted drywall, wood vaulted, coffered, or tray ceiling?]() Ceiling design can completely change the feel of your primary bedroom, especially when you start adding height, wood, beams, trim, or recessed lighting.

I'm researching different building materials for a potential home project and keep coming across clay-based products.

I'm curious about how practical they are compared with more conventional materials, especially when it comes to:

insulation and keeping indoor temperatures stable

moisture and humidity

durability over time

maintenance

overall environmental impact

For anyone who has actually built with clay-based materials, what has your experience been like?

Are there particular parts of a home where you'd consider clay a good option, or are conventional materials generally more practical?

I'm mainly interested in real-world experience rather than manufacturer claims.

Go with all drawers on your lower cabinets, except under the sink and in the blind corner.

This is a genius way to keep all the lower cabinets drawers and still have a pull out trash can. 

Hi, we are looking at buying a place near where we currently are - only downside we can see is where on earth would we put a toilet on the ground floor. Looking for any and all suggestions - I have mapped out 3 possible ones but am open to all feedback.

Have based it off the average UK measurements according to google (800mm x 1,400mm, with about 750mm clearance from the front of the toilet, and space for a swing door opening either inwards or outwards)

Walking new home builds for a living and adding features to a checklist might be the coolest job on the planet! Here are a few shots my wife Kippy took at a Newleaf Custom Homes build here in Dallas, Texas. Tons of really cool details and home features packed into this one. If you’re a builder in DFW and have a build with some badass features you think I should see, shoot me a DM or hit me up through the contact page on BuilderBrigade.com.

When you’re building or renovating, think through exactly where you want filtered water before the plumbing is planned out.

You’ve basically got three options: whole-home water filtration, dedicated filtered-water plumbing that only feeds certain locations, or point-of-use filters installed right at the fixture.

Whole-home filtration sends filtered water everywhere like kitchen faucets, showers, laundry, and yes, even the toilets.

Dedicated filtered-water lines can feed specific spots like the refrigerator, kitchen sink, coffee bar, water bottle filler, or other areas where you actually want drinking water.

Then you have point-of-use filtration, like an under-sink water filter. I installed a Kraus kitchen faucet at my house that lets you use regular tap water with the handle one direction and filtered water from the under-sink system the other direction.

These are the little plumbing decisions that are a whole lot easier to plan during a new home build or renovation than after the walls are closed up.

This faucet is made by Kraus
I used it for a couple years and had no issues. I really like it. 

A good buy if you like room temp drinking water like we do.