How to Houzz, How to ask questions , How to get Helpful answers, and E
JAN MOYER
6 months ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (97)
shirlpp
6 months agoker9
6 months agoRelated Discussions
Questions about attorneys on Gardenweb - where to ask?-How to get
Comments (3)"4. I have questions that a private investigator, probably, needs to help answer. My attorney is dragging his feet because he's not sure why I want answers. I wonder why he's not asking the same questions. How to manage when your style and your attorney's style differ ?" Not all attorneys are helpful. I don't know why the attorney is dragging his feet, but it might be because he doesn't have the answers, but doesn't want you to take your money elsewhere. I'd look for someone else. The following info might help. A link that might be useful: Selecting a Good Lawyer www.lawyers.com/lawyers/F~1001768~ LDS/HIRING+REAL+ESTATE+PROPERTY+LAWYER.html...See MoreThe answer to the 'How long does it take' question
Comments (12)I realized I might be coming across as a bit arrogant in my assertion that bathrooms can be done quickly. Please believe me when I say my intent is not at all "look how fast we are, what's wrong with the rest of you." I just am baffled by contractors who say it'll take a month, and am trying to paint a more realistic picture of what I think is reasonable. We've had plenty of oops and rework along the way (there's nothing like tipping a wall frame up and realizing you cut all the studs an inch and a half too long), and as I'm typing it's 11:30 and Mr. Weedy is still finishing up the shower valve so the inspector can do the framing/rough-in inspection in the morning. Anyway, Mr. Weedy was the plumber again all day. He started with the tub and after putting together the drain assembly, realized it wouldn't work with the rough-in. The tub drain was positioned over the rough-in drain, but it has to connect with the drain from the overflow, making it 8 inches off. Plus that connection is typically under the subfloor, so we ended up having to build a 4" high platform for the tub and toilet to sit on, giving us enough below-subfloor room to do the drain. Here's the tub on its new platform. Other than some supporting carpentry, I was left to work elsewhere in the basement, so I worked on framing the bedroom (including closet and soffit) along with BIL, who's now ready to finish the rest of the basement on his own. :-) Kid brother, meanwhile, finished up the subfloor (another 400 square feet or so). That entailed moving a ton of stuff outside and then back in again. Fortunately 7 kids and 14 hands make light work. I suggested they do a "clean sweep" with it while it was outside, but we didn't quite get to it. Here's the clutter pile. And here's the finished subfloor. After dinner, sis put the FG batts in the walls. We showed them how to finish installing the tub wall panels after the inspection and before drywall. We're heading out at the crack of dawn to another sister's, who lives 2 hours away. We'll help her out with stuff for a few days (last year's Christmas gift) while the drywall guy does his thing. We'll be back on Monday to button things up. Fingers crossed for the inspector to pass everything!...See MoreHelp a newbie: how do I even ask the right questions?
Comments (7)Thanks for the tips, davidtay. I didn't even realize I should get an electrician. Do folks typically pull out circuitry if they're trying to keep a light fixture? I assumed they just removed the fixtures since they didn't trash the house at all (just removed light fixtures, towel bars, window coverings, and bathroom mirrors). Our property inspector said we were lucky, as other foreclosed homes have been left a wreck, with demolished countertops (from former owners removing the sinks!), deliberately damaged walls, missing dishwashers, etc. I'll try to open up some of the blue covers this weekend and see if I see anything obviously wrong. It's a home in a rural area and I'm assuming that getting an electrician to drive 2 hours round-trip is going to cost me quite a bit! As for wiring being up to code, can you explain why this is something you suggest in a relatively new house (less than 10 years old)? I can see why you'd want to investigate code upgrades if it were an older home (say 40+ years old) but wouldn't a relatively new house be ok without upgrading to the 2014 code? Maybe I should also cross-post in Home Decor, as I don't know how to pick the type of light fixtures for each location either? Does anyone have advice on that?...See MoreHow do I ask for Layout Help and what information should I include?
Comments (0)Preface/A Piece of Advice: When you post a layout for comments, please do not take the comments you receive personally. Everyone here is trying to help, not criticize maliciously. We want you to have a kitchen that, in the end, functions wonderfully well and looks nice overall. This may mean that some of us may tear apart your layout and rebuild it to what we think will work better, but it is done with good intentions. We are not the best at just "validating" someones layout, we are best at critiquing! I will warn you that most of us here are "function over form" (or "function first")...meaning we strive first for a functional layout and then fit the form or look around it. It is far easier to make a functional kitchen look nice than it is to make a nice looking but dysfunctional kitchen functional. So, if you are a form/looks over function person, be sure to state that when you post. Some people here think "function over form" means we want all kitchens to look the same....not true! What we do want is all kitchens to function well...which means that in 99% of the cases, the workflow is the same...and that will mean some similarities due to workflow. However, as each kitchen is unique, each will have its own unique quirks, etc. In the end, remember this is your kitchen. You do not have to make any of the recommended changes if you do not want to! [Note: If you are just posting for validation of your layout (i.e., you do NOT want comments that suggest changes), explicitly state that as well. If you do not, people will comment on it! Warning: People may comment anyway, it is tough to let a kitchen go that you think is dysfunctional and will cause angst later...especially if it is not yet installed and we think we can help. Bear with us, we are just trying to help!] ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Layout Help We often get requests to help with layouts. Many of us enjoy doing this but it would help if you can post a copy of your floorplan or layout, preferably to-scale. The best place to start is to draw up your kitchen (to scale, if possible) either without cabinets & appliances if you do not know where to start or with your proposed new layout if you have something to start with. Regardless, measure and label everything...walls, ceiling height, widths of doors/doorways & windows, distances between windows, walls, doors/doorways, etc. If you cannot move plumbing or gas, mark them on your drawing as well. Mark all doors/doorways & windows (with dimensions) and label them as to where they lead. If they are actual doors, mark how they swing. It also would be helpful to see the connecting rooms, even entire first floor layouts (or whatever floor your kitchen is on), so we see how they interact with the kitchen and/or extend the kitchen feel and flow. Make note of traffic flows in and out of the kitchen Sample Layout Make a list of things like: What are your goals? E.g., more counter space, more storage, seating in the kitchen (island? peninsula? table?), etc. What is your family composition? Adults? Children? Age ranges of children? Current? Future? How many kitchen workers are there? Cook(s)? Cleanup? Helpers? Now? Future? (E.g., if you have young children, plan for them as teens for both "sizing" of seating as well as helping in the kitchen in general) Do you or anyone in your home cook? (No, this is not a facetious question. Some people do not cook and their kitchen is a show place only. If that is what works for you & your family, that's fine! We just need to know that.) How do you see your kitchen used? Just for cooking/cleaning up? Children doing homework while you cook? Party place? Do you entertain a lot? If so, formal? Informal? Do you want your kitchen to be a "hang out" place? Parties only? Everyday? Do you have a separate DR? Do you use it frequently? Infrequently? If infrequently, do you want to begin using it more frequently (e.g., for daily/nightly family meals)? Would you like to open up the kitchen to adjacent areas? Close it up? Do you plan to merge two rooms/areas (e.g., Nook and Kitchen into a Kitchen only) Where are you flexible? Can windows or doorways change size? Can they be moved or eliminated? Can windows be raised/lowered? Can any walls come down? Does the sink have to be centered under a window? Does it have to be under a window at all? Note: The more constraints you put on a space (e.g., sink centered under a window, not willing to move plumbing, electric, or gas lines), the fewer options there are. So, be sure any limitations/constraints you mention are true constraints. You could say you would like something to not be moved/changed or placed in a certain location, but if it is not a must or truly impossible, then mention it is a preference but that you would consider something different. BTW...do not assume something is "too expensive" to do...check around b/f assuming, you may be pleasantly surprised at how little it costs! (E.g., if you have a basement, moving water, etc. is generally relatively inexpensive.) If one can be fit... Do you bake a lot and do you want a Baking Center? Do you want a coffee/tea/beverage center? Do you want a snack center? What appliances do you plan on having (helps to figure out work flow, work zones, and types of cabinets...upper/lower vs full height, etc.) Range or Cooktop or Rangetop? Single or Double or no Wall Oven? Warming Drawer? MW? (Advantium, MW Drawer, OTR MW/Hood, countertop, built-in, shelf?) DW? Standard or drawers? If drawers, 1 or 2? Refrigerator (Top/bottom freezer, SxS, or all-fridge/freezer? Counter-depth (CD), standard-depth, or built-in?) Ventilation Hood? Other? Sizes of desired appliances (e.g., 30" or 36" or 48" cooktop; 36" or 42" or 48" wide or other Refrigerator? etc.) Pantry: Walk-in or cabinets? In the Kitchen or outside the Kitchen (e.g., Mudroom or hall)? ***** Very Important ***** Is there anything you: Cannot live without? Definitely do not want? Would like if you can find a way? This information will be valuable to not only you, but also any Kitchen Designers you may hire or talk to. Additionally, if you have been haunting the site, you will have noticed that we also help with almost all aspects of a remodel. If you do ask for help, then all of the above information will help us help you. Sometimes we stray from what you think you want to give you some ideas that you might not have thought of, but this is your kitchen and you can veto anything...we may argue for something (we are very good at that!), but in the end it is what you want. And remember, we are just giving you ideas and layout options, in the end when you finalize your design it is whatever you want and decide on! After all, this is your kitchen! [Keep this advice in mind if/when you use a Kitchen Designer or when dealing with a contractor--again, this is your kitchen, not his or hers...do not let them talk you into anything unless you are sure it is what you want!]...See MoreOlychick
6 months agoDiana Bier Interiors, LLC
6 months agoOlychick
6 months agoWestCoast Hopeful
6 months agoDiana Bier Interiors, LLC
6 months agoOlychick
6 months agoDaisy S
6 months agoTina
6 months agoDiana Bier Interiors, LLC
6 months agoJAN MOYER
6 months agoJAN MOYER
6 months agolast modified: 6 months agoA M
6 months agoOlychick
6 months agoJAN MOYER
6 months agolast modified: 6 months agoKendrah
6 months agoTina
6 months agoker9
6 months agoRedRyder
6 months agoKathy Furt
6 months agoker9
6 months agoshirlpp
6 months agolast modified: 6 months agoRedRyder
6 months agoShadyWillowFarm
6 months agoA M
6 months agoTina
6 months agoJAN MOYER
6 months agoPaul F.
6 months agolast modified: 6 months agoJAN MOYER
6 months agolast modified: 6 months agoPaul F.
6 months agoOlychick
6 months agoJAN MOYER
6 months agolast modified: 6 months agokl23
6 months agoJAN MOYER
6 months agolast modified: 6 months agoJAN MOYER
6 months agolast modified: 6 months agoRNmomof2 zone 5
5 months agoJAN MOYER
5 months agoDiana Bier Interiors, LLC
5 months agoJAN MOYER
5 months agoDiana Bier Interiors, LLC
5 months agolast modified: 5 months agoJAN MOYER
5 months agolast modified: 5 months agoJAN MOYER
4 months agolast modified: 4 months agoJAN MOYER
4 months agolast modified: 4 months ago
Related Stories
ORGANIZINGAsk These 8 Questions to Get Your Family Organizing Station Right
Households can run better when they have a central organizing hub. Is yours set up well for your family?
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDES6 Questions to Ask if Your Living Room Feels Unfinished
Your answers can offer clues to get from not-yet-done to perfectly designed
Full StoryMOST POPULAR8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Meeting With Your Designer
Thinking in advance about how you use your space will get your first design consultation off to its best start
Full StoryHOUZZ PRODUCT NEWS7 Questions to Ask Clients Before They Start a Remodel
Professionals on Houzz share what they like homeowners to consider before embarking on a project
Full StoryLIGHTING5 Questions to Ask for the Best Room Lighting
Get your overhead, task and accent lighting right for decorative beauty, less eyestrain and a focus exactly where you want
Full StoryEasy Green: 6 Must-Answer Questions Before You Buy
Thinking about buying ecofriendly furniture? For a truly environmentally conscious home, ask yourself these questions first
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGN9 Questions to Ask When Planning a Kitchen Pantry
Avoid blunders and get the storage space and layout you need by asking these questions before you begin
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGN9 Questions to Ask Before You Plan Your New Kitchen
To get your dream kitchen, start with a strong mission and wish list, and consider where you’re willing to compromise
Full StoryREMODELING GUIDES13 Essential Questions to Ask Yourself Before Tackling a Renovation
No one knows you better than yourself, so to get the remodel you truly want, consider these questions first
Full Story
Shazia