All Forum Posts by: Jim Adrian

I would refinish them with stain to match the rest of the house for a uniform look. 

I see more and more with clients (commercial and govt) using the Design-build option  with my projects.  This is one way to secure the price and funding for the project by the owner.  This speeds up the process some.  This gives the contractor more control of the project cost (disadvantage to the owner and architect).  If this is a small project, I don't see any advantage to using this process.  I see far to often the contractors price is higher and design is cut or it will cost more.  Design, Bid & Build process keeps everyone honest and creates your checks and balances.   

Not sure I agree with this creating a conflict of interest.  The architect is under contract with Contractor no the Owner.  Architect collaborates with the Owner for the project requirements.  The contractor typically stands back and lets the 2 work while overseeing.   You tend to get a better coordinated project,  understand cost to greater level sooner, better constructability, reduces the change orders from the contractor during construction to name a few.   No one party is really benefiting to a greater degree to cause a conflict of interest.  Each party is providing a service that the Owner would pay for at some point.   

 I am not surprised your wood members have lasted this long!  Steep roofs drain well and the open slats allow any water that gets under the roof to drain quickly.

Questions to ask yourself or the roofer... 

1. Are the roofs the same age?
2. How much service life of the roof is left?
3. Will the new roof match the existing roof 100%?  Assume no.  Are they far enough apart that you would not tell the difference?  (Side note: I have 2 different asphalt shingles brands on my roof and never new it until I was standing on it. 6/12 pitch, 25' feet up, each gamble roof side was different. )
4. If one roof needs to be replaced isn't the other roof needing to be replaced for the same reasons?

I would to a complete tear off vs going over the top.

They have to grant you an easement for the portion of the property on the different property, I believe.   I think this can be done without dealing with the neighbor.  I am in the same boat you are but only a few by a 6".  I haven't perused anything at this point.  

I would really look at the numbers to see how good of a deal this is with you include load payments into numbers.  I didn't run any numbers but just throwing caution to the wind here.  Maybe only buy what you can afford or have the funds for.

I know people have tried/used google sketchup.  Its free and gives you 3d as well but its not a drafting software.    For quick down and dirty paper and pencil will be your friend.  There are other softwares out there but most start at $500 and come with a learning curve.  Revit and AutoCAD are several thousand dollars. 

@Frank Szymanski

I would bet the cracks are from applying the drywall mud too thick. This is common and I have done this myself when I got impatient.  You could pick at the drywall mud with a putty knife and it will come off and then start over.  The cracks are from top coat drying too fast before the base of the material could dry. These are simply moisture shrinkage cracks not settlement cracks.   I can see the cracks in the bottom pictures and that mud is over 1/4"  (3/8" ?) thick which is too thick to be placed at one time.  Tap it lightly with a hammer and it will break off and you can start over. 

@Frank Szymanski

You have options here... Skim coat the walls with drywall mud to get it smooth or smoother.  If its in just a small area then try to knock down the high points and skim coat it to match the rest of the house.  You can skim coat and then spray texture the area to blend in. You may need to do a combination of things to get the appearance to blend in.  

I use tenantbackgroundsearch.com and it has worked pretty good.  But you need to check out social media, google people and call previous landlords etc.   I have used mylife.com but its only clues.  Sometimes you have to go with your gut instinct.  As for credit score,  I don't rely on set number but more importantly patterns that show up on the credit report.  People are renting for a reason.