Then I laid down thick plastic, mainly to stop weeds from growing.

Our contractor has suggested Engineered Hardwood for the common area because it's thicker (1/2 inch thick) vs LVP and so the transition from the bedrooms to common area hallways will be smoother.

@Cecilia Coyne hi Cecilia, I have not yet submitted plans and I'm in the thick of the entire process right now edit starting point.

When you go up into the foothills of the Sierras the chaparral ( much like most of so cal) is so thick there is no stopping it.. and your correct the urbanization of what was rural lands is causing way more homes to burn than 30 to 50 years ago.. 30 to 60 years ago land guys were busting up those areas for weekend homes or retirement lots..

According to the plumber, the companies have all depleted every aspect of the water heater from the steel tank quality and thickness, the glass lining thickness inside the tanks, the welds, and they've even gone cheap on storing and transporting the heaters.

It is wrapped in metal wire that I'm guessing is about 1/8" thick, at least.

@Patrick Sears I install used central heating and air conditioning equipment...super cheap...example 2013 system, 3 ton, installed with a mega cage with thick expanded metal sides $2000...look on craigslist or call the slightly shady looking AC companies with the beat up 20 year old vans...they always do side work....

By the time you add all that additional framing at a thickness necessary for adequate insulation, you may as well have simply framed the building and skipped the container.  

Since the siding is only .25" thick, it's pretty light.The "chunkier" appearance of this product when it is used as fascia gives a home a more modern, appealing look from the curb.Installation is simple.

Just goes to show, you really don't know until you're in the thick of things.