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RE: Stair math (Follow-Up #19)

posted by: Renovator8 on 11.28.2012 at 08:57 am in Building a Home Forum

Here is a chart I put together years ago. It shows the possible stair designs for 8, 9 and 10 ft floor to floor heights using the rise to run ratio recommended by the AIA.

All you need to do is select the floor to floor height and then choose the preferred rate of rise to get the tread size and total run. After that riser heights would not be used. For the builder a stair design is adequately described by the number and size of the treads and the total run [14T @ 10.5" = 12'-3"] The stair builder would then divide the actual floor to floor height by 15 (14+1) to get the true riser height. The total run tells him any nosing would be added to the tread dimension.

This chart shows the math in graphic form.

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clipped on: 11.28.2012 at 09:08 pm last updated on: 11.28.2012 at 09:08 pm

RE: Feeling ganged up on (Follow-Up #11)

posted by: Renovator8 on 06.02.2012 at 10:09 am in Building a Home Forum

I haven't read all of this thread but I wanted to repeat what I have said many time on this forum: an Allowance section in a contract should contain the right of the Owner to delete it and supply the material for the contractor to install. Also Allowances should only be for the material and installation should be included in the base contract price.

Not following these Allowance precautions leaves an Owner at the mercy of typical contractor "sweetheart" deals with his favorite suppliers and subs. In this situation GC discounts and even kickbacks are not unusual. It's difficult to say if this additional cost to the Owner is fair or not since the GC is likely to have figured the additional profit in his original bid.

I can't tell you more without seeing the actual wording in your contract regarding Allowances.

Since carpet is the last item to be installed and the pricing at stores is so competitive, most of my clients ask to exclude it from the contractor's work altogether.

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clipped on: 06.03.2012 at 05:48 pm last updated on: 06.03.2012 at 05:48 pm

RE: It's January 2012 - How's Your Build Progressing? (Follow-Up #50)

posted by: jamiecrok on 01.26.2012 at 07:18 pm in Building a Home Forum

Lots of progress the last month. We moved in over the new year and still have some minor stuff to do like the backsplash around the jetted tub and kitchen backsplash, glass for the kitchen cabinets(cabinet guy still has some stuff to finish up first), minor painting(decided the day before we moved in to paint the master bath a new color...crazy) and the yard...given the time of year no hope until spring:)

We have a fully wooded 3 acre lot with a creek in the bottom behind the house. The total sf is around 4000, the main level is about 2000 and the 2000 sf walk out basement is unfinished for now. My favorite features so far have to be the River White granite in the kitchen, real stone fireplace with the Napoleon NZ 6000 high efficiency wood burning fireplace(that sucker can put the heat out!) and the master bedroom walk out onto the back deck (we can see the downtown lights of the metro area in the distance at night!)

Everyones homes look great! I am so excited for those of you that are getting started and the new baby is adorable! I hope more of you post your favorite features as I found that helpful while we were planning.

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clipped on: 02.02.2012 at 10:57 pm last updated on: 02.02.2012 at 10:57 pm

RE: Best way to protect yourself from contractor fraud/misuse of (Follow-Up #11)

posted by: bevangel on 01.27.2012 at 02:52 pm in Building a Home Forum

Came across a book the other day that I WISH I had read before we started building. It's called "Crumbling Dreams" by Ruth S. Martin and is is available free on the internet. It'll definitely open your eyes to issues of contractor fraud and incompetence and the total lack of help that homeowners can expect from the legal system if they hire the wrong person. I strongly recommend that anyone getting ready to jump into homebuilding read this first.

Here is a link that might be useful: Crumbling Dreams by Ruth S. Martin

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clipped on: 01.28.2012 at 02:13 pm last updated on: 01.28.2012 at 02:13 pm

RE: Dishaholics - Love Your Dishware-Glassware Cabinets? (Follow-Up #10)

posted by: celtinNE on 08.09.2011 at 11:59 am in Kitchens Forum

I'll try to explain better but I am no electrician. Pics 1st so you can see what I'm trying to explain. I purchased these from a local electrical supply house. Not the cab mfgr.

Pic of the set up.

Pic of the holder and lamp. The lamps just snap in.

And this blah, blah is direct from the Seagull site. I am not spamming or soliciting here. Just providing the info. (http://www.seagulllighting.com)

The Ambiance LX Lighting System offers reliability and ease of installation; making it the professionalя┐╜s choice in low-voltage systems. From showcase quality lighting to under cabinet task lighting, the highly efficient, long lasting lamps and LED components deliver the right light for the application.

LX Low Voltage Linear Lighting
A flexible system in both application and its ability to follow the curves and angles of coves and cabinetry.

LED Low Voltage Linear Lighting
With all the best features of its LX "sister", this LED Linear System offers the latest in LED technology, delivering long life (50,000 hours!) and added energy efficiency (4x more efficient than conventional light sources).

I think they are very easy to add, remove or move. The little holders just pop in the cable, without any tools. Bulbs are inserted with a snap. As you can see from the above, they are VERY long life. They are, After about 2 weeks of use, a little warm with the doors closed. Definitely not hot.

The main reason I went with these was from the recommendation from the electrician. He didn't think the pucks would work with the feel of the kitchen. Also, I wanted to keep the wood shelves. With the pucks installed st the top of the cab, I would have had to replace them with glass. I also used them for my undercab lighting. The added bonus is there is no need for a light rail.

View from under the cab. The best I could do with the pic from that angle.

I love them! They actually look like twinkle lights at night. But they are great for task lighting as well. I do have them on separate switches. Maybe someone here with clear glass could provide info on how they look with that option. Oh, and I went with black but it's available in white too. HTH and good luck. Can't wait to see what you decide to do.

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clipped on: 08.14.2011 at 11:24 pm last updated on: 08.14.2011 at 11:24 pm

RE: Love my granite, not my cabinets.... (Follow-Up #22)

posted by: ccoombs1 on 01.05.2011 at 02:30 pm in Kitchens Forum

Sure! Here you go. The backsplash is travertine with a travertine and frosted glass mosaic. I liked the mosaic because the glass reminds me so much of the quartz areas in the Delicatus.

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clipped on: 01.05.2011 at 09:21 pm last updated on: 01.05.2011 at 09:21 pm

RE: what cleaner to use on granite? (Follow-Up #4)

posted by: katyde on 12.26.2010 at 07:26 pm in Kitchens Forum

We just finished our kitchen and my tile store suggested a product by TEC called "Everyday Stone and Tile cleaner". It is super concentrted - 1/4 cup diltes in a gallon so the bottle will last forever. I put 1 Tbsp in a quart spray bottle and diluted in water. And: no streaks, no residue AND it gets every spot and fingerprint off of our stainless too! Great product!

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clipped on: 12.27.2010 at 07:04 pm last updated on: 12.27.2010 at 07:04 pm

What to Specify When Asking for Custom Cabinet Bid

posted by: cairnqueen on 12.20.2010 at 01:37 pm in Kitchens Forum

I have a custom cabinet maker coming to my house tomorrow to discuss details for building cabinets in my kitchen and bar area and also building bench seating in the breakfast area. I want to make sure that I've covered all the details with him and have everything in writing before I sign a contract and give him a down payment. I've been reading as many threads as possible on this Forum and have picked up lots of great advice on details that need to be considered.

Below is a list of the topics/specifications I've come up with. I'd really appreciate any suggestions/comments/additions you might have. I want to get this project off on the right foot and avoid any issues later on.

Many thanks!

Here's my list:
1. Quarter Sawn Red Oak cabinets in kitchen and bar area.
2. Bench seating (with deep drawers below) and wall shelving in breakfast area.
3. Straight, raised panel design on cabinet doors and drawer fronts.
4. Basic crown moulding.
5. All plywood construction. What thickness?
6. Cabinet interiors. How will they be finished?
7. Full overlay doors.
8. Butt door cabinets wherever possible.
9. All fully adjustable and full depth shelves. How many per cabinet?
10. Full extension drawers and roll-outs. Blum glides.
11. Double cutlery drawer.
12. Dovetail construction of all drawers.
13. Double trash can cabinet.
14. Tilt tray in sink base.
15. Under cabinet lighting. What does this mean from cabinet maker perspective?
16 In bar area, upper cabinets with wood mullions in glass doors. Wood shelves. Under cabinet lighting.
17. Cabinets built and installed.
18. Demolition completed by owner.
19. Insurance carried by contractor?

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clipped on: 12.20.2010 at 10:30 pm last updated on: 12.20.2010 at 10:30 pm

RE: Can I see your fireplace? (slightly off topic) (Follow-Up #4)

posted by: dodge59 on 10.03.2010 at 09:24 am in Kitchens Forum

Here's mine, originally we were gonna put a TV in the Kitchen, but I designed this entertainment center and we can see the TV and the fireplace from the kitchen, so used the cabinet space that originally layed out for a disappearing TV in Kitchen for Phone cabinet, Keys etc etc.
The surround for the fireplace is Onyx and it is backlit.
Good luck on your project!

Gary

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clipped on: 10.04.2010 at 12:52 am last updated on: 10.04.2010 at 12:52 am

RE: How big is your prep sink? (Follow-Up #4)

posted by: lascatx on 09.18.2010 at 06:48 pm in Kitchens Forum

I looked at smaller ones but got a 15x15 (think it specs at 15-3/4). I was afraid it would be too big -- mainly that I would give up too much counter space. I am very glad it is not any smaller. Doing it again, I would start at 15x15 nad decide if I had space to do something a little larger like doonie's.

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clipped on: 09.18.2010 at 11:06 pm last updated on: 09.18.2010 at 11:07 pm

RE: Any opinions on sliding baskets for onions/potatoes (Follow-Up #14)

posted by: rhome410 on 05.06.2010 at 07:49 pm in Kitchens Forum

I knew I knew you, but had to go back to look at your plan...Yep, a direct hit with the sun on your island! You could put the baskets on the stove wall instead? You could see them better there anyway. ;-)

Do you have subfloor yet? As soon as I did, I bought a couple of giant permanent markers, took my yardstick and tape measure and drew my whole kitchen on the floor. It was great to walk around in it and get to know the layout before things were permanent.

Can't wait to see it!

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GREAT idea for new house. Do permanent markers on subfloor of new house.

clipped on: 05.07.2010 at 06:48 pm last updated on: 05.07.2010 at 06:49 pm

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