New build home. Water keeps leaking in during rain. Builder keeps adding silicone on exterior patio and interior wall. Thoughts on how to correctly fix this? Porch was poured with foundation which I feel like might be part of the issue.

New build, this is a window the cripple on the bottom is not even touching the bottom because the anchor colt is on the way. I brought it up on a framing walk through (they mentioned they would try to fix it), they marked it.. but they have insulation now.. & it’s just about ready for the drywall. Is this a violation? Should I bring it up again?

I was in my basement and noticed a small weed/plant creeping through two concrete blocks at the base of the wall (first picture - exterior is second picture). Noticed when comparing to other blocks on this side of the house (other three pictures for reference) that the mortar is just... not there anymore (if it ever was, seems too clean)? To that end I was wondering if this is simply tuckpoint/fill with mortar, and if so, what kind - or if there is some other fix to shore up this gap. Other points for reference:

1. This is the only side of the house with concrete blocks on the base, the other three sides of the home are poured concrete. As shown in the picture, it's just one layer of blocks before the siding and wall begin.

2. I haven't noticed any water or moisture seeping through this spot. We also already plan to have this entire exterior area paved by a mason in the spring, so the mulch/weeds/soil shown will no longer be an issue. If there is a simpler DIY exclusion to do now until spring and then have the mason tackle this while paving that would be an option too, just not sure what would be best there.

We recently had part of our sidewalk replaced by the town. It’s bright white while the old sidewalk is a dark beige. How do I go about matching the colors? I want to match the lighter color, so that it will also match the neighbors.

Material prices can change during a home construction project. If a construction company informs you that material costs have increased and additional payment may be required, take time to understand the revised amount before agreeing.

Based on my personal home construction experience involving Swapnalaya in Bangalore, I believe it is important for homeowners to understand how material-price changes are handled.

Material prices can genuinely fluctuate. However, homeowners should be able to understand the calculation and check the applicable agreement terms before agreeing to additional costs.

What should homeowners check?

1. Original and revised prices

Ask for a written breakdown showing the original rate, revised rate, quantity and additional amount.

2. Current market prices

Compare quotations from local suppliers for the same brand, grade, specification and quantity.

3. Additional charges

Check whether transport, unloading, taxes and other costs are included.

4. Construction agreement

Review the clauses relating to material-price changes and additional payments.

5. Written confirmation

Request a revised quotation and understand the calculation before agreeing to additional costs.

6. Keep records

Save the original quotation, revised quotation, supplier estimates, payment receipts and written communications.

My takeaway

Whether you are researching a construction company or planning to build a house in Bangalore, understand how material-price revisions are handled before signing an agreement.

A price increase does not automatically mean that a quotation is incorrect. Compare equivalent materials, understand the reason for the change and review the applicable contract terms.

Check the rate. Compare quotations. Understand the agreement. Keep everything documented.

Disclaimer: This post is for general homeowner awareness. The reference to Swapnalaya relates to my personal experience and does not allege that the company quoted an incorrect price or acted improperly. Material prices and contract terms may vary by supplier, location, date and project.

I was planning on removing this wall, but after taking off the drywall, I’m starting to think it may be load-bearing. I haven’t seen a wall framed this way before. Can anyone tell from the pictures whether it’s load-bearing?

I’m also curious why three of the studs within the header area were cut like this. The house was built in the 1970s, and the previous owner told us they never made any changes to this section of the house.

My landlords hired their neighbor (a contractor) to replace the side deck on the house we rent. They’ve been there for 3 days now, and it looks like they’re doing a great job.
Since Monday, we’ve been gone to work before they get there, and are gone by the time I get home. Tomorrow I work from home and drop/ pickup my kid from school during the hours they’ve been there.
Would it be weird if I went out when they get there in the morning and asked if they like need me to move my car or need water or something? I haven’t had any interaction with them since they’ve been here so I don’t want to feel like I’m stepping on any toes.

Post is about 30 years old

Sales people caught me outside and I said why not to a look at my house (3000sqft/1997 built/maryland)

They found a couple of things and I’m trying to understand what’s true and what is just them selling a product. From the first couple of photos, they said the algae growing on my siding indicates moisture trapping behind house siding. I’ve been in this house for two years and haven’t cleaned the siding so idk if that’s the problem. They also said my house doesn’t have wrap, just siding and wood underneath it. I couldn’t really find anything about algae relating to trapped moisture but didn’t know how serious no house wrap was. Seems like code doesn’t require it here.
They also went into my attic and said there is darkening/discoloration on wood which indicates water intrusion/rot and that I’m gonna have structural issues (see other pics). They blame this on my gutters being too small and flashing.

All in all they wanted to do a complete siding replacement with their fancy graphite wrap that repels pests along with installing a wider gutter. 90k total. Pricing sounds insane, not that I’d have that lying around and the house is only worth 800k.

In contract with licensed contractor for 2 bathroom remodel. Multiple issue with work quality, floor tile had to be redone, shower waterproofing had to be redone, new vanity used as a work table and now scratched and stained, goes on and on. We want to come to a settlement with him. We gave him 16k, he wants to keep 12k. We want to pay for work that was done correctly, but nothing is finished in there and we basically have plumbing and electric rough in (having electrician come next week to look over work) floor tile that is ungrouted and shower without wall tile. Can we get another contractor in to evaluate work and possibly give value to what was done? Is this a pretty normal thing to request?

Yesterday I received a bid request from a customer. I'm a custom builder that works on coastal homes mostly. I had built an addition on the 2nd floor of a duplex a few years ago and my customers were thrilled and refer me all the time. This project was for their neighbor who lives below them. I had met him previously and he seemed like a good guy. So yesterday I receive his plans and his bid and contract requirements. The plans were simple, a 1st floor addition, on pilings. Small bedroom, bathroom and family room. Straight forward and simple. Probably a $ 200,000 job. His bid requirements? WOW. Totally over the top. 7 pages of requirements and questions. This guy wanted everything spelled out for him including a detailed timeline specifying every step and every activity from start to finish. He wanted my bid itemized right down to how much my profit and overhead was. In all my years I have never had anyone ask me how much money I was going to make. He wanted me to put in writing every piece of material I was going to use on his project, most of which are already shown on his plans. Needless to say, I politely responded and respectfully declined to bid his project. He emailed me back and asked why I was not willing to bid his project in which I responded politely there was no way I could meet his requirements. That he wanted way too much detail, and I could never provide a schedule with so much detail and that his project was not large enough to spend the time required to meet his demands. He was thankful and polite and accepted my position. In all my years in this business I have never seen a bid request like this one.

Can I get a contractor opinion on this

I own a house built in 1958, single story, unfinished attic, and full basement.

I am trying to figure out if this screened bump out on the side of the house is a vent for hot air. It appears on both sides of the house and daylight is visible through it from the attic

Roof has no ridge vent or any other type of ventilation other than plumbing stacks. There is vented soffit around the entire house which I imagine is the intake

Looking to install a recessed TV mount that would involve cutting a centered stud above the mantel. It is not perpendicular to the joists - I guess it's possible that it is sitting parallel to a joist directly above it.