Projects/Home Improvement Thread

[koonja]

This is a real question that you couldn't find an answer to?

Weird... Cuz google goes right to it.

Let me google that for you

If you're referring to the first article retrieved, 'https://boston-decks-and-porches.com/.../what-is-a-freestanding-deck-and-why-would', I'm not able to open that one because work thinks it's naughty for some reason.

 

[Wild Bill]

Building walkout deck this summer from a sliding door in the dining room. I'm in the process of creating the permit request, or seeing if I even need one.

Minneapolis does NOT require a permit if the deck is 30" or lower from the ground, and is detached.

My deck will be 27" off of the ground, but will be a walk out, so I always envisioned detached. But in talking to someone, they think I may be able to 'detach' it like 1" from the house, and as long as it's not physically connected to the house, it'll fly as a detached and I won't have to go through with a permit and inspection. However, I can find nothing on 'what does detached really mean' in the city of Minneapolis. Anyone have any insight on what's considered detached, or gone through a similar situation with getting a permit?

Detached would require that it's freestanding, without being supported by the house. The only drawback is that it could dip down next to the house after years and years of use. If your footings are done properly it shouldn't be an issue. You can have the deck flush against the house whether it's attached or detached.

If it's attached, you have to attach a ledger board to the house that supports the joists on one end. If you attach it, make sure the ledger board is properly flashed or you'll get water damage. Happens all the time.

 

[woolybug25]

If you're referring to the first article retrieved, 'https://boston-decks-and-porches.com/.../what-is-a-freestanding-deck-and-why-would', I'm not able to open that one because work thinks it's naughty for some reason.

Well... really any of the links in google, or common sense, could tell you.

Attached to the house = attached
Not attached to the house = detached

If the deck comes right up to the house, it should be attached, imo. Not attaching it to the house is bush league. Like 6 1/2 foot ceilings in a living space.

 

[koonja]

Thank you guys for the info. I think I'll go permit free and detached. This will be a small 10' x 10' deck that will house a grill and maybe a few chairs. Avoiding the permit would be nice. If it were a larger deck, I'd probably get a permit, but since it's small and low to the ground and I can butt it right against the house (will try to confirm with the city if they ever answer the phone), it makes for a cheaper job.

 

[NDohio]

Thank you guys for the info. I think I'll go permit free and detached. This will be a small 10' x 10' deck that will house a grill and maybe a few chairs. Avoiding the permit would be nice. If it were a larger deck, I'd probably get a permit, but since it's small and low to the ground and I can butt it right against the house (will try to confirm with the city if they ever answer the phone), it makes for a cheaper job.

I am truly curious as to why you continue to come on here and ask for advice. Don't get me wrong, it's pretty entertaining, but it seems like everything that you have asked for advice on you do the exact opposite of what the experienced experts on IE have advised.

 

[koonja]

I am truly curious as to why you continue to come on here and ask for advice. Don't get me wrong, it's pretty entertaining, but it seems like everything that you have asked for advice on you do the exact opposite of what the experienced experts on IE have advised.

There are some smart people on here and I like opinions and input, and I go from there. And I don't think I always ignore it. For instance, at least 3 posters say 'go for it' if the basement bid is below 20K, and that affirms my assumption that it's a good investment.

But I also get 'watch outs', like the moisture control of putting a bathroom in a basement. That is not a QU I thought to ask how they'd design for that, so I gain stuff from asking questions.

 

[Monk]

Each area is different, but in many areas the size of the deck and type of foundation mater in determining if you need a permit or not. I believe in my area it has to be detached, but also not considered a permanent structure. This means you can not pour concrete to hold your support posts in the ground. They do make concrete foundation blocks that sit on the ground and the post fits in the top of them, then you build from there. This option is not the best option, as the deck will move (slightly) with the freeze/thaw cycle, but can work in some cases. Again every area is different, but if you dig into the ground and pour your post in, I believe you will need a permit/inspection.

 

[Wild Bill]

Thank you guys for the info. I think I'll go permit free and detached. This will be a small 10' x 10' deck that will house a grill and maybe a few chairs. Avoiding the permit would be nice. If it were a larger deck, I'd probably get a permit, but since it's small and low to the ground and I can butt it right against the house (will try to confirm with the city if they ever answer the phone), it makes for a cheaper job.

I wouldn't build a deck for a tenant unless it was an absolute must. They're maintenance whores and often misused by tenants. I would just pour a concrete patio and forget about it for the next 20 years.

 

[koonja]

Looking at adding some sort of 'privacy wall/screen' to the length of the deck, as it'll be about 8' from the neighbor's property line.

Has anyone been creative in approaching this?

Would love to have something like this, but probably cannot afford it:

http://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/297181ba035a7584_4-2466/traditional-deck.jpg

More likely to put something up like this:
Veranda 0.2 in. x 48 in. x 8 ft. Brownstone Privacy Plastic Lattice-103650 - The Home Depot

 

[Irish#1]

Looking at adding some sort of 'privacy wall/screen' to the length of the deck, as it'll be about 8' from the neighbor's property line.

Has anyone been creative in approaching this?

Would love to have something like this, but probably cannot afford it:

http://st.hzcdn.com/simgs/297181ba035a7584_4-2466/traditional-deck.jpg

More likely to put something up like this:
Veranda 0.2 in. x 48 in. x 8 ft. Brownstone Privacy Plastic Lattice-103650 - The Home Depot

Koon hasn't even started the basement and he's already onto a deck! lol

Plastic lattice is cheap and looks cheap. You'll be screwing around with it after 1-2 years. If space permits it, I would go a something in the size range of 12 X 12. 10 X 10 is pretty small and as soon as your done, you're going to look at it and think, "Damn, Irish#1 was right. I should have made it a little bigger."

 

[woolybug25]

Koon hasn't even started the basement and he's already onto a deck! lol

Plastic lattice is cheap and looks cheap. You'll be screwing around with it after 1-2 years. If space permits it, I would go a something in the size range of 12 X 12. 10 X 10 is pretty small and as soon as your done, you're going to look at it and think, "Damn, Irish#1 was right. I should have made it a little bigger."

Then it will match right in with all of the other half-ass, cheapo, frat-fix stuff he continues to do to his grandmother's lovely home.

 

[koonja]

Koon hasn't even started the basement and he's already onto a deck! lol

Plastic lattice is cheap and looks cheap. You'll be screwing around with it after 1-2 years. If space permits it, I would go a something in the size range of 12 X 12. 10 X 10 is pretty small and as soon as your done, you're going to look at it and think, "Damn, Irish#1 was right. I should have made it a little bigger."

I think I'm going to go 10' or 11' by 14'. 11' puts me within 6' of the property line and I'm trying to find what the distance requirements are for property line in MSP.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Koon do yourself a favor and search up 'Bob Villa's Home Again' series or his 'This Old House' series. Watch a few episodes. No Italics.

 

[Irish#1]

Not home improvement, but thought this fits here.

We have a home improvement loan of $46K we took out to help one of our sons and his family buy a house.

About a week ago, I get a letter from the bank where we have the loan. The paper said we were in a flood plain, but because of the classification we wouldn't be required to purchase it. Yesterday, I get another letter from the bank telling me I have to get flood insurance for the amount of the loan.

We built this house in 1988. We've refinanced a couple of times and have had some home improvement loans against the house over the years. Never did any of these lenders tell me I have to have flood insurance. I've checked the maps and while we are somewhat close, we are not in the flood plain. I call up the lady whose name is on the letter. She tells me it's because we have a building on our property that is in the flood plain. I explain how she must be talking about the little tool shed 7X10, but explain to her that even it is not in the flood plain according to the map.

She is going to research and get back with me.

Wooly, as a banker, any advice for this homeowner?

 

[Irish Insanity]

Move the shed

 

[koonja]

Then it will match right in with all of the other half-ass, cheapo, frat-fix stuff he continues to do to his grandmother's lovely home.

I rent out individual rooms out of my 4 bedroom for the price of the entire 3 bedroom places you allegedly help do background checks on.

Save the snide remarks - As BK would say, we're shopping down a different isle.

 

[wizards8507]

Not home improvement, but thought this fits here.

We have a home improvement loan of $46K we took out to help one of our sons and his family buy a house.

About a week ago, I get a letter from the bank where we have the loan. The paper said we were in a flood plain, but because of the classification we wouldn't be required to purchase it. Yesterday, I get another letter from the bank telling me I have to get flood insurance for the amount of the loan.

We built this house in 1988. We've refinanced a couple of times and have had some home improvement loans against the house over the years. Never did any of these lenders tell me I have to have flood insurance. I've checked the maps and while we are somewhat close, we are not in the flood plain. I call up the lady whose name is on the letter. She tells me it's because we have a building on our property that is in the flood plain. I explain how she must be talking about the little tool shed 7X10, but explain to her that even it is not in the flood plain according to the map.

She is going to research and get back with me.

Wooly, as a banker, any advice for this homeowner?

Can you move the shed? Not move it out of the flood plain, because I know you said it's not in it in the first place, but can you move it a couple of inches just to prove you can? That's how my grandfather gets out of property taxes on his shed, which is big enough to be considered inhabitable. If it's movable, it's not real property, thus isn't a building, thus doesn't need to be insured.

 

[woolybug25]

Not home improvement, but thought this fits here.

We have a home improvement loan of $46K we took out to help one of our sons and his family buy a house.

About a week ago, I get a letter from the bank where we have the loan. The paper said we were in a flood plain, but because of the classification we wouldn't be required to purchase it. Yesterday, I get another letter from the bank telling me I have to get flood insurance for the amount of the loan.

We built this house in 1988. We've refinanced a couple of times and have had some home improvement loans against the house over the years. Never did any of these lenders tell me I have to have flood insurance. I've checked the maps and while we are somewhat close, we are not in the flood plain. I call up the lady whose name is on the letter. She tells me it's because we have a building on our property that is in the flood plain. I explain how she must be talking about the little tool shed 7X10, but explain to her that even it is not in the flood plain according to the map.

She is going to research and get back with me.

Wooly, as a banker, any advice for this homeowner?

A similar thing happened to me when I purchased my current home. They claimed I was on the floodplain, despite having a 200 foot ravine down to the river. If my house flooded, it would mean that half the town was under a couple hundred feet of water. I spoke with the mortgage guy and had him send out a representative for a physical inspection. Luckily, we were able to reverse it and I do not have to pay flood insurance.

If you have a current map from the city. Then you should be able to force the lender to prove that it is on the flood plain. They will probably send someone out and give you the typical hard time before they give. But you should be able to get it taken care of in time.

 

[woolybug25]

I rent out individual rooms out of my 4 bedroom for the price of the entire 3 bedroom places you allegedly help do background checks on.

Save the snide remarks - As BK would say, we're shopping down a different isle.

I'll save the snide remarks when you start saving the dumbass questions, deal?

The first sentence... I don't know what response you were trying to get out of that one. Good job? I'm a grownup and don't rent rooms in my house to other people because I don't need the extra money. I also like having a nice house, not an apartment complex. I don't give two shits about how much you rent rooms out of your grandma's house for. Your entire living situation is completely ridiculous, like all other things in your life. Do whatever you want, but don't expect the board to roll over for you and be your personal sounding board. If you want to ask a bunch of completely idiotic questions... then expect the board to tell you what they think.

 

[koonja]

I'll save the snide remarks when you start saving the dumbass questions, deal?

The first sentence... I don't know what response you were trying to get out of that one. I don't give two shits about how much you rent rooms out of your grandma's house for. Your entire living situation is completely ridiculous, like all other things in your life. Do whatever you want, but don't expect the board to roll over for you and be your personal sounding board. If you want to ask a bunch of completely idiotic questions... then expect the board to tell you what they think.

This is the Leprechaun Lounge, quit trying to be the founder of it and manager of who posts what. Take your trash elsewhere, no one wants your constant vitriol.

 

[woolybug25]

This is the Leprechaun Lounge, quit trying to be the founder of it and manager of who posts what. Take your trash elsewhere, no one wants your constant vitriol.

Haha... ok.

Please... continue with your next question. We are all anxiously waiting to explain to you how to change lightbulbs or how to turn your grandma's attic into sauna for the neighborhood.

Grow up.

 

[koonja]

Haha... ok.

Please... continue with your next question. We are all anxiously waiting to explain to you how to change lightbulbs or how to turn your grandma's attic into sauna for the neighborhood.

Grow up.

I like how you speak for the group when you're the only one always angry and spewing jealousy.

 

[Ndaccountant]

 

[IrishLion]

Koon n' Wooly, round n' round.

 

[koonja]

Koon n' Wooly, round n' round.

It's not. He tries to wedge his way into something every day with nothing but below the belt comments, I tell him go away, and then we arrive at this.

His nose is so far up my butt he's lost sight of reality. I never try to talk to the guy, but he's always sitting there trying to get in to it with me. It'd be flattering if not so disrupting to the board.

 

[woolybug25]

It's not. He tries to wedge his way into something every day with nothing but below the belt comments, I tell him go away, and then we arrive at this.

His nose is so far up my butt he's lost sight of reality. I never try to talk to the guy, but he's always sitting there trying to get in to it with me. It'd be flattering if not so disrupting to the board.

I'm sure it has nothing to do with your constant badgering with dumbass questions that you don't even care to listen to the answers. I'm sure it has nothing to do with your constant posturing of yourself. You're right... It's everyone else's fault.

It's always someone else's fault...


I'm sure I'm just so jelly that Koon lives in MSP with a bunch of roommates as an adult. So posh. So sophisticated.

 

[koonja]

I'm sure it has nothing to do with your constant badgering with dumbass questions that you don't even care to listen to the answers. I'm sure it has nothing to do with your constant posturing of yourself. You're right... It's everyone else's fault.

It's always someone else's fault...

You're the only one crying about 'too many posts in my Leprechaun lounge.'

Crazy idea - block me.

 

[Irish Insanity]

turn your grandma's attic into sauna for the neighborhood.

Actually Koon, this is a great idea.

I will add also if you're in a college area, renting rooms as opposed to the entire house is a much smarter idea. Hell even at Western Michigan University there are national property management companies who do the exact same thing in large newer constructed complexes.

 

[IrishLion]

Yeah, this is the lep lounge. If you think it's "constant badgering," then don't click on the thread and respond if you know it's Koonja that's posting. You're allowing yourself to be badgered, Wooly.

If you want to look at the thread but not see his constant badgering, then put him on ignore. You'll see the quotes, but at least you'll know they aren't meant for you.


As an aside, I understand why Koon brings his questions here. Like him, I know nothing about home improvement aside from the things my father-in-law has taught me (which has brought me far, to a level that I would describe as "barely manageable"), so I like to see what you guys have to say about various projects and ideas.

I trust you guys more than I trust Google results. When I google things, I don't know how much stock to put into the random site that holds the result. But I know that if ask an in-depth question here, I'm going to get legit, multi-sourced information that I don't have to 100% question.

I understand why you're annoyed by some of the posts, but know that some of us actually get some quality information from this stuff, and it's not just Koon. Regardless of how you feel about what he's doing to his home, we don't need to turn it into a "Koon's a clueless dumbass" thread. I'm a clueless dumbass, too, and I like to read what you guys have to say to make myself less of a clueless dumbass.

 

[wizards8507]

I'm sure I'm just so jelly that Koon lives in MSP with a bunch of roommates as an adult. So posh. So sophisticated.

I'm with Wooly on this piece at least. Grown people shouldn't have roommates.