Isn't the release just the contractor acknowledging you've paid in full

What's the difference between a bird and a fly? A bird can fly but a fly can't bird.


But seriously, that's a huge fly.

It's more like a right to lien. Sorta. Varies by state and you probably need a lawyer to explain all the intricacies. Releases are very common in new construction, commercial work, and anytime a lender is involved. They're pretty rare in residential remodels.

I've filed intent to lien twice. The first time got me paid real quick, because a lien would have effectively shutdown an 80 unit condo development. The second was against a family member of a billionaire tech mogul with strong ties to the county. It was denied the same afternoon I filed it, without explanation, and I never got paid. ****ing billionaires, man.

Pretty much.

Thanks zikzak. As I understand now a lien has to be filed through a court. I won't have a lien on my property without knowing about it.

In Cali a contractor can file a preliminary notice to lein up to a few weeks after the job is done or something. I've never done it. In practice all I know is some big companies and some lawyer/home owners or other anal retentives have given me a release to sign, which I do if they've paid.

micro, think it's lien not lein.

i went searching for a 'lean gif' and apparently purple drank and the popularity of using codeine cough sizzurp as a recreational drug prevented me from posting an appropriate image for this topic....
...thanks jamarcus russell.

and now for the derail

if anyone hasn't watched it yet, the michael k williams viceland black market episode on sizzurp is very interesting. https://www.viceland.com/en_us/video...3617f24903b42b

Typically I see the owner pay the sub, not the contractor. 50/30/20 seems out of skew for a sub to request 50% up front, but maybe not for a contractor paying the subs. 50% up front would worry me more than the 20 at the end, the 20% is going to be the contractors profit, the whole reason he's doing the job

Usually don't see a material lein on small residential projects, but wouldn't be surprised if there was. Here, once materials are on the site I don't own them, so can't legally take them off the project. Or a company can ask the material yard to deliver the materials up front and they'll put a lein on the project

Also if you pay the contractor to pay the subs and the sub doesn't get paid I believe they'll put a lein on the owners property

It might be only after the materials are installed I couldn't take them if they're not paid for

If the owner pays the sub, are they a sub?

alright, irrigation question.

Here is the abridged progression of my self education/troubleshooting that brought me to this moment.

Water started leaking out of the low head of my front lawn sprinkler. Like a noob, I assumed that since it was leaking from that head the problem was also there and that some kid kicked the head or something, so I dug out out and changed it.

That didn't work, so I binged it and found out it was likely an issue at the valve head. I have the standard jar style so i opened it and removed the spring and diaphragm, replaced it and tightened it all down. This worked! Home owner genius status achieved.

Week later same issue. I watched a vid with a milf fixing hers on youtube. She added a second spring and that fixed hers. I decided to just manually stretch the spring out a little on mine. Boom, genius level achieved again.

Week or so later leaking again. This time stretching the spring didn't work so I looked more closely at the diaphragm and it was cracked. Off to the big box to get a replacement diaphragm. They don't stock them, and a whole ne head is only $20 or so so I get the part, go home, realize i need pvc glue and fittings, drive back, do the switch out........master irrigation certification achieved!!

Mother****er is leaking again. I am kind of out of ideas at this point except thinking it may need to be flushed....it was fine after the switch until I turned it off for a couple of days while we had a tent set up in the back yard and then turned it on again making me wonder if there is something in the line?

Anyway, anyone who really knows anything about anything got any ideas?

Is the sprinkler head filter clogged?

I'll give it a look, but even though it is mostly complex by out of the lowest head there is some out of the second lowest too.

I manually opened the valve and closed it and am now waiting to see if the leak stopped. It is pretty flooded around the head so it take a few hours to know.

ETA: it stopped. I am still puzzled as to why this keeps happening at this point tho.

Late here, but those wood slats look great. I wonder why you don't see more.

Because they're a lot more expensive than vinyl siding.

I am probably late but....

You are only required to give $500 or 10% upon signing a contract in Cal. 50% up front is a lot unless the contractor is buying all the fixtures, tile/stone everything, even then it's kind of a lot. Material drawers, doors, sinks, faucets, granite etc. Demo/rough plumb and elec=$$$, tile=$$$, cabinetry=$$$.

I agree for the most part but Cabinet doors, drawers and drawer boxes can easily hit $5k for a basic kitchen, or windows can cost easily $10k, contractors aren't going to float that in case the home owner screws them. That is just for material, I wouldn't ask for money on work I haven't done though.

Always keep a good chunk at the end so the contractor will want to come back to finish.

$1000 or 10%

Niiiiiice!

Thanks, I don't know why I always think it's $500.

It may come from the $500 limit for home improvement work that can be done without a contractor's license. Not exactly related, but in the ballpark and that's the "$500" thing I can think of.

Finally got the cushions for the banquette, so the kitchen is now complete.



Ordered them custom from cushionsource.com, and would definitely recommend that site.

Bold piping!

that was my wife's choice, but i think it turned out well.

Has anyone successfully fought PG&E (or other regional gas utility) on a safety issue? They want to force me to move my gas meter which will either cause an eyesore on the front of my house (diminishing property value) or dig up my driveway and drill into my house which will have a similar effect. Unfortunately they have a monopoly and will simply turn off the gas if I don't comply.

I've looked through the codes / diagrams, and literally no home here in San Francisco can be in compliance with all of them. The interesting bit is that in their specs it states ""These requirements do not mandate retroactive compliance of existing meter sets unless unsafe conditions exist as determined by the Company" which of course means they can just say "it's unsafe" and turn off my gas until I comply.

They're planning to do the construction Wednesday, but I still think they're FOS and want them to go the **** away.

HALP!

It's a losing battle. I deal with the local gas companies here pretty regularly, and they aren't interested in anything except what they want done. They own the meter so you're at their mercy. I've yet to see any homeowner be successful in getting the gas company to change their mind or make an exception.