u/RightIsMight1615

Hi,

EDIT: The question is not about egress, but about privacy, preference, fung shui, etc.

We are working on a 4bed (additional bedrooms in basement) and I'm having trouble setting it up to support a backyard access.

As you can see, the building gets narrower in the rear 2/3rds of it partly because it continues the existing building but also because it creates an egress alley for the upper floors' bedrooms.

We tried to put a door facing that alley but the plans were rejected because the city claimed it turns the alley into a dual purpose.

The only remaining option is to put a rear yard access through the master bedroom (left side).

Should we put a sliding door or a regular door and window?

Added a picture as an example (not my building).

Do you think we can put a regular exterior door or would you think it's better to have a window / european style door? They're quite expensive.

The patio door is the cheaper way to go (window + door seems to cost more than a single patio door) but I feel like patio door is too exposed for the ground floor and you can't open the door to ventilate so much. They do come with bug screens though

Thoughts?

Brought a roofer. He did a godawful job. Had a roof leak once and he came to fix it, and then it leaked again after the fix.

Before I pursue other options, he wants to come over and fix it. Currently he is unwilling to give a refund. I consider suing.

Other roofer came to take a look, did me a favor. Quoted me $2500 to re-do the roof, about 450 sqft.

Should I bring the first roofer to re-do it or give up? This is comically bad and it's already my fault for not verifying the work before.

It's a townhouse, I can't add any windows on the "north" and "south" walls.

The left wall is new and can be reconfigured. The "bite" that was taken out of the building, aka "light well" can't be changed.

Few things I don't like about the apartment on the left:

1. Only 1 window in the living room (bottom-right corner).
2. I don't like the laundry / mech closet facing the dining table, and the positioning of the dining table.
3. Not a fan of floating couches.
4. The kitchen might be a bit big for the size of the apartment.

Things I don't like about the apartment on the right:

1. Only 1 window in the living room, though the kitchen has another window over the sink.
2. awkward living/dining area.

Any improvements to either apartment would be appreciated.

One option is to add skylights, since it's the top-floor apartment.

Another option I have is to install concealed air handler in the ceiling / mini-split AC which should make the mech closet a bit smaller and then in the left apartment it can be rotated 90 degrees and face the living room rather than the kitchen.

But floor-plan wise, I would appreciate advice.