u/Sanathan_US

I'm looking into drilling a well strictly for watering my lawn and trees while keeping the house on city water.

For anyone who has done this:

• How was your overall experience with the process?
• Roughly what did the whole setup end up costing you?
• Was it worth the investment in the long run?

This is in Southern California, (Poway).

Would love to hear your thoughts and any pros/cons before I jump in.

Thank

I'm looking into drilling a well strictly for watering my lawn and trees while keeping the house on city water.

For anyone who has done this:

• How was your overall experience with the process?
• Roughly what did the whole setup end up costing you?
• Was it worth the investment in the long run?

This is in Poway (Green Valley) area.

Would love to hear your thoughts and any pros/cons before I jump in. Thanks!

I got the floor plan from Architect but I would like to also see the 3D renderings. Architect does not give 3D
I tried ChatGPT and Claude and both of them are very error prone and were not good even after repeated (about 4-5 attempts).
What is a good option to do that? Am open to payment option too. Or if there are any independent (like Architectural students) that can do a 3D conversion that's an option am open too.

We’re remodeling an open-plan kitchen and family room connected by an opening that’s about 12 x 8 ft. I’m hoping to find a flexible and attractive way to occasionally separate the two rooms.

Most of the time—including when extended family visits—we want the space to stay completely open. But when we host formal guests, we’d like to close off the kitchen for a cleaner, more private look.

My current idea is to use wooden sliding panels, like Barndoors,  maybe 1–2 feet wide door, that could stretch across the entire opening and stack at one end when not in use (there’s plenty of space for stacking). I prefer wood, but I’m open to other stylish materials or combos, like wood-framed reeded or frosted glass. I saw Wooden Bi-fold Barn doors in Wayfair.

Since this is part of a remodel, we can make some structural changes. I thought about pocket doors, but a giant pocket would mean major work on the arches and walls, so I’m leaning toward a stacking system that sits outside the wall instead.

I’d like some kind of floor track or guide so the panels move smoothly and stay stable, but I really want to avoid tripping hazards or deep grooves or anything uncomfortable to walk over

In addition to this, what all are the options that I can consider?

Thanks in advance!

I am planning to buy a home with Shingles.
I'm looking for advice from roofers who've done partial tile conversions. I don't want to replace my whole roof—just the front-facing roof planes (the ones visible from the street) with clay or concrete tile to improve curb appeal. The rest of the roof (back and areas not visible from the front) would stay shingle, unless something needs to be changed for waterproofing or structural reasons.

I'm trying to figure out:

• Is this partial conversion technically feasible?
• How do you handle transitions (flashing, valleys, hips, ridges, underlayment) where tile meets shingle?
• What should I watch out for in terms of weight, permits, or framing?
• Would you usually give quotes for just the front-facing tile work versus a full tile roof?

Any tips, past experiences, or things I should ask the roofer about? I want to make sure I’m asking the right questions before I move forward. Thanks!

I am currently in escrow on an older single-family home and recently had a sewer scope inspection. I want to understand the seriousness of these findings before deciding how firmly to negotiate with the seller or seek additional bids.

The sewer scope inspection covered the line from the house cleanout (main structure) to the city sewer main. The report indicates the pipe material is a combination of ABS and clay.

The good news: there is no indication of an immediate emergency or sewer failure. The line is not currently blocked, collapsed, broken, or separated.

The bad news: the line has conditions that could lead to problems in the future. The report specifically notes that a low area (belly) can hold water after flow stops, which may become an issue if debris collects and causes a blockage or backup. It also found multiple offsets and root intrusion, and recommends repairing all three issues.

The issues marked were:

1. Low Area (Belly) One photo is labeled “Low Area (Belly)” and indicates that the deepest points are approximately 5 feet and 10 feet below the surface.
2. Multiple Offsets: Several offsets (means: misaligned junctions) in the sewer line. A photo shows offsets in both the clay and ABS sections.
3. Root Intrusion at the City Main Tie-In: There is root intrusion where the sewer line connects to the city main.

The recommendations were:

• Repair Low Area (Belly)
• Repair Offsets
• Repair Root Intrusion

I have not experienced any backup symptoms in my limited inspection testing. But we cannot tell there is no issue, because I do not own or live in the home yet.

My Questions:

• How serious is a sewer belly if the line is currently open and flowing?
• Does the combination of a belly, multiple offsets, and root intrusion make this more urgent than a small, isolated belly?
• Is this typically a “monitor and maintain” issue, a spot repair, or does it often require excavation or full replacement?

I found a 40-year-old, well-maintained home with interior decor that matches my taste. The location and yard are ideal. My question is about planning the exterior transformation. (To be clear: Edit: My ask is not to improve landscape looks in the front but to enhance the front facade.)

The main change I want is to improve the front elevation and curb appeal. The home lacks an “awe factor” from the street—it’s pleasant but plain and dated, not grand or updated. The front is a bit flat, with a garage at one end. It’s a 1980s Southern California stucco ranch/Mediterranean-style home with 8-foot ceilings, typical for that time. I want to make it feel warmer, more elegant, more current, and more architecturally interesting—without a full exterior rebuild. My goal is a high-end, warm transitional/Mediterranean curb appeal.

I’m open to changes that don’t disturb the structure, focusing only on the front. I’m willing to spend a reasonable amount and can do the work in phases. There are no HOA requirements.

My main focus is on design direction ideas first. Who should I hire first: an architect, exterior designer, or design-build contractor? Any other suggestions on where should I look for them (usually I ask friends; But any other reputable sources? Any other suggestions on making this type of change?

I am looking for someone to cook once or twice a week for special dietary restrictions. Want someone that can come home, cook different varieties of dishes different times.

Since this service is for dietary restrictions, a nutrition background will be a big plus.

Any suggestions?

For those with significant net worth, such as $30 million in liquid assets (stocks and bonds), how do you finance major purchases like homes costing $7 million to $10 million? If you need to sell stocks to raise the funds, taxes in states like California—combined with federal taxes—can exceed 50% of your gains, meaning you might have to sell twice as much stock to net the required amount.

One approach is to use a margin loan from your brokerage account to pay for the house, then pay off the margin over several years with careful financial planning.

Any other ideas?