Tips

Handover is Not the End: From Final Punch List to Putting Everything in Place
Planning to move? Finishing and the final stages can account for more than half of the total time. Most novices might think that the main framework takes the most time. In fact, the main framework usually follows a standard procedure with many workers, so progress can be seen almost daily. However, when it comes to the final finishing touches, it's typically handled by a handyman or the GC administrator themselves, mainly because the profit margin is low, the final payment is not a major amount, and there are no subsequent... Read more...
Backyard = Second Living Room
This chapter focuses on outdoor pain points: water pooling, glare, neighbor privacy, and legal restrictions. The living room must connect to the yard, which is why I was not completely satisfied with the first design. After the revision, the living room and dining room in the house are parallel and both connect to the yard. This gives the entire living room a long glass wall, providing excellent natural light and a beautiful view of the courtyard. It feels like the living room has been extended. Front yards and backyards have... Read more...
Indoor Environment Construction
Flooring Foot feel and durability are the first principles. In terms of size, longer and wider planks are preferred for living rooms, dining rooms, and hallways (e.g., 7–9" wide, 48–72" long) for fewer seams and a cleaner space; medium sizes can be used in bedrooms to control costs. For category selection, first look at the substrate and stability: solid wood has the best texture but is sensitive to temperature and humidity; engineered wood balances foot feel and stability; SPC/LVP is the most durable, water-resistant, and scratch-resistant, suitable for kitchens and... Read more...
Plumbing | How to choose a shower mixer valve? Pitfall Checklist + Brand Lookup
Water, Electricity, and Hardware Dimensions, Categories, Materials Dimensions and Positions Deduced from Ergonomics: The center of the shower mixing valve is approximately 44–48 inches, the handheld shower holder is slightly above the shoulder line, and the overhead shower center is determined by net height and standing position. The height difference between the basin faucet spout and the countertop should be comfortable to prevent splashing. Choose categories from top to bottom: first decide on pressure-balancing or thermostatic, then whether to have an independent diverter, and finally select the combination of overhead/handheld/lower... Read more...
Tile | How to choose the size?
Tile Selection Principles | Size, Type, Material For the floor, including the shower area, prioritize slip resistance and proper slope. Prefer 12x12 or smaller units. For walls, 12x24 or 24x48 create a cleaner, more proportional look. A robust combination is "slip-resistant floor tiles + satin wall tiles + a few decorative accent tiles." Sintered stone (large format porcelain/rock slab) is better suited for dry areas or as a feature wall. Choose porcelain tiles primarily for their low water absorption, durability, and stain resistance. Use natural stone only for accents and... Read more...
Bathroom | Three Steps to Perfection: Layout, Waterproofing, and Smart Equipment Purchases
First Read Principles | Bathroom Dimensions, Categories, Materials Dimension is reverse-engineered from the net width of the space: vanities are commonly 24–40 inches, and medicine cabinets are the same width or slightly wider; reserving 15 inches on each side of the toilet area and 24 inches in front is more comfortable. The category is based on "faucet + toilet + overhead/handheld shower," and then the decision to include a bathtub is made based on the frequency of taking baths. Prioritize "durable and easy-to-maintain" materials: quartz countertop + undermount sink, brass... Read more...
Appliance Selection to Avoid Pitfalls | Quiet Maintenance
The selection range for kitchen appliances is very wide, but there are still rules to follow. Determine the main big-ticket items first. Refrigerator Range: countertop or integrated with an oven Dishwasher The rest of the appliances basically need to be from the same brand, otherwise, they won't look good. For refrigerators, I recommend Bosch, Thermador, or Sub-Zero (slightly high-end). The major categories include side-by-side, single door; flush door, and protruding door. Unless special circumstances, always buy side-by-side. A flush door means the door is parallel to the cabinetry (so you... Read more...
Storage and Cabinetry
Finally, let's talk about cabinets. If you have already ordered high-end appliances, then don't hesitate, you must get solid wood cabinets; if you have very ordinary appliances, or even for a rental unit, ordinary cabinets will suffice, even IKEA ones. However, my suggestion is to choose solid wood. But there is no need to order luxury brands. Most people won't see a significant difference, and it's difficult to replace missing parts, which will delay the construction period. Choosing solid wood has several advantages: It's sturdy and feels substantial—the kitchen should... Read more...
Site Management and Walkthrough Checklist
On-Site Management and Walkthrough (Homeowner's Minimalist/Photo-First Edition) Everyone is busy, so the simpler approach is to take more photos. Photos are inherently evidence. Try to use photos + simple annotations instead of written records, but do not replace the GC's (General Contractor's) management work. Once a week, 20–30 photos are enough Rhythm: Visit the site once a week (or a video call). In between, have the GC frequently send site photos/short videos. Goal: Use photos to spot deviations, and rely on photo comparison to encourage correction. Output: Consolidate this week's... Read more...
Pain Points | Opaque pricing, change frequency, communication breakdown
How do the pain points arise? The quotes from different GCs (General Contractors) vary greatly. The cheap ones say they are all the same, while the expensive ones say they are all different. Fear of frequent project scope changes and extra charges after construction starts. Whether the quality of work matches the contract. Decoration is highly customized, and there is a large information asymmetry. People are most afraid of two things: Not understanding the market price and fearing being overcharged. Work getting stuck due to problems and being unable to... Read more...
City Red Tape and Annotations | Finding Solutions Within Limitations
The City's policies are very critical, even one of the decisive reasons for whether or not you should undertake a renovation. If the City is too tough, you must be cautious. But most cities encourage improving residential properties because it raises the city's image, within certain limits, of course. For example, some areas in the Bay Area must adhere to a specific architectural style. Some cities require a large setback, which restricts the planning. There are a few things to pay attention to in advance: Setback: This is critical; you... Read more...
Movement Simulation and Floor Plan Deduction | Walk Through Your Day
Method: Different family members walk their morning/dinner/night routes on the floor plan three times. Tool: Use different colored pens, mark key points (doors, refrigerator, switches). Output: A list of conflict points and suggested changes. Movement Flow Key Points and Checklist (Integrated Version) Start with "High-Frequency Routes": Straighten and shorten the most frequently used paths—Kitchen ↔ Dining Room, Bedroom ↔ Bathroom, Garage ↔ Kitchen—to reduce detours and backtracking. Space Allocation: Reserve low-light areas for hallways and secondary functions. Allocate good light and full scale to high-frequency spaces like the living room.... Read more...