This is the second post in my series on smart home technology. You may want to start with the one entitled Smart Home Starting Point. {Disclosure: I’m providing links for these products. If, at the time of publication, the price was the same on Amazon and elsewhere, I linked to Amazon and I may getContinue reading “Smart Home – HVAC”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Status Report 18 Sept 2023
Just a quick update today. The concrete crew pulled out of the job. I’ve spent the week speaking with other concrete/ landscaping companies. I’ve had three site visits already, and have several more scheduled for early this week. The goal is to collect bids this week, and make a selection/ sign the contract next week.Continue reading “Status Report 18 Sept 2023”
What does a 2014 Porsche 911 have in common with my new truck?
Some of you might know that I’ve ordered a new truck. My 2011 Silverado is doing well, but it lacks some of the modern conveniences. At my age, I feel like I’ve earned a little bit of comfort as I go back and forth to the building supply warehouse. Also, in the city where IContinue reading “What does a 2014 Porsche 911 have in common with my new truck?”
Celebrate The Win
Last weekend we had a small gathering at Mintwood St. for the team who worked on it. A lot of people had a hand in making this a success, and we wanted them to come back and see what we had accomplished together. It was a lot of fun, and I think that particularly folksContinue reading “Celebrate The Win”
Time & Materials vs Fixed Fee
There are a number of components that should be covered in any contract, but today I’m just going to cover contract “type” – whether the job is being bid “fixed fee” or “time and materials”. When you subcontract work, one of the most important things to understand is the nature of the contract. Both contractContinue reading “Time & Materials vs Fixed Fee”
Sharpen the Saw (Training)
Back in my corporate life, one of the things I never did enough of was training. This was particularly ironic given the high value I assign to education. It’s important enough that I sat on the board of an industry education group (training people on the current state of the payments industry) and I alsoContinue reading “Sharpen the Saw (Training)”
Communication Is Key (Roofing Update)
This week, we started work on repairing the mansards on Mintwood. I actually evaluated several different solutions, ranging from full slate replacement (too expensive) to metal roof/ simulated slate, to architectural grade shingles. In the end, we chose GAF Designer Series shingles- but not for the reason one might think. The overall bid from thisContinue reading “Communication Is Key (Roofing Update)”
How To Be A Winner
OK, so it’s time to move. You’re scanning real estate listings for a rental, and starting to think about your new life. The catch is, there are other families out there going through the same process. So, how do you lock up a lease on that really great 2- bedroom you’re looking at on Zillow?Continue reading “How To Be A Winner”
Dick Dufner
1941-2021 DIck Dufner was a corporate CFO and my Godfather. He passed away this week from complications after a heart attack. Last year when I came back to Pittsburgh, he and Diane made me instantly feel welcome. They worked on the job sites, and we’d often head to Riley’s Irish Pub for dinner on aContinue reading “Dick Dufner”
Garage Epoxy Floors
Someone recently asked me about epoxy floors for a garage. I’ll start by saying this is one of the best investments you can make in your garage. It will improve the usability of the space now, and it shows very nicely when you are looking to sell/ rent. There are some important caveats, though, toContinue reading “Garage Epoxy Floors”
Entropy Properties LLC 