In reference to getting a house fixed /ready to rent or even during a major rehab project, do you have any 'pet peeves' ? I am referring to fixing things that seem to bother YOU more than anyone else around you. Something that you spend extra time (and money) on just to get it right to your way of doing things.

Just yesterday, one of my hired hands said,...'why are you painting the inside walls/trim of the closets in this house?',...all I could say was,...'it is one of my many 'pet peeves'.

What are your 'pet peeves' ?

Why does it bother me and not someone else? Because it's MY place, not theirs. I want mine to be the best it can reasonably be.

They could care less.

What they want is the easiest, fastest way to make whatever money you pay them. They are lazy. Painting closet walls takes time they don't want to spend. Kind of like sweeping dirt under the carpet instead of picking it up and putting it in the trash.

You can see it in everything they do. Littering, failure to maintain the place (smoke alarms, furnace filters, mowing and more), cleanliness, car, finances. The list is long.

It is endemic throughout society and has been for thousands of years.

1) Smoke detectors either taken down or with missing batteries

2) Food/soda splattered on the (at move-in) freshly painted walls.

1. Contractors who do not meet the timeline commitment

2. Contractors who leave a big mess and do not clean up after themselves.

Punch lists.

Richard,

Basement stair railings without spindles. Hand rail is hung at proper height, so that would be fine, except a toddler cannot reach that high. But toddlers will follow mom (or dad,) down into the basement., so the spindles work very well for them to hang on to for stability. Kids single-foot going down stairs until about 3-5 years anyway, so going hand over hand from one spindle to another for support works for them.

I will limit my pet peeves to my short comings....if I included those of other people the list would be endless.

-door jambs that shift, expand or contract after ive installed a door. I hate seeing an uneven gap between the door and the jambs when I spent so much time making them perfect on installation.

Cutting paint edges that looked good when I did them, but from a different angle, now arent right.

-HATE uneven floor tiles! Especially when I have laid the tiles.

-crooked......anything.... that I installed

-windows that dont have an even and equal gap between the frame and window pane.....especially if ive I installed them

-shelving that isnt level

-cuts that arent at 90 degrees

Wow....I think im learning something about myself....seems to be a common theme here

Andrew (ON) said "if I included those of other people the list would be endless".

mine is the sheer quantity of renters who are not afraid of stealing from the LL. As in not paying rent. It just shocks me. Second is when they call to GOD-- like god will get you or god bless as they skip out on 2 months rent and damamges/filth.

My peeve is grimy/old lightswitches or outlets in our sad little houses. I always ask dh to switch them out for fresh ones. But switching them out is often physically very difficult-- zero slack to the wire, that sort of thing. He'd rather roll a bit of paint over it and call it good, and I'm like, "Uhhhh..." He's awesome about so many diy things, but that's one we're never on the same page on.

Deanna,

One of my ultimate pet peeves is when I hire a painter and they paint over my electrical outlets! I have fired more painters over this issue than anything else! I go ballistic whenever I see paint inside the plug-in slots!

Roy,

Dirty thresholds. It's the first thing Momma Prospect sees when she tours the home.

I paid you to clean the house and that includes the thresholds.

Paint the painted ones and scrub the metal ones.

Mismatched light bulbs over the vanity.

Turnover checklist keeps me sane.

Landlord of the Flies,

Squeaking floors.

Newly painted walls where the nail holes weren't patched first or the picture hangers are just painted over.

Kitchen faucet with water spots on it, makes it look terrible.

Paint where it shouldn't be (door knobs, floors, hinges, door stops, light switches, outlets, smoke detectors, thermostats, mini blinds, kitchen cabinets, light fixtures...)

Doors that don't close/latch properly.

Uneven fences.

Unbagged trash overflowing from the trash can and/or piled next to it.

"Unbagged trash overflowing from the trash can and/or piled next to it".

I am a licensed building contractor with 6 other trade licenses and many other Certifications, meaning I can do everything myself -- have the knowledge, tools and experience. BUT, before I dare employ anyone else to do a job, SUCH AS PAINTING, I must prepare the things otherwise the job will turn out just average.

What do I mean? Before a painter comes in to paint the interior of a property, I must make sure there is proper clearance between contact surfaces so that door, windows and cabinets will open and close easily. Otherwise with a coat of primer and two coats of paint on edges -- doors will get stuck or will not lose at all.

Missing catches and loose knobs on cabinet doors.

There, I feel better now!

light bulbs...it blows me away that folks can live with half the lamps out in a home. LED's are now as low as $1 regularly. flourescents? everyone knows a guy with a box of them in his garage.

Smoke Detectors hanging or missing with no batteries. HELLO that's there for your protection. You Can't Fix Stupid!!!

Robert J of CA does not have a tool in his truck or at his warehouse to help Fix Stupid Tenants...

...AND forget trying to train them!!!

Painted cover plates, receptacles and switches. Take your time and remove the cover plates. Vacuum the dirt out, then prime and paint the wall, wash the cover plates clean the switches and receptacles and replace the plates. It very simple!!!

Carpet of any kind and price. tear it out and replace it with a click vinyl or hardwood, or porcelain, or ceramic.

Pet odors, cat odors, grease odors, IF You Can Smell It You Can't Sell It. Well you could for a much reduced price...

Not painting closets will create a problem with odor. AND not painting behind a range or refrigerator. AND not cleaning behind or the side of a refrigerator because they did not want to pull it out from the wall.....

Unpainted paneling; prime it with Lowes Bonding primer including the groves then finish painting with Benjamin Moores Ultra Spec 500...

Dirty Caulking...

Yellowed Lino replace with click vinyl or hardwood...

Not getting a pre-inspection. Plus this will help you punch out any issues that could slow down or cancel a sale of the property.

Sloopy Curb Appeal...

Landlords that see green and tenant has a JOB but they did not run a credit check...HEHE Heres Your Sign.

Landlord shows pride/care in his/her unit so will tenant show pride/care in it.

OK Stop Lets ALL Take a Depth Breath, Now Exhale...