Latest news with #Lutz
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
This woman was quoted $500 to fix her car's sun visor — so she got a $50 part from Amazon and did it herself
When TikTok user Julia Lutz was told it would cost $500 to replace her car's broken sun visor, she didn't just take the quote at face value — she took matters into her own hands. Armed with a $50 part from Amazon, a screwdriver and a couple of how-to videos, she pulled off the repair herself. 'I found a replacement on Amazon for $50,'she said in her recent TikTok.'About to watch probably like two TikToks, maybe a YouTube video — I'm going to replace this.' Lutz ended up saving $450 by skipping the shop — and she's not alone. As car technology gets more advanced, repair prices are climbing. Maintenance and repair costs rose 4.1% annually from 2013 to 2023, outpacing the 2.8% average inflation rate, as reported by CNBC. While prices vary depending on the make and model, more Americans are noticing a gap between what shops charge and what the repair actually costs — and many are starting to wonder: Should I just fix it myself? Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Lutz's repair quote may have seemed steep — but she's far from alone. The comment section flooded with similar struggles, sharing sky-high bills for what they say were relatively minor fixes. One Toyota owner said she was quoted $650 to replace a window regulator — a part she later bought for just $50. Another chimed in and wrote, ''I got quoted to change my serpentine belt for $400 when a belt is $30 at autozone, so I did it myself. I am no mechanic but YouTube is the best teacher I ever had.' These stories echo a broader trend of the rising labor and parts cost. In 2019, the average labor rate for auto repairs was below $50 an hour, according to repair software firm Mitchell as reported by CNBC. By the end of 2023, that figure had jumped to nearly $60. Much of that increase came in the post-pandemic years, as repair demand slowed, skilled techs left the industry and parts prices surged due to global shipping disruptions. 'If cars are to be affordable, they must also be affordable to maintain,'Alan Amici, president and CEO of the Center for Automotive Research, told CNBC. 'And they must be affordable to repair, or else we're going to have fewer vehicle sales. So I think the automakers are going to be motivated to drive those costs down.' The recent tariffs are only adding fuel to this fire. The Trump administration has added a 25% tariff to all imported auto parts — from engines to electrical components — making even basic repairs more expensive for everyday drivers. And while more recently, a U.S. federal court has blocked Trump's broader plan to impose global trade tariffs, not all tariffs are off the table and the policy keeps changing. Existing duties on steel, aluminum and auto imports under a separate law — the Trade Expansion Act's Section 232 — still stand, meaning drivers aren't in the clear just yet. Read more: Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says — and that 'anyone' can do it You can't control the economy — or the rising cost of car parts — but you can control how you budget for your next repair bill. When Lutz's car needed work, she skipped the mechanic and turned to Amazon for parts and YouTube for guidance. DIY can save you hundreds — especially for simpler fixes like window regulators or serpentine belts. But when it comes to major repairs like engines or transmissions, it's usually smarter (and safer) to leave it to the pros. Consumer Reports cautions that while DIY jobs might offer short-term savings, mistakes can cost you more in the long run. It may also mean voiding possible warranties, so be sure to first check what your DIY repair might impact. That said, working with a mechanic doesn't mean paying full price. According to a Consumer Reports survey, many independent shops and national chains were rated highly for offering discounts and being open to negotiation. Dealerships, on the other hand, didn't score well when it came to affordability or flexibility. And, of course, it's important not to ignore the warning signs. If your car starts squealing, leaking or making mysterious new noise, get it checked out sooner rather than later. Catching problems early can be another way to save you even more in the long run. Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How GCs can cope with problem subs
This story was originally published on Construction Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Construction Dive newsletter. This feature is a part of 'The Dotted Line' series, which takes an in-depth look at the complex legal landscape of the construction industry. To view the entire series, click here Nearly every prime contractor has a story about a nightmare sub. Whether it's shoddy work or simply failing to show up to the jobsite, suboptimal partners in today's labor and skills market are an increasingly common reality. Trent Cotney, a partner and head of the construction practice at Tampa, Florida-based Adams and Reese, said since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been exponential growth in the use of subcontractors on jobsites. 'A 'problem subcontractor' would be any person or entity who consistently causes issues that would negatively impact a construction project,' he said. 'Common problems include work delays, miscommunication or non-communication, lack of proper equipment or expertise or manpower, a failure to comply with safety regulations, or payment issues and delays — all of which affect project continuity.' To safeguard their interests and ensure project success, attorneys say contractors must understand effective strategies and contractual protections to deal with problem subs. 'If a prime is smart, they will do their homework in advance,' Cotney said. 'Know what you're getting into and don't do work with subs that aren't reliable or get into trouble. It's worth paying more to have a professional subcontractor work with you.' Jeffrey Paul Lutz, a construction attorney in the Atlanta office of CM Law, noted the first line of defense for avoiding problem subs is to conduct a thorough investigation into their past work history and to make thoughtful decisions during the hiring process. 'The lowest bidder means little if hiring them will cost you more in the long run through the change order process, corrective work, dispute resolution and/or the engagement of counsel,' he said. 'I advise all of my contractor clients to conduct detailed background checks, review past performance and verify references to ensure the subcontractor has a solid track record.' The second line of defense would be to draft a clear and comprehensive subcontract that outlines the scope of work, deadlines, quality standards and penalties for non-compliance. "A well-crafted subcontract defines expectations clearly to ensure accountability, quality and timely delivery," Lutz said. During the project, it is important to implement a system for ongoing oversight and quality control to ensure work meets the required standards, and address issues promptly to prevent them from escalating. 'This can be accomplished through effective communication and maintaining open and transparent communication with subcontractors to foster collaboration and quickly resolve any issues,' Lutz said. 'While onsite, regular communication is critical, it is equally important to document your written directives in writing.' GCs face untold risks when working with problem subs — most often in the context of second-rate work and financial losses. After all, GCs are responsible for the work of their subs, so they take on potentially substantial risk if their subs perform poorly. 'Problem subs who fail to meet project specifications, timelines or quality standards will likely cause delays to the project, cost impacts, potential reputational damage and potential legal disputes which last well-beyond the project's duration,' Lutz said. 'Effective risk management strategies, such as thorough vetting, clear contracts and ongoing oversight, can help mitigate these risks.' Mitigating disputes with problem subs boils down to well-drafted contracts and good lines of communication, lawyers say. Chad Caplan, a partner at Albany, New York-based law firm Hinckley Allen, noted regardless of one's due diligence during the selection process, trouble can still arise. That's why the way subcontracts are set up and the provisions they contain can make or break a prime's leverage even before a dispute arises. For example subcontracts should explicitly state that 'time is of the essence,' emphasizing the importance of adhering to deadlines, and should allow for reasonable amendments to project schedules and milestones to accommodate unforeseen circumstances. 'The agreement must specify that certain conditions, such as claim submissions, are strict preconditions, outlining precise timelines, procedures and necessary documentation for claims, including backup materials,' Caplan said. Additionally, limiting liability for consequential damages and clarifying that liquidated damages are not penalties but proportionate to potential losses are crucial. Those clauses should allow liquidated damages to to be assessed relative to the fault of the subcontractor, Caplan said. Even then, problems can arise. Thomas Cotton, a partner with Schenck, Price, Smith & King in Florham Park, New Jersey, warned that a prime contractor should understand there are no 'magic words' that will ensure 100% protection from problem subs. Still, certain provisions can help. For one, he points to flow-down clauses, which bind a subcontractor to the terms of the prime contract. The purpose is to guard against any gaps between what the general contractor and subs agree to do. When a gap appears, consequences should be spelled out clearly, including booting the sub from the job. 'There should also be strong and express remedies for non-performance,' he said. 'The agreement should, among other things, expressly empower the general contractor to terminate the subcontractor, with the maximum discretion to the general contractor, and further allow the general contractor to hire a replacement at the subcontractor's expense.' Additionally, not only should the subcontractor be required to maintain insurance levels that are adequate vis-à-vis any loss exposures, the subcontractor should also be required to add the general contractor and others as additional insureds to their policies. 'It's imperative that subcontractors maintain specific levels of insurance coverage to protect against potential liabilities,' Lutz said. 'Also, indemnification clauses protect the GC from claims arising from the subcontractor's actions. Payment and performance bonds can also be required as another assurance that a subcontractor's failures will not lead to an overall project failure. Recommended Reading The Dotted Line: How to avoid skyrocketing dispute costs Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Chicago Tribune
25-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
After being holed up during the pandemic, renters are now seeking spaces that allow them to connect with other tenants
Among the many lux amenities offered at the Optima Verdana apartment complex in Wilmette is a pickleball court where Helena Harron spends several days a week playing pickup matches with other residents, many of whom have quickly become close friends. After growing up in Wilmette and moving away, Harron and her family moved into the luxury apartment complex in 2023, initially planning for a short stay while she and her husband looked for the right home to buy. But they quickly felt at home in the building, and while they still hope to purchase a home in the future, they are enjoying the perks that apartment living offers. 'We are still thinking about moving to a home, but the pressure is off,' she said. 'We're very happy where we are, so it's no longer a desperate must move. Instead if the right opportunity comes around, then we would.' Harron is one of the many Chicago residents in the last decade who have flocked to high-amenity apartment complexes, drawn by the convenience and built-in community they offer. The demand for spaces to live, work, exercise and play, often alongside other residents, has become a driving factor for new building developers. Face-to-face spaces are nothing new in large apartment complexes, but growing demand for them has driven developers to be more intentional and targeted in what they offer in the last few years. And the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need for buildings to offer more recreation and work spaces that can be shared by residents. The trend toward more comprehensive amenity spaces began well before the pandemic, said Meg Spriggs, managing director of development for Americas at Lendlease, which operates the Cascade in Lakeshore East and The Reed at Southbank. Shared office spaces became more prominent with the popularity of WeWork around 2013, and developers began to look more closely at how they could incorporate those spaces into their own buildings. The portion of so-called live-work-play developments — buildings that offer shared office and entertainment spaces — doubled between 2012 and 2020, according to RentCafe. In 2020, about 13% of apartments nationwide were in mixed-use developments, compared to 6% in 2012. 'When those types of very flexible spaces and community-oriented spaces started coming on the market, everyone started paying attention to how they might be able to address that in their own buildings,' Spriggs said. Before the pandemic, a trend toward making shared living spaces more like those seen in hotels and resorts also started to emerge, said Brad Lutz, managing principal and Chicago and National Multifamily Practice Leader at Baker Barrios Architects. Unit sizes have gotten smaller over the last decade, Lutz said, so the amenities have become an important accessory to tenants' daily lives. 'The unit sizes are getting smaller so we're making up for it by creating more options for them to have as their shared home space, if you will, in the amenities,' Lutz said. Apartment complexes have been expanding their amenity offerings for years, but the pandemic jump-started demand for one feature in particular: on-site work space. Remote workspace became essential. At the same time, residents who were holed up working from home also began seeking opportunities for recreation and connection in their apartment buildings. Between 2019 and 2021, the number of people working from home at least sometimes increased about 60%, and in 2023 close to 35% of American workers worked from home on some days, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Tenants were hesitant about sharing spaces during the height of the pandemic, and developers initially tried to set up onsite workspaces in a way that maintained separation between residents. But people quickly became comfortable with the idea, and developers saw residents using those spaces more as working from home became permanent for many workers. 'I think in the beginning, co-working felt scary just because proximity was still sort of an unknown, but once we got through that and we got our vaccinations, we're right back to the community spaces, and plus,' Spriggs said. Now, with many residents working from home full- or part-time, developers have placed a premium on making sure shared office spaces cater to all the needs residents may have. Ali Burnham, vice president of marketing for Optima, Inc., which owns Optima Verdana as well as locations in Lakeview and Streeterville, said developers try to include a variety of coworking spaces that cater to different work styles and work-from-home needs. The buildings have multiple office spaces, meeting rooms, huddle rooms and areas where people can find a quiet corner to take calls or focus on their work. 'What we often find is in addition, people may work on the skydeck, or they may work in the party room,' Burnham said. 'And so you may find this sort of organic gathering of people or people separate. It sort of depends, and they have that option.' Developers are also beginning to offer more unique spaces, like maker spaces, jam rooms and podcast rooms, based on resident interests and a desire for more variety in amenity spaces. Many of the shared spaces developers are creating on-site have a wellness or fitness focus. Rather than having a fitness room with a few treadmills and weights, complexes will have pickleball courts, yoga studios, saunas, weight rooms and tracks, spread across multiple floors and tailored to different needs. 'I think today, life is very stressful. People's lives are demanding, and so when they're home, they want places for peace, places for exercise, places where they can focus on themselves, relax,' Burnham said. 'And so we try to provide as many of those spaces as possible.' For Harron, the pickleball court at Optima Verdana became a place to exercise, have fun and connect with other residents. Harron has made several friends she calls the 'pickleball crew' from pickup games on the court that have blossomed into close friendships. 'It's been a lot of fun to get to know people here and build a community here,' she said. 'It's a nice group. It's a supportive network, and we're even starting to celebrate people's ups and downs in life.' Harron's husband frequently uses the building's sauna and gym, she said, and her son often brings friends over to use the building's golf simulator. At Lendlease, developers make an effort to incorporate green spaces into the indoor environment to contribute to wellness and bring a piece of nature into the concrete city landscape. At Cascade in Lakeshore East, residents can spend their time in a conservatory, lush with green plants indoors and a walkway lined with rocks that feels like walking through a park. The windows overlook a green park outside the building. 'Winters in Chicago can sometimes be challenging, and it's just a really nice space to sort of feel like you're outside, but you're really inside, protected from the elements, with a lot of green plants and windows and visibility outside,' Spriggs said. The availability of green spaces also works into developers' efforts to enhance sustainability at their buildings, Spriggs said, which has become a growing demand among Generation Z residents. Developers have been paying more attention in recent years to outdoor spaces as well, building amenities that tie a building to the surrounding environment and offer more green spaces for residents. The growth in pet ownership since the pandemic has also driven developers to offer more outdoor spaces for pets to walk and play. 'I think a lot of buildings realized, hey, we need to relax our pet policies and realize that we're going to have a huge percentage of our residents that are going to want to have a pet and want to have spaces to take them,' Lutz said. When Optima Lakeview was in development during the pandemic, Burnham said the company looked for ways to make the outdoor amenities available year-round, even during the cold winter months. The building has an outdoor heated pool that residents can use all year, as well as fire pits on the outdoor terrace to keep residents warm in the colder months. Just as important as the amenities on site, developers said, is the programming that building managers offer for residents to use the spaces and connect with neighbors. Lendlease and Optima's buildings offer trivia nights, painting classes, movie nights and group fitness classes for residents to engage with the amenity spaces in ways that work for them. Building staff take input from residents on what type of events they'd like to see. 'Just because you build it doesn't mean it will get used and programmed on its own,' Spriggs said. 'And so I think that content creation and being really in tune with the community is important.' The programming also helps foster community among residents, bringing people together around shared interests, Burnham said. 'These events and clubs really give people that opportunity to very comfortably interact with their neighbors and figure out who they connect with, who has the same interest that they do,' Burnham said. 'And they start seeing each other at this class, they see each other at another event, and eventually a friendship can blossom.' Harron said she was surprised at how quickly she had made connections on the pickleball court that turned into more robust friendships. One of the group's members is a chef, and she started providing complimentary cooking classes to the group once a month, using the building's public kitchen. As she looks toward the future, Harron said she expects to maintain those friendships even if she moves out of the building. When she moves to a single-family home, she said she hopes to come back for rounds of pickleball and invite her friends in the building to her home as well. 'We've just made some really tight bonds in the year and a half that I've been here,' she said. 'We even go out once a month to celebrate each other's birthdays, and I imagine we're on our way to being lifelong friends.'
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Archie's Flat Top raises customers' expectations of burgers in West Allis
Mark Lutz spent most of his life as an engineer before growing tired of corporate life. In 2002, he began his entrepreneurship journey by acquiring the West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe. In 2023, Lutz expanded his presence in the local food scene with Archie's Flat Top, a burger joint known for its fresh, locally sourced meat and decorative vinyl walls. You can find Archie's at 6922 W. Becher St., a street where Lutz also owns several other businesses. Contrary to popular belief, the burger joint was not named after Archie Bunker – the lead character in the 1970s TV show "All in the Family," but after Lutz's daughter's sheepadoodle. Archie's shares its space with Scratch Ice Cream, offering customers the chance to enjoy handcrafted burgers and local ice cream under one roof. The restaurant specializes in three signature smashburgers: the Single, the Double and the Archie, along with a vegetarian option called the Linda. Archie's also serves two types of sausages — hot Polish and Schlitzwurst. In the past, special menu items have included options such as a five-bologna sandwich and a chicken sandwich called The Bird, according to Lutz. Shareables, such as fries and onion rings, are also available. The meat at Archie's is ground fresh daily at Becher Meats, the butcher shop next door, also owned by Lutz. Any unused meat is returned and turned into fresh beef sticks. Lutz emphasizes that the burgers are never frozen and are made with a proprietary grind ratio that achieves a perfect crust during the cooking process. "Every day you get fresh burger meat ― we grind that fresh every single day. It never sees a freezer," he said. "What we don't use today goes back, and we start over the next day. That's the big thing." The burger joint was included in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Best Bites list in February. Purchasing the West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe marked the beginning of Lutz's restaurant career. The store was one of the first tenants at the Milwaukee Public Market and is still there. But things weren't always easy for the budding restaurateur. "We used to do a lot of cheese shipping at the holidays," he said. "That's where we made our money, (but) terrible business. You work all night long, 24 hours a day for four weeks out of the year." Lutz said they decided to shift gears and build a restaurant, utilizing inexpensive buildings, including an old corner gas station that became Station No. 6. Usually once a week, Lutz said he and staff would do food pop-ups at the restaurant. One featuring smash burgers became so popular "we did it again and again, and people were going nuts over it," he said. Lutz also owns The Bake Sale, another business located near South 69th Street and West Becher Street in West Allis. 'I grew up in the neighborhood. All these buildings were underutilized,' Lutz said. 'The cheese store was existing and had a good reputation, so we just kind of grew from there.' Oscar Gonzales, a culinary student at Milwaukee Area Technical College, works at Archie's and plans to stay after graduating in May. 'I started here like a year and a half ago,' Gonzales said. "They were pretty nice to me. I prayed, and they hired me very quickly." He said the job pays well and is flexible, allowing him to work while going to school. Looking ahead, Lutz plans to introduce a secret menu that includes a sandwich he describes as 'maybe not heart-healthy but irresistibly good.' Lutz credits the restaurant's success to quality food and community support. 'The community's been very good to us, and the neighborhood's been good," Lutz said. "We're drawing people from outside the neighborhood, so it's going good." Archie's is open Wednesday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Saturdays from noon to 9:30 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Adrienne Davis is a south suburban reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@ Follow her on X at @AdriReportss. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Archie's Flat Top serves up fresh burgers in West Allis
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
I-75 southbound backed up for several hours after crash involving semi-truck: FHP
LUTZ, Fla. - A crash involving a semi had I-75 southbound backed up at mile marker 276 in Lutz on Saturday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Traffic was impacted for several miles, but all four lanes are now open. Crews are on scene where injuries have been confirmed. No other information has been provided. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was provided by the Florida Highway Patrol. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
