You could build the bench you want onto the concrete and then hire someone to hot mop the whole thing. Nothing waterproofs like tar.

We added a wall mounted bench to ours, this will require better backing but you can add that now and patch it properly. The bench is folding so it’s out of the way when not in use.

Don’t do it. Build the shower without a bench. They aren’t practical for people with different heights, different injuries or disabilities (broken leg, bad knee) and are a head-cracking hazard in a fall.

Buy benches in teak for looks - or benches of other materials that are adjustable.

Source: My husband’s bad back, my elderly mom’s bone issues and my injured leg tendons

Thanks. I was having no luck googling but I see that my wordings were wrong.

I agree. I have a teak bench in my bathroom. The wood matches the shelf at the top of my towel ladder. The wood adds texture and warmth. Those who prefer more room in the shower can remove it. It also doubles as a place to sit while drying hair or a vanity stool. It also gets used for holding a towel beside the tub. I think a teak bench has more uses than a built-in shower bench, especially in a smaller shower.

I cheaped out on stud finders for a long time before I finally just paid for a proper, well functioning one. I like the Franklin ProSensor that "highlights" a stud with a row of LED's. I'd also recommend a few rolls of blue painters tape to help mark out studs and hanging locations that are easily removed when you're done.

Your description is so vague and honestly, no one can give you proper advice without being there and looking at it themselves.

As an electrician who has worked on homes where the bright homeowner thought they knew what they were doing and could save a few bucks….just hire someone.

If you do things wrong or end up leaving a confusing mess, you could very well end up paying more than you otherwise would have. When contractors show up to a “handy man” repair job, it instantly puts them in a bad mood. Want someone in a bad mood working on your house? Fixing what is wrong? Want someone who is saying to themselves, “well, this is how ‘thisaccountforwork’ did it and, while not right, it still works and that’s how he did it so I’m not messing with that mess” to do it?

In addition, demo is the quick and, for the most part, easy part for contractors. You won’t be saving much if you’re still paying them to come in and wire new.

Never knew that... then again, I've never made it north of the border other than a business trip to Montreal several years ago

I mean, if you've done it right, water shouldn't ever be where you don't want it.

If you google for "under deck rain" you'll get a wide variety of plastic rain redirection products. I have no personal experience with any however.

Family Handyman had a writeup on a DIY version that looks quite feasible (as in /u/BleedingRaindrops's suggestion):

https://www.familyhandyman.com/project/under-deck-roof/

Get a handheld electrical tester that you can hold next to any wires and if they have electricity running thru them it'll beep at you. If no beep, no electricity then take them down. Getting zapped sucks but it probably won't kill you. If you wear tennis shoes and only touch one wire at a time, you can switch out a hot light switch. Don't be skered.

Canadian construction uses feet/inches oddly enough. I learned metric all through school, and then still had to learn how to read a tape measure.

I think you need a small set of screw drivers of various sizes; a general hammer; a 3ft level and a 6" level; a stud finder that will locate wood studs and also wiring and water pipes; a cordless drill/driver; small pliers

Studs are typically spaced 16" apart so you may find it convenient to get a level at least this length for when you need to span two studs for a shelf. Less commonly, studs can be spaced 24" apart, so you would be safest to get a 24" level.

I tried googling boxing in stairwell with wood, any idea where to find some handy guides on it? Should I just use concrete screws to attach the wood to the side? And put some bumpers on the topside?

It would be nice to enjoy the rain sitting under a covered space. I’m hoping to find a solution. ☺️

I would get a basic battery stud sensor (Zircon is well known and works adequately for homeowner use) that senses wood, metal, and electrical. And a separate basic level; somemething longer than a "torpedo" level (longer length is more accurate and more versatile) - in the States I'd say a 2ft one, but presumably you have them in metric sizes(?), so something in the neighborhood of 60cm.

Tip from somebody who didn't: Check how straight your walls and corners are.

I had a bathroom where one wall was off (I didn't make the wall) and while it wasn't obvious normally it was very much so when compared against the straight runs of tile

I ended up ripping out my first tile job and re-doing it with the tiles rotated 45 degrees (points towards the wall instead, which looked much better

Oh, wow, lucky you! We do patio paver stones or cement mostly, here in Michigan but only get to look through the window at it 5 months out of the year!

Do you have a wet saw? Have you ever participated in laying out, cutting, and laying natural stone?

As "tile" jobs go, natural slate can be among the most difficult.

Best wishes.

Agreed. They have the benefit of being moveable and can offer a wider berth than a corner perch. The corner seats end up being a place to set hair care products.

If they don't turn off, and you haven't changed the wiring from a known working configuration, then change the switch. Even if the light strings are non-dimming, they should at least turn off.

If you have changed the wiring configuration since it was last known to work, consult the switches manual. There were a few configurations possible to accommodate different lighting types. Also check that neutral isn't miswired somewhere and actually hot.

Located in Northern California. Deck is about 12ft high. We want to use the space underneath as a patio with outdoor furniture.

My father (also a locksmith) has a fake foam brick that he occasionally throws at people's window as a joke when they're locked out.

I'm guessing you just want to prevent drips. Interlocking sheets of corrugated plastic set at a slight angle just beneath the deck should provide adequate weather diverting.