Home plans or blueprints for home construction work are essential to avoid problems with your home project. Avoid budget overruns and costly change orders by giving your contractor quality blueprints to work from. Read on to learn a little known technique to find architects of great repute and how to select the right one.
Detailed blueprints, plans and specifications will help you avoid being sued by a contractor. Keeping a detailed account of work each day, along with photos, will arm you with data should a problem with your contractor arise.
Drainage Paving Stones Out in nature when it rains on soil, most of the water goes into the ground. Yeah, this column is about drainage paving stones, but you need to know something first. I say this assuming: it's not a downpour the soil is not saturated from days of rain the soil isn't frozen […]
Crumbling Brick Pavers Why Do Paving Brick Crumble? The concrete paving brick crumble because the Portland cement used to hold together the sand and gravel loses its ability to hold together the sand and gravel used to create each brick. This happens most frequently in cold climates. Water soaks into the concrete paving brick. When […]
New Home Quality Control I didn’t ask permission from my editor to depart from my normal question and answer format, but I’m sure he’ll agree this is a long overdue column. I’ve been writing this column now for over twenty-three years. Ask the Builder was first published October 2, 1993. It was my original goal […]
The following checklist is a FREE sample of some very important things you need to make sure happen as you build your new home or room addition. There are MANY OTHER THINGS that are important and they're included in a comprehensive checklist I created years ago. Don't count on the building code to protect you. It's […]
Knowing how to spot quality construction is vital to buying vinyl windows that will last for years. Quality materials and construction can be spotted with these tips on vinyl replacement windows. Look also for labels designating AAMA certification on the window frame.
Do simple math with utility bills Separate summer natural gas or heating costs Savings start years down the road after improvement cost payback You don't save money for many many years CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter! Are you thinking about purchasing replacement windows and doors for your home simply because you […]
Many homeowners experience window condensation in the winter. Condensation can form on windows, walls, ceilings, the underside of roofs, and more places. Condensation on windows comes from the water vapor inside your home. Homes that are sealed-up, so they are more energy efficient, can produce condensation on windows.
Block foundation repair is more common than most people realize. Concrete block foundations that are about 8-feet tall have a history of developing horizontal cracks about 4 feet up from the floor. You rarely see this happen in cast or poured concrete foundation walls. Concrete Block = Hollow Walls It's important to realize the reason […]
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