DEAR TIM: I am really frustrated. Before awarding the contract to build my new home, I went to great efforts to hire a knowledgeable builder. However, after moving in to the house many problems have begun to surface. In many instances, the materials were not installed according to manufacturer's recommendations. I know that many other homeowners have suffered this fate. Is there a solution? B. R.

DEAR B. R.: I am sorry to hear about your misfortune. You are correct. There are thousands of homeowners who have been victimized by unknowledgeable and non-professional contractors. In many instances when problems arise, these individuals try to cast the blame on product or material failure. There is a solution, however, the problem will not be solved overnight.

The construction industry is a very unique field. It is one of a few professions where no formal education is required. On a very routine basis, individuals purchase trucks, tools, and business cards and become builders, remodelers, or sub-contractors overnight.

As a builder, I encountered numerous builders, remodelers, and sub-contractors who rarely, if ever, had read technical journal information regarding their trade. Vast numbers of these individuals had learned their trade by either observing other craftspeople, listening to verbal instructions, or learning from their past mistakes. In other instances, individuals relied upon information given to them by supply house employees. These methods of learning are not always acceptable, as the instructions are not always based upon facts.

The building and remodeling industry is very aware of the problem.National and local associations are attempting to broaden the educational opportunities for their members about all aspects of the profession. Educational seminars are becoming a regular attraction at national and regional conventions. These associations are making significant progress, however, they can only educate those individuals who want to learn. Vocational education is also beginning to make a comeback. These programs often allow individuals to blend both textbook and on the job training.

Numerous manufacturing associations exist which also have enormous resources with respect to written information about the proper installation of their product. Much of this information is available at no charge to a builder or homeowner. Often these associations have training videos as well.

The past decade has also seen enormous growth in the amount of high quality books, magazines, periodicals, etc., that have very in-depth educational articles concerning every aspect of residential construction. Individuals who work in construction who regularly read these materials can easily keep abreast of the most up-to-date construction techniques and technologies.

When you decide to hire a contractor in the future might I suggest a few things. Ask the individual if he or she has any professional designations. Ask if they are a member of an association. Call the association's local chapter and see if the individual attends meetings on a regular basis. Ask the individual if he or she attended the most recent national or regional convention.

Finally, consider asking the individual what magazines / periodicals he or she receives on a regular basis. See if it's possible for this individual to bring the most recent issues for you to browse through. Judge for yourself the depth of the editorial content of these items. Education is an ongoing process. It requires continuous reading on the part of a professional. Make sure you hire a professional who reads on a regular basis.

Author's Notes - March 26, 2004

Yesterday I had the good fortune to be deposed as an expert witness in a civil lawsuit. I do this type of work on a routine basis. In this particular matter the attorney who represents the homeowner (plaintiff) hired me. The attorneys who represent the defendants wanted to ask me questions so they can gauge the strength of their case.

There were three attorneys who were asking me questions. One represented the builder, one the bricklayer and the third the painter. The lead attorney who represented the builder, during the course of his questioning, produced a copy of the above column you just read. It, of course, did not contain these comments I am now writing.

Just prior to presenting the column as an exhibit in the deposition, the builder's attorney was asking me all sorts of questions about many of the above points. He was trying to see if I met the criteria for being a good or great builder.

The point of the above column is simple. A great builder does not necessarily do all of the things above. He or she may only do half of them. There may be a rare individual who is an excellent builder who has never been to one convention nor read any technical journals. Maybe this person possesses mystic powers that keep him up to date with what is going on.

I have attended many conventions. As I was driving home from the deposition I remembered clearly attending numerous seminars at a Remodeling Magazine convention. I subscribe to Fine Homebuilding and the Journal of Light Construction. Technical journals and bulletins from numerous associations grace my bookshelves. I am a member of NARI. Much of the data you read in my columns comes from one-on-one conversations I have with the top scientists in the field or with product managers who actually see a new product go from the drafting board to the store shelf.

But even still, this particular attorney was trying to discredit me by making me say I don't do everything I wrote above. He missed the point entirely. Hopefully you won't.

Many of you are probably thinking the same thing I thought as I drove home. Wouldn't you love to ask him how many law conventions he attends, how many different trade publications he reads cover to cover on a regular basis each month, how many different associations he belongs to, etc.?

But that is just a fantasy - neither you nor I will ever get to ask him those questions. My hunch is if we did get to ask him, he would probably ignore us. TC