Sizing decks or a patio is like fitting furniture inside your house. I'll bet you've seen a deck or patios that were cramped and overly crowded during a party. Size your deck or patio construction to assure ample space - or as you start to place furniture on them, they will shrink faster that a cheap cotton shirt in a clothes dryer.
I know, you want to save a little bit of cash on your upcoming job. But the question is, will you be an asset or a liability on the jobsite. Will you get your work done on time? Will you be in the way? Will you do your job right? Your contractor will have several more questions for you, make sure you have the right answers. One more thing: Excuses are reasons for failure.
Change orders are the silent killer of most projects. Homeowners can change their minds and contractors may charge extra for work not detailed in plans or specifications. Plan carefully before work begins to avoid costly change orders.
Nail pops in drywall are caused by rough framing lumber shrinkage. Lumber shrinkage cannot be prevented - it is natural. However, you can reduce nail pops by installing the screws and drywall correctly.
Contractors seem to abound in the yellow pages. Plumbers, painters, roofers...who do you pick? What are their skill levels? Get all of your questions answered by going to supply houses where these contractors purchase material. Get references and information about the quality of their work.
If your air conditioner runs all the time, but your house still doesn't get cool there may be a problem. The air conditioner isn't low on refrigerant, so it may be the size of your unit that is inadequate to cool your home.
Concrete slab cracks can be minimized by following several guidelines. Install concrete that is the correct strength for the job it is to provide. Make sure that the ground beneath it is compacted well. Control joints should be placed in concrete slabs. Reinforcing steel, or rebar, can be added to help stop shrinkage cracks.
Room additions should start with what you want to do in that space, and then the walls and ceiling should be added. Interior designers know how to do this.
Roof leaks can happen in the center of a roof, but they usually don't. Roof leaks happen where the roof touches up against non-roofing materials such as walls or chimneys. Metal flashings protect water from leaking into these intersections. Caulk is not a replacement for these flashings.
Disagreements happen between homeowners and contractors. Do you always have to go to court? The answer is no. There are alternatives, but let me forewarn you. Nothing is certain when it comes to dispute resolution. Well, one thing is for sure. If you have hired an attorney, that person is going to make some money.
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