June 13, 2017 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on by Tim Carter

I'm in the early stages of a huge project I've been putting off.

Decluttering all the storage areas in my house is my new summer project. Besides getting things in order, a secondary positive benefit is that I get to meet interesting people.

Just this past Sunday morning, I was out on my driveway talking with a fascinating woman who responded to an ad I put in Craigslist. She bought a wonderful white flower box I was selling.

We must have chatted for about 45 minutes, maybe an hour! I post all the bigger things that are hard to ship on Craigslist. When I respond to emails from buyers, they see my signature tags in my email and it's obvious I'm the AsktheBuilder.com guy.

I do that on purpose so I come across as a safe person to deal with and the buyers can check me out. Other sellers can be spooky.

This woman spent some time at my website and she found out about my new Roofing Ripoff  book.

As we battled the pesky mosquitoes, I answered all sorts of questions she had about the book.

I even showed her my proof copy of the paperback and she was blown away by the quality and the high-resolution COLOR photos in the book.

We talked about my discovery how copper strips allow shingles to last decades longer saving you tens of thousands of dollars. But I digress.

You hear lots of bad things about doing deals on Craigslist, but I've never had one bad thing happen. It's a matter of using common sense and by all means if you decide to meet a stranger and don't feel comfortable going to the buyer's location ask to meet at the local police department or take a friend with you.

Many local police departments are creating zones in the parking lot where you meet a Craigslist buyer / seller. The lighting is great and they have video cameras rolling for your protection.

My goal is to sell hundreds of things I no longer want or need. I can stash that cash or spend it on new toys and things that shine and sparkle and now have my attention.

Speaking of sparkling things that get attention, look below for my oldest daughter Meghan's new high-end jewelry. She gave me permission to tell you about the new website!

Start selling some of your clutter and use that money to treat yourself or that special someone to something that sparkles!

David's Cold Patch

A few days ago, I received an email from David via my Ask Tim page on my website. I get MANY emails.

He send this photo:

You may see nothing wrong with this blacktop patch. Trust me, it's a botch job and it was the WRONG WAY to repair what was wrong.

Here's David's email to me:

"I had a bad section of concrete by the junction of my garage and driveway where the weather, rain, cold, etc. had cracked a portion of it maybe two feet wide.

It finally chipped away nearly down to the ground. Got some guys I'd used for other projects to come out and fix it.

I assumed they were going to use concrete so didn't watch. When they were done this is what they did.

They assured me I could back out of the driveway after they left. I did the next day and got tar and little rocks all on my tires which transferred to 'the inside of the garage, got on my feet and consequently would have made it inside on the carpet had I not seen it.

I thought of taking a shovel and just scraping it up as it has not cured like they said three days later and still tacky. It looks awful, in my opinion. Suggestions are certainly appreciated.

BTW - that section they poured the asphalt over was NOT asphalt - it was concrete"

What went wrong? Where did David make his mistake?

  • He failed to specify exactly what he wanted
  • He failed to invest the needed time to research the best repair method for the longest-lasting result
  • He HOPED everything would work out

You hope for things you can't control like the weather and being rescued from a deserted island.

When it comes to your hard-earned money being spent wisely, it's your job to discover the BEST thing you can get for your money.

It's never been easier. Decades ago, you'd have to go to the library. Now information is available via your smart phone, tablet or computer.

You JUST NEED to really do your due diligence because there's LOTS OF BAD INFORMATION out there about how to do home repairs.

I suggest you start with my Search Engine and see what I have to say about a topic.

CLICK HERE and TRY IT OUT.

Meghan's New Jewelry

A week ago, I shared with you a story about my oldest daughter Meghan. If you're a new or newer subscriber you may not know about her.

CLICK HERE to read that story and look at the hand drawing to appreciate what you're about to see.

But if you're a seasoned subscriber, you know her. I've talked about her journey for well over a decade.

Meghan and her husband Brent have finally latched onto something special. Brent's been out in Silicon Valley in CA for the past three years making a huge splash and he's doing quite well with a huge start up.

But behind the scenes for the past five years, Meghan has been putting all her effort into a new custom jewelry business I feel is going to go to the Moon.

So far she's come up with twelve different pieces that fit most budgets if you're looking at high-quality jewelry.

This is NOT costume jewelry that you find at a big box store.

This is high-end jewelry that will become heirlooms, possibly in your family.

Take a look at these photos and CLICK THEM to go to that exact page. Remember, there are twelve different things you can see at Meghan's website and there are different types of gold, chains, etc. I'm not a jewelry expert so I suggest you spend TIME THERE looking around and seeing all the options.

You can even CALL Meghan if you have a question or need help. How many jewelry designers offer that service???




If you can't see images in your device, here are the links:

Heart Leaf Pendant

Quaternity Pendant

Mini Raindrop Pendant

The website is: Murvica.com.

Once there use the small arrow at the right of the images to see all twelve pieces.

Yes, I'm doting on my daughter. I'm allowed to do that.

Be SURE TO READ the About page and the FAQ page.

Let me know what you think about the pieces. I'm so very proud of what she's done.

P.S. Meghan shared a few stories yesterday about a few of the people who got the first pieces.

She said one woman who opened the special custom wrapping and one-of-a-kind packaging cried for fifteen minutes.

They were tears of JOY.

The woman said it was the BEST PRESENT she's ever received in her entire life.

I've held a few of Meghan's pieces in my hand and I'm here to tell you, you're going to be BLOWN AWAY by the quality.

Way to go Meghan and Brent!

Tool of the Week

I've received a spate of emails and you may be one that sent one of them.

Here's the typical message:

"Tim, would you PLEASE feature a tool each issue of the newsletter that you use and LOVE? I know you only use the best ones and I want to start collecting them."

You may have emailed me saying you want gift ideas for family and friends who are just starting out doing DIY.

Here's one of my favorite go-to tools I used just last night!!! It's a marvelous precision needle-nose pliers that comes with built-in wire strippers.

This Klein Tools All-Purpose Pliers is affordable too.

Klein All Purpose Pliers

CLICK HERE to have this high-quality tool delivered to your home in DAYS.

I think you're going to like the tools I start to share. Next up is a new drill I've been using for the past week. WOW is all I can say.

Roofing Ripoff Book

My Roofing Ripoff book is now available as a paperback.

You can get it as a PDF or a Kindle download too.

CLICK HERE to order one.
Roofing Ripoff

That's enough for today.

Go look at Meghan's jewelry. You'll be blown away by the quality and stories there.

Murvica.com

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

Paying Contractors Up Front

Posted on by Tim Carter
Paying Contractors

Paying Contractor | This small new home has been under construction for over a year. There could be many reasons it’s taking so long and one of them might be the contractor was paid too much money up front. As it turned out, the homeowner did pay too much money to the contractor, the contractor abandoned the job and the homeowner had to declare bankruptcy. It could have all been avoided. (C) Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

"When you pay a contractor money in advance, you hope the contractor is going to show up, do the work right, and not make off with your money."

Paying Contractor Up Front Checklist

  • Moderate or excessive deposits put you at a huge disadvantage
  • Deposits are only required if job has special-order or custom non-returnable materials
  • Contractors don't pay employees, subs or suppliers in advance!
  • Watch How-To-Hire-A-Pro video series below
  • CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter!

A little over a week ago, I devoted part of my free weekly AsktheBuilder.com newsletter to a polarizing subject. I did this because I had received a spate of emails from homeowners just like you who had hired out work to be done in the spring and the contractors were demanding to be paid a substantial amount of money up front before they did the work. This made many uncomfortable and they reached out to me for advice.

Paying Contractor Video

Please watch this video. It's the first in a four-part series. The other three videos are below.

Don't Hope For Things You Can Control

I wanted to devote this column to that topic and to touch on the second biggest reason your home improvement dollars may go down the proverbial drain. Believe it or not, that situation has the same root cause as the up-front money issue - hope.

When you pay a contractor money in advance, you hope the contractor is going to show up, do the work right and not make off with your money.

Hope is an emotion you employ when you can't control the outcome. Here are examples of things you can hope for:

  • You hope the weather next week will be nice
  • You might hope to get rescued from a deserted island
  • You might hope to win the lottery

Control Your Contractors

Forget about hope when it comes to contractors! You can control your money and when a contractor gets it and you can absolutely ensure that you’ll get top quality work that will stand the test of time.

When I broached the payment issue in my newsletter, I knew I’d make lots of homeowners happy and many of the contractors on my list bristle. Money is a very sensitive topic.

Free & Fast Bids

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local general contractors. Be sure to ask them the questions below!

Money Is Your Only Leverage

Here’s what you need to know about paying contractors up front for a job. When you do this, you put yourself at an immediate disadvantage. If your contractor takes off or does poor work, you’ll never ever get all your money back plus attorneys fees should you pursue legal action.

On the other hand, contractors or suppliers can easily place a lien on your home in most states and they’ll get paid when you sell your home as long as the lien doesn’t expire.

Do Some Jobs Require Deposit Money?

Yes, there are jobs where a deposit is normal and required. If your job requires the purchase of non-returnable custom-ordered products, the supplier often asks for a 50-percent deposit. The contractor needs to supply this or you the homeowner can pay it directly to the supplier.

What Should I Ask The Contractor?

But in all other cases, it’s not wise to pay up front money. If a contractor asks you for a deposit like this, be prepared to ask these honest questions:

Mr. Contractor, do you pay your employees in advance?

Do you pay your sub-contractors in advance for the work they do for you?

Do you pay your suppliers in advance or do you have open accounts and are billed monthly?

Do you pay your truck service center in advance before they repair your truck?

Since you don’t pay anyone in advance, why are you asking me to do it?

Why Do Some Contractors Need Deposit Money?

I’ll give you a few reasons: The contractor might be using your money to pay off his last job. Your contractor may be in a cash-bind in his business for any number of reasons. Do you really want to do business with a capital-strapped individual? The contractor may not have credit at local supply houses. Why is that? I could go on and on and on with reasons.

John Hoeh The Bricklayer

When my newsletter is published, an announcement shows up on my AsktheBuilder Facebook page. The bricklayer in Cincinnati, Ohio, that used to do all my jobs saw it and this was his response, “As a contractor, I've always believed I will make you happy to pay me!! Have never asked for a dime up front. Great advice as usual Tim!”

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local general contractors that have the same attitude as John Hoeh!

Do Professional Contractors Worry About Payments?

John Hoeh, the bricklayer, is a pro.

Professional contractors have no fear that you’ll pay them. They know they’ll satisfy you. They have plenty of cash in their business account. They don’t need your deposit to make payroll that week or to pay for the supplies they need.

How To Hire A Pro Videos

Watch these four videos to ensure you get a pro and the BEST VALUE for your money.

Excuse: Deposits Prevent Cancellations

One of the subscribers to my newsletter is a contractor and he objected to my feelings about up-front money. He said he does it because homeowners back out of his contracts and hire a contractor they find later at a lower price. When I asked him how frequently this happens, he never responded. I found that silence troubling.

Create Specifications To Get Job Done Right

Let’s talk about you hoping the job gets done right. Just two days ago I received an email from a man in Tennessee. He hired some contractor to repair a sunken area in front of his garage door. The homeowner was none too happy with the repair because the sticky asphalt rocks got tracked into his garage by his car tires.

When I did an autopsy on his situation it became painfully obvious the homeowner didn’t spend the time required to discover how to do the job the right way. He just called contractors up, they told them how they’d fix it and the homeowner hoped it would all work out.

Listen to this SHORT five-minute podcast to see how easy it is to ensure things go right for you:

Had this homeowner spent some time online, he’d discover that the settled blacktop needs to be cut out and removed. Depending on the amount of settlement, the cut line might be back as much as 8 feet from the garage door so the driveway has a nice gentle transition to the concrete garage slab.

He’d also have discovered that cold patch blacktop is not really meant for repairs like this. All one had to do was read the label on the bag. Regular hot-mix asphalt put on top of compacted gravel fill was the only way to create a repair that might last twenty or more years.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local general contractors that have the same attitude as John Hoeh!

Related Column:

Contract Payments

Column 1200

Deck Sealer Test Results

Posted on by Tim Carter

Deck Sealer Test Results TIPS

  • Treated wood is destroyed by the sun's UV rays - water causes cracks
  • Cheap deck sealers contain natural oils that are food for mildew and algae
  • WATCH deck cleaning video below for BEST method and cleaner
  • Synthetic resin sealers that penetrate and DO NOT create a film are best
  • CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter!

I've been using deck sealers for decades. Many failed fast.

I decided to do my own TEST to find the best one.

But before you get to the test results I feel it's important for you to know WHY deck sealers fail.

Once you understand that, you'll be in a better position to get the BEST ONE.

Treated Wood Is Lowest Cost

The number of treated wood decks, fishing piers, play sets, furniture, etc. is growing each year. Untreated wood, as we all know, will readily rot and degrade when exposed to sunlight and water.

I remember twenty years ago when CCA lumber was introduced. It was marketed as the wonder product! Everyone offered a lifetime guarantee.

You could install it and never do another thing. Well, they were wrong. Soon it became apparent that the CCA chemicals did stop wood rot, but did little to inhibit water absorption and degradation by the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. You can bet that the coatings (paint) industry was beaming about this failure!

Free & Fast Bids

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local companies that will clean and seal your deck.

Linseed, Tung & Vegetable Oil

The coatings industry responded to this need for wood care products by making wood sealants. The chemists at these companies simply adapted technology they had been using for years to create paints and varnishes.

The chemists at the paint companies knew that natural oils such as linseed, tung, paraffin and different vegetable oils can do a superb job of slowing down water absorption in wood. These oils often were mixed with waxes to increase water repellency.

Add a little bit of mineral spirits and you have a wood sealer! Many of the products you see advertised on TV and in print ads use this 20 year old technology.

Natural Oils in Deck Sealers = Food for Algae

Are you one of the people who can't figure out why your deck turns green or black in just six to nine months? Do you use the excuse that your deck is in the shade?

It faces North? Or it is damp? Well guess what? If you have been using one of the old technology sealants or water repellents, it is very likely the fault of the product!

The natural oils and waxes in the deck sealers are actually food for mildew and algae. The coatings people know this.

So the manufacturers add mildewcides and fungicides to the products. They proudly advertise this on the label trying to deflect the blame for your green/black deck problem.

The fact is that if the additives were not present, your deck would look bad in approximately four to six weeks after treatment!

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local companies that will clean and seal your deck.

New Synthetic Technology

Certain companies have decided to break new ground. They developed synthetic resins and oils that are not food for mildew and algae.

Furthermore, many of these resins can be mixed with water to minimize air pollution caused by old fashioned mineral spirit products.

The synthetic products will very likely dominate the wood sealant market in the future. It's just a matter of getting the word out.

As with many things, it takes time to build a business and following. It costs money to develop new technology. The old technology wood sealants that use natural oils are inexpensive to manufacture. The raw materials are cheap.

It takes millions and millions of dollars to mount a national advertising campaign. Keep that in mind when you buy a huge national brand.EB015 Cleaning & Sealing Deck Cover

Do you know who is paying for that advertising? You are! Did you know that if the money wasn't given to printers, TV and radio stations that it could be spent on higher quality synthetic resins? It's simple math.

Deck Sealer Test Results

I did an extensive test of top brands of deck sealers.

The results were ASTONISHING. Click here to get access to a FREE PDF file that shows you the Before and After photos of the test.

When to Seal a Deck?

Wood decks of any type should be sealed as soon as possible. Sunlight, rain and snow begin to attack wood immediately.

Wood that absorbs and then looses water through evaporation is subject to large swelling and shrinkage forces. These forces cause the splitting, twisting, checking and warping that happens with your deck.

The sooner you can stop water from getting into the wood the better. If you're building a new deck, it would be absolutely wonderful if you could seal or treat all of the lumber on all surfaces before the deck is constructed. This will take some extra work on your part, however it will pay huge dividends in the long run.

Should I Clean a New Deck?

New decks benefit from cleaning. Even though the wood is new there is sometimes a mill glaze that can inhibit the penetration of sealants.

The wood can also get dirty from transporting it from the mill to the lumberyard to your house. Cleaning new wood is very easy and will give you the absolute best results.

Deck Cleaning Video

Watch this video to see how I clean wood decks. Do NOT use a pressure washer!

Best Wood Deck Cleaner

Oxygen Bleach

Stain Solver is MADE in the USA with USA ingredients that are food-grade quality. CLICK THE IMAGE to order some NOW.

Stain Solver certified organic oxygen bleach is the best deck cleaner out there.

It's a powder you mix with warm water. The oxygen bubbles attack dirt, mildew, algae and sun-damaged sealers.

You apply the solution to dry wood that's cool and in the shade for BEST RESULTS.

You want a standing film of solution on the wood and let it work for 15 minutes before scrubbing and rinsing.

Stain Solver is NON-TOXIC and will not harm you or any vegetation around your deck or dock.

 

Life Expectancy of Sealers

Will the new synthetic sealers and water repellents last forever? No.

Will they last longer than the natural oil products? Absolutely!

Years ago I applied a product called Defy to my front porch. The surface is in the shade and gets damp. There is no mildew or algae whatsoever after two years.

As a control, I have a side porch that actually faces the same direction and is subject to the same conditions. I cleaned it and my front porch two years ago using oxygen bleach.

On purpose, I did not seal the little side porch. It is now black with mildew! I did this to collect data for this column. I will clean and seal this wood porch this season with Stain Solver. You can bet that I will do it with a synthetic sealer. I will use either Defy or another synthetic sealant. Defy is available in about six different colors.

NOTE FROM TIM CARTER - Founder of AsktheBuilder.com - The following sentence was posted October, 2016: I no longer would apply Defy deck sealer to any exterior wood that I own at my own home. See comments below as to why.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local companies that will clean and seal your deck.

Message from Tim:

Years ago while researching a column about cleaning decks, I discovered the wonders of Oxygen Bleach. It is perhaps the 'greenest' cleaner I know of as it uses oxygen ions to break apart stains, dirt and odor molecules. There are no harsh chemicals, and it works on just about anything that is water washable.

I decided to create my own special blend using ingredients made in the USA. In fact, the raw materials in the active ingredient are food-grade quality registered with the FDA. I call my product Stain Solver. I urge you to use it to help clean your deck surfaces. You will be amazed at the results!

Column B180

June 6, 2017 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on by Tim Carter

It's June 6th. Two years ago on this day, I was laboring up on my roof in 90+ F heat. The summer of 2015 would turn out to be a wretched HOT season.

I just got back up from letting Lady the dog inside. It's COLD outside and raining!

49 F Are you kidding me?

My boiler might come on before noon!!!

Bermuda Meet Up

Well, the Bermuda Meet Up is happening! Jamie reached out to me and we're going to meet for lunch or an ice cream while I'm in Bermuda.

Do you want to join us? I'll be there from Sunday, June 25th until Tuesday, June 27th.

I got my temporary radio license from Bermuda yesterday so I'll be transmitting from the island all three days as:

VP9/W3ATB

What a thrill it will be to make radio contacts from the middle of the Atlantic Ocean!

Do you live in Bermuda? Do you want to go on the cruise with me to Bermuda? Contact me ASAP!!

Keter Portable Work Table

I started testing a new portable work table over the weekend.

I think I've finally found one that's:

  • affordable
  • strong
  • easy to store and set up
  • REALLY WORKS
  • and more


I've had other work tables in the past that are heavy, they're HARD to set up, and they don't have all the features this one has.

Just a few months ago, I tested one that when set up it wasn't even level! No way was I going to even mention this one to you. It was a POC.

Remember Will Smith saying that about the car in Men in Black? Bwhahahahahahahaah!

Keter engineers did a magnificent job creating this portable work table.

I love the clamps that come with it.

I love the lower storage platform for setting glue and other parts as you work on something.
​​​​​​​
I LOVE how BIG the top surface is.

You'll NOT BE DISAPPOINTED with this portable work table.

CLICK HERE to see more photos and to have it delivered to your home ASAP.

Meghan Carter Update

Every now and then, you may be one that asks about my oldest daughter Meghan.

You can see her skills and magic in many videos on YouTube. Here's one where we used the same set to tape similar videos:


CLICK HERE if you want to watch the video of her transforming that kitchen cabinet.

WARNING: It's normal for a father to dote on his daughter.

I've really got some astonishing news for you about what she's been doing the past few years.

She and her husband Brent got married five years ago and while on their honeymoon in Croatia, they decided to go a different direction.

Meghan has always been artistically talented. At an early age, her drawings would amaze me as well as her constant pursuit of perfection.

If you saw how she wraps presents, sets the table for a party, or decorates anything, you'd be stunned.

She and Brent decided to transform Ask the Decorator into decorating you or your loved one.

Meghan decided to go into custom jewelry design.

For the past five years, she's done homework, laid the foundation and done all that's necessary to design and manufacture the absolute best gold and diamond jewelry that's available. The inspiration and story can be traced back to things they saw in Croatia.

Here's one of Meghan's drawings that's the first step one needs to do to start the manufacturing process. Meghan drew the following by hand, not on some computer CAD program:


The large circles are where diamonds go. The small circles are the prongs that hold the diamonds in place. Everywhere else is 18K gold made in California.

The diamonds aren't just any diamonds. They're the hardest ones in the world and come from a special mine in Australia.

There's lots of controversy about the source of diamonds across the world and who and what gets harmed mining and refining them. Meghan's diamonds are free of all this human and environmental cost and agony.

Some diamonds say they're conflict-free, but they only tell half the story. She'll tell you the whole story about how no one was harmed with her diamonds. Remember always:

A half truth is a whole lie.

I'm sharing this because she and Brent are just days away from launching this custom jewelry business. I told her that I knew for a fact you'd be interested in knowing about it.

Why would you be interested in jewelry?

You may be one of my subscribers who routinely emails me asking about all sorts of unique products that are top quality.

I've seen some of the prototype pieces Meghan and Brent are making and the one you see above in the drawing TOOK MY BREATH AWAY.

And I'm NOT a jewelry guy!!

Bottom Line: If you're looking for a stunning addition to your jewelry box or a gift that will dazzle that special someone in your life, just wait until I can share Meghan and Brent's new website. WOW!

Update: See pictures of these amazing pieces in the June 13, 2017 Newsletter.

Paying a Contractor In Advance

Yesterday, Marie from Massachusetts emailed me. She was none too happy.

You'll read her email in a moment.

But before we go there, I know I have quite a few contractors who are subscribers to this newsletter.

Money is always a touchy subject.

If you're a contractor, I'd like you to read the following column, think about it for a little bit and then write a comment BELOW the column telling your side of the story.

I already know there are wicked homeowners out there that love to not pay. It happened to me once. That's not what this is about. I don't need to hear stories about these loathsome individuals.

If you're a contractor, just make a case why you really feel you need money in advance on a job that does NOT have custom materials involved.

I posted the publication of this column on Facebook about an hour ago, and my bricklayer I used on my jobs in Cincinnati, OH commented within minutes after reading it. BTW, he's the BEST bricklayer and mason I'm aware of in the Greater Cincinnati, OH area.

Here's what John Hoeh said:

"As a contractor, I've always believed I will make you happy to pay me!! Have never asked for a dime up front. Great advice as usual Tim!"

CLICK HERE to read the column. If you're a homeowner and have feelings or a story to tell, leave a COMMENT as well!

Revised Columns For You

Here's a list of recently revised columns. I think many will HELP YOU.

Concrete Finish Options

Brick Wall Leakage REPAIR

How To Drill Through Steel - GREAT LINK to BEST drill bits here!!!!

Ugly BLACK Stains On Your Roof - How to STOP Them!

Whole House & Attic Fans - Which is the BEST?????

That's enough for today.

I'll be back on Friday for sure.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

Pay Contractor In Advance

Posted on by Tim Carter

Paying a Contractor in Advance

Yesterday I received an email from Marie who lives in Massachusetts.

She asked the following question:

"I have been getting quotes to clean and stain my decks. In the quotes, they have all been saying that they want money up front (1/3 or 1/2).

I don't like this idea. Is this the norm?

They are protecting themselves, but I'm not protected at all. They are companies from HomeAdvisor."

Marie Nailed It

Unfortunately, it appears it's becoming the norm, Marie. Your observation is spot on because as soon as you give up money in this situation, you're hoping the contractor is going to come back and start the job.

You hope for things you can't control like the weather, if you might get rescued from a deserted island, etc.

You can and should negotiate the CONTROL of your home and your money.

IMPORTANT TIP: Money is the only leverage you have. It's foolish for you to base your actions on hope.

Contractors Have Rights

The contractor you're thinking of hiring and material suppliers have strong and tough rights in most states. They can put a lien on a piece of property for nonpayment of a bill for work performed or material supplied. It's NOT HARD for a contractor to place this lien on your home. It costs very little.

If you sell your home before the lien expires the contractor or material supplier AUTOMATICALLY gets their money at the real estate closing. You can't stop this from happening.

On the other hand, if you forward money to a contractor and he fails to show up or he fails to perform as promised, you have to pursue expensive legal action.

You NEVER WILL GET BACK YOUR MONEY PLUS legal fees. The law in all states puts you at a horrible disadvantage if you have to sue a contractor.

Keeping possession of your money until the promised work is complete is the only protection you really have.

Ask These Questions

When a contractor asks for a deposit in a situation where no special order materials are required for the job, you can short circuit his request by asking these blunt questions.

Don't hesitate to ask them and do it in a calm and collected manner. There's no need for confrontation. I feel these will make sense and they're fair questions to ask:

Mr. Contractor, do you pay your subcontractors in advance for work they do?

Mr. Contractor, can you tell me if you pay your employees in advance?

Mr. Contractor, do you have a charge account at local supply houses where you'll buy the materials for the job?

Mr. Contractor, do these supply houses require you to pay for my materials in advance or will you have to pay the bill in a month or so?

Mr. Contractor, when you get your truck worked on, do you pay the repair shop owner in advance? If "Yes" is your answer, what's the name of that business?

Mr. Contractor, since you don't have to pay anything in advance for my job, why are you requiring me to pay in advance?

Trust Is A Two-Way Street

A bold contractor may actually answer the last question saying to you, "I don't trust you. I don't trust that you'll pay me once the job is done."

Your immediate reply is: "Trust is a two-way street. You're asking me to trust you and your workers with my most expensive asset. If you goof up the job or don't produce the promised results, I'll be able to hire someone else who can and not be out anything but time. The money you're supposed to get will go to them."

Pros Have Little Fear

A true professional is only worried about a deposit in situations where the materials for the job are custom and non-returnable. It's reasonable for you to forward a deposit in these cases. If you want complete protection, then pay the money directly to the material supplier or buy the materials yourself and have them on site before the contractor arrives.

A professional contractor knows he'll deliver the quality you deserve. He knows you'll pay them. The professional has no fear. He's got plenty of money in his business account. He just wants you to pay him as soon as you two agree.

The Compromise

Remember, everything is negotiable. You can negotiate a fair payment plan to quash the trust barrier both you and the contractor are feeling.

Break the job into small parts and pay that part at the end of the day when the work is done to your satisfaction.

Prewrite out the checks to the contractor in his presence and show them to him. Put them in an envelope and say, "When you get each of the parts of the job done, I'll hand each check to you, even if it's at noon."

You can compromise and you need to show good faith that you have every intention of paying. Writing out the check(s) in advance is a good way to do this.

How To Hire A Pro and Pay Them Videos

Watch these four videos to see how to completely protect yourself, your home and your money. Video #3 is very important.


Trust begets trust. 

 

Concrete Finish Options

Posted on by Tim Carter
Concrete Finish

This splotchy new concrete should look good in a week, but the finish might not be what it should be. (C) Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

Concrete Finish Options TIPS

  • Communicate clearly what you want in the first place to avoid nightmare
  • Stamped concrete is dramatic - can be slippery around pools
  • Stenciled concrete is unbelievable. Not as hard to do as stamped
  • Too much curing compound can cause splotchy white haze
  • CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter!

DEAR TIM: I’ve got a big problem. Concrete was poured around my new swimming pool.

I wanted a colored sanded finish that resembled cobble stones. It’s been four weeks now and the concrete has a milky splotchy appearance and the finish is really rough to walk on with bare feet.

What, if anything, can be done to salvage this job? How could the mistake have been prevented?

What’s causing the milky appearance? The contractor has said all will be well in a few months. Tom H., San Jose, CA

DEAR TOM: Oh my! The photos you sent me are excellent and tell the tale. Believe it or not, from what I can see the concrete finishers did a remarkable job. They used the correct sand in the mix to produce a nice sandy texture and they washed just enough cement paste out to produce a gorgeous exposed aggregate finish.

How Do You Describe Cobblestone?

But I realize this is not what you had envisioned in your mind for the final product. I’ve got granite cobblestones in my own yard that actually look quite similar to the color of the exposed coarse sand in your new concrete! If you hired me as an expert witness, and I’ve done this type of work for many years, I’d testify that you got a sanded finish that has a cobblestone coloration.

Free & Fast Bids

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local contractors who specialize in stamped concrete.

Can you see the problem? What you picture in your mind and what another person envisions based on your verbal description can be miles apart. You may have wanted a stamped concrete look that resembles actual cobblestones. For all you know the contractor may have never seen a cobblestone alley, street or sidewalk.

Stamped Cobblestone Concrete

To achieve a stamped cobblestone look, concrete finishers broadcast dry pigments into the wet concrete, mix these into the top layer of the wet concrete and then lay rubber mats onto the concrete that have the cobblestone texture and outline.

These mats are tamped into the wet concrete and then peeled off. The concrete then looks just like cobblestone. Based on your email to me, I don’t know that this is exactly what you wanted. It’s a classic case of miscommunication.

Concrete Finish

Here’s a closeup shot of the sandy texture. It’s expert workmanship but could be rough on tender feet. (C) Copyright 2017 Tim Carter

Prevent Miscommunication

You could have prevented this situation doing any number of things. You could have given the contractor a few excellent photographs of what you wanted. If the exact concrete finish you wanted was at some local business like a restaurant, park plaza, or a giant patio outside some business that you’ve walked on, you could have taken the contractor to this location showing him exactly what you wanted. There are countless videos on YouTube that show patterned and textured concrete. You could have found one or two and shown them to the contractor to communicate what you wanted.

Tear Out If Stamped Is Desired

If you wanted actual stamped concrete as I described above, you have to start over. You need to tear out all the concrete and replace it.

If you just want a different colored finish that’s not as rough, you might be able to produce the finish you want with a very thin cement stucco overlay that’s no more than one-eighth-inch thick.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local contractors who specialize in stamped concrete.

Thin Overlay May Work

Your big issue is you can’t add much thickness where the concrete slab touches up against the cast border of the swimming pool. You need positive drainage away from the pool.

You can create a very unique cobblestone finish using the thin overlay, stencil templates and some dry pigments. I’ve seen it done and the look is stunning. Not only can you create the look of cobblestone, you can create flagstone, tile or even brick. Shaded coloration is very possible so it’s not just one uniform color when complete.

An expert concrete mason can make up the thin overlay cement stucco and he can colorize it. They apply this over your new concrete, smooth it and then overlay heavy paper templates that might resemble brick or the cobblestone outline.

Stenciled Concrete Video

Watch this video to see the process of stenciling concrete. Note at the beginning of the video how you can have different color tones in the concrete.

These are lightly pressed into the wet stucco and then an additional dry pigment is broadcast onto the stucco. The paper template prevents the second color from touching all the stucco. The concrete mason floats the pigment into the stucco and then may use a few special rollers to create a unique texture to the overlay. After all this is complete, the mason peels up the paper templates revealing the gorgeous workmanship.

Curing Compound Splotches

Your current milky splotchy appearance looks to me like too much curing compound was applied to the wet concrete. Curing compound is an excellent product and it prevents the concrete from releasing too much water into the atmosphere. Water is needed inside the concrete slab for many many weeks after the concrete gets hard so it achieves its design strength.

The curing compound could have been defective or far too much was applied. Over time sunlight will remove the milky appearance, but it can sometimes take a very long time.

College Of Hard Knocks Tuition Payment

The contractor should not be penalized for this mistake. The photos tell me he did a great job and the final finish you wanted didn’t happen because you failed to clearly communicate what you wanted.

Before you tear up the existing concrete, do a small test to see if the stenciled overlay will produce the finish, texture and coloration you want. I think it’s possible to get very close and the work could be done in just one or two days.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local contractors who specialize in stamped concrete.

Column 1199

June 4, 2017 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

Posted on by Tim Carter

Good morning! It's an unusual late spring here in central New Hampshire. I'll be wearing a jacket to church this morning! Monday and Tuesday are forecast to be 55 F and rainy!

Come on Mother Nature!!! Give us a break. It's time for 75 F and sun!

Photo Gallery Eye Candy

I need you to click the following links and look at some very fascinating doors that use LE Johnson hardware to allow them to slid sideways.

You're going to be STUNNED by what you see and I guarantee you'll get some inspiration.

After you click the links, I'll have a few questions for you to answer and I'm quite sure you'll get a smile on your face. If not, I want to hear from you.

It's important that you click each of these following links:

Wine Door

Strange Bedroom Door & Brick

Mystical Blue Glow - Help Me Guess Cause!

WOW - Sliding Castle Door In Your Home!!!!

Sliding TV - NO KIDDING - You've GOT TO SEE THIS!

Okay, now you need to go answer five simple questions. It's super easy:

CLICK HERE to see the simple questions.

Do Not Click This Secret Button!

You need to ANSWER the simple questions to test your skills and magic.

CLICK HERE do to do that.

PLEASE DO NOT CLICK THIS BUTTON - 😉

I need to know. Did you click the two buttons that said not to click them?

Why???

Thanks for clicking the photo links above.

If you're a new subscriber I do this on occasion to introduce you to stunning new products and to provide you with INSPIRATION to help you create the perfect dream home you desire.

Some people are very creative with their decorating and combining different materials.

That's what you should have seen in the photos above.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

Brick Wall Leakage Repair

Posted on by Tim Carter
Water is leaking right through the tight mortar joints

Water is leaking right through the tight mortar joints between these brick. Photo credit: Goran Latkovic

Brick Wall Leakage Repair TIPS

  • Water can't pool against brick walls
  • Create positive drainage using a thin concrete overlay
  • Use cement paint for permanent repair - WATCH VIDEOS below
  • Silane-siloxane sealers can prevent water from entering brick
  • CLICK HERE to Get Tim's FREE & FUNNY Newsletter!

DEAR TIM: There's an area in our garage that's leaking water. The water is coming from the brick wall which is causing a small amount of flooding when heavy rain.

Outside there are steps that lean against the this wall. It appears there has been some concrete or some form of elastic that has been used to patch this issue by the previous owners.

What can we do to stop the leakage and if we decide we can't do the work ourselves, who would have the best skills to complete the job? Goran L., Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia

DEAR GORAN: I'm sorry to see you've got this leakage problem, but it's comforting to know that gravity and physics work the same down under in Australia as it does here in North America! With that in mind, I'm confident I can help you achieve a nice dry garage.

Negative Drainage

Based on your description, there are at least two dynamics in play here. First, you say that the steps are leaning towards the outer wall. This means that water is being directed right at the wall. I happen to call this negative drainage.

This is unacceptable and must be changed. You have no hope for success if the contact point between the steps and brick wall is like a small river valley where the water flows when it rains.

Free & Fast Bids

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local handymen that can patch your concrete and apply brick sealers.

Wind-Driven Rain

The second issue you're dealing with could be wind-driven rain assuming this wall is open to the weather and rain does hit the wall. Rain showers are often not the problem.

Brick walls take on water in powerful gusty rainstorms. When rain blows against brick walls like the golfing-in-the-lightning-storm scene in the funny movie Caddyshack, water can pour through a brick wall like it enters a sinking ship.

Raindrops Like A Hammer

The best way to visualize how water would get through a seemingly solid masonry wall is to think about how nails are hammered into wood. Each time you strike a nail with a hammer, it penetrates deeper into the wood. Think of each raindrop that strikes a brick-wall mortar joint as both a hammer and a nail.

Weight Of Water Is Significant

When the first drop hits the mortar, it soaks in just a bit. When the second drop hits where the first one did, it pushes the first raindrop water a little farther into the mortar.

Each successive pounding raindrop pushes the one before it deeper into the wall. Before long, you have water streaming down the inner side of the brick wall just as you show in your photograph.

Step One - Positive Drainage

Here's how I'd solve your problem. I'm going to assume you have some sturdy concrete steps that can't be lifted so they tilt away from the wall. If this is the case, then you're going to have to do a wedge-shaped overlay of concrete and cement stucco mix to make each stair tread slope away from the brick wall with a minimum one-eighth-inch fall per foot.

The overlay mixture where it's over 3/4-inch thick must contain small pieces of stone no larger than a green pea that you'd eat for dinner. As the wedge of overlay gets thinner, use just very coarse sand in the mix. At it's thinnest point, the sand should be quite fine.

Add plenty of Portland cement to the mix so it bonds well with the existing concrete. When you're mixing in the gravel, add three parts gravel, two parts sand and two parts Portland cement. When you're not using any stone, just mix two parts sand to one part Portland cement.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local handymen that can patch your concrete and apply brick sealers.

Secret Cement Paint

Be sure the concrete steps are clean and just before applying the overlay mixture, spritz the concrete with clear water to get it damp and then paint on a layer of cement paint. Cement paint is just a mixture of Portland cement and water that is blended to the consistency of regular paint.

Concrete Repair & Cement Paint Videos

Watch these three videos to see how to mix up the repair compounds.


Concave Shape - No Pooling

Where the overlay contacts the brick wall, I'd add a little extra to give it a concave shape like the inside of a shallow bowl. This means the overlay mixture laps up onto the brick for about three-quarters of an inch. You create this so the water running down the steps in a storm never contacts the brick wall.

Curing Compound For Permanent Repair

As soon as you finish the surface of the overlay so it looks good, spray it with a concrete curing compound so it dries slowly. This is very important so the overlay never separates from the older concrete.

curing compound

This is a typical concrete curing compound. They're liquid you spray or roll onto stiff concrete. CLICK THE PHOTO TO SEE A VARIETY OF THESE AMAZING LIQUID PLASTIC MATERIALS. THEY DRY CLEAR.

Step Two - Repair Mortar & Sealant

The second phase of the repair job is inspecting the outer mortar joints for missing mortar. Be sure the mortar joints between the brick are in great shape and repair as necessary.

Once you have the mortar in great shape, apply a silane-siloxane brick water repellent to the entire brick wall. Pay close attention to the written instructions with respect to air temperature and the amount of water repellent to apply.

penetrating sealer

This is a magnificent silane - siloxane water repellent that soaks into concrete. CLICK THIS IMAGE NOW TO ORDER IT.

Some products require two coats but the second coat must be applied within a few minutes of the first coat. If the instructions say this, be sure you follow these instructions to the letter.

The reason for this is simple. If the first coat dries, it repels the second coat! Remember, the sealant is much like the raindrops and you need it to penetrate as deep as possible into the mortar joints to prevent water from entering your garage.

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local handymen that can patch your concrete and apply brick sealers.

Featured in April 21, 2015 AsktheBuilder Newsletter.

Column 1088

How To Drill Hard Steel Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

How To Drill Hard Steel Video

Drilling steel or metal is harder than drilling wood. If you don't know how to drill steel, you can dull your drill bits quickly. Be sure to use a drill bit designed for steel, such as a cobalt bit. Wood drill bits have a special point that were not work with metal.

This column was SO GOOD that I shared with the 31,000 subscribers who read my September 17, 2014 and the  January 13, 2017 AsktheBuilder Newsletter.

Use a little oil on the steel to lubricate and cool the drill bit. Heat will dull the drill bit rapidly. Drilling in steel requires a slower drill speed. Too fast and more heat is generated.

Place a block of wood under the steel workpiece. This will allow the drill bit to go into the wood, instead of dulling the bit on a piece of concrete.

As long as you have the proper sharp bit, a little oil and a variable speed drill, you can drill through steel or sheet metal without damaging the drill bit.

Free & Fast Bids

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local handymen that can drill through steel for you.

Best Drill Bits For Metal

Here are some amazing bits that will drill through steel or any metal. Remember, go SLOW!

These are great cobalt drill bits for metal. Always get cobalt. CLICK THE PHOTO NOW FOR A VARIETY OF COBALT BITS. YOU'LL HAVE THEM AT YOUR HOUSE IN DAYS.

Author's Note:

I received the following tip from John Gibbs of Ontario, Canada. Based on his years of experience as a tool and die maker, John provides this excellent tip.

"Hi, I am a retired 71 year old tool and die maker ... worked at my trade for 53 years.

I recently saw the video on how to drill through steel. It was very good. But if you needed to enlarge that hole, then the larger drill bit will often vibrate and produce a chatter which gives a terrible 5 or 6 sided edge instead of a smooth accurate edge to the hole.

The solution is to simply use a piece of emery cloth. Fold about a 1 X 2 inch piece of emery cloth in half, with the smooth side on the OUTSIDE, to avoid scratching the work piece. Place it over the hole to be enlarged, place the drill bit on the emery cloth over the hole and begin drilling. It will automatically center itself. The emery cloth will let the drill bit through smooth and easy, and produces a beautiful smooth edge without a trace of chatter.

Works every time. This is a tip I learned as an apprentice in England. I hope that you find this interesting. It's one of the best tips I was ever taught. Would make a nice little 2 minute video probably."

Drill Hard Steel

DRAWING CREDIT: John Gibbs

CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local handymen that can drill through steel for you.