I moved my office from my basement up to my man cave ham shack over the past few days.

I still have to unpack boxes, but I'm here and it's nice and cozy. You may be one who asked for photos of the cave. I'll do you better. Once I'm moved in and all set up, I'll tape a video for you in case you want an idea or two for your home office.

Part of the moving project included PURGING. I have a tendency to accumulate stuff and I've decided to GET RID OF MOST OF IT.

My loss might now become your gain. I'm listing much of what I'm getting rid of on ebay. It's EASY and SAFE to buy on ebay - especially if you trust the seller. You can TRUST me!

The first two things I've listed are a great digital camera for a beginner and a special Pepsi bottle if you're a Cincinnati Reds fan - heck if you collect sports memorabilia - this may be for you.

In the next few weeks, I'll be listing MANY MANY things with the help of my daughter Kelly. I'll share them here. Some of the stuff is really fantastic.

Do you want an official NFL deflated football signed by Boomer Esiason, not Tom Brady? I've got one that's going to be listed later today. If you want air in it, I'll pump it up with no problems.

Secondary DOOFUS Alert

I just talked with Kathy. Wouldn't you know it but she's secretly subscribed to this newsletter.

"Did you send out your newsletter yet?"

"No, I was just finishing editing it."

"You're going to send out a SECOND Doofus Alert."

"Why?"

You misspelled the word Columnea in that flower name you sent out on Sunday. You put in Columbia. Your subscribers that know about plants will think I'm a DOLT."

"Well, I must have been thinking about driving down Columbia Parkway."

Anyway, I sit corrected up here in my man cave and now you know the correct spelling! Columnea 'Carnival'.

Deck Cleaning BIAS Claim

The columns at my AsktheBuilder.com website are open to comments. I moderate them because in this day and age there are simply too many jealous, faceless haters and trolls out there.

A "Mr. Disappointed Man" left a comment at the bottom of a column I wrote about cleaning wood siding. I responded to his comment.

I bring this up because you use the same process to clean wood decks, although it's far easier to clean a deck than it is siding!

I URGE you to read his comment and my reply as it may cause you to do a hard reset about how you feel about product recommendations.

If you're going to clean a wood or a composite deck soon, then you should consider using my Stain Solver.

If you're a Stain Solver fan, I'd ask that you take the time to leave a comment at the bottom of the column so Mr. Disappointed Man understands why I promote the product.

Coast LK375 Light Knife Review

Watch this short video about a new pocket knife that also has a LED light. The review will PROBABLY SHOCK you. Better watch it.

Court Case Nightmare

A month from today, I'll be waking up to the smell of salt air and the sounds of waves lapping up on the rocks just outside the weathered hut I'll call home for a week in Antigua.

It's my second time there. I was last there three years ago to do an inspection of the roof on the Brazilian Embassy. I'm now back there for the actual trial and I'll be an expert witness for the plaintiff in the matter.

I've done expert witness work for years and was hired to give my opinion about why the roof leaked and if the proper steps were taken when installing it.

I'm not going to discuss the particulars of this case because it's not proper to do so.

But I will tell you the owners of the building have been living a NIGHTMARE for going on EIGHT YEARS and I'll tell you how it COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.

I'm also going to share how you can get expert work done on your home no matter what needs to be done.

Keep reading - it's worth it.

Eight years ago the problems on this building started and it's just now going to trial. Justice moves slowly in Antigua, and it's not always too much faster here in the USA.

The owners of the building have been living with this issue in front of their faces for that long. It creates a knot in your stomach. It adds to stress. It saps the happiness out of your life.

Court cases like this can also drain your bank account in attorney's fees faster than snow melts in NH in the warm spring sun.

How do you AVOID NIGHTMARES like this?

You STOP making decisions based on HOPE.

Hope is the emotion of last resort. You HOPE for things you can't control.

You hope a ship or helicopter rescues you when lost at sea with no radio.

You hope for a great sunny day on your birthday.

You hope you win the lottery.

You HOPE you win a court case that's stretched out for eight years.

You HOPE the judge and jury assigned to your case are impartial.

But you should NEVER EVER HOPE that you hired the right contractor, painter, roofer, plumber, etc.

It's not hard to find the pro in your city or town. Believe me they exist.

Are they the ones that advertise on TV? Rarely. Pros usually have SO MUCH BACKLOGGED WORK they don't need to advertise.

How do you locate the pro? Well, it takes just a little effort on your part.

You need to get in your car and visit the businesses that PROS shop at.

You need to do it mid morning or mid afternoon when the pros are on the job working and it's not too busy at the shops.

You need to talk with the General Manager or owner. Believe me, they'll talk with you.

You need to ask the right questions. That's key.

What are the right questions?

I share them in a series of four special videos I taped. I actually do a visit to a lumber yard to SHOW YOU WHAT TO DO when you talk with the General Manager.

Get this Contractor Hiring Guide of mine and watch the four videos.

If you feel it wasn't worth the price, ASK ME FOR a NO-HASSLE REFUND.

I GUARANTEE you you'll discover how to find the pro and how to never have to call an attorney to get you out of a mess.

DeWALT 108 Piece Mechanics Set REVIEW

I just tested a nice mechanics tool set that you should see.

Mothers and Fathers Day are just around the corner.

If you feel 108 pieces in a set are too many, you might find a similar one at Amazon.com that you might think is best suited for you or the person your giving a gift to.

CLICK HERE for the review.

I'll be back to you on Friday with a Weekend Warrior quick blast.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Do It Right, Not Over!?

I think she's here - Spring. As I type this the sun is climbing up in a vivid blue sky just before 8 am. The temperature is going to kiss 63 F today, maybe higher.

I've got lots of news for you today. I'll be brief with each item.

Let's get to it because I need to get up and finish my new desk up in my ham shack. Yes, I'm moving my office from my basement up to my ham radio shack above the garage. I built a cool man cave up there about 18 months ago.

Kathy is turning my old office space into a gorgeous conservatory with her hundreds of orchids. Did I tell you she's a professional orchid grower? She'll say she's not, but she's way too humble.

Here's a photo of one. It's only about an 1.5 inch tall and has all sorts of fuzzy hairs on the edges. Kathy sure can get orchids to bloom!

DOOFUS ALERT (Update to the original email regarding the above flower.)

About three hours ago, I sent out this Sunday eBlast.

I had an error in it and I FORGOT to tell you something else!

First, the photo I took was not of an orchid. I ASSUMED it was and Kathy said, "You know what happens when you ASSume? You have to send out a DOOFUS Alert to your subscribers so they don't think I know the difference between different flowers!"

That photo was a gesneriad - relative of the African Violet. It's the Columbia 'Carnival'.

I told Kathy I'd spell it geeznariod and it's the Carnival Cruise Line official flower. She didn't think that was funny.

Also, you may have been one of my subscribers BEGGING me to ask Kathy to share her advice on how to grow and get the orchids to BLOOM and BLOOM and BLOOM.

I'll have that for you on Tuesday.

Tim "DOOFUS" Carter

Founder - Doofus Unlimited

Identify Flowers Right, Don't GUESS!​

LAST CALL

Enter Snow Be Gone Contest!

CLICK HERE to enter my 2015 Snow Be Gone Contest. I close entries in just a few days!!!

Milwaukee Meet Up - Last Minute!!!

I'm going to be in Milwaukee this coming Friday - April 17, 2015. That's just five days from now.

I'll be available to do a dinner meet up around 7 p.m.

I'm staying at the Milwaukee Radisson West and I believe there are quite a few places to meet around there.

If you want to hang out and tell tall tales, then REPLY to this email and CHANGE the Subject Line to Milwaukee Meet Up.

Dinner is Dutch treat.

If you have suggestions of where to go where it's somewhat quiet and the place has good food, speak up.

I'll create a list of who's coming and based on your suggestions, I'll pick a place to go.

I'll have a car so if there's a great place somewhere else, speak up. The place needs to be fairly quiet because I have a tough time hearing in loud restaurants.

Special Spring Columns!

About a month ago, I did a survey asking you what are the top projects you want to tackle this spring.

I wrote them!

Here are the top three in order:

Drain a Soggy Yard or Dry Out a Basement

Fix Crumbling Concrete

Repair Scratches in Hardwood Flooring

That's enough for today.

I'll be back on Tuesday.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

This is a fast, fast blast for you.

Can you believe it SNOWED 4 inches at my house yesterday? It's April for crying out loud!

STOP Soggy Yards / Wet Basements NOW

CLICK HERE to see how I've made thousands of yards dry and stopped water from getting into basements.

Toddler and Lawn Mower Story

Roof Leak Vent and How to Repair it - GREAT VIDEO

Prevent Peter's Asphalt From Cracking

CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS - MINIMIZE Water Usage Tips!

That's enough for today.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

The past week I've been busy here at my house doing some drywall repair, and yesterday Kelly and I started to paint the basement rec room and adjoining staircase going to the first floor.

It's really enjoyable because I have this opportunity to teach Kelly how to do a bunch of fine points about painting preparation and drywall.

I've decided to devote this issue of the newsletter to some of what I've taught her the past few days.

I know, I should have taped a video or two, but we've just been in such a rush.

There are quite a few projects happening here at my house, and I promise you that you'll see some great videos in the next two months!

Phone Thermal Camera

I also tested a MUST-HAVE tool the past few days. At first, I thought it would be just a gimmick, but once I saw what it could do, WOW!

It's the Seek Thermal Camera that works with a smart phone or a tablet.

Look at the HOT SPOTS under and to the left and right of my front door!

That's lots of heat leaking from my house. I DID NOT BUILD my home, so don't blame me.

CLICK HERE to read about all you can do with this tool.

The free app you download allows you to take photos or VIDEOS of what the camera sees.

You'll discover inside my column handy links to BUY THIS camera. It is less than $200!!!!

If you're thinking of buying an existing home or even a new one, this is a MUST HAVE item.

You'll discover defects you'll NEVER SEE with your naked eye.

You'll be able to negotiate a BETTER PRICE, and easily save THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. You'll avoid SURPRISES after you move in.

I predict this camera will be a massive game changer.

Are you a real estate agent?

I was a licensed real estate broker in Ohio for nearly 25 years. I can tell you that if this technology had been around back then, I would have owned one of these cameras?

Why?

I would want to know about problems before they derailed a sale or listing.

Are you an insurance agent? Maybe you want to know about problems before you write a policy.

Every remodeling contractor should own one.

Do you walk around cities at night? Would you like to see the BAD GUYS lurking in the shadows? I thought so.

Look below at how well Lady my dog sticks out in the dark!!! She was about 50 feet away from me and stood out like a sore thumb, even though it was pitch black.

You can absolutely see people.

The list goes on and on!

I'm not getting paid a penny by Seek to tell you all this.

When I see great tools, I feel very obligated to tell you about them.

This is truly a tool that will SAVE YOU MONEY the first time you use it.

Caulking Tips

Here's a past column of mine that contains info I taught Kelly:

Great Caulking Tips

Here's an older video, but it shows what to do:

Caulking VIDEO

Do you need to REMOVE Caulk?

CLICK HERE to see how I do it.

Briggs & Stratton Trip

Do you have a machine with a small engine? There's a great chance the small engine was made by Briggs & Stratton right here in the USA.

I've been invited to their corporate headquarters next week for a secret meeting.

I'm not privy yet to tell you what it's about, but I'm sure it's something big.

Here are my questions for you:

What do you want me to find out for you about small engines while I'm there?

What can I ask the PROS at Briggs & Stratton that would make your life easier when you work with your small engine?

If you could wave a Magic Wand, what would the perfect small engine be like or do?

Get back to me with your questions.

CHANGE the Subject Line to Briggs Questions.

I'll take your questions and comments to the folks at Briggs & Stratton and get back with a full report!

In the meantime, READ THIS PAST COLUMN of mine that tells you how to make sure your small engine STARTS EVERY TIME you pull the cord or twist the key.

Small Engine CARE

Lawn More Quick Start Guide

Are you getting ready to cut grass? I've still got to wait a month here in New Hampshire.

CLICK HERE for my Lawn Mower Quick Start Guide to HELP You from cursing and pulling out your shoulder!

That's enough for today.

I'll be back Friday with your Weekend Warrior Tips.

Tim Carter
Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

Do It Right, Not Over!