Soil Map Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Soil Map

Getting ready to build a new home? What is the most important tool to have to start the project - a big bulldozer? No, a soil map. A soil map will tell you all the characteristics, good and bad, for the soil under your project.

These soil maps are put together by geologists and are printed for each county. And they are free. The information contained in these booklets will tell you what type of trees with grow in that soil. It will indicate if the soil is good for septic systems. How well the soil drains.

Locate the property you are considering from the aerial photographs in the map. Once you find your property, the map will have lines and symbols indicating the type of soil on that lot. Look up the symbols and read about your soil.

These soil maps can be found at the county soil and water conversation services office. Get yours before purchasing or building on a lot.

Author's Note:

Dan emailed the following comment regarding an updated source of information for soil maps. If your county doesn't have updated information, you might try Dan's suggestion. He wrote:

"Web soil survey on the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) website is the official repository of soil survey information. The books shown in this video are no longer printed and many have not been updated since the seventies. Instead, you should go on the website http://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/HomePage.htm and use that information. It is free. I am a soil scientist in PA."

Screw Gun Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Tired of driving drywall screws by hand? There is a better way. You can use a drill or a screw gun. A drill should have variable speed for best results. The disadvantage of the drill is if you are not careful, you can drive the screw too deep into the drywall and tear the paper.

The better tool is the screw gun. This power tool has a special collar and a clutch that stops the driving motion of the screw gun when the screw reaches are certain depth. Just set the stop on the screw gun collar. Once you have the depth set correctly, you can drive all the screws to the proper depth without worry.

Screws guns are fast and easy. If you don't have one, most tool rental stores have them available.

Sawzall Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

If you are still using an older hand saw, you might be doing it the hard way. Add power to that saw with a sawzall. A sawsall can be used to cut all types of materials - wood, steel, plastics. Plus you can use it to cut shapes or curves, that you can't with a traditional hand saw.

Sawzall blades are small and thin. They come in a variety of styles for the different materials you are cutting. The blades change quickly.

Need to cut a hole in the center of a piece of wood without first drilling a pilot hole? The sawzall will allow you to do this. Just place the blade at a very low angle to the wood and turn it on. Gently push the blade down into the wood. Once through, you can continue your cut.

Sawzalls are versatile and should be in your toolbox.

Exterior Shutters Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Wood shutters are nice, but they don't always hold up over time if not properly maintained. Vinyl window shutters are a great alternative. They are maintenance free and come in a variety of styles and colors for any style of house.

Vinyl shutters come with a special fastener for quick and easy installation. Drill a 1/4" hole into the shutter and in the house, then drive the fastener into the hole.

Vinyl window shutters are easy to hang, maintenance free and look great. Try them if you have to change your shutters.

French Cleat Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Instead of ruining a piece by drilling holes and putting screws through it to hold it to the wall, try a French cleat. The French cleat can mount objects, such as mantles, to the wall without the use of unsightly fasteners.

What is a French cleat? It is two pieces of material that interlock with each other. It can be made from wood or metal. Use it to mount picture, plate, mantel, etc. to a wall. To make one out of wood, set your circular saw to 45 degrees and rip a 1 x 3 in half down the length of the board. Attach one of the pieces to the wall with the V facing up. The other piece gets attached the opposite way on the object being hung. Slide the two pieces together and you will have an interlocking mount.

Great for hanging objects without having nails or screws showing.

This video was mentioned in Tim's April 5, 2011 Newsletter.

Mixing Paint Colors Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Trying to match the exact color of that desk, cabinet or house exterior when it is time to paint? And the ready made colors just don't match? Or you want a shade that is just a little different.

Go the paint store and buy two quarts of two colors that closely match the desired color. Make sure the paints from the same manufacturer and the same type of paint with the same finish. Put some on the wall to check. If it is not quite right, get a measuring spoon and mix the paints together. Keep track of how many parts of each color you use. Once you found the right mixture, you can use the amounts to blend the paint required for your painting project.

A little trial and error and you will get the perfect color. It takes time and patience. But the results will be worth it.

Exterior House Painting Tips Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

When painting the exterior of your house and want a professional looking finish? First, spackle all the nail holes in the trim and caulk all the cracks. This will keep water from getting into the wood and causing the paint to blister.

Use an exterior spackling compound. They are light weight and easy to work with and they don't shrink! Holes only have to filled in once.

Get an acrylic latex caulk. They are available at most paint stores and they also fill in holes and cracks. Most caulks do shrink. So check in a day or two after the first application to see if a second one is needed. Apply the caulk in a small bead about the size of the crack you are filling. Wipe it in with your finger to work it in. Then, take a damp sponge and wipe any excess off the wood.

Caulking and spackling are not that hard, but they are very important to achieve that long lasting paint job.

Payments To Contractors

Posted on by Tim Carter

Payments to Contractors

Anxiety is a very common emotion felt by people who are about to begin a massive building or remodeling project. Huge sums of money are often in the balance. 15 or 20 year mortgages are signed. It is serious business. It is no wonder that people get nervous or anxious. Unfortunately, not everyone invests the proper amount of time in selecting the right contractor for the job. A homeowner may select a real bottom feeder. Believe me, there is one in every "sea".

Boilerplate Laundry List

Every year, I see an article in a paper about how to choose a contractor. I see the same old checklist each time. You know, the one that says to call the Better Business Bureau, ask for references, visit completed jobs, etc. Only a small percentage of people ever do these things. Guess what? You can do those things, get good reports, and still end up with an unqualified contractor. The process of finding a good contractor is involved, takes effort on your part, and sometimes is a function of pure luck.

The Root of the Problem

There are probably several basic reasons why you have such a hard time finding a reputable, reliable, trustworthy contractor. The one that I feel is foremost is the fact the industry, as a whole, does not require a formal education. In other words, you and your neighbor can go into business tomorrow hanging drywall or finishing concrete. Not only have you probably never read a technical manual on all the aspects of these tasks, there is a better than 50/50 chance the contractor you do intend to hire has read anything. The industry is loaded to the gills with people who "think" they know how to do things right. Very few contractors have a solid background based upon written facts developed by manufacturers, associations, and the industry as a whole. This means you need to get educated about the work you plan to do. Armed with this education you will be able to ask pointed questions to contractors. By default you will find the one who has the best understanding of what to do.

Payment Problems

Do you know someone who has had a contractor disappear and not come back to finish a job? Do you think that would happen if the contractor was owed a significant amount of money? In most instances the contractor has actually walked away with extra money!

Homeowners routinely advance more money to contractors than they should. The result is that the homeowner has become a lending institution. The homeowner lends money to the contractor and HOPES that the contractor will PAY BACK the money in the form of work. What a mistake! Don't get into the lending business.

Job Cost Breakdowns

12 years ago, I stumbled across a very unique way to convince homeowners that my job bid or quotation was, in fact, the right price. I started giving homeowners a complete breakdown of my quotation. The quote showed each and every aspect of the job. The homeowner was able to see that I accounted for each aspect of the job and had attached a realistic number to each task. It didn't take long for me to build a bridge of trust with homeowners. I discovered that trust is the foundation for a buying decision. I hope you find a contractor you can trust.

The following job cost breakdown items were taken from some of the over 30 different Checklists I have developed. The Checklists contain questions about a specific project. They also ask for a cost breakdown. If you want to see a complete list, check out my Checklists page.

Kitchen Remodeling Checklist Breakdown Items

Building Permit Demolition Asbestos Removal Lead Abatement Debris Removal Dumpster or Dumping Fees Rough Lumber Supplies Rough Carpentry Heating / Ventilating / Air Conditioning Plumbing Electric Phone / Computer / Cable TV Wiring Insulation Drywall / Plastering Finish Lumber Materials Finish Carpentry Ceramic / Marble Painting Wall Coverings Kitchen Cabinets Counter Tops Appliances Sinks Faucets Hardwood Flooring / Linoleum Lighting Fixtures / Fans Windows Doors Shelving Hardware Miscellaneous Allowance Items Contractor's Projected Profit

New Home Construction Checklist Breakdown Items

Building Permit Builder's Risk Insurance Policy Survey / Stakeout Site Clearing Excavation Footings / Foundation Foundation Waterproofing Footing Drain Tile & 1" Gravel Cover Downspout Drainage System Termite Control Structural Steel Rough Grading Excess Excavated Dirt Off-site Removal Gravel Interior Concrete Slabs (Basement & Garage) Rough Lumber Materials Rough Carpentry Backhoe Work Roofing Heating / Ventilating / Air Conditioning Plumbing Electric Phone / Computer / Cable TV Wiring Security / Fire Alarm Wiring Insulation Drywall / Plastering Windows Exterior Doors Exterior Lumber Materials Exterior Carpentry Masonry (Brickwork, Stonework, etc.) Stucco Vinyl Siding / Trim Gutters / Downspouts Exterior Painting / Staining Exterior Sidewalks / Patios Interior Trim Lumber Materials Interior Doors Built-in Cabinetry Interior Painting Wall Coverings Hardwood Flooring Carpeting Linoleum / Vinyl Tile Ceramic Tile Kitchen Cabinets Bath Cabinets Kitchen Counter Tops Bath Counter Tops Laundry Room Cabinets & Tops Appliances Plumbing Fixtures (China fixtures, tubs, sinks & faucets) Lighting Fixtures / Fans Mirrors Hardware Miscellaneous Fixtures (Towel Bars, etc.) Specialty Shelving Miscellaneous Allowance Items Garage Doors & Openers Driveway Apron (if applicable) Driveway Final Grading Landscaping Debris Removal / Dumpster Fees Construction Utilities (electricity & water) On site toilet facilities Final Cleaning

SUBTOTAL HARD JOB COSTS Contractor's Projected Profit / Overhead

TOTAL JOB COST = $ Fill in the Blank! I hope your project comes in on time and under budget.

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Build A Trellis Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Need to build a simple and quick garden trellis? With some stakes and some lattice, you can build a garden trellis. Redwood is a good choice for use outdoors. Cut four stakes to length (about 36" on this project). Points on one end will help stick the trellis into the ground. The lattice pieces need to be about 36" and a total of six will be needed.

Screw the lattice strips to the top of the stakes. Then space the others down the stacks. Next, drill a hole through the middle of the stake legs to accept a 1/4" bolt to make the hinge. Use some small chain and cup hooks to keep the X-shaped trellis in position.

This makes a simple and quick trellis for use in your garden.

Cutting Crown Molding Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Please know that my Crown Molding eBook offers detailed, step-by-step instructions and photos to help save you from hassle and frustration.

Cutting inside and outside crown molding corners are easy to cut. Make some small 90 degree test pieces for both corners. First, these test pieces help you make the proper cut. Remember on the inside corner, the longest side is the bottom of the molding. On outside corners, the top is the longest side of the molding. The crown molding must be placed upside down in the miter saw when making these cuts. Cutting Crown Molding doesn't have to be hard - master it with my eBook.

Helpful tip - take a piece of tape, place it on the saw table and mark it "Ceiling - Top of Molding". You can also make the power saw fence "Wall - Bottom of Molding."

These test pieces will help you understand how to cut crown molding correctly. Once you have mastered this, you can move on to the longer pieces for your crown molding project.

If you REALLY want to discover how to install Crown Molding, you need my Crown Molding eBook or Installing Crown Molding DVD..