Brick & Stone Barbecues Constructing a traditional brick or stone barbecue complete with chimney, doors, mortar and the whole shebang is a daunting task. If you have not built anything from brick or stone using mortar, levels, string, etc., you will be in for a surprise. Now I'm not saying that you can't do it […]
Outsmarting squirrels at bird feeders can be a full time job. Where there's a bird at a birdfeeder, there's a squirrel that will join them. A squirrel proof bird feeder is a challenge. Here are some options others have tried.
Quality construction involves you. Building codes, which are minimal standards, are essential to understand, will help you select the right contractor for your job and get the proper details in writing before your job begins. Obtaining and reading the national Boca building codes will take you in the right direction. Exceeding residential building codes will upgrade quality.
Upgrade your residential construction to exceed building codes and you will create a home you won't regret. A uniform building code, called BOCA, was created in 2000 to consolidate various codes around the country. Familiarizing yourself with this national building code and then exceeding specifications will save you much stress and money in the long run.
The following contractor questions may make a few of you uncomfortable. You may gulp at trying to ask them. Well, before you give up, I want you to close your eyes and imagine $5,000, $10,000 or $25,000 of your money just vanishing in thin air. If you hire the wrong contractor for your job, this is a distinct possibility. I know, because I get numerous e-mails each week from people who have been cheated by bad contractors.
Finding qualified contractors for your building or remodeling projects requires some self education. A contractor may be far less qualified than you might expect, even with references, BBB checks and visits to his/her completed jobs. A building contractor or remodeling contractor can start a business with no formal technical education, but simply a self proclaimed title of expert. Know the right questions to ask about your own project to find the right, trustworthy, contractor to do your job.
Once again, thanks for your patience with respect to the creation of this webpage. The response to the talks at the Hardware Show was fantastic. The Hardware Show folks told us the attendance and feedback were off the charts. That makes me and the rest of the speakers feel great about the investment of our […]
Lot selection for a new or existing residence involves many important considerations. Lots have soil,land, building, and service features of critical import you need to examine. There are 25 tips total presented in a 3-part summary. This is Part I - with the first 8 pointers to make your lot selection a smart one.
Now that your floor deck is squared away, more bones of the structure can take shape. Centering the support base is easier, now that you have the porch outline complete! Next are tips for deck construction, wall choices, and advisories for wood selection and installation of posts for support of your screen porch.
If the low voltage landscape lighting "bug" has caught you, there are several excellent resources available. Outdoor lighting, decorative design, and installation are covered. The exterior lighting of your imagination can be brought to light with these helpful books, pamphlets, and guides.
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