Other stories by Rob Corbo

• Small Garage Foundation Repair

  A mobile concrete mixer solved both budgetary and logistical problems

• After the Storm: New Jersey

  Rob Corbo, contractor and regular JLC contributor, gives a firsthand account (with photos) of the damage to his hometown of Elizabeth, New Jersey. With business receivables and revenues on hold, the next few weeks will be challenging.

• Expanding a Kitchen

  Even a small addition presents a number of structural challenges.

• Retrofitting a Steel Header

  Installing the two-piece assembly one C-channel at a time made it easier to support the masonry while opening the wall.

• Combining Two Condos

  Real estate is scarce in Hoboken, N.J., so a few years ago our client decided to double his family's living space by buying the condo next door to his own and connecting the two units.

• Framing a 16-Sided Addition

  Accuracy in laying out and building the foundation helped keep the rest of the job on track .

• Block Foundations for Small Additions

  If your crew has the skill and you own the right equipment, it may make sense to lay your own masonry foundations.

• Waterproofing A Rooftop Deck

  A kitchen bump-out provided the perfect opportunity for a small terrace off the master bedroom.

• Installing Stock Cabinets

  Turning a profit on a home-center cabinet job starts with the first site visit.

• Underpinning a Foundation

  Before adding new living space above an existing garage, make sure the footings can handle the load.