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The sheer number and variety of estimating programs make it difficult to find a good fit at the right price. This overview of ten representative packages will help you pick the features you need at a price you can afford.
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Construction standards, structural troubleshooting, kitchen and bath design guide, safety handbook, bar-chart scheduling, tool sharpening primer
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For complex roof framing, calculators are starting to take the place of framing square tables or trig. A veteran California framer shows how to make a complete hip-rafter cut list using the Construction Master foot-inch calculator.
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Spec remodeler Larry Dworin tells how he chooses, restores, and markets “fixer-uppers” that provide him with a steady income and a high return on investment.
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Q: Is it necessary to put housewrap behind vinyl siding on new construction?
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Many older homes are out of level from rotted sills or settled pilings. A restoration specialist explains the tools and techniques he uses to lift the building out of the ground and provide a firm foundation before renovating the finishes.
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A West Coast builder tells how he used structural steel and engineered lumber to strengthen a two-bay garage beneath a master bedroom addition.
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Framing-only subcontracts
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Q: Our local energy utility recommends framing exterior walls with a single top plate to cut down thermal conduction. We follow the CABO code when we do this, making sure we line up trusses and/or joists directly over the studs. We splice the top plate joints with Simpson TP37 straps for 2x4 walls...
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Getting rid of excess moisture around the foundation is key to controlling this pesky insect, but it may not always be enough. Shields and chemical treatments are still important backup measures, according to this nationally recognized entomologist and termite expert.