A finish carpentry specialist describes a fast and accurate method for marking, cutting, and pre-assembling door casings — without ever pulling out a tape measure.
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On-the-ground layout and efficient use of a crane enable these Rhode Island builders to place, brace, and sheathe a truss roof in one day.
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A West Coast contractor puts coil siding nailers through their paces on the job site and reports on the results.
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Tax time is just around the corner. These reminders from a construction CPA will help you organize your year-end paperwork so you’re not caught off guard when April 15th rolls around.
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An hvac contractor explains how to size, select, and install furnaces and ductwork to ensure quiet, efficient, and even heating.
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A California remodeler specializing in bathroom renovations shares his secrets for producing a complete bath-room makeover in less than a week.
If you have problems tracking change orders, you’re probably not getting paid for a lot of extra work. A production manager for a successful California remodeler tells how her company handles change orders, from setting client expectations to creating a complete paper trail.
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We’ve fielded a lot of questions from builders who use housewrap air barriers, but wonder how these new mate-ials compare with felt paper when it comes to keeping water out of the walls. An expert in wood technology draws on his own research to explain how the properties of housewraps and felt...
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When it comes to new tools — whether cordless, pneumatic, or good ol’ hand tools — there’s no place like the National Hardware Show in Chicago. Here’s what the major manufacturers unveiled this year.
A veteran plumbing contractor points out the advantages of using a gas water heater instead of a boiler for a hydronic heating system.
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Defect litigation has become a billion-dollar industry in Southern California, driving many contractors out of business. A defect specialist describes the most frequent errors he encounters — from structure to finishes — and tells how to prevent them.
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Rigid foam insulation used below grade provides hidden pathways for termites and carpenter ants, and makes it impossible to chemically treat the foundation. We examine the problem, the costs, and possible solutions.
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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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Three tool makers have introduced new portable table saws with wider rip capacities, more accurate adjustments, and other new features. Here’s a side-by-side comparison.
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Does your office look like a tornado just blew through it? This simple method improves efficiency by putting everything where it belongs.
Like most claddings, stucco is not watertight unless it’s properly flashed. A stucco contractor explains how to detail openings, penetrations, and terminations to keep the water out.
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A deck specialist explains the details that make his work stand apart from the competition.
There’s a concrete anchor for every task, from light-duty applications to heavy structural demands, but selecting the right one can be daunting. We pick through the pile of available fasteners and tell which ones should be used for your particular jobs.
If you finish your own drywall on small jobs, these innovative corner tapes could make life a lot easier. Here’s a hands-on evaluation from the job site.
Hardwood floors can perform well over radiant heat, but it takes careful hvac design, good job-site moisture control, and careful coordination between the heating sub and the flooring contractor. Here’s what you need to know.
Water leaking through poorly installed flashing and wall penetrations has proved the downfall of many EIFS jobs. A North Carolina plasterer explains how he replaces failed EIFS cladding with a two-coat stucco system specifically designed to prevent moisture damage.
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Putting clear, consistent policies in writing will benefit both productivity and morale. The owner of a successful remodeling company tells how to go about it.
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A construction accounting specialist shows how to generate detailed job-cost reports by using Quickbooks like a powerful electronic checkbook.
An electrician discusses several options for safe, economical temporary job-site power, and tells how to size extension cords so you don’t burn up your power tools.
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Should you buy aluminum, fiberglass, or wood? What size? And what do those ratings mean? A scaffolding contractor answers these and other questions about ladders, and describes the most useful accessories.
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Here’s a simple method for figuring the rafter runs on a lopsided gable — where each side of the roof has a different pitch.
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Rather than shore the house and replace the bulging block foundation, this builder used plywood slip forms to pour a concrete reinforcing wall on the outside.
If you’re shopping for a laser layout tool but are confused by the variety of products on the market, this article’s for you. We compare cost and performance, and discuss whether a specific type of laser is suitable for the work you do.
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Nothing enhances a house’s appearance like properly proportioned cornice trim. Here’s how a custom builder in Vermont laid out and installed durable traditional cornices on a large custom home.
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When it comes to sales, conventional wisdom isn’t for everyone. A builder and remodeler describes the sales techniques that work for him — even when they fly in the face of “expert” advice.
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Most chimney problems stem from a few root causes, such as improperly mixed mortar and poorly constructed crowns. Unfortunately, once done, the resulting damage can be expensive to repair. A chimney expert shows how to recognize and prevent
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Residential sprinklers systems are unobtrusive and effective, but are not usually installed because of cost. One way to make them more affordable is to use plastic piping, as described in this article by a California fire marshal.
Solid surface veneers provide the look and performance of full-thickness solid surfacing at much less cost. A fabricator explains how to laminate and install a thin solid surface counter.
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From planning and layout to applying the finishes, a North Carolina general contractor describes the process of building his first house using insulated concrete forms.
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Watershed defects lawsuit hits California courts, fastest house ever built, vinyl siding overtakes wood, foam form research underway
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The best low-flow toilets, easing the labor shortage with the welfare-to-work program, new shear wall design, the Cadillac of scaffolding systems, support for women in construction
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Remodelers lobby Washington, Y2K fix for QuickBooks, EPA cracks down on lead paint, bad siding suit decided, energy code trade-offs
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Building boom woes, fiberglass batts pass air leak tests, Colorado permit fee dispute, deducting your computer
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Free business advice for builders, rigid foam banned below grade in heavy termite areas, safety liability protection for GCs proposed, deducting bad debts, photovoltaic roof shingles
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Tariffs on drilled studs may be reinstated, Arizona OSHA found liable in job-site death, becoming an expert witness, tax law on sub vs. employee
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Q: I’ve built a number of homes with staple-up radiant heat tubing under vinyl flooring in the kitchens and baths. Recently a client complained of staining in his vinyl floors. In the bathroom, long dark streaks are bleeding up through the vinyl, and in the kitchen, small dark circles about the...
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Q: I am having an electrical problem on a second-story addition I am currently building. The clients report that the lights dim periodically during the early morning hours, but that it’s not related to the refrigerator starting nor any other piece of electrical equipment in the house. I have tested...
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Q: I often hear clients complain that they like the look of their tile kitchen counters, but that it’s too hard to keep the grout lines clean. Is there any kind of grout that resists staining, or a sealer that works?
Q: What is the best way to insulate a cathedral ceiling with exposed 2x6 T&G boards above the rafters? I’m in a 6,000-degree-day climate.
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Q: I am reroofing a flat roof framed with 2x10s on a house in Tucson. The foil-faced batt insulation was installed more than 25 years ago and seems very spotty, so I’d like to replace it while the roof is stripped. Winters are mild here, but the summer heat is brutal. I use both a/c and evaporative...
Q: I am trying to put 1/2x4-inch redwood beveled siding on a wall with a 4-ft. 8-in. radius. It doesn’t seem like a very tight radius, but so far I have only gotten up three courses before a board splits out. It seems as if each piece wants to pull further from the wall at the top. I have some...
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Q: Is there anything that can be done, short of tear-out and replacement, to prevent the knotholes in pressure-treated pine decking from oozing on hot days?
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Q: Which paints are more mildew-resistant, oil-based or acrylic? How can I prevent mildew from growing on painted surfaces?
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Q: Do low-flow toilets generate enough water to carry solids through the soil pipe to the city sewage line or the septic system? With so little water being flushed, my concern is that in older homes with cast iron pipes, corrosion in the pipe may catch the solids and cause blockage.
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Q: Our rebar was delivered to the site before excavation for a stemwall foundation began. After sitting in the weather, it’s gotten quite rusty. Is this a problem?
Q: I am rehabbing an old two-story balloon-framed house with a crumbling limestone foundation. I need to jack the walls slightly to repair the foundation. The floor joists rest on a 2-by leveling plate, and the 20-foot-tall studs are face-nailed to the sides of the joist ends (see illustration)...
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Q: Is it necessary to put housewrap behind vinyl siding on new construction?
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Q: I am doing renovation in a house that was flooded. Is it necessary to replace electrical receptacles that were under water?
Q: I’ve been using wood I-joists for my floor framing. The designs have called for 1x4 crush blocking inserted between the top and the bottom 2x2 flanges and nailed directly to the OSB web. I’ve also heard of using 2x4s nailed to the face of the 2x2s, instead of being inserted between them. Which...
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Tools for cutting steel studs, specialized wire stripper, filter fabric that slows root growth, new steel shingle, safety harness for women, fabric form for concrete footings
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New spray adhesives, portable site-storage system, new star-head fasteners, color-coded ball valves, padlocks and chains for site security
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Tool belt system, tailgate step, cold weather paint, stronger felt underlayment, retrofit downlight kits
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Temporary dust curtain, plastic Romex connectors, aluminum roofing toeboards, whole-house ventilation system, quick-drying caulk, stainable vinyl windows, non-toxic PVC cement
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Hydronic zone control valve, pro-duty kneepads, prefab corner moldings, emergency generator panel
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Among the thousands of new building products introduced each year are some that help you build faster, better, and more economically. Here’s our pick of some of the best.