Block Foundations for Small Additions
If your crew has the skill and you own the right equipment, laying your own masonry foundations can make your company more profitable. Read more
Bracing a House With Steel
A coastal home with glass walls and cantilevered overhangs calls for a wind-resisting steel moment frame. Read more
Cricket Retrofit
John Carroll explains how to build and flash a cricket, or diverter, for a downslope chimney to fix a common leak. Read more
Small construction companies are relying on diverse strengths to survive in a dismal economic climate. Read more
Raising rafter ties; computer help; venting reminder; more Read more
Q&A
Fix for Peeling Stucco
The painted finish on my client's recently purchased stucco house is blistering and peeling, and it's obvious that the traditional three-coat stucco underneath has been patched on several previous occasions (see photo, below). The stucco is applied over wood framing, but as is common in older houses, there is no weep screed; the stucco continues right past the bottom plate to the ground. What is causing the problem, and what's the best way to fix it? Read more
Q&A
Clearances for Outdoor Cookers
Can an outdoor gas grille be placed under a protective overhang created by extending the existing roof? Read more
Business
Track Your Business With a Dashboard
Even companies with good systems can get into trouble if they don’t manage their growth. To avoid this fate, Jim Kabel created a “dashboard” — a set of fundamental numbers that shows the monthly trends in their sales and production pipeline: leads, close rates, job profits, and customer satisfaction. Read more
Legal
When the Customer Won't Pay
It’s a waste of time to keep sending invoices to a non-paying client, but what’s the alternative? Mediation? Arbitration? Or should you just sue the person? Read more