Past Questions

Question: I Need to Bid out New Construction. How should I measure?

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Question: I Need to Bid out New Construction. How should I measure?
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Question from Angela:

How do I Measure Exterior Square Footage for Billing Purpose?

Getting an accurate measurement of a new or existing home is very important…

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Question: Replacing and Repairing Dry Rot Damaged Rim Joist

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Question: Replacing and Repairing Dry Rot Damaged Rim Joist
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I have some sections of rim joists that need replacing and repairing at my home. The sill plate appears to be fine in all locations.

James is here with his Question:
Can a 4-foot section of rotten rim joist be fixed by simply using blocks?

And, if I need to contact a contractor, how much do jobs like this usually cost?

Let me ask you a couple of questions first… You say you have the rim plate. You’re talking about the top, flat-area of the top of the wall…

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Question: Sealing to Protect Granite and Quartz Countertops

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Question: Sealing to Protect Granite and Quartz Countertops
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I have a Quartz countertop installed in a bathroom. It is a solid surface product, so I was not expecting an unfinished underside, much like granite.
 
This is the Question:
Can you explain why the underside would be finished this way?

Is there anything I could do to clean Granite and Quartz to prevent dust & dirt from getting onto it?

When you have a countertop installed, the underside is unfinished. The upside, the top side is buffed out and polished and it looks just so beautiful. But not on the underside, where the edge is.

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Question: What is involved in Building on a Vacant Lot?

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Question: What is involved in Building on a Vacant Lot?
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There is a lot that we are considering for purchase. It is between many houses and down a private road. It does not have utilities.
 
This is the Question:
How much extra can I expect in permits, planning, and contracting to install water, power, and sewer?

To help answer that question, I’ve brought on Nicole Anderson from the Anderson Group at Coldwell Banker.

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Question: How much weight can I hang from my Rafters?

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Question: How much weight can I hang from my Rafters?
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This is the Question from Leslie:
 
I’m looking to build a climbing wall in my garage. Basically an 8ft wide x 12ft tall wall, slanted at a 45-degree angle. I need to anchor the top part of the wall to something, like the rafters.

Is this a good idea?
How much extra weight can I hang off the rafters?
If not, what would be a good way to do so?

One thought Leslie has is adding a 2′ x 6′ beam to join the two or three rafters off the roofline, and then anchoring the top of her wall to the top rafters.

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Question: Where do we start our Building Plans for a remodel?

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Question: Where do we start our Building Plans for a remodel?
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Question from Robin:

“I have a large family of 10 people. We are looking into building a house. Who do we contact to have house plans created into a site plan?”

Okay. This is a good question because this starts with preparation.

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Question: Installing Home Siding in the Heavy Rain

Question from Tom

We understand the materials on this home siding job will be wet on both sides when attached.
Is it ok to start a moisture wrap and vinyl siding job when its pouring rain?

So, this is an interesting question…

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Question: Best Quality Paint for High Traffic Areas

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Question: Best Quality Paint for High Traffic Areas
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Question from Mimi:
 
We installed factory painted doors that have one panel with an embedded trim of molding around the panel. Since the molding protrudes, it has become very scratched up and chipped. I understand how to fill the chips, but I want to paint the moldings with the strongest paint to endure the wear and tear it may get.
 
The doors are painted with a glossy matte.
 
This is the Question:
 
Which paint type would you suggest that has the finest look and the strongest effect?

Guess what? I’m hanging out at Home Depot today and they have a lot of quality paint types to choose from, so let’s figure this out for Mimi. In fact, Home Depot my favorite place in the world even if I’m not stocking up for a project. I come over here and I get great ideas.

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Question: Tile Installation, which Tile Board is best?

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Question: Tile Installation, which Tile Board is best?
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Question from Jon

The contractor doing my bathroom renovation has used gold bond Purple XP (a water-resistant drywall) as a backer for the tile in my shower.


This is the Question:
 
Is this an accepted practice or should I be concerned?

To help answer this question we’re bringing on ATC contractor, Paul Reeves with Reeves Construction.

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Question: Framing Wood is Split. Should we use them?

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Question: Framing Wood is Split. Should we use them?
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Question from Pam
 
The framers are using wood with cracks and frays. They told me that’s normal for the wood.
 
This is the Question:

Should I require the work to be undone to replace this wood?

To give you a little background. Pam’s having her home framed. This is rough framing. Her contractor is using two-by-fours, headers, all that fun stuff.

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