Material ConneXion.
Database of Hazardous Building Materials. Database of hazardous building materials. What is this about? It is our belief that products that are harmful to humans, animals, and the environment should not be used in our projects, and to that end, we seek to inform our clients of available alternatives so as to permit them to make informed decisions.
The substances listed all have been classified by multiple regulatory entities as being detrimental to the health of humans and the environment. These lists are evolving documents that will be updated as new relevant data emerges. Rather than use products which contain these substances, we will seek out alternatives, in keeping with the precautionary principle, in an effort to be responsive to reported health effects, and thereby to protect our health and the health of future generations too. These lists are compilations of available data, and are not an endorsement of any of the referenced studies, articles, or data. DiggersList.com: The Home Improvement Classifieds.
How to Soundproof a Bedroom using Green Glue & Double Sheetrock. April 19th, 2011 in Blogs Video Length: 10:49 Produced by: Matt Risinger I think that the issues of noise as it relates to our homes is a topic of vital interest and nearly every project I've worked on in the last few years has done some type of special sound proofing. Every time I talk about soundproofing in my video blog it always generates interest so I think we'll be hearing alot about building quiet homes in the coming few years (not just media rooms either). Sound-blocking drywall I've had great success with Quietrock in past projects because it's an off the shelf project that makes soundproofing relatively simple. Just swap regular 1/2" or 5/8" sheetrock for Quietrock and you will make a huge difference in the STC rating of your wall.
A more affordable soundproofing option Regarding the cost factor, I wanted to find some alternatives to Quietrock and I found a product called Green Glue. To view this article and over a thousand more. How to Prevent Termites: Pretreat Without Harsh Chemicals. October 17th, 2011 in Blogs Video Length: 7:28 Produced by: Matt Risinger My company does about 50% of our work doing whole house remodels & 50% doing new construction builds.
Here in Austin, TX I've seen some nasty termite infestations and tons of damage. But, I must admit that if I only did new construction I might downplay the role of termite-proofing a house. In this video I'll show you how to avoid nasty chemicals in favor of a more green solution to termite protection. -Matt Risinger to view this article and over a thousand more. Cheat Sheet for SketchUp: a Quick-Start Guide for 3D Modeling. March 29th, 2011 in Blogs X-Ray Specs (as in SPECificationS) The Best Drawn Plans... Typically, working out a project design can be a cumbersome process. For traditional models, making changes can cause cardboard and duct tape waste to pile up. With plans drawn on paper, the more complex the design, the bigger the mounds of scrap paper and eraser crumbs.
For a digital model, the flotsam and jetsam from revisions is limited to bits and bytes in the recycle bin. Cheat Sheet for SketchUp Users. Any new iPod, cell phone, Blu-Ray player or other electronic device comes with a "Quick Start Guide". Quick Start Guide Page One: Viewing a 3D Model The first "page" of this video quick-start guide shows some very basic yet useful mouse operations for viewing a 3-D model. Quick Start Guide Page Two: Model Manipulation The Complete, In Depth, User's Manual for SketchUp in Seventeen Foreign Language Translations... ... is not included here. How To Use SketchUp's "Photo Match" Feature to Efficiently Design Remodeling Projects. September 7th, 2011 in Blogs SketchUp bookcase model superimposed over a digital photograph See how importing digital photos into SketchUp can jump-start the design process and aid bidding and selling your next built-in cabinet project.
If you can show your clients exactly what a built-in project will look like before you get started on construction, you have a much better chance of making them happy. With SketchUp's "photo match" feature, you can build a 3-D model right over a photo of the existing space you will be working in to show how the new work will fit in with the old. Not only will you look more professional and capable to you client, but you'll have a better chance of avoiding any costly surprises when it comes time to do the actual construction work.
Think Before you Shoot. A few things to think about before you take the photo you'll import: Consider the best vantage point when you take your digital photo. A Bit of Magic: Importing the Photo. Creating Your Built-in Model.
Bathroom. Kitchen. Garden. Cons. Reports: How to Choose a contractor. Last reviewed: June 2009 Call the Better Business Bureau or a local consumer-affairs agency for complaint histories of the contractors you're considering. One or two gripes shouldn't necessarily induce you to look elsewhere. But be wary of a contractor with more problems than that. You'll also want to check with the appropriate agency to see if the contractor is properly licensed and insured. Some states or counties as well as many large cities or townships license contractors; other jurisdictions require them to be registered. As a rule, licensing entails passing a test to measure competency, while registering involves only payment of a fee.
If a problem arises, a government agency may be able to pursue a licensed or registered contractor on your behalf. Licensing won't guarantee success, but it indicates a degree of professionalism and suggests that the contractor is committed to his or her job. Would you hire this contractor again? Do you need a general contractor?
Evaluating bids. Cons. Reports: three contractor scams. Remodeling Complaints: Consumer Reports. Last reviewed: August 2010 The economic downturn has meant an upturn in contractor quality. "As the industry has pulled back, only the best of the best in communities have survived," says Craig Smith, CEO of ServiceMagic.com, which connects consumers with contractors, architects, plumbers, and other home-service pros. But even good pros can give clients headaches, and vice versa. So we asked homeowners and contractors to tell us their troubles. Here's what they said, plus advice from our pros on how to avoid the problems: Homeowners sound off General contractors were significantly more aggravating than subcontractors such as plumbers, electricians, and painters, though not quite as annoying as the cable or satellite guy, according to a nationally representative survey of 913 homeowners conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center.
Contractors' pet peeves "Kids and pets," says Michael Hydeck, president of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Keeping the peace. Choosing a Contractor Who’ll Do the Job Right. How to Tell if a Contractor is Overcharging for Materials | DexKnows.com. A few simple tactics can prevent contractors from overcharging you By Glyn Sheridan When your contractor is on the job, he or she is buying materials and using them to construct your project.
Unfortunately, not every contractor is trustworthy and if you think you're getting overcharged for materials, you may be able to find out. The best remedy is prevention; hire a local contractor only after checking his or her references, but if the project is underway, a little sleuthing might help. What You Need to KnowContact the National Association of Homebuilders for reputable contractors in your location.How to avoid being overcharged Step 1: Ask for a detailed labor and material breakdown before paying your contractor.
Step 2: Figure in the contractor's material handling markup. Step 3: Contact the lumberyard where your contractor purchases materials and find out the price of the items your contractor is buying for your project. Step 4: Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: About the Author. Is it reasonable to ask contractor for copies of original material receipts for large dollar items? (Remodeling) It goes back to your original agreement. You state you "thought" you were paying materials plus hourly labor. What did your actual contract state? Also, what did the contract state about warranties? If the warranty is from the contractor, then you don't really need the receipts (although I understand why you would want them-contractors come and go).
If there is no warranty, then you need the receipts regardless. If there was no contract, then make sure you get a contract from here out so there is no confusion in regards to what was agreed upon. It is normal to charge a percentage above the material receipts; this covers the contractor for ordering it, hauling it, storage fees, disposal fees, cost of business, interest on material's credit line until payment, etc.
If you don't have a contract, get the receipts because that means you don't have a warranty (the contractor won't have a reason to return when he gets final payment). Good luck! Source: Home Improvements Do's/Don'ts - BBB. Before selecting a remodeling contractor, you should carefully plan your project from start to finish. For example, if your project involves a room addition, determine exactly what your needs are, how the room is to be used, and what you want the completed job to look like. It is a good idea to coordinate your color schemes and draw a simple floor plan using miniature tables and chairs to lay out the room arrangement.
Be specific in explaining to the contractor what you want, and be sure to approve any architectural plans that are involved in the remodeling job before the contractor begins the work. It is extremely important to compare costs before making a financial commitment toward any home improvement project. You should solicit at least two or three bids from prospective contractors—bids based upon the same building specifications, materials, labor, and time needed to complete the project.
Another important matter to consider before hiring a contractor deals with insurance. Tools You Really Need to Maintain Your Home. Tony Cenicola/The New York Times From left: a Dewalt cordless drill, a hammer with hickory handle, a Bosch jigsaw, a single-edge pull saw and a ratcheting multi-bit screwdriver. I have a full-time job and a similarly situated wife, four children, two dogs, one cat, various subordinate pets (fish, gecko), a tower of unread books and hobbies that purr at me when I have a free moment.
I also have a 40-year-old, 2,000-square-foot colonial-style home that creaks, leaks and breaks frequently, and because this place protects my family and welcomes my friends, I oblige. I tackle these jobs with a collection of tools that has diminished in stunning lockstep with my children’s ability to reach the toolbox. Recently, I decided to give my toolbox a makeover, and assembled what I’ll call my tool committee. They didn’t agree on everything, but there was near consensus on the major stuff. To start off, you need a hammer. A screwdriver purchase can be even more nuanced, if you let it happen.
Mr. Tips on painting your home. Painting Without Pain - The Basics. Remodeling safety. How to keep your family out of danger during a remodel Last reviewed: March 2009 Lumber, cinder blocks, dirt piles, and holes. To children, a construction site can seem like a playground—even when Mom and Dad have warned them about safety issues. These tips will help keep your family safe—and your project running smoothly. Keep children safe Home-remodeling expert Danny Lipford, owner of Lipford Construction in Mobile, Ala., knows how attractive construction areas are to young children. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) recommends designating an area away from the work site for play and toy storage.
Communication with the pros is also very important. Lipford recommends that parents introduce kids to the project foreman, especially if they are at home while parents are at work. Be sure to find out when large equipment or orders of building materials are being brought on site. Your contractors are not baby-sitters, says Everett Collier, president of NARI. Work outside. As Remodeling Rebounds, Some Caveats for the Homeowner. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images Customers at a Home Depot store in Los Angeles. Any homeowner planning a sizable renovation should hire a contractor, for efficiency and safety, insurers say. Bucks Have you had any experience with a renovation that resulted in damage to your house? A recent report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies at predicted that remodeling would rebound strongly this year after a three-year downturn. The center estimated growth of 9.1 percent for the first quarter and 12.1 percent for the second quarter.
Kermit Baker, director of the remodeling futures program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies, said that remodeling nationwide was likely to remain strong as homeowners who put off maintenance and improvement projects began to spend more freely again. But as the market for renovations picks up, it may be a good time to consider the problems that could arise — beyond the obvious ones of cost overruns and bathroom vanities that do not fit. WHY THE REBOUND? Home repairs you shouldn't ignore. Use our expert advice to stop trouble in its tracks Last reviewed: June 2009 This article is the archived version of a report that appeared in June 2009 Consumer Reports magazine. You might be tempted to put off fixing your home until the economy rebounds.
Rebuild the patio? Sure, right after your 401(k) rallies. The trouble signs are easy to spot, provided you know what to look for. 1. "If there are 10 things that can go wrong with a house, 15 of them have to do with water," says Bill Loden, a Madison, Ala., home inspector. The soil around the foundation should slope away from the house at least 1 inch per foot for 6 feet or more. 2. Roofs are the most vulnerable to water infiltration, given their exposure to the elements and the laws of gravity.
Siding is also susceptible to leaks, especially where it meets windows and doors. 3. Once termites infiltrate a home, they can bore through the structure in a few short years. 4. Even houses in arid climates aren't immune. 5. More red flags.
DIY Chatroom - DIY Home Improvement Forum. Ace Hardware learning guide. Repair or replace it?: Home improvement product repair, repair costs. You're hosting Thanksgiving but it's your range that's taking a holiday. Do you call for repair or scramble for a replacement? To help you make the right decision, as part of the Annual Product Reliability Survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, we asked 13,477 subscribers to share their experiences with 20,613 broken products.
Our repair-or-replace timelines, which draw on the experiences of all those thousands of subscribers, can help you decide. The recommendations in the timelines are based on costs for replacement and repairs and on advantages of new models. Typical repair costs and problems are from our survey; replacement costs are from market data for mainstream models. A few highlights: If your appliance is eight or more years old, usually it makes sense to buy a new one. Although most readers' appliances weren't under warranty when they broke, if your equipment still is, you'll probably need to call a factory-authorized repair shop.
CR's Take. Tools for hiring a handyman.