Our Mission is to help homeowners plan and complete
successful building and remodeling projects, from start to finish.
We provide free information and resources to help you:
- Evaluate a building lot and buy it at the best price
- Develop a design that’s just right for you
- Decide what work to do yourself, what to hire out.
- Negotiate successfully with sellers, designers,
contractors, subs, and other professionals - Build a healthy, low-energy, and durable building
- Get your project built on time and on budget
- Reduce your costs.
- Reduce your risk.
- And keep your sanity!
WHO WE SERVE
Whether you are an owner/builder who wants to do it all, or plan to use the services of an architect, general contractor, subcontractors, or a construction manager (or aren’t sure which way to go), we can help make your project go more smoothly – and save money and gray hairs in the process. Who we are
GET INVOLVED
If you’ve read this far, you’re probably the kind of person that wants to play an active role in your building project, maybe designing and contracting it yourself, and maybe even swinging a hammer. It’s great to be actively involved. You’re much more likely to end up with the project you want in terms of design, cost, energy efficiency, comfort, and durability. It’s not that the other people on your building team don’t want to do a good job. But no one understands your goals, or cares as much about your project, as you.
WHERE TO BEGIN
Maybe you’ve been thinking about this project for years, or maybe you just got started yesterday. In either case, you should begin at the beginning — assessing your needs, capabilities, time constraints, and budget, and deciding what responsibilities to take on yourself and which to outsource to others.
HOW TO USE THIS SITE
The site is organized roughly in the order of a typical project, although in reality, you’ll often be jumping back and forth between sections. Your three biggest assets going forward will be knowledge, planning, and communication:
Knowledge – The more you bring to your project, the better the outcome. Learn as much as you can about design, materials, building systems, contracts and contractors, costs, and risks before proceeding. Take advantage of the vast amount of information available today on the Web and elsewhere. Without knowledge you are shooting in the dark!
Planning – The more time you spend planning, the faster, better, and cheaper your project will be — with the fewest headaches. Construction on the building site may be the most exciting phase, but the planning is the most important. Surprises on the job site always cause headaches and cost money, so don’t be surprised — plan ahead!
Communication - Remember, it’s your project. If you don’t clearly communicate your desires to all members of your building team, don’t expect things to come out the way you want. They won’t! Your contract, plans, specifications,and budget are your primary tools for communication. Learn how to use these effectively to keep everyone working together, on track, to meet your goals.
So don’t skimp on any of these. Remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Take the time necessary to learn the ropes, to formulate a good plan and realistic budget, and to communicate clearly with everyone on your team. Invest your time in good planning, the building will almost build itself.
Ask a question and we’ll get you an answer as soon possible.
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Share your experiences with others by posting a comment at the end of any article.
Hello,
Please help us, our finished basement (in-law apartment) was flooded when the incoming well water hose clamp let go (we were away Thanksgiving, out of town). We came home to over 1 foot of water. We are older/disabled, and retired on a fixed income that relies on the revenue from the apartment to pay our mortgage. The water clean up co. company is eating up all of our insurance money, and then on the re-construction end they haphazardly submitted a bid (different sub-contractor) with out even coming out to access the job accurately. My husband (ex-contractor) and I built the in-law apartment ourselves. We invested our retirement money into the apartment for extra income for the future (was a good plan that worked). We built downstairs (raised ranch) with a lot of forethought and research on the project. Our first, and most important goal was keeping it dry. We cut out an opening in the foundation (fun, fun), and installed a big sliding door facing south (sunshine, and air flow) dug out a 24×18 foot sunken patio (Beautiful native stone work) installed a sub pump, piped up through the stone steps, and out into a low area 20-30 ft away (worked) as well as each room has a full size window. We sealed, the floors, and walls with radon plus, (at the time was suggested to lay down plastic), rigid insulation and raised the floor with moisture treated 2×4′s and 3/4′ plywood. We installed 2 sub-pumps, and an automatic de-humidifier. We installed floating floors snap/lock) tile looking laminate floors through out (2 Bedroom full apartment). Every other (except the clean up guy) contractor that has came states that we have to tear everything out (floors) and start over treating (moisture barrier) properly or we are asking for trouble. I agree we built the apartment we know the procedures we had to follow to assure that all was done to the basement that could be to combat the high moisture issue. What is your position on this project? I invested plenty, and want to assure that it is restored, and not just above cosmetically, but below, where the real issue lies (as we know) If our property is just haphazardly put back together with out getting at the (below site wet, mold, moisture issues). Big dryers, and air cleaners were brought in, and a gadget to measure moisture ( his bill was so padded, and expensive), but how do we know that all is redone right (the wood, sub-floor insulation sat in water for 2 weeks) The in-law could be put back together and look beautiful, from the outside, but slowly decaying underneath. When dealing with a finished basement we are talking about a different animal I think? Please advise me my husband, now disabled is so frustrated with the shabby work estimates, and lack of knowledge of what it really takes to get the in-law space back to its original state. We put all we had into making this space right, so it would last the years. I know one thing for sure the Clean Up Company, made sure his bill was carefully itemized, and duplicated (padded) to assure he made plenty of money, and then submitted a site un seen estimate way below the cost of other builders, and I will fight for our home, and he will not be doing the re-construction, for he appears greedy and out for himself, with no regards to our future. We have lived here over 30 years, raised our children here, and have never ever put an insurance claim in before this (we do not know how the home insurance claim process goes, and feel like we are being taken advantage of it feels like the insurance co. and the Clean Up Co. our in bed together). Please advise me. I think the right thing to do is tear out, and start new, our family, and friends have agreed to help us do it ourselves (Husband can advise from his chair) Please again advise us, for we need an outside experts opinion on this. We just want our investment to be restored.
Darlene,
Sorry to hear about your situation. It’s always difficult to offer specific advice without seeing a project as every one is different. It is possible to successfully dry out a flooded basement apartment. The specific techniques will depend on the height of the water, the building materials that were wetted, the cleanliness of the water, and how long the materials remained wet. Some general principles are:
– Turn off all power to electrical or gas-fired equipment in the flooded space.
– Remove the water as quickly as possible using a submersible pump. Pump the water to where it will drain away from the structure.
– Suck up any additional water with a wet-dry vac.
– Remove wet materials up to a foot above the water level — that includes insulation, flooring, carpeting, drywall, cabinets, and other finish materials. You can usually leave framing materials.
– Dry out the area completely using fans to promote circulation, and dehumidifiers, if needed.
– If the water is clean, as in your case, you may be able to dry out and salvage some of the furnishings. However it is best to remove them and dry them out in a separate well-ventilated area.
-If mold is present, you will want to scrub it away with detergent and water and dry the surfaces completely. If mold is present in porous materials such as fabrics, acoustical tiles, and carpeting, you will probably need to throw them out unless they can be laundered or dry-cleaned (curtains, for example).
– You may wish to disinfect surfaces with bleach diluted one part bleach to four parts waters. Wear gloves, eye protection, and a suitable respirator unless you are in a well-ventilated area. Read and follow all warnings on the bleach container. After removing all visible dirt and mold, wipe the surface with the bleach solution and let it stand for about 10 minutes. Then rinse it thoroughly with clean water and dry completely.
If there is extensive mold present or if someone in the house is sensitive to mold exposure, for example, people with asthma, allergies, or compromised immune systems, then you should get professional help with assessment and remediation of the mold problem.
You can find extensive information about assessing and removing mold at http://inspectapedia.com/sickhouse/FindYourOwnMold.htm
I am in need of direction. I have a total wrap front porch, the wood is pine and definitely rotting on the outer edges,,,I need to use a product that will not rot on the outer edges. How do you attach to the exisisting porch a composite material on the edges? I do have the porch sealed every year but the weather has caused rot on the edges,,,thanks
Unfortunately, rotting of exterior wood is an increasing problem since the quality of wood has deteriorated over the years due primarily to the use of fast-growth plantation lumber. Also, many protective finishes are not as good as the old formulas, although they are safer and better for the environment.
All of which has lead to the increased use of synthetics for exterior trim. The two main product types are expanded PVC, such as AZEK, and composite decking and trim materials such as Trex.
Either can be used as trim around a porch, but you have to carefully follow installation instructions. Both types of products expand and contract much more than wood with changes in temperature, so they require special details for fastening and joints. Also, both types or materials are not as strong as wood, so generally need to go over a piece of wood to provide stiffness.
Many people leave AZEK unpainted. It is white and has a slight sheen, making it look like plastic, which it is. It will never rot but needs occasional cleaning to remove dirt and, in very moist areas, mold. It can be painted and holds paint well if done properly. A light sanding is a good idea and a primer is required. Make sure you use a paint recommended for use on vinyl.
Trex and other composites come in a wide variety of colors and textures. They were originally introduced as decking boards, but now come in board forms for trim and railings. There are many products on the market and each is a little different in its formulation. In general, they hold up well over time and tend to weather over time, looking more-or-less like weathered wood. Since most composites use wood pulp in the mix (along with plastic resins), it is possible for composites to rot in extreme cases where they are exposed to a lot of moisture and are unable to dry out. However, this is uncommon. In most cases, you just need to clean the surface occasionally to prevent mold growth. You can use a commercial deck cleaner made for composite decking or mix your own (follow the manufacturer’s instructions).
Good luck with your project!