Whitney writes: I recently bought a home and found out that the entire lot is backfilled with cinder block, brick, tiles, asphalt, and metal, which is causing damage to the foundation. Also, a large section of land keeps washing away due to all the buried debris buried. What can I do? Steve Bliss, editor of BuildingAdvisor.com, responds: Sorry to hear about your problem. … [Read more...] about Foundation Damage from Buried Debris
BUILDING Q&As
Comparing Bids: Is the Low Bid the Best?
Louise writes: We submitted detailed plans and specs for a substantial remodel of a beach house to five builders: two "big name" builders, two midrange, and one "mom and pop," but very highly regarded, small builder. This is our first time going through this process and we (naively) assumed that we would get back five proposals that we could compare easily. Wrong! Some are … [Read more...] about Comparing Bids: Is the Low Bid the Best?
Will Modular Homes Save You Money?
Peter writes: I received a quote from a building company for a new customized, pre-fabricated home. The quote and specifications are quite complex. How can I tell if the price is reasonable and competitive with a site-built home? Steve Bliss, of BuildingAdvisor.com, responds: To find out if the bid is in the ballpark, you can compare it to similar new homes for sale in your … [Read more...] about Will Modular Homes Save You Money?
Best Treatments for Hard Water
Denise writes: We built a home in rural Oklahoma in 1996. Since we moved in, white sediment and white scale in our well water have forced us to frequently change elements in our electric hot water heater. The water also leaves white stains and sediment build-up on my dark green whirlpool tub and tends to clog the jets. One year we bought an above-ground pool and took a sample … [Read more...] about Best Treatments for Hard Water
Leakproof Window Flashing
Sally asks: What is the best way to flashing around a window? Is the flashing part of the window or the building exterior? Also, should there be a flashing above the window to divert water away? Steve Bliss of BuildingAdvisor.com, responds: Water leakage around windows is one of the biggest problems in modern home construction, but you may not notice the problems until years … [Read more...] about Leakproof Window Flashing
The Final Check and Punch List
Bud writes: Our contract is a fixed fee tied to the final cost per square foot, and it provides the builder a bonus for meeting the cost target. Should the bonus be held until the punch list is completed or paid at the final draw before punch list? Second, who typically pays for the punch list, the builder or the owner, if issues arise and the workmanship was not up to par … [Read more...] about The Final Check and Punch List
Final Cost Is Less Than Bid
Cristal writes: If the Contractor Bid $300,000 to build my house and then it ends up costing less to build the house do I still pay the $300,000 that I signed the contract for? Steve Bliss, of BuildingAdvisor.com responds: The simple answer is yes -- you'll pay the full contract amount assuming this was a standard fixed-price competitive bid. There are some situations … [Read more...] about Final Cost Is Less Than Bid
Dense-Pack vs. Exterior Foam Insulation
Aaron writes: I own a post-and-beam house built in Portland, OR, in the 1950's with no insulation. The entire house has an exposed beam ceiling that we do not want to cover up, so we plan to put rigid foam above the roof sheathing. On the walls, however, we are getting conflicting advice and strong arguments for each option -- drill-and-fill cellulose vs. exterior foam. I do … [Read more...] about Dense-Pack vs. Exterior Foam Insulation