June House Projects: Contractor's Guide to Summer Renovations
As the temperatures rise and the days grow longer, June marks the onset of summer—a perfect time for homeowners to embark on a variety of renovation projects....
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Recent Blog Posts
In Depth: Trim & Moulding
The famous American architect Frank Lloyd Wright had a thing for trim and moulding. In his house designs, he made liberal use of overwhelming horizontal...
Kitchen Design
Most kitchen layouts start from the concept of a “work triangle” between the sink, refrigerator, and cooking surface (Figure A). For an efficient work triangle...
Beautiful Hazard: How to Design Safe, Functional and Beautiful Stairs
While on a recent trip to Dallas, I had dinner with a friend at an outdoor restaurant. One of topics we discussed was this very article on designing better...
How to Attach a Patio Roof to an Existing House
Abare, uncovered patio facing west will often feel exposed and uncomfortable, especially during sunny afternoons. That’s the case designer-builder Peter Brown...
5 Essential Summer Safety Tips for Contractors
Summer brings warmer weather and longer days, making it a busy and productive time for contractors. However, working in high temperatures and under intense sun...
Fresh Air: Rules for Good Indoor Air Quality
Poor indoor air quality is ubiquitous in the U.S., so much so that the Environmental Protection Agency considers it a chief environmental threat. An EPA Office...
Fireplace Mantel Clearances
Q: I’m working on a remodeling project where the clients want to replace a modern-style fireplace mantel with a salvaged decorative one. However, the wood...
Setting Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet installation takes place after most of the other work in a kitchen has been completed, including framing, flooring, drywall, and rough-in for plumbing,...
Estimating Shortcuts for Circular Concrete Shapes
When it comes to estimating concrete quantities, most remodelers rely on a quote from a subcontractor. But occasionally it’s easier to estimate the costs...
4 Rules for Flexible Ducts that Remodelers Need to Know
On most projects, HVAC flexible ductwork is located in designated chases that maximize the efficiency of the airflow. But the path for the final branch of the...
Is Fence Installation the Next Big Opportunity for Home Improvement?
Outdoor spaces are one of the hottest remodeling trends for 2021, but designing full-scale outdoor living rooms may be out of scope for many companies. However...
Supporting Skilled Trades
Skilled trades are essential for many businesses and provide valuable services to the community, from construction, home maintenance, and auto repair to...
Your Guide to Building Permits
One aspect of home improvement that many DIYers don’t think about is the building permit. Not getting one, however, can make the job cost way more than...
Heat Exhaustion in Construction
Summer is here and with it comes the heat. For those working in construction it means stress, exhaustion, and dehydration are all top concerns in the...
Keeping Business in the Black: Take Control of Cash Flow
If your business has unhealthy cash flow, you constantly need to delay payments—antagonizing your subs and suppliers—and you typically end up paying interest...
Best Practices for Coronavirus Safety and Prevention on the Jobsite
As the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. increases, a majority of states are mandating the closure of non-essential businesses. The construction industry is...
How to Hire a Contractor on a Budget
Sometimes, as much as you would like to do it yourself, there are things that may just be beyond your expertise or your schedule. These are the times when...
Preventing Common Callbacks
Callbacks typically result from three things: poor design, faulty construction, or the actions of a clueless homeowner. While this is true everywhere, coastal...
Independent Contractor Taxes: What You Need to Know
There are a lot of benefits that go along with being self-employed. One of which are the tax advantages. These benefits won’t happen without a little effort,...
4 Ways to Exceed Expectations
Many years ago, I began thinking about the subject of exceeding expectations. I would field phone calls from upset clients or listen to team members’...
Four Factors to Consider When Working with Minimalist Floor Plans
Many homes are now following the trend of a minimalist modern house plan. As remodelers are called more often to work in these types of homes, they should keep...
5 Ways the House Tax Reform Plan Could Affect Remodelers
The impact of legislation as comprehensive and complicated as the House tax reform bill unveiled Nov. 2 will vary dramatically depending on what kind of...
Watch the Skies
Just about everyone in home improvement hates to climb a ladder when they’re on a sales call. Enter drones. They’re not just toys anymore. Instead, drones are...
How, and Why, to Use Geometric Shapes in Your Next Project
Though geometric patterns and shapes have been used in design since antiquity, geometric shapes are trending again in home renovation. The clean lines and bold...