If you need getting household chores and repairs finished, you may need to hire a handyman. Before employing a handyman, you need to realize they do not all have the same skills. Many handymen can do more than just the fundamental jobs like raking leaves or trimming hedges. Minor home repair, along with improvements, like painting, are other things they can do.

It is advisable to contact more than one handyman when you need a job done. Before anything else, you have to make a list of everything you would like done, in detail. It will be surprising to uncover just one handyman capable of doing everything you want done. You will find handymen mostly do small projects or jobs that can be handled in one visit. Based on what you want, you might spend less by finding a handyman who specializes in what you need, rather than one with a wide range of skills who will charge more. When your job requires just a painter, then it will more than likely cost you more to hire someone who also has expertize in, say, tiling and woodworking.

When there are many people looking for work, it will be possible to save money if you select the one whose skills best match what you want done. You should request details about the tasks they have done in the past, and to ask them to provide references from previous customers. Often one hears people mention brazen theft, or shoddy work, amongst other things, on the subject of handymen. The higher a handyman’s track record of good work and trustworthiness, the better the work you will get done. Person to person referrals from happy customers is the best way to find a quality worker. You should hear only favorable remarks about someone you are hiring, from all the people you can talk to who have had dealings with him.

It is absolutely essential to have a written quote, giving not only the time for completion, but also the entire price. Getting just a spoken estimate may result in some unexpected costs by an unscrupulous handyman, who often add a list of extra charges. The charge needs to be clearly specified, and any circumstances under which extra costs could be incurred must be laid out in detail. It would be wise to have everything down in writing. A dependable handyman is going to be prepared to give you everything in written form. Anyone reluctant to do this, shouldn’t be hired, unless you have known them for a long time.

Ask these guys to provide proof that they have legitimate liability insurance, especially so if the job is quite a large one. With the exception of a smaller project where you may waive this requirement, you do want to know that any potential damage is covered. A valid reason for hiring a handyman is to knock over a bunch of small jobs that have accumulated over time. Make sure you are happy with the person, because he may have access to your home.

In my years in this business I have observed that the building profession tends to be resistant to new ideas and techniques. The tried and true methods seem to endure even as newer materials and techniques are developed.

One area where this is evident is in the use of OSB as a sheathing material versus the more traditional CDX plywood. Even in 2011 one will find many who refuse to use OSB for one reason or another. Most make such conclusions without really evaluating the details. It is easy to confuse OSB with the particle board that we have seen expand and deteriorate when exposed to moisture. Some question the strength of OSB.

I, too, felt that way for many years. Then one day I took a look. I want to discuss a few popular myths about OSB. But first a few definitions:

Sheathing – When we say \”sheathing\” we are talking about the action of placing a large stiff sheet of something over several framing members to tie them together. This is sometimes called a diaphragm.

Traditional plywood is a flat sheet of layered veneers of wood. Each layer has a strong direction and a weak direction based upon the grains of the wood. The layers are alternated to achieve strength in all directions. We often see the term CDX plywood. This simply indicates the quality of the finish (C and D are pretty rough) and the X indicates its for exterior use.

OSB means Oriented Strand Board. It is produced by taking many fibers of small, low diameter and relatively young and fast harvesting trees and bonding them together using thermal resin and pressure into a panel with good strength in all directions.

Myths:

Myth 1 CDX plywood is stronger than OSB. Nope. Interestingly, all testing standards and building codes consider the two materials (OSB and Plywood) as structurally equivalent.

Myth 2 OSB will expand and deteriorate like particle board. This is not true. OSB and particle are not the same at all. OSB is actually better suited for longer periods of direct exposure to rain than CDX plywood. This can be important when we get the plywood installed and are not able to cover it in time for that early summer shower.

Myth 3 Plywood is just better than OSB and its what I have always used. I would never suggest anyone changing against their own certainty however my experience is that such considerations do not stand up to evaluation. If one looks one will likely conclude that plywood is not \”better\” than OSB. Factually OSB is made from younger and smaller fibers and are actually faster to product when one includes the growth of the wood. There is great consistency in the product and it is more stable, in dimension, than plywood when exposed to moisture.

Today OSB is used in about 70% of the homes built in the U.S.. I specify it in my own designs and in my own building projects unless instructed otherwise by my client. When my client has such an opinion, I show him or her the facts but then let them make the final call.

Oh, I failed to mention, OSB can cost about half as much as plywood. This fact alone may be enough reason to make the switch from plywood to OSB.

I believe that all of us should be open to newer and better ways to build our homes and buildings. OSB is one of those methods that I readily endorse.

Imagine this: You are building a home either on your own or with the help of a general contractor. The project is finished and you take possession and move in as a happy owner of a brand new custom home.

You paid the subs and all the supplier or you have fully paid the general contractor. It was hard but you did it. But, out of the blue, one day, you receive a lien notice (a lien is a legal claim against your home for an amount stilled owed) for a some bill that was never paid. Since you know you paid everyone, you are in disbelief.

Wouldn’t this be a horrible feeling? Perhaps it would be similar to coming home to a ransacked home. The results are similarity. You check further and discover that some subcontractor or supplier, perhaps one you never even knew existed, was not paid for his or her products. Yep, you paid your people, faithfully. But they have long disappeared and left you holding the proverbial sack.

“This is not my problem”, you say. Think again. It is, legally, your problem.

The good news is that there are ways to avoid this painful situation. Here are a few suggestions (the last one most important):

If you are the owner-builder (ie. contracting your own home) make sure you know how every subcontractor (“sub”) who you hire is hiring their own labor forces and from whom they are obtaining materials. This may be tedious, but it is worth knowing. Your checking will put the sub on notice that you are watching. Find out if his workers are employees or is he sub-contracting (“subbing”) to them. If he is subbing, each sub has the legal right to lien your property if he or she is not paid. If they are not paid by the sub, they can come after you – even if you paid the person who hired them.

Owner-Builders should avoid “hand-shake” deals. Written agreements are important and these agreements should delineate what is being supplied – both labor results and materials. You should find out the suppliers’ name or names and contact these suppliers to assure that their accounts with the subcontractor are up-to-date. If the sub has no account and pays cash, this is usually not a problem.

When paying your subs or supplier, as an Owner-Builder, it is wise to get a release of lien from them. It can also be helpful to obtain a written affidavit they have paid all their bills associated with your job. While the affidavit may not be worth a lot, it can be that extra measure of written certainty that you at least believed and were assured that all bills were handled. Note that the above two points and the next one are most important.

And the last point, likely the most important, applies, whether you are the owner-builder or have a contractor who is building for you. All subs and material supplier who are not in direct contract with you are required, by law, in most states, to supply what is called a “Notice to Owner” document to you before they can place a lien on your property. This is a legal notification, sent to you by certified mail, that they are supplying materials or labor, or both, to your new home. So you should check your legal address routinely, during construction, and watch for these documents. There are certain time requirements and you should check your local state laws to determine these. Once that time has passed they can not lien your home, regardless if they were paid or not. If you get such a notice pay attention. Assure that that entity is paid before releasing funds to your contractor or sub. If he can’t do it, then double-party checks can work. You can find a way. Just remember that it is, ultimately, your legal responsibility to assure that these folks are paid.

The main thing is to know who is involved with your project; know the laws and keep your eyes open. Awareness is the key.

Enjoy the process.

My clients often wrestle with the question of whether they should build home with masonry or wood.

Masonry walls consist of concrete blocks stacked up from the slab to the full height of the wall. They are placed in beds of mortar and strengthened with embedded reinforcing steel and hollow cores full of concrete. The strength is dictated by wall thickness, height and density of reinforcement and, of course, loading conditions. Framed walls consist of wood studs usually 16″ on center with a stiff sheathing material, water proofing and some sort of siding on the outside such as stucco or siding. Let me answer a few common questions:

If I frame my home will termites be a problem?

They can be, unless controlled. Termites can be controlled by placing flashing called a “termite shield” at the bottom of the wall which blocks subterranean termites from traveling up and destroying the wall. Also the bottom plate is usually pressure treated which termites hate. These and routine maintenance in subsequent years can essentially eliminate the risk of termites. There are framed home 100′s of years old.

Isn’t a masonry wall stronger than one build with wood?

In general, a framed wall can be built with adequate strength to handle hurricane winds and other forces. A wooden wall with proper sheathing, nailed properly, is quite strong. A masonry wall is also quite strong. Its strength is a function of its thickness, its height as well as the reinforcement used.

Which is cheaper to build, framed exterior walls or masonry?

Siding for a framed home can cost more than the typical stucco finishes used over block walls. However other factors, including speed of construction, cost of materials and labor tend to make framing an overall less expensive approach.

Do framed home and masonry homes have similar insulation opportunities? Which is better?

Wood framed walls are generally insulated with batts of insulation with R values ranging 11 right into 20′s, depending upon wall thickness. It is usually easier to insulate wood walls to higher levels than that of masonry. Insulation, in masonry wall, is usually a challenge. Since blocks themselves are not good insulators. insulating them is usually in the form of radiation blocks (foil over the furring strips) or even foam insulation sheets over the wall. Sometimes walls are filled (in the cores) with insulation. None of these achieve insulation as high as that that can be achieved in a wood wall. One advantage of masonry, due to its mass, is that it will tend to even out the temperatures fluctuations through the day.

Can one get as much interior area from a masonry home as compared to a framed home?

If one uses a standard 8″ masonry block and compares it to a typical 2×4 exterior wall, one can instantly see about a 5″ different in the amount of each exterior room that is taken up by the wall. Framing does take up less room.

There are other factors to consider but looking at the above points one can see that framing offers an excellent value. We find, however, that masonry homes are quite common, especially in the South. Masonry offers an excellent product, is strong and can be beautifully crafted. However, looking at value alone, framing, if properly done, offers the better value.

When you are trying to decorate your house, installing these LED lighting will not be disappointing for you. You should consider of having these under cabinet LED lighting if you want to remove all those shadows that you see when you are in the kitchen, bar, or even your own bedroom. You can even find more use for this type of lighting in your home if you decided to have it.

This lighting fixture may come in the form of under cabinet rope lighting, puck lighting or strip lighting, thus it would be best for you to be careful and not to rush in thinking about which one to install in your house. If you are looking for elegance and beauty, then the most highly recommended for this need is the strip lights.

Puck lights, on the other hand, are ideal for bookshelves and kitchen cabinets since they provide you with good lighting. Rope lighting is by far the easiest type to install and can provide you with the same kind of illumination as with other types of under cabinet lighting.

There are probably several home improvement stores near you that can supply you with a selection of LED under cabinet lighting to choose from so you might want to check them out when you have the time. Depending on the type that you will be getting, the price may vary but don’t worry since they are quite affordable to begin with. You can also find some online where they come in kits including the instructions needed for easy installation. Choosing these under cabinet lighting kits will surely be beneficial to any homeowners out there.

Aside from LED lights used for under cabinet lighting, another popular choice is the xenon under cabinet lights. This kind of lighting can be used in your kitchen and the best part of using this one in your home today is the fact that it emits low UV and provides you with adequate lighting. This type of under cabinet lighting is also easy to install and can be done even those who consider themselves do-it-yourselfers.

There is no reason for you to stick to the traditional lighting fixtures just so you can bring proper lighting to your home. Thanks to new and improved under cabinet lighting, even the smallest recesses on your walls, cabinets and the like can be illuminated, providing you with just the right amount of lighting to make your work that more bearable.

With the number of suppliers and manufacturers out there, whether you are after LED under cabinet lighting or those that are made from xenon, you are sure to be getting the one that you need in no time at all.

It is many people’s dream to have a nice and modern deck in their houses. Whether it is as a second story deck or a brand new deck in their gardens, decks are one of my favorite “spaces” to spend some good quality time with my family. As an architect, I firmly believe that you will be better off by investing more in your common areas than in your private areas such as your bedroom.

To help you decide what material to be used for your perfect modern deck at your own house, here are the top 3 choices of materials to have for your decking needs. Let us start now!

1) 1) PT lumber or pressure treated lumber, which is the most common solutions found in the houses across the United States. It is an excellent choice for many householders or builders because it is cheap and widely available everywhere. It is also good enough to make you feel safe, since it is now treated with ACQ chemicals which are much safer than the old CCA chemicals used before.

2) Cedar and redwood: another great choice as a decking material, these wood types will offer you a comfortable feel and look that only true wood can offer you. It does, sometimes, comes with a higher price tag. Wood tends to be stronger and more resistant to decay in its core which might cost you a bit more. But if you can spend a bit more, this is definitely a good choice!

3) 3) Tropical hardwoods such as Ipe, Tigerwood and Red Tauari can also be a good choice for your modern deck materials.

Like the previous choice, it is a bit more expensive than a pressure treated lumber but it usually compares to a redwood and cedar woods. It’s definitely one of the hardest and most resistant woods that you will find and for that same reason, this is a wood type that usually uses some sort of hidden fastener on its edges.

As you can see, here you have 3 great choices for your modern deck. Additionally, you may want to consider composite and plastic decking. They are also great solutions and although I’m not very fond of their look and feel – nothing replaces a natural looking redwood – they are definitely worth looking.

The basic contractor is somebody who typically is self-employed, and typically they’re going to manage different construction projects by way of contracts with developers. For folks who’re attempting to get in this occupation will discover the state they reside in will want a license, for instance the general contractor license California, or whichever place 1 occurs to stay in.

And though there aren’t any standard educational needs, it is very recommended that you have a great combination of education along with being skilled in the marketplace. In order to increase job options, it is also advised to obtain the bachelors degree in both construction technology or management, the major purpose is that most developers favor employing individuals who possess a larger degree.

These understanding programs are like a lot of programs these as occupational safety, price estimates, management, math and different methods of development. Some other knowledge which will be taught such as hiring and scheduling and finding out about budgets, and these diplomas are useful in planning for the certification examination.

The following factor is to receive as much fingers-on experience as you quite possibly can, and most will start as a standard worker. Utilizing this method you will get useful expertise about masonry, plumbing, woodworking in addition to framing, which can aid you later on on, specifically if you intend to commence a new company.

The specifications for getting a license is heading to fluctuate from each state, though all will have an examination for licensing. Some may possibly want the applicant to have evidence that they have plenty of finances to begin a general contracting company, and many will want details concerning your past experience in the industry, like referrals from prior employers or buyers. Moreover, most are heading to demand passing a published examination on subjects that relate to construction.

Frequently, individuals who get into this location are probably to run their very own firm, and they’ll hire sub-contractors to comprehensive specialized operate. This will incorporate managing nearby plumbers, electrical engineers, craftsmen and more. Normally they will create their company by means of suggestions, and will make certain the sub-contractors that they’re controlling will complete top quality tasks on time.

You will find numerous benefits in this occupation, which contains freedom that will accompany currently being your own boss. You can be capable to decide on which employment you would like to take and may set your personal charges in line with the complexity of the challenge, collectively with labor and materials.

A type of wood that is similar to a particleboard is called medium density fiberboard or MDF. Using heat, resin, and pressure, this type of wood is made out of wood waste fibers that are glued together. The characteristics of medium density fiberboard is smooth and has uniform consistency which is why it can be used for a variety of projects. For cabinetry and molding projects, this type of wood is also ideal because it will not warp. Often used in place of particleboard, plank wood, or high density fiberboard is MDF because it produces a fine and even edge when it is sawed. MDF takes well to painting and only needs two coats and a primer in order to have an attractive finish because it has a smooth surface and it’s not like the other wood products that would need more sanding and coats of paint. You can also use this type of wood in bathrooms for cabinets or in applications that has high humidity because it doesn’t warp.

Home builders, cabinet makers and carpenters use medium density fiberboard for furniture, shelving, flooring, molding and doors. The wood is very versatile and can be used for a number of applications. It insulates sound and heat very well which is why it is often used for doors. Taken in conjunction with its smooth surface and ability to take paint well, it is an ideal material for doors.

Medium density fiberboard is also used by cabinet makers, home builders, and carpenters for making furniture, doors, shelving, flooring, and molding. This type of wood is very versatile and you can use it for several other applications. The reason why it is often used for doors is that sound and heat are well insulated. It is considered as an ideal material for doors due to its smooth surface and its ability to take paint well.

Formaldehyde is contained in resin so when you’re cutting, you need to be careful in order to reduce the amount of dust that is airborne. Try to reduce exposure to MDF whenever possible.

Scraps and other waste products is what MDF is made out of making it friendlier to the environment. These items are recycled instead of going to a land fill.

As opposed to many people?s point of view about low voltage lighting, it is a fact that they are actually not more energy efficient compared to the regular high voltage lights. To support this fact, you might want to know about why it is not efficient: these low voltage lights will waste more heat than that of the high voltage lights.

You might ask about what the real advantages are for these low voltage light fixtures, when you know that they are not efficient enough. The answer actually lies on the fact that they are smaller in size of the bulbs and have a wide array of beam spreads to be used in your designs. An example for this is the great beam spread of the MR16 light that you can modify to have yourself an excellent solution in your designing process.

Another point to be acknowledged is the size of the bulb. You may get these light fixture in smaller sizes compared to the regular higher voltage bulbs, but it is important for you to remember that these low voltage bulbs will be equipped with a transformer which converts the voltage from 127v to only 12v or similar voltage.

You must take into consideration that extra space that the transformer may need, but if you can hide it away, then the light bulb itself will be quite small making them excellent choices for task oriented lights such as the ones you may find on a kitchen or in your working desk.

The transformer is one of the major causes for much of the heat loss that low voltage lighting has. This happens due to bad manufacturing process that results in a bad conversion from a high voltage to a lower voltage bulb. Be careful because clerks and other sellers will try to convince you the other way around and, unfortunately, you can only test this by using it.

Therefore, when you are purchasing these lights, be sure to double check the transformer that goes along with them. Many designers had neglected this, resulting in troubles caused by the transformer that occur after all the installation and work is done.

Not only the transformer will usually fail before your light bulb, but it will usually be harder to reach since it is usually concealed on architect’s project. To avoid that, ensure that you are getting a high quality transformer along with your light fixture that will last as long as possible enabling you to make the most of your hard earned cash.

When designing a room or a new space in a house, you must first realize that your lighting design and solution will depend heavily on the activities that you will be performing in that particular room. That’s why that it’s always better to know beforehand what will be your room’s tasks before designing anything.

I know that sometimes this won’t be possible and you just want to cast a light on a room without knowing the exact function which that room will have. For this matter, it is recommended that you install and buy only the minimum amount of light fixtures. Just enough to get some good light going and come back to it later on.

The trouble with not being able to fully design and define what the common tasks are in that room, is that you will have a harder time in designing your lighting setup. With a good plan and definition of the activities properly made, you will have an enjoyable and easy time to adjust your lighting design for it.

1) Task Oriented Lights, are the type of lighting that you may apply when you have assigned some particular activities to be accomplished in that particular room or space. A perfect example for this is the kitchen, where you will need this type of lighting to be applied due to many activities that you will have to do in the kitchen.

Placing your light fixture above the edge of your counter is the one thing that you will need to accomplish, especially with recessed lighting. By doing this, you will have no hard shadows being cast over your sink or your cooking top as a result.

2) Accent Oriented Lights, are used mostly in the living rooms or any open areas. This type of lighting is used when you have some particular objects that you want to highlight, such as the fancy painting you bought earlier or a nice, texturized wall on your living room.

“A wall?” you might ask and yes, a wall. You can have an absolute fantastic effect if you cast hard shadows on a wall that has a nice texture to it. Not only it will amplify its effect, but it will also give you a nice resting point for your eyes. Use this to your advantage especially if you are refurbishing or remodeling a new house that does not have many fancy objects in it yet.