If you already think a remodeling contractor is entitled to an item titled “Markup and Profit” in the bid, you can skip this post. But if you cringe at this concept, and try to negotiate markup and profit out of the bid, keep reading. As far as I can tell, there are three major types…
So you’re doing some remodeling and it occurs to you that, hey, you can hang the drywall yourself and save some money. How hard could it be? You just nail some paper-covered chalk board to the studs and voila! You’re an expert. Whoa! Hold on there. I want you to hear me out. I think…
I admire the entrepreneurial spirit, and passion about one’s work, and courage. So when Steve Broujos, a painting contractor and educator in Wilmington, Del., asked if I’d like to see his new book, I thought: Why not? The title is not exactly dynamic: “The Homeowner’s Guide to Surface Preparation for Interior House Painting.” But I’ll tell…
How did it take the the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission up to 35 years to figure out nearly 1 million books had faulty wiring instructions? I'd love to know the story behind this: Name of Product: Home Improvement Books Units: About 951,000 Publisher: Oxmoor House, Inc., of Birmingham, Ala. Hazard: The books contain errors…
If you're the type of woman who owns a full set of home fix-up tools and knows how to use them, and uses them, move along. This book report doesn't involve you. But, if you're like me, and the biggest tool in your set is your husband, boyfriend, father or handyman, and you want more…
UPDATE: We have a winner! Congratulations to Jose, whose name was chosen at random from all who entered. Check back at the end of August for another chance to win. This month's giveaway is an excellent book titled Backyards: A Sunset Design Guide, which I reviewed here. To enter, you must do two things: 1.…
For the past few months, I've been lucky enough to live in a house with amazing landscaping — lawns, flowering shrubs, ferns, graceful trees, fencing, a multi-level deck. But the most amazing element is an enormous screened gazebo (seen here) next to a waterfall and a pond. There is a bridge going from the deck…
I think of contractors like orchestral conductors. The symphony members (subcontractors) are each experts in playing their instruments (hanging drywall, laying tile). Still, for all their talents, these musicians or subcontractors need a conductor, a leader, someone holding the baton, to coordinate the whole effort into a beautiful symphony, or into your new house or…
Faulty Instructions Prompt Recall of Electrical Wiring How-to-Books by The Taunton Press; Shock Hazard to Consumers WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with The Taunton Press, announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Name of Product: Wiring a House,…
UPDATE: We have a winner! I picked the number “3″ out of my hat, amd J Steele of Black Diamond Builders in Lake Forest was the third commenter. Check out Black Diamond Builder’s website here. Thanks to all who entered. I also love to win stuff! And check back here on this blog at the…