Remodel Crazy Forum http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/ Remodel Crazy! | A remodel forum for home owners and contractors to share their construction stories and knowledge. en Sat, 31 Jul 2010 16:53:58 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/images/ca_serenity_darkblue/misc/rss.jpg Remodel Crazy Forum http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/ what happened to CT http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5247&goto=newpost Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:30:03 GMT Anyone else notice the contractortalk site down? Anyone else notice the contractortalk site down? ]]> Construction Industry Talk NlGutters http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5247 Elms Software Webinar and Questions http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5244&goto=newpost Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:09:26 GMT Thanks for attending the webinar for *Elms Estimating Software..* If you have any questions or features you would like to see in detail, post them... Thanks for attending the webinar for Elms Estimating Software..

If you have any questions or features you would like to see in detail, post them here and we will arrange it for you..


Link to the site to sign up for the Free demo:

http://www.elmssoftware.com/



- ]]> Construction Industry Talk EIEIO http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5244 Remodel Crazy and Tribal Ways. http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5243&goto=newpost Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:10:08 GMT Tribal lure and traditions are ingrained in our collective psyche. By The Paul The Internet Tribes are here! I’m no tribal expert, not an anthropologist, not an expert at anything, But I’m interested in everything and I belong to ...

More... ]]> Remodel - Construction Industry Articles Len http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5243 Damper for range hood vent http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5241&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:00:08 GMT I asked this question on 'that other forum' and was basically told that if I didn't have the answer to the question, I shouldn't ask it. :censored: So here goes:

I have noticed that I get a downdraft of cold air in the winter through my range hood vent and hot air infiltrates during the summer causing condensation under the hood. I have just the standard roof vent for this, 8". Roof pitch is a 4:12. Is there some kind of dampered vent that I could install to stop this from happening? Any other ways to stop this?

Geez, a real contractor-type question here, guys. Help me out. I slice of bacon to all who help. Thanks. ]]> Construction Industry Talk Mike(VA) http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5241 Remember the Movie TRON? http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5240&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:53:00 GMT If you do and you liked it your going to love this one. http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/disney/tronlegacy/ If you do and you liked it your going to love this one.

http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/disney/tronlegacy/ ]]> Crazy Talk Greg from K/W http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5240 <![CDATA[It's not really a turtle.. until the turtle is wrapped in bacon!!! (caution, graphic)]]> http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5237&goto=newpost Thu, 29 Jul 2010 04:59:24 GMT Image: http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z117/mach1run/turtleburger.jpg Image: http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z117/mach1run/turtleburger.jpg...




It's not a bbq until the turtles have been served.

Here's a new twist on how to serve burgers and if you don't cook, give this handy little guide to someone that does and request them.

Handmade ground beef patties, topped with sharp cheddar cheese, wrapped in a bacon weave, then the next step, add hotdogs as the heads, legs with slits for toes and tail.

Next step. Place on an oven rack, covered loosely with foil and baked for
20-30 minutes at 400 degrees. A little crispy, not too crunchy...just how a turtle should be, no? ]]> Crazy Talk nEighter http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5237 Got U-Verse? http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5226&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Jul 2010 01:20:32 GMT I'm trying to figure out what wire
and from where, for a U-Verse TV
add on.
They want a TV room on the second floor
and I don't know if the wire (CAT-5 ?)
comes from the phone entrance box,
or the modem/gizmo-doodle that the
current TV is hooked up to.
Anyone know? ]]> Construction Industry Talk neolitic http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5226 Should you start a Design-Then-Build company? http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5225&goto=newpost Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:58:51 GMT *Design-Build: Are You Ready To Take It On? by Randall Soules* *Should you start a Design-Then-Build company?* Do you want to get to the... Design-Build: Are You Ready To Take It On?

by Randall Soules

Should you start a Design-Then-Build company?

Do you want to get to the next level in remodeling and add design work to your credentials? Have you been missing bigger jobs because you don’t offer design? If so, you might want to consider becoming a Design-Then-Build company. If you are considering this, take a look at some of the advantages, differences and obstacles you’ll have to overcome to be a real Design-Then-Build company.

What is a Design-Then-Build company?

In its simplest form, a Design-Then-Build company takes a customer from the very beginning of a project to the end. In other words, your company will design the project, make material selections, estimate the cost of the job, build the job, and warrant the job. This gives you complete control over the entire building process. I don’t consider a Design-Then-Build company to be an interior decorator, although many firms have interior designers on staff. The designer in our case helps create interior and/or exterior spaces that are functional, fit the client’s budget, and are compatible with the existing structure. Exterior additions should tie in nicely to the existing structure. One of your biggest compliments will be when observers tell you they can’t tell the new from the old. Of course there are times when that is not the intention, and the two structures are meant to complement each other, yet be very different in form. A good designer understands numerous styles and ages of structures and knows what to expect when remodeling them. He or she knows how to layout kitchens and baths, home theaters, living rooms, rec rooms, decks, exterior kitchens, lighting, even bath houses and pools. That’s a lot to know, but time, experience and continuing education will teach you all you need to know.

How is Design-Then-Build different from general remodeling?

General remodeling is done either with someone else’s plans, the owner’s or your sketches, or none at all. All of these should raise red flags, especially the ‘none at all’ plan. If you don’t have plans, you can’t possibly estimate a job with any sort of accuracy, nor will the customer know what they are paying for. If you go off sketches, you’ll quickly find out that there is insufficient information to deliver what the customer wants. When you use someone else’s plans, you don’t know if they are accurate or even feasible. You have to do your “homework” before accepting the plans and submitting a quote for the project.

If the plans and/or dimensions are not correct and you ignore or overlook this, it will cost you money. If the project is not even feasible, yet you accept the plans, you could get in all kinds of hot water. At the very least you’ll have a very upset customer. For these reasons, I almost always re-draw the project myself (even if they are architectural plans), because I am the one who will be responsible for building it, and for several other reasons. I need to know exactly where everything is, including what is above and below the space in question. What walls are bearing? Is there a bath above this one and if so do the walls line up. This and many more questions will be answered when you have the drawings on your computer and can examine them closely. Having the drawings on your computer allows you to analyze the project in much more detail. And when changes are needed, or you want to demonstrate a better way to build a portion of the project, you can easily show this to the customer.

Also, everyone measures differently. You know what dimensions are important to the success of your project and how you measure them. For instance, you may need not only the size of a window, but the casing to casing dimension as well. And how do you measure a door or a window? To the sash, to the inside of the casing, or at the supposed rough opening? In Design-Then-Build, this is all very important to a positive outcome. Having the drawings on your computer can also make it easier to do an estimate. Many drawing programs can give you an accurate material list, even if a roof is cut up and the foundation has multiple levels.

A Design-Then-Build company require different selling tactics.

Your company should be the first one contacted and involved in the upcoming project. Your salespeople need to understand how to sell the perceived value of the design. As in general remodeling, it helps a lot to give the probable prospect, a rough idea of the price. In Design-Then-Build, you need to be even more adept at giving a rough price, because you are asking them to invest in the drawings, design and estimate, before giving you a green light on the job. It would not be fair to tell your client that you think the job might cost $100,000 and then come in at $150,000. They will feel cheated if you do. In some cases you can’t give them a good rough price because the project is too cut up, too piecemeal, or too unusual. In this case you just have to be honest with them and explain everything as best you can. If they trust you, they will probably move ahead with the design.


Link To Full article ]]> Designers Corner EIEIO http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5225 Spray foam Insulation http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5224&goto=newpost Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:49:34 GMT I just got through looking at a train wreck post on CT of a spray foam insulation job gone bad.. I have racked my brain after having it installed... I just got through looking at a train wreck post on CT of a spray foam insulation job gone bad..

I have racked my brain after having it installed on one project, having to remove or cut it out to work on a few projects and I just can't think of one benefit of using the stuff..

I just don't see enough of a benefit to using it, any way I look at it. ]]> EIEIO http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5224 RRP tool Kit http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5223&goto=newpost Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:16:46 GMT If your looking for RRP tools this site may have what you need.. http://www.leadprotools.com/ If your looking for RRP tools this site may have what you need..

http://www.leadprotools.com/ ]]> Construction Industry Talk EIEIO http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5223 Unknown owner ? http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5222&goto=newpost Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:22:53 GMT Has anyone ever dealt with a portion of property where the owner was unknown? I want to buy a property that is within city limits and comprises... Has anyone ever dealt with a portion of property where the owner was unknown? I want to buy a property that is within city limits and comprises about 4.5 acres of lots. The problem is that there is a 60' x 180' lot that has no known owner. It splits the property in two. At the city map office, I was told that I could not lay claim to that property, but at the same time I was informed that they would love to find the owner so that property taxes would be paid. Is there a way in the legal process that I could have the property declared vacant, or at least sold at tax auction, so that I could get my hands on it? It seems ludicrous that the city would allow a lot to exist w/o selling it at auction for non-payment of prop. taxes.

*sorry about the title. I guess I can't fix grammar mistakes in the title of the thread. ]]> Construction Industry Talk ParamountPaint http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5222 The Housing Market Is Ugly EVERYWHERE http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5221&goto=newpost Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:05:28 GMT "Today, the Case-Shiller Home Price Index numbers were released and Las Vegas was the only city that showed a decline in values, falling 0.5%.

But that exclusivity belies the reality that many markets across the U.S. are not performing well. Charlotte continues to not show an improving year-over-year trend, according to Deutsche Bank. That could be a result of layoffs from two of the city's biggest employers, Wachovia and Bank of America.

But many other U.S. cities are also not experiencing the growth they'd hope for, with Detroit a notable depressing site. "
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Home prices.jpg (31.4 KB)
]]> Construction Industry Talk afkama http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5221 California Lawsuits Against Makers of Lead Based Paint http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5216&goto=newpost Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:16:39 GMT http://sfappeal.com/alley/2010/07/lawsuit-claiming-lead-paint-manufacturers-knew-of-health-dangers-moves-forward.php http://sfappeal.com/alley/2010/07/la...es-forward.php ]]> EPA - OSHA and Safety ChrWright http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5216 Meet Stacey Quinn / 1st Trust construction loan expert. http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5215&goto=newpost Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:10:28 GMT Minneapolis loans and who’s who in lending. Stacey Quinn wears many hats, including being past president and chairwoman of Mpls NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry). Now days this energetic and positively confident mover and ...

More... ]]> Remodel - Construction Industry Articles Len http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5215 Stud Finder http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5213&goto=newpost Tue, 27 Jul 2010 04:27:25 GMT Anyone ever found a stud finder that actually works reliably? I'm using some POS that seems to alert on everything from insulation to rat poop. ]]> Tools, Equipment and Technology Bodger http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5213