| Subject | Date Asked |
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| Contractor Estimate Bill? | 9/14/2009 |
Q: We just received a bill from a contractor we did not award the project to for over $5000 for work ...
A: and please accept my apologies, I was on vacation last week and didn't see your question until ...
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| Front porch expansion | 8/17/2009 |
Q: I currently have a small exposed concrete front porch that is approximately 3 feet high with four ...
A: The basic goal here is to tie in the new porch to the existing porch, in a way that doesnt allow for ...
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| Exterior metal door repair | 7/31/2009 |
Q: We have an exterior metal door between our sunroom and outside deck. It was installed approximately ...
A: 2 things: where is the rust/water coming from, and how to repair it. For some reason some steel ...
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| My cousin and my basement | 6/10/2009 |
Q: I have a cousin who got a bachelor degree in Construction management. He has finished our basement ...
A: Great question. I think a fair approach would be to pay him as a skilled worker, commensurate with ...
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| Contractor billing 18 months after project completed | 5/21/2009 |
Q: We had a local contractor remodel two bathrooms for us in 2007. The final invoice was paid in ...
A: Not being a lawyer, I cant tell you about the statute of limitations on completed work in your case. ...
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| Central Stringer Stairs | 4/23/2009 |
Q: The house I am building has a "post-industrial" vibe: exposed posts of reclaimed timbers with ...
A: Lets assume you have 8-9 ft total rise. I would think that twist is a big potential issue. If this ...
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| Contractor failed to Show up to work | 3/3/2009 |
Q: My contractor has failed to show up to our home for 8 days. I just found out he has been ...
A: My advice to you is as follows: Step one: hire an attorney. The various issues you have raised ...
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| insulation between floors | 12/19/2008 |
Q: I live in a condo in Indiana. My bedroom is over an completely insulated and drywalled garage but ...
A: You obviously are addressing the right issues here. As you are no doubt aware, one answer is ...
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| insulation between floors | 12/18/2008 |
Q: I live in a condo in Indiana. My bedroom is over an completely insulated and drywalled garage but ...
A: I might be able to help you but I need to ask a few questions 1.) Does your garage extend past the ...
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| slight marble crack | 11/17/2008 |
Q: I have a tiled floor that is surrounded by the standard 4 inch wide marble surround. Lately, I've ...
A: There is a technique you can try to fill the crack. If it doesnt work, the piece could be replaced. ...
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| faux stone over marble | 11/10/2008 |
Q: Can u put faux stone directly on marble, or do you have to take off the marble? this is on a ...
A: This should work without a problem, assuming that the marble is properly adhered to whatever is ...
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| How long after a project is finished can the contractor bill us? | 10/12/2008 |
Q: We had a addition completed to our home several months ago. The last invoice we paid was in March, ...
A: just following up and I wondered how things are going closing out your project? Thanks, Jim Hi I ...
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| bathroom window | 9/28/2008 |
Q: I want to cover over the bath room window with the surround in the shower. but not take it out. It ...
A: Its funny, this is the first project I ever handled many years ago and I did a terrible job. Let me ...
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| bait and switch bid by plumber | 9/23/2008 |
Q: We hired a plumber to do the finish plumbing in an unfinished basement. It was all roughed in by the ...
A: First let me stress that I am not a lawyer and my opinion is strictly based on my very limited ...
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| verbal contract | 9/21/2008 |
Q: I had a verbal contact to stain concrete floors for a friend. I was only charging $1500. She ...
A: I would suggest that you talk with someone you both trust to act as an impartial party and to try to ...
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| Taking out window and boarding up hole | 9/8/2008 |
Q: I have a bathroom window that is approx. 6 feet wide and 5 feet tall. I would like to take the ...
A: This is not too hard of a project. I am making the assumption that you have a wood frame house with ...
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| Billing after the job is completed | 9/3/2008 |
Q: We hired a contractor to do a new roof, siding, all new windows and to demolish our old front porch ...
A: These kinds of problems can be very upsetting and are easily avoided if the contractor takes the ...
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| Leaking Door | 8/8/2008 |
Q: Jim, I have a problem with my back door leaking. I noticed the problem when my hardwood floors began ...
A: I am assuming your door is a swing type door vs a sliding door. To answer your question about ...
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| Metal clad door repair | 7/10/2008 |
Q: Jim, we have an exterior metal clad door that shows some rotting in the bottom of the door where the ...
A: I would suggest taking the door out of the frame, cleaning out all the rotted wood, and then ...
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| marble tile | 7/9/2008 |
Q: Lyon, I recently bought some marble tile from a home improvement center in my area and this tile was ...
A: There are many different types of marble and some are more fragile than others. Probably much more ...
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| Metal clad door repair | 7/7/2008 |
Q: Jim, we have an exterior metal clad door that shows some rotting in the bottom of the door where the ...
A: Let me ask you a question before I decide how to proceed- how is the weatherstrip attached to the ...
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