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Construction & Contractors/Questions Answered by Expert Joe Turner
| Subject | Date Asked |
| basement floor | 3/21/2011 |
| Q: I bought a home in july 2010. Just recently used downstairs shower and flooded floor. home waranty ... A: The previous owner(s) sold you a dysfunctional home. Of all the basic function of a home, plumbing ... | |
| lien of waiver | 7/20/2010 |
| Q: we're having roof done due to storm damage. It is through insurance. Should we get a lien of waiver ... A: Ask your contractor for a certificate of insurance naming you as the insured/beneficiary. Any ... | |
| Building a prototype | 4/12/2010 |
| Q: Turner, I am neither a contractor, nor an architect and much less an engineer, I am an inventor. I ... A: The answer to your question depends on where you are. I live in Cass County, Texas. You could do ... | |
| Interior wall cracks | 3/19/2010 |
| Q: We purchased a new home in the Tucson area that was built on a cement slab. The slab has tension ... A: If you have no irrigation within 20 feet of the house it is unlikely that expansive soils is the ... | |
| additional info on ceiling pattern | 2/23/2010 |
| Q: some more info: I had a termite inspection a year ago and nothing was found, and the patterns very ... A: Based on what you have said in this communication, the symmetrical holes or markings representing ... | |
| Slab Leak / Floor Repair | 1/29/2010 |
| Q: Our California home is 8 years old and we recently had a hot water slab leak. The builder swooped in ... A: This is a question that involves CA law. You should consult a lawyer who specializes in construction ... | |
| Fraud? | 1/14/2010 |
| Q: We recently had a house built, and the builder shorted us in several areas, by replacing things we ... A: If your contract called out Benjamin Moore and a specific grade of their brand, that i the expected ... | |
| full thickness cracks in new driveway | 8/29/2009 |
| Q: I just had a 10,000 square foot concrete driveway poured by a reputable contractor. The driveway is ... A: Small cracks (called minor cracking but nothing is minor to a customer)can be caused by an improper ... | |
| Contractor problem | 8/13/2009 |
| Q: My contractor measured replacement windows incorrectly. He will not take them back and order the ... A: Seeing a lawyer is good advice if you have paid any money to this contractor. However, you might ... | |
| Design variation responsibility | 7/29/2009 |
| Q: Greetings from "sunny" New England. My husband and I would really appreciate your advice. We ... A: The contract contracts to build to the customer's plan. Here is what I recommend: 1. I know you have ... | |
| Design variation responsibility | 7/29/2009 |
| Q: Greetings from "sunny" New England. My husband and I would really appreciate your advice. We ... A: The focal point of this is the plans that were approved by the local authority - City or County. If ... | |
| Contractor problem | 5/18/2009 |
| Q: We built a $1,000,000 - 4,000 sq foot house that we moved into in 2002. We put Hardi- shingles on, ... A: Is the siding cementitious, fiber board, vinyl or pressed wood? The material is key to the problem. ... | |
| Contractor problem | 5/14/2009 |
| Q: We built a $1,000,000 - 4,000 sq foot house that we moved into in 2002. We put Hardi- shingles on, ... A: The original builder is responsible for workmanship and the advice he gives to you. The ... | |
| Outside Spigot. | 3/9/2009 |
| Q: I moved into a new house last April. I have 2 Spigots on the East and West wall. I have already had ... A: Outside hose bibbs will freeze if the garden hose is left connected during freezing temperatures. ... | |
| operating engineers apprentice exam | 3/1/2009 |
| Q: I have an appt. to take the entrance exam next week. I never took this exam before so I was trying ... A: Union entrance exams tend to be thorough but straightforward - no tricks and such. Ask the Local for ... | |
| Foundation cracks | 2/23/2009 |
| Q: We have a new home that we have been in for 3 3/4 years. We have noticed that under our bathroom ... A: This sounds like settlement cracks. Check with your local city building department to learn about ... | |
| new home & driveway | 1/8/2009 |
| Q: I actually have two questions. My home was poorly built, construction was started 01/07, even though ... A: I see this poor quality of workmanship all too often. Your builder is responsible for all the items ... | |
| insulating ceiling or second floor | 12/18/2008 |
| Q: I live in a condo in Indiana. My bedroom is over an completely insulated and drywalled garage but ... A: The room is not insulated. You have air leaking in the ceiling. Your remedies are: 1. Talk to your ... | |
| cracks around sink pipes in the new house floor | 12/18/2008 |
| Q: I have a question about cracks on the floor for my new house. The house is at the Central Florida ... A: Sorry for the delay in answering your follow-up question. I must have overlooked it. A crack that ... | |
| cracks around sink pipes in the new house floor | 12/17/2008 |
| Q: I have a question about cracks on the floor for my new house. The house is at the Central Florida ... A: Concrete does crack. Most cracks are the result of drying and the subsequent shrinkage. These cracks ... | |
| Insulating Cinderblocks in a Baserment | 11/30/2008 |
| Q: I recently finished out a basement but didn't frame out the cinderblocks that made the walk-out part ... A: It is likely that at this point the perlite might not completely penetrate throughout the spaces in ... | |
| construction defects/2-10 warranty | 10/18/2008 |
| Q: We live in our nearly 5 yr. old custom built home. Since year #1 we have had residual problems ... A: This is all too common. The expansive soils should have been stabilized by the builder. There are a ... | |
| Concrete slab cracks | 10/6/2008 |
| Q: My husband and I bought our home a little over 6 years ago and have been having several problems ... A: A crack in the slab that has offset - one side higher than the other - is a defect and is subject to ... | |
| New Construction -Foundation wall collapse | 9/17/2008 |
| Q: I am the homeowner and GC of this project. New 10 inch poured concrete foundation wall in July 2008, ... A: Your contractor is nuts or dishonest. He took the contract to build the wall to code - that is ... | |
| Travertine on pool deck | 8/27/2008 |
| Q: We are considering installing 2" travertine in sand over a concrete pool deck. This is in NJ. Is ... A: The only problem is the freeze/thaw cycle where you live (I am assuming northern NJ). If water gets ... | |
| moisture meter reading before drywall | 8/6/2008 |
| Q: We are building our own home. We are getting ready to install the drywall. The lumber inside our ... A: Depending on where your new home is located, you are just fine with an 8 or a ten. Much modern ... | |
| sump pit | 7/21/2008 |
| Q: We own a home built in 2004 and just now got water in the finished basement. After having a city ... A: If the buildeerr was the general contractor, the builder is responsible. The trades such as plumbing ... | |
| wet walls after rain | 7/21/2008 |
| Q: we are in dire need of an answer to our question. We recently moved into a condo on the 3rd floor of ... A: It is likely that your windows were installed incorrectly. A variety of mistakes might have been ... | |
| Offset slab cracks and moisture seepage | 7/18/2008 |
| Q: House built in central FL ( dry area, and concrete block) and finished in June 2006. Had lots of ... A: I usually begin consults such as this with: Based on the information that you provided. There are ... | |
| building a home | 7/15/2008 |
| Q: .If I negotiated a price for a turn-key home,should I then be expected to pay for things like ... A: The answer to your questions lie in the contract you have with the builder. Chances are, if it is ... | |
| water dripping from the ceiling due to winter storm | 7/8/2008 |
| Q: We moved in to our new house last Nov '08 and we had a bad winter storm last january or february and ... A: Lita, It is very likely that your builder is correct. Building codes and other standards do not ... | |
| New Home cracks | 6/10/2008 |
| Q: I have been in my new home since end of Feb. 2008. I had this house built and it is on a concrete ... A: First we must make a distinction between spider-web cracks and real cracks. The first are small ... | |
| New Home Construction - Different From Model | 5/28/2008 |
| Q: I'm having a house built through Taylor Morrison and as it's been built there have been flaws along ... A: Production homes can and do vary from model homes. Models are designed to demonstrate different ... | |
| water in sump hole | 3/19/2008 |
| Q: I had a new house built in August 2007 and there is water coming up into the sump hole in the ... A: This is a difficult question. I think the builder is correct under normal conditions but if you are ... | |
| Drywall Cracks | 3/19/2008 |
| Q: My wife and I are looking to purchased a foreclosed house that has been winterized in the northern ... A: If the house is true - all walls are plumb with the ceilings and floors, the basic structure is ... | |
| driveway | 3/3/2008 |
| Q: i hada concrete driveway put in last september . i sealed it with a sealant cure after 4 weeks .i ... A: Here are the possibilities: 1. The sealant was put on before the concrete was thoroughly dry. I ... | |
| spackling | 2/18/2008 |
| Q: Joe I think you can help me. I am trying to fix cracks in my wall that are due to settling and ... A: Good question. The best method of filling in cracks is to put down the first coat with the goal of ... | |
| Cracking Walls | 2/8/2008 |
| Q: I have a massive crack that stretches from ceiling to floor in my living room. I have only been in ... A: This is typical of older homes. At least I think it is. You did not define 'massive'. If the crack ... | |
| Hardwood Floors | 1/14/2008 |
| Q: My brother and Dad and myself recently built a house as owner builders. During the course of ... A: Competent flooring installers will check for several things: level floor, no movement of the slab, ... | |
| Concrete Driveway | 12/26/2007 |
| Q: My house is only 3 months old. The soil under my concrete driveway has sunk about 8 inches away from ... A: The driveway was improperly installed. It will break if you use it because while concrete is great ... | |
| lost ring in bathtub drain | 10/19/2007 |
| Q: My niece lost her ring in the bathtub drain. She lives in a first floor apartment without a ... A: This is a job for a plumber who knows this kind of work. Call around and find one who says this can ... | |
| Brick Mailboxs | 9/30/2007 |
| Q: I am about to build my mailbox. However, Most of the mailboxs that i have seen so far are to small ... A: There is noting that requires you to use an actual mailbox. You can construct a mail receptacle with ... | |
| build a deck | 9/14/2007 |
| Q: I am currently building a deck for Jen whom is currently a lawyer. Jen has not paid me for the past ... A: There were several mistakes in this case. First, never accept a job without a firm agreement, plans ... | |
| Contractors Contract | 9/7/2007 |
| Q: I signed a contract for an addition to my house. The addition is converting a bedroom into a family ... A: This is common. I expect the contractor is using your time to complete another job for which the ... | |
| Adding an addition to out-of-level foundation | 9/2/2007 |
| Q: I'm adding a 16' x 16' three-season porch to the back of my one-story house. The new porch has a ... A: You might consult with others as this is a very unusual problem. My thought is to hang the ledger ... | |
| venting garage for hot air escape | 8/29/2007 |
| Q: My garage gets hot here in phoenix and i was wondering how to cut vents to help the air out? Also ... A: This is definitely not a job for someone who is not an expert. It will involve splicing into and ... | |
| Heating unit needing repair? | 8/22/2007 |
| Q: I have a heating unit that was placed about 12" in front of the fuse box so that you have to reach ... A: These issues could be of concern. I recommend that you remove yourself from the debate between the ... | |
| client issue | 8/10/2007 |
| Q: my husband and I running small construction business. Our last client ( a lawyer) requested from us ... A: This is fairly common. but you are correct. You were hired to do a job for a price. The details of ... | |
| converting room | 7/9/2007 |
| Q: we have lived in our home for almost 6 yrs now, it is a new built home that we are growing out of, ... A: This is not a DIY project. Homes are engineered to withstand certain loads. If you build out the ... | |
| New Construction | 6/27/2007 |
| Q: My friend just recently purchased a new home in Bolivia NC. In the contract, the builder was suppose ... A: This is way too common. I feel for your friend. Write a letter to the contractor, with copies to: ... | |
| new self painter | 2/28/2007 |
| Q: Is their a average hourly wage for painting inside and outside of houses and small business with a ... A: I think the hourly wage differs in every area and according to the job. I hired a painter for our ... | |
| Stamped Concrete Patio | 1/20/2007 |
| Q: We have a 5 year old home with a black stamped concrete patio (1000SF). I have sealed it every year. ... A: I think you have too many variables and possible causes to handle this unless you have a thorough ... | |
| STUDS | 11/16/2006 |
| Q: I have a few questions regarding wall studs as follows for some research I am doing and I was ... A: The vertical lumber in the walls is called studs. Usually, they are made of 2"x4" structural lumber. ... | |
| When do you pay? | 10/22/2006 |
| Q: Joe: We've hired a professional contractor to construct an addition and we purchased materials ... A: Contractors get paid upon completion. In most states that is defined as not only doing the work but ... | |
| stamped concrete patio | 8/20/2006 |
| Q: We had a stamped concrete patio poured. The base color came out at least 10 shades lighter than we ... A: This is the nature of concrete. You can become concered if the cracks exceed about 3/16 of an inch ... | |
| Incomplete Construction | 8/12/2006 |
| Q: We have a punch list of approximately 25 items. We can't get the builder to finish the job. We have ... A: Any builder who closes a home with open items is not very professional. Withhold the payment until ... | |
| Moisture in the basement | 8/9/2006 |
| Q: I am writing to you regarding moisture in the basement of a new home that we are contemplating ... A: The builder is probably correct but, in your place, I would not buy the home. A wet basement is a ... | |
| plumbing in new home | 8/6/2006 |
| Q: we've been in new home 3 mts. with continual plumbing problems. shower back-up, toilets ... A: I suspect the sewer line to the main either has a "belly" in it or a bad joint. A belly is a dip ... | |
| stamp concrete | 7/7/2006 |
| Q: the project is 1700 square foot of stamped concrete patio. This contractor advertises himself as ... A: Get another contractor to take a look and give you a report. Armed with two reports from licensed ... | |
| Flooring contractor problems | 2/25/2006 |
| Q: I hired a licensed flooring guy to replace my carpet with wood(1000 sq ft), I give him 1/2 down. ... A: I doubt if he will take you to court. That is a threat that is made too often. In California, the ... | |
| Basement concrete & Water under windows | 8/30/2004 |
| Q: We are currently having a house built. We have noticed a few cracks already forming in our basement ... A: I recommend that you examine the cracks or ask someone who is knowledgeable to do so. The standard ... | |
| Pool Contractor Problem | 5/21/2004 |
| Q: I don't know if you are the person I need to talk to, but I have hired a contractor to build an ... A: Sorry for the delay. It is likely that you have gotten about all you will get from this contractor ... | |
| new home construction | 5/17/2004 |
| Q: ------------------------- Thanks for your answer-Just to clarify though..I was fully aware that flat ... A: You are correct. The paint should fully cover the walls and contrubute to the finish of the drywall. ... | |
| new home construction | 5/17/2004 |
| Q: We bought a new home Aug. 2003. We've had many repairs done, shoddy workmanship issues.Some have ... A: Modern interior flat paint is a productive of our beloved bureacracy. The chemicals that made paint ... | |
| contractor problems | 3/7/2004 |
| Q: Three years ago I wanted to build a loft home and, knowing no others in the contracting business, I ... A: You bet you can win in court. He presents himself as a licensed professional. One of the purposes of ... | |
Construction & Contractors
Answers by Expert:
Joe Turner
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
new home Customer Service, home warranty, construciton quality, Customer Service, training, problem solving
Experience
Past/Present clients
SR Horton, Centex, US Home, Ryland, Kaufman & Broad
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