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About 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

   

You are here:  Experts > Education > Votech Education > Construction & Contractors

Questions Answered By Expert  Joe Turner 
In Category  Construction & Contractors

SubjectDate Asked

full thickness cracks in new driveway8/29/2009
  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 problem8/13/2009
  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 responsibility7/29/2009
  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 responsibility7/29/2009
  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 problem5/18/2009
  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 problem5/14/2009
  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 exam3/1/2009
  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 cracks2/23/2009
  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 & driveway1/8/2009
  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 floor12/18/2008
  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 floor12/18/2008
  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 floor12/17/2008
  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 Baserment11/30/2008
  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 warranty10/18/2008
  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 cracks10/6/2008
  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 collapse9/17/2008
  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 deck8/27/2008
  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 drywall8/6/2008
  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 pit7/21/2008
  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 rain7/21/2008
  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 seepage7/18/2008
  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 home7/15/2008
  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 storm7/8/2008
  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 cracks6/10/2008
  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 Model5/28/2008
  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 hole3/19/2008
  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 Cracks3/19/2008
  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 ...
driveway3/3/2008
  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 ...
spackling2/18/2008
  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 Walls2/8/2008
  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 Floors1/14/2008
  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 Driveway12/26/2007
  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 drain10/19/2007
  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 Mailboxs9/30/2007
  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 deck9/14/2007
  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 Contract9/7/2007
  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 foundation9/2/2007
  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 escape8/29/2007
  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 issue8/10/2007
  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 room7/9/2007
  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 Construction6/27/2007
  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 painter2/28/2007
  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 Patio1/20/2007
  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 ...
STUDS11/16/2006
  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 patio8/20/2006
  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 Construction8/12/2006
  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 basement8/9/2006
  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 home8/6/2006
  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 concrete7/7/2006
  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 problems2/25/2006
  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 windows8/30/2004
  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 Problem5/21/2004
  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 construction5/17/2004
  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 construction5/17/2004
  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 problems3/7/2004
  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 ...

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