How Hard Is It To Build Straight Stairs in California

Thinking of doing it yourself. wondering if you can do it. The Contractor down the street made it look easy. But how am I going to build a set of stairs for my house. It starts with a little information, maybe a book, I know I will surf the net and get the info. Why bother with spending the time looking on the internet for a article or book on how to build stairs. I have done it and that's why I wrote a book and their are more books coming on how to build stairs.

My goal is to write a book on every way of building stairs. I am going to make the stair building books easy to follow with lots of simple illustrations. I understand that getting one book on stair building that explains how to build 500 different types of stairs with 3000 illustrations might not apply to you. These books are nice for a building professional or a master carpenter but are difficult to understand.

I have made these books easy to follow with the use of illustrations that only apply to the set of stairs you will be building. The book "How to Build a Strait Set of Stairs" is a complete stair building guide for a strait set of stairs with a 2 x 4 handrail. In this book you will have access to formulas for decimal conversions to fractions. Then you will be able to locate the exact mark for certain measurements. It isn't hard to build a straight set of stairs with this book and the website links provided for you.

If you feel comfortable with a hammer, tape measure and a circular saw. You will be amazed with the results. I have been helping people build stairs for almost 30 years with this easy to follow stair building system. I have trained other carpenters to build stairs with most of them telling me the same thing. How easy it was to build but they thought you had to be a master carpenter in order to build a set of stairs. The main reason for this way of thinking was that when it was time to build the stairs on the job guess who would build the stairs. The Master Carpenter of course.

You can do it with a little help from a friend. www.stair4u.com Get some help from the best home improvement contractor in California.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more building stairs books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

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Contractor Repair Marks

Screening Contractors

When you have a project on a time line, you need to protect yourself and do everything you can to make sure things go as they should and within your budget. When investors run into problems it is usually because they don't understand what a project entails and they are not as prepared as they should be.

Here are some steps you can follow to avoid these issues right from the beginning.

Network for References - Aside from getting references from contractors (which you should always do) network with others on your power team for personal references.

Not only are you better off getting more reliable contractors, there are a lot times you can get a discount as a "referral". When you get references, check to see that the quality of work matches what you want done. Someone's idea of a "good job" may be very different from yours.

Interview Several Contractors - Bids for a project can differ dramatically from one contractor to another. Though higher bids help for negotiating purchase price, we all know paying more for work does not necessarily mean higher quality workmanship.

Some contractors will provide steeper bids based on their workload, your lack knowledge or even your pocket book. Along with checking references, make sure they are specific with how they came up with their numbers and what they will do to complete the project. If the numbers, whether too high or too low, don't add up and they can't seem to explain it, it should be a red flag to you.

Obtain License Information - Make sure they are registered, licensed and bonded with the state and provide you with copies of such. You can also check with the state Bureau of Consumer Protection or Consumer Affairs to see if any complaints, lawsuits, or judgments have been filed against them.

Communicate Clearly - Make sure you communicate what you want done and make sure they have the same understanding. If you have a difficult time communicating with a prospective contractor in the beginning; that should be a red flag to look elsewhere for help.

Additionally, while the work is being completed, it is important to meet regularly to follow up on progress, payments, and to tackle any issues before they arise.

Get Everything in Writing - I'm sure you have heard this before, and there is a good reason for it! Even if you hit it off with someone and they seem like a person you can trust, don't depend on a verbal agreement (This includes the little things).

Though I feel most people have good intentions, what one person sees as "moral and ethical" may be very different to someone else. Unfortunately, contracts with a "handshake" don't mean what they used to. There are a lot of people now who will rationalize an obligation later if they are not legally bound by a written contract. For more extensive projects it is also good to have an attorney look over anything you plan to sign to make sure your rights and assets are protected.

Utilize Payment Phases - Never pay a large down payment on any project. Some may require you put down 10% or 20% depending on the scope of work involved, however, any more than this should be a big red flag. This is one of the biggest mistakes I see people make when hiring out work. You can avoid this by arranging payment phases and including them in the terms of the agreement. Also, before making the final payment on large projects, get a completed lien release from the contractor or crew.

Overall, if you follow these steps your experience with contractors for real estate investing will be much more smooth, positive, and productive. In turn you will avoid a lot of the nightmares you hear and read about. Hopefully these guidelines will give you some added protection to help this aspect of your business, as needed, to run more smoothly!

Copyright 2007-9 Creativerealestatehelp.com

Matthew Sorensen has trained thousands of people around the country for many large organizations. He is a leading authority in risk free, creative real estate investing techniques.

You can visit his website at: http://www.creativerealestatehelp.com to receive more information on how to maximize profits safely for changing market trends.

Contractors Read This - Construction Morals

If you have an older home there's a good chance you have one by six diagonal floor sheeting and some of the knots have fallen out by now. Some of these large knots can create safety hazards for your home. Performing major remodels or whole house renovations on older homes you can run into quite a few problems with these kinds of wood floors.

One of the first things I do is remove the carpeting and padding. This exposes the floor sheeting for further examination. By the time I am done with all the plumbing and electrical repairs underneath the subfloor it seems that some of the 1 x 6 has been damaged. Your first thought of course is just to replace the 1 x 6 that is damaged and be done with it.

This is one way to approach the problem, another is to repair the 1 x 6 that was damaged and install half inch plywood over the existing floor sheeting. Please make sure the floor is level and has no humps or dips in it before you start installing the new plywood over the existing floor sheeting.

I ran into a problem like this on one job where the contractor was in a hurry to finish the flooring and chose to go right over the existing floor that was out of level. The bad part about this is when the homeowner chose to go with expensive wood flooring throughout his home. When you walked in to the front of his house you felt like you were going out to a small wheelchair ramp for about 10 feet and then of course it felt like you were going down for another 6 feet.

In order to repair this properly it would've taken the other contractor about 24 hours to repair the floor. In this case the homeowner would have been glad to pay for the repair after the fact. Sometimes when contractors mention a potential problem down the road and how much it will cost to repair that problem, most homeowners cannot see the value in the contractor's opinion at that time.

I felt sorry for the homeowner because this was not what he wanted and he was upset with the contractor but the job was done. This is my warning to any contractor, handyman or home repair specialists. When installing a new plywood floor over an existing floor to strengthen it up, use some common sense and repair the floor correctly or don't do the job at all.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes in Home Remodeling

Exterior Stairs Carpet Damage

Are You Having Foundation Problems - Home Contractor Advice

Foundation settling or shifting can be caused by many variables. Before any repairs can be made these variables need to be identified and understood. In medical communities the saying is "cure the disease, and then treat the symptoms". This applies to foundation repair also, we need to find out what is causing the problem, why is it causing a problem and then finding a solution to the problem.

The most common cause of foundation problems is moisture. Sometimes it is a lack of moisture and sometimes it is too much moisture. Problems with gutters, downspouts or drain tile are very common. Clogging is usually caused by leaves, debris, or collapsing. In some cases the clog causes the sump pump to recycle water that erodes and saturates soils along the foundation. Rain water needs to be diverted away from the foundation to prevent hydrostatic pressure on the foundation and floors. In times of drought water may need to be applied near the foundation to maintain more consistent soil moisture content.

Many times foundation problems manifest themselves in the form of severe cracking of slabs or basement floors. Basement floor slab cracking can occur for several reasons. They can be significantly thinner than the blueprint called for or the sub base of stone may be significantly thinner than originally called for. Heaving often results in cracking as well.

Binding or inoperable doors and windows, distorted glass panes and wedge shaped gaps at the top and bottom of doors and windows is a common complaint of homeowners, especially settling homes. Sticking doors and windows are symptoms of foundation problems. As the structure settles differentially, sticking doors and windows become a nuisance.

Most drywall cracks appear in the corner of doorframes or windows and result from differential movement between framing and the drywall. Some wood frame movement can be caused by normal processes such as shrinkage or temperature expansion.

Houses with crawl spaces generally show recurring damage patterns. Often a few vertical cracks in the crawl space open and close seasonally. Due to their shallow foundation nature these cracks grow significantly during extreme periods of drought or rain. Among several potential factors , these shallow footings may rest on expansive soil that experiences more acute cycles of shrink and swell, which is often aggravated by landscaping.

Damage to exterior flatwork is also a common sign of foundation problems. Cracking of concrete can have a variety of causes including swelling soils, grade, concrete shrinkage, settling, frost heave, tree roots and poor quality of concrete or installation. Concrete that slopes toward the foundation and cracks channel water against foundation walls and footings causing cracks.

Repairing damaged foundations represents the greatest engineering challenge for a known problem. Improperly supported pilasters, concrete piers , random crack filling, misapplication of carbon fiber strips and the engineering conviction that wider footings prevent settlement are ? examples of potential ill-conceived foundation repair methods.

The art of foundation repair begins with a complete foundation investigation by a competent foundation engineer. This engineer will visit the symptoms and measure the settlement of the structure while reading the signs of damaged foundations. Upon completing his investigation he will then give a written description of the issues along with recommendations for a cure.

Potential cures can be steel resistance piers, helical anchors, tie-backs, plate anchors or waterproofing. Along with proper drainage, when these underpinning products are installed, per manufacturer's specifications and under the guidance of the foundation engineer you can be assured that your problem will be solved.

So, if you are having foundation problems, don't panic. There are solutions to help you, there are qualified engineers to help you and there are competent foundation repair contractors available to enact these solutions.

About the Author:

Jeff Tully invites you to view his website http://www.myfoundationrepairs.com if you are having any foundation issues including bowing walls, cracks in your foundation or any type of settlement issue. On this website you will find the truth about foundation repair methods and what you should expect. There are many misconceptions about foundation piers or tie backs, get the straight answers here.

This site was designed and built with the homeowner in mind is the only true source for foundation repair and waterproofing information. From determining if you really have a structural issue to hiring an engineer or foundation expert, you will find the answers on my site.

House Drywall Application - Home Building Tips

Let's start with the basic eight-foot sheet of drywall. Most drywall contractors apply drywall horizontally however I have seen some contractors working with metal stud framing install 10 foot sheets of drywall vertically.

The reasons for installing the 10 foot sheets of drywall up and down or vertically in this situation are quite simple. There is no structural strength required in these walls because they are simply partitions dividing rooms and usually the drywall only needs to be finished up to 9 feet. This is the only time I have seen drywall ran vertically.

In a wood framed house the drywall actually adds a little sheer value to the home itself.

The manufacturer suggests installing eight-foot sheets of drywall horizontally. The horizontal application of drywall means installing the 4 foot side of the drywall up and down and the eight-foot side of the drywall side to side.

What is the reason for installing the 4 x 8 sheets horizontally?

When it comes to finishing the drywall the 4 foot seams that run up and down or vertical will not be as noticeable as a seam running up and down the entire wall. If you haven't read one of my last articles on eye level window setting then let me give you a brief eye level education.

A person 5'8" in height will be more apt to notice things between 4'6" off the ground and 6'6" off the ground. If we ran the drywall vertical there is a good chance the eyes would be able to pick up any finishing flaws in the drywall. Running the drywall horizontally will just put us a little out of range from the lower eye level of 4 foot six with our finish.

Another reason for installing the drywall horizontally is there is a good chance your eyes would be able to pick up four foot lines in the wall going from floor to ceiling quite easily. On older homes you will see lines in the ceilings about every 24 inches. This is because the plaster or drywall ceilings is starting to sag in between the ceiling joist.

These lines are difficult to do anything about once the drywall is finished. The only alternative you would have is to remove the ceiling and re-drywall and finish it.

Drywall ran vertically will tend to crack easier than staggered drywall ran horizontally. The four foot section of drywall is stronger than the 8 foot section. If you stagger your drywall breaks every four feet this will increase the strength of your wall as well.

Try not to break the drywall at any door openings. The door openings seem to crack easily from the corners working their way towards the ceiling. Let the drywall run over the doorway and then cut the doorway out leaving the rough door opening during wallboard installation.

If you have ever seen a house that was drywalled by a professional crew the waste is unbelievable. The reason for this is simply that the drywall contractor does not want to come back and patch cracks in the walls three or four years after he is done. It can be quite labor intensive installing scrap pieces of drywall versus using larger sheets to cover the same area.

Don't forget and always remember that. Horizontal installation of drywall is recommended by the manufacturer.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

45 Degree Door Header

Roof Shingles Three Time Saving Tips

If you're looking for "how to roof shingles" information, you've come to the right place. It's a tough job, but there's no sense making it take longer than necessary. Here are three tips to speed things up.

How to Roof Shingles - Tip #1 Stand Up!

Some roofers shingle sitting down or kneeling, but they have to keep jumping up to change position, get more shingles, get more nails and dispose of wrappers. You can save a lot of time and energy by just standing while you shingle. It takes a couple weeks for your back muscles to adjust, but after that it is definitely easier and faster.

At the end of the day when you're beat, you can always sit down and knock out a few more bundles.

How to Roof Shingles - Tip #2 Don't Set Your Nail Gun Down!

Some speedy roofers set their nail gun down between every shingle, but frankly, I don't know how they do it. I like to hang onto the gun between shingles. Using the gauge on the bottom of the nailer, you can position the shingle and nail it with no delay when you're ready. You will save a little time on every shingle you install.

How to Roof Shingles - Tip #3 Grab Them Right!

Make it a point to grab the shingle in the exact spot you will be holding it for nailing. For me, since I'm right-handed, that would be the bottom left corner.

By grabbing it in the right spot, you can butt it right up against the adjacent shingle, while checking the bottom edge for alignment, all without any wasted motion.

These may seem like little things, but they can add up to a lot of time saved on your roofing project.

Of course there's a lot more you need to know about "how to roof shingles". To make the job easier help you and avoid big mistakes, go to: http://www.roofingsecrets.com

John C Bishop is the author of "Roofing Secrets: How to Avoid Leaks and Save Thousands of Dollars!"

Hardwood Lumber Is An Important Part Of Your Woodworking Project

A hardwood lumber is a must for any woodworking shop. Whenever you are making a solid wood product, you want a good quality wood. Such wood is not only looks good, but strong and durable as well. The project you are creating and the usage determines the type of material to be used.

Types of Hardwood Lumber

The rich and dark tones of Walnut are loved. A strong wood this tight grain has a distinct beauty of its own. The color of the wood differs depending on the country in which it has been grown in. This material is used to make different types of furniture, grandfather clocks and cabinets. Musical instruments have also been made from it. High quality veneers as made from Walnut too.

A very popular hardwood used in hardwood flooring, cabinet and furniture making of different types is Oak. It has a lovely, soft tone that looks good in a wide variety of situations and matches most home dcors. Mostly found in kitchen cabinets in country style homes, the problem with oak is its price. Oak is one of the most expensive types of wood.

In the Eastern United States the yellow poplar is one of the tallest trees. Though much cheaper than oak or walnut, it is still a good quality wood. Poplar is used in a variety of products including furniture, toys, musical instruments and sporting goods. It is one of the easiest of all types of woods, to work with in a home or commercial set up.

Beech is a variety grown on both the coasts of the United States. This type of wood can be used for a variety of projects like flooring, doors, furniture, boxes, baskets, etc. The plus point of Beech is that it is very easy to paint or stain. This type of wood accepts the stain well.

Hardwood plywood gives impression of hard wood without being pricey. For added strength the hardwood veneer is glued to particle board. Such wood is often used in bookcases. One of the best quality hardwood plywood types happens to be Oak plywood. Easy to stain, doesnt warp easily and is long lasting. The Windsor plywood is a high quality wood.

Where to Buy Lumber

Lumber can be found in many home improvement or lumber stores, such as 84 Lumber, Lumber Liquidators, Carter Lumber and Lowes Lumber. Types, such as walnut, may not be available in some home improvement stores though. Since this is mostly a special order item, some places may give you the facility of ordering it for you. Extra time is needed for ordering and delivery.

The magazine writer Eric Slarkowski is very interested in subjects associated with mdf typical sizes and mdf board. His abstracts on mdf lumber are published on http://www.insidewoodworking.com/lumber/794mdf-lumber-size.html

Finding Something You Don