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Building codes promote safety and uniformity, but they’re usually enforced only during construction and remodeling projects. If you live in an older home—or if yo...
Your home may be a comforting place of refuge, but it could also cause an unexpected—and definitely unwanted—lawsuit. While some unfortunate incidents lie beyond ...
Many consumers don’t pay much attention to the cost of homeowner’s insurance, simply accepting the fact that they have to pay steep prices to protect their bigges...
From laminate flooring to your HVAC system, many big-ticket home items are backed by warranties. These guarantees offer peace of mind to consumers making a large ...
Developing renovation ideas requires that you look at, and really see, your house. You may believe you know it intim...
A building code is a collection of regulations regarding building construction that is intended to ensure public safe...
Dankmar Adler—architect and partner of the great Louis Sullivan in the firm of Adler and Sullivan—once remarked that ...
In order to be assured that you're not embarking on a trip straight to debtors' prison, it's a good idea to consult a...
Do you need contracts? Yes is the short answerContracts are a crucial part of the paper trail that will help assure t...
There is one last piece of paper that you'll need: a building permit. A general contractor usually handles the permit...
Building application and approval processes vary from town to town and district to district, but most municipalities ...
If your furnace dies on a blustery winter morning, you’ll need a few hundred dollars to get it fixed or, worse yet, a...
Licenses, bonding, and insurance: Every contractor is required by law to have these essential documents in order, but...
Nothing underlines the importance of flood insurance like a Major Weather Event. The damage inflicted by Sandy—the hu...
It's a home improvement project. What could go wrong?Better not to think about it. That's really a job for the agent ...
All contracts you sign should begin with the parties to the agreement. Your name and address and that of the contract...
Bob Vila Radio is a newly launched daily radio spot carried on more than 60 stations around the country (and growing)...
Defining the BedroomDefining the bedroom space is important for two main reasons: home value and safety. The value of...
When you hire a GC, subs, and other on-site workers, ask whether they have insurance coverage. Each should have a bla...
All contracts you sign should begin with the parties to the agreement. Yours and the contractor's names and addresses...
Converting your basement is like finding new space, fully equipped with plumbing and heat. Before you begin your remo...
Bob joins Leslie Chapman-Henderson from FLASH -- Federal Alliance for Safe Housing -- to look at two homes on the same street. One was completely destroyed the o...
Bob talks with general contractor Ted Riley about the fireplace construction.
Bob meets structural engineer Steve Siegel on the attic floor of the Medford, MA home to discuss the owner's desire for an office with cathedral ceilings.
Bob meets with the general contractors and the architect for the project house to discuss mid-construction changes to the building plan.
Bob and carpenter Bob Ryley review the interior construction, which must satisfy stringent fire codes.
Carpenter Bob Ryley and George (from Crosswinds Enterprises) collaborate to build a porch railing for the accessible home. Looking on, Bob discusses the building ...
Bob oversees the installation of a grade beam in the garage, which is in compliance with California seismic code.
Bob and contractor Joe Fitzgerald discuss the structural work taking place at the Malibu beach house, as well as California's tough building codes for earthquake ...
Bob and the insulation contractor review how different types of insulation are used in different applications. Blown-in insulation is put into the existing house,...
Electrician Steve Bradley is on hand to install the electrical wires and boxes for the addition. Bob discusses the codes regarding receptacle placement and Steve ...
The carpenter shows Bob the new railing on the deck off the master bedroom, explaining that code requires that it be 36 inches tall. The carpenter then builds a p...