Q. We’re planning a large renovation with an architect, and wondering when to get a contractor for estimates and an interior designer to go over everything? We have a limited budget and . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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11/17/18
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Q. I read your column about fireplaces, and wonder why I can’t get a fire to burn properly in my chimney. All I get is smoke in the room. I’ve had the flue checked and know that the damper is working correctly . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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12/27/18
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Q. We’re trying to decide whether to put in a whole-house generator or, as our electrician friend suggested, just get a portable that gives enough power when we need it. I keep seeing better and quieter stand-alone models in my internet searches . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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11/2/18
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Q. I’ve been reading about new homeowners who applied for solar panels and found out they unknowingly bought a home that needs to be raised. What a mess! However, I really can’t get a grasp on the scope of the problem and which homes are affected.
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By Monte Leeper
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2/15/19
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Q. We have a very frustrating situation, because our house was added to and there was a “difference of opinion” among our contractor, the architect and the building inspector, who said he wasn’t going to sign off without proof . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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10/19/18
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Q. We are being told that our new front porch can be held up by fiberglass columns. This is confusing, because we wonder if they would be strong enough to hold up the roof. Is this a common thing to do?
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By Monte Leeper
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10/12/18
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Q. I know this may be hard to do, but with all the tax increases and tariffs, is it possible to build my new home with all or mostly American materials, and is there a way to control this so that my contractor won’t substitute things I want to be only homegrown, so to speak?
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By Monte Leeper
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12/14/18
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Q. I just had my deck and pool replaced. I wanted to do it before spring because I missed getting anyone to do it last summer. Everyone was too busy. I had an architect draw the structure plans but . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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2/8/19
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Q. My addition is under construction, and the work was stopped by the inspector, who claims he wasn’t called to inspect the foundation and the insulation before the walls were finished. He said he needed to . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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10/5/18
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Several times a year I have the privilege of speaking to high school students about careers. A student recently asked the following question: How often do you see buildings fall down, and how can you prevent that?
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By Monte Leeper
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9/28/18
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