An old house can be there by accident but most of the time it’s because someone cared. It could have been the craftsperson from 200 years ago. Or it could have been the handyman that cleaned the gutters. Or it…
Why Quality Matters
When Painting Gets a Little Too Close
Our neighbor has started sanding his 1875 house, I assume in preparation to do more exterior painting. I see people with hand sanders on ladders and I don’t see any machinery that indicates there is a collection of paint chips…
Plaster: To Save or Not to Save
Our house has failing lead paint on the original horse hair plaster walls. The firms contacted thus far have stated that, given the size of the job, the most sensible way to proceed is through the removal of the plaster…
Fix or Toss?
Repairability: to restore to a good or sound condition after decay or damage; mend; to renew by any process of making good, strengthening. Fixing stuff has been replaced by buying new stuff. But it’s not because we don’t want to…
Facing the Cold
Your building is fighting the cold. But how prepared is it? Is it winning? Or is it losing at your expense? Can every building be treated the same? What is the best way to resist the cold with reasonable effort…
Craft vs Assembly
Once and awhile I get a frustrating call about someone hiring a contractor where the skills did not match the promise. Sometimes the work is poor, isn’t finished, or is in such a state that it needs to be redone. …
I Know A Guy
The “I know a guy” phraseology gets a lot of flak in Rhode Island. Being a small state knowing a guy can have its advantages, especially in contracting. People ask us a lot if we know a guy, asking for…
Troubled heating
Winter brings out the worst in buildings. Many existing and old buildings have air sealing and insulation deficiencies that can make rooms cold and heating systems overworked, or worse, not able to keep a house or area warm enough. Many…
Altering Structures
Do it yourself projects are great. It gives us a sense of accomplishment and makes are homes better. Yet what we can do and should do is based more on what we know how to do instead of what we…