GLOSSARY ABS type black plastic pipe waste water lines Allowances sum money set aside construction contract items been selected specified construction contract Best kept minimum number items choice earlier stages construction example selection tile flooring require alternative framing underlayment material Estimating Project Components Estimating Remodeling Contracts Estimating Construction Costs Arc Fault Current Interrupters AFIs AFCIs These new electrical safety devices becoming part electrical codes AFIs designed prevent electrical fires should GFIs AFIs recommended bedroom areas CPSC has some good information about AFIs Amperage AMPS unit electrical current volume Voltage Most homes electrical service entrance package 125 200 amps Some older homes 60 100 amp entrances Amps Volts Watts Anchor Bolts L shaped bolts set concrete foundation attach framing foundation Architect One who has completed course study building design served internship passed test licensed state architect consult Q & Do We Need Architect? Blue Prints type copying method architectural drawings describe drawing structure prepared architect designer purpose design planning estimating securing permits actual construction Bond Bonding amount money $2000$6000 must deposit governmental agency order secure contractors license bond pay unpaid bills disputed work contractor performance bond bonds rarely residential construction insurance policy guarantees proper completion project Calcium Carbonate Efflorescence white chalky material very found concrete basement walls concrete surfaces where water has leached some chemicals out concrete sign past present moisture penetrations Carbon Monoxide CO toxic colorless odorless gas common combustion byproduct CO testing must regular part annual gas furnace service Combustion appliances including: furnaces fireplaces grills generators gas water heaters etc require proper installation service order prevent CO exposure Casement Window hinges one vertical sides swings open like normal door Windows Skylights Caulking flexible material seal gap between two surfaces between pieces siding corners tub walls consult topic index Bathrooms Caulking Great its Magic! Caulking roof patching materials wonderful products problems example: most roofing siding systems designed shed water one surface another Ridge caps drain onto shingles one shingle drains onto lower shingle metal flashing moves water chimney onto roof etc When caulking repair defect must conjunction system place most cases defective part needs repaired replaced then caulking secondary level protection If caulking roof patching products incorrectly nullify original design leaks problem incorrect usage results preventing water properly shedding one surface another result water being wicked sideways even up under surfaces Change Order written document modifies plans specifications /or price construction Contract topic page Building Remodeling Checklist Chip board Oriented Strand Board Framing OSB vs Plywood Circuit Breaker device looks like switch located inside electrical panel circuit breaker box designed 1 shut power portions ho 2 limit amount power flowing through circuit measured amperes Concrete common construction material foundations ground level floors sidewalks Most concrete made out 1 Portland cement 2 s 3 gravel aggregate reinforced steel rods rebar wire screening mesh Concrete Building Material Refinishing Old Concrete Floor Concrete Block hollow concrete brick 8 x 8 x 16 size low rise commercial some residential construction original design attributed architect Frank Lloyd Wright Block vs Concrete Foundation Concrete Block Stairs Concrete Board Wonderboard panel made out concrete fiberglass tile backing material Vinyl Coated Drywall vs Concrete Board Contractor licensed perform certain types construction activities most states generals contractors license some specialty contractors licenses require compliance bonding workmens compensation similar regulations Some specialty contractor licenses involve extensive training testing /or insurance requirements There various types contractors: General contractor Responsible execution supervision overall coordination project perform some individual construction tasks Most general contractors licensed perform specialty trades must hire specialty contractors tasks electrical plumbing Remodeling contractor general contractor who specializes remodeling work Specialty contractor Licensed perform specialty task electrical side sewer asbestos abatement Subcontractor general specialty contractor who works another general contractor Contractor Profit Overhead Buying Property Building Your Own Home Construction Contract legal document specifies construction project good construction contract will include The contractors registration number statement work quality Standard Practices Trades according Manufacturers Specifications set Blue Prints Plans set Specifications Allowances construction timetable including starting completion dates Fixed Price work Time Materials formula Payment Schedule written Warrantee disputes will resolved contracts should reviewed attorney Specification Description Building Materials form most construction projects includes most common elements residential construction FHA 203K Cost Breakdown form was developed specifically FHA 203K financing program This program allows single loan that includes purchase renovation home Cost Plus Contract Same Time Materials Contract Curtain Drain ditch sometimes filled gravel drain tile diverts storm drain water a structure consult Q & Yard Drainage Deeds deed document transfer title real estate Dehumidistat control mechanism operate mechanical ventilation system based upon relative humidity home Designer One who designs houses interiors landscaping objects When context residential construction suggests that designer licensed architect Most jurisdictions require architectural license most single family construction Illustrations Wood Frame Construction LO Agriculture Handbook #73 p 72 Dormer roof gable located right angles main roof structure increase head room architectural detail Double Hung Window two vertically sliding sashes This common older window design was made out wood tends require frequent repairs Dry Rot Fungal wood rot consult Q & Pest Wood Rod Mold Fungus Drywall Gypsum Wallboard GWB Sheet rock Plasterboard wall finish consisting manufactured panel made out gypsum plaster encased thin cardboard 1/2 thick 4 x 8 4 x 12 size panels nailed screwed onto framing joints taped covered joint compound Green board type drywall has greater resistance moisture than regular white plasterboard Tub Shower Walls Earnest Money Agreement earnest money agreement contract between buyer seller real estate called real estate purchase sale agreement Easement formal contract allows party property specific purpose sewer easement might allow one party run sewer line through neighbors property topic page Real Estate Legal Terms Efflorescence Calcium Carbonate Basements Crawl Spaces Electrical entrance package entry point electrical power including: 1 strike location where overhead electrical lines connect meter measures how much power 3 panel circuit breaker where power shut off overload devices fuses circuit breakers located topic page Electrical Systems Electrical Energy Dissipation Basin pit ditch sometimes filled gravel collect storm water ditch soaks into ground slowly preventing soil eroding runoff flooding topic page Downspout Drain Systems Yard Drainage Estimating process calculating cost project This formal exact process quick imprecise process more information consult Q & Estimating topic page Building Remodeling Checklist Exposed Aggregate method finishing concrete washes cement/s mixture top layer aggregate gravel driveways patios exterior surfaces Exterior Envelope building consists elements protecting building elements: roofing siding windows exterior doors porches flashing trim caulking waterproof decks venting systems chimneys elements relate exterior surfaces structure Fascia vertical wood member cedar 1 x 6 nailed ends rafters backing gutter Fixed Price Contract set price work Time Materials Contract Flashing building component connect portions roof deck siding material another surface chimney wall vent pipe made out various metals rubber tar mostly intended prevent water entry topic page Roofs Forced Air Heating common form heating natural gas propane oil electricity fuel Air heated furnace distributed through set metal plastic ducts various areas hoSee topic page Heating Your Home Heating Cooling Framing structural wood /or metal elements most homes floor ceiling framing called joist work Wall framing made out 2 x 4 2 x 6 studs rafters posts beams consult question answers Framing Fungal Wood Rot common wood destroying organism develops when wood containing material exposed moisture poor air circulation longer 6 month period time incorrectly referred dry rot Pest Wood Rod Mold Fungus F device found older homes designed prevent overloads electrical lines circuit breakers GFI GFCI Ground Fault Current Interrupter electrical device prevent injury contact faulty electrical appliances faulty wiring electrical shocks GFIs should confAFIs later designed prevent electrical fires GFIs required new home bathrooms kitchen garage out doors locations where one might contact grounded surface electrical appliance Most GFIs located receptacle itself identified presence test reset button topic page Electrical Systems Heat pump device uses compression decompression gas heat /or cool hoSee topic page Heating Your Home Propane Heat vs Heat Pumps Hot Water Heating Hydronic Heating topic page Heating Your Home Hydronic Heating system uses various types fuel heat water then distributed through pipes radiators located various portions hoIce Dams condition occur snow freezing conditions When snow ice melts roof over heated partially heated attic space melting water refreeze over unheated area roof overhang This refrozen water create dam allow additional melt water back up under shingles caleaks Solutions include: proper roof venting insulation membrane roofing underlayment heat tapes Once ice dam occurs remedies difficult dangerous hot water melt ice help increase amount leakage Illustrations WoodFrame Construction LO Agriculture Hbook #73 p 72 Joists framing member 2 x 10 piece lumber spaced every 16 24 supports subfloor flooring joist sits load bearing wall beam Lath Plaster most common wall finish prior introduction drywall Thin wood strips lath were nailed onto framing base s/lime plaster Restoring Painting Plaster Lath Walls Load Bearing Wall supporting its own weight some structural elements hojoists Common Construction Wisdom Manufactured Wood product truss beam Glue Lam TM joist manufactured out smaller wood pieces glued mechanically fastened form larger piece create stronger member less wood Manufacturers Specifications written installation /or maintenance instructions developed manufacturer product followed order maintain products warrantee These specification well illustrated clear easy read Modified Bitumen Roof Oriented Strand Board OSB Chip Board Wafer Board manufactured wood panel made out 1 2 wood chips glue substitute plywood exterior wall roof sheathing OSB vs Plywood OSB Sidewall Sheathing Polyvinyl Chloride PVC CPVC type white plastic pipe sometimes water supply lines Copper vs CPVC Piping Polyvinyl Chloride has some potentially serious toxicity problems during manufacture disposal I recommend PVC containing materials as: pipes vinyl siding some roofing membranes Payment Schedule upon schedule payments contractor based upon amount work completed schedule include deposit prior start work Payments scheduled beginning month allow contractor distribute subcontractors suppliers 10th month There temporary holdout end contract small items been completed Percolation Perc Test determine if soil proposed building lot capable absorbing liquid affluent septic system Permit governmental authorization perform building process in: Zoning\permit authorization property specific factory single family residence etc Grading permit authorization change contour l Septic permit health dept authorization build modify septic system Building permit authorization build modify structure Electrical permit separate permit required most electrical work Plumbing permit separate permit required new plumbing larger modifications existing plumbing systems topic page Field Guide Bad Home Repair Remodeling Contracts Buying Property Building Your Own Home Plans Blue Prints Polybutylene type plastic pipe gray color sometimes domestic water supply systems Some polybutylene plumbing systems been recalled due history leaks failure Polyisocyanurate Foam rigid foam board insulation locations where there enough room standard insulation Programmed temperature settings One least expensive ways reduce energy consumption Post vertical framing member designed carry beam metal pipe flat plate top bottom diagram Pressure Relief Valve device mounted hot water heater boiler designed release high steam pressure tank prevent tank explosions Radiant Heat heating system uses hot water steam pipes electric resistance coils heat floors walls ceiling room Rafter framing member directly supports roof sheathing rafter follows angle roof part roof truss diagram Riser upright section stair board between one stair tread next R Value measure insulation example typical new homes walls insulated 6 insulation R value R19 ceiling insulation R28 Leveling Insulating Basement Floor Insulation Energy Roof Certification written opinion roofing professional contractor inspector regarding expected remaining useful life roof system roofing venting flashing Under certain circumstances financial institution request roof cert property prior issuance mortgage material workmanship guarantee warrantee Sanitary Sewer system designed collection waste water bathroom kitchen laundry drains designed storm water Sash frame that holds glass window movable part window double hung windows casement windows Framing Windows Scupper drain downspout flat roof connected downspout Septic System site waste water treatment system has septic tank promotes biological digestion waste drain field designed let left over liquid soak into ground Septic systems permits sized number bedrooms Sewage Ejector pump lift waste water gravity sanitary sewer line basements locations situated below level side sewer Setback Thermostat clock programmed various temperatures different times day/week heating cooling system thermostat Multiple Setback Thermostats Shake wood cedar roofing product produced splitting block wood along grain line Modern shakes sometimes machine sawn one side shingle topic page entitled Sound Roof Sheathing plywood board OSB material base roofing Shingle machine sawn wood cedar roofing siding product Side Sewer portion sanitary sewer connects interior waste water lines main sewer lines side sewer buried several feet soil runs hosewer line owned property owner sewer utility must maintained owner serviced utility approved side sewer contractors Single ply Roof Torch Down Roof topic page entitled Sound Roof Skip Sheathing normal base shake shingle some tile roofs 1 x 4 similar sized boards nailed 90 degrees rafters leaving space about 4 between each row allowing better ventilation topic page entitled Sound Roof Slab Grade type foundation concrete floor placed directly soil edge slab thicker acts footing walls Concrete block homes were common California 1940s 50s small ceiling like space out doors underside roof overhang Specifications Specs narrative list materials methods model numbers colors allowances details supplement information contained blue prints Field Guide Bad Home Repair Remodeling Contracts suggested list roofing specifications Splash Block pad placed under lower end downspout diverts water downspout ahomade out concrete fiberglass Stachybotrys toxic black colored mold sometimes found wet flooded homes standards Practices Trades One more common basic minimum construction standards This another saying that work should done normally done average professional field Among mother standards construction following terms attempt define quality work listed here rough order quality lowest first: code minimum standards trades builder basic standards trades standards industry manufacturers specifications craftsman like custom construction custom practices first class top quality specific application standards cant found one book list one more attempt define expectations specific job Storm Sewer system designed collect storm water separated waste water system topic page Gutters Downspouts Drains Time Materials Contract construction contract specifies price different elements work cost per hour labor overhead profit etc contract maximum price state price exceed Field Guide Bad Home Repair Remodeling Contracts Torch Down Roof Single Ply Modified Bitumen newer roofing material mostly flat roofs This material comes rolls applied roof open flame torch Sound Roof Treated Lumber wood product has been impregnated chemicals reduce damage wood rot insects portions structure ongoing contact soil water Wood treated fire retardant Truss manufactured wood member form large triangle form ceiling joists rafters top floor home UURHOT ununderground residential heating oil tank found homes were once heated oil topic page Underground Oil Tanks Warrantee construction there two general types warrantees One provided manufacturer product roofing material appliance second warrantee labor example roofing contract include 30 year material warrantee 5 year labor warrantee Mbut new homes come one year warrantee major issues found during first year should communicated builder once Small items saved up presented builder letter 11 month anniversary closing This gives builder one month make necessary corrections Building Remodeling Checklist Zoning governmental process specification limits property single family high rise residential use