Ask The Contractors

Welcome, everyone. Welcome Back to AskTheContractors.com, your Home Improvement Show on air with information that you need to keep your home in working order. In fact, I love DIY people out there who doing their project’s themselves and as a Contractor, I want to help answer your questions for you. This week I also want […]

Welcome to AskTheContractors.com. Thank you so much for joining me. Our website is filled with great information. We offer everything you need to know about your home. But today I have a special guest, a candidate for the governor of California. Mr. Doug Ose. Doug, you have been around the horn quite a bit. You’re […]

I’m thinking about buying a small historic New England (1800) colonial in need of great repair. Want to restore it and update the inside. What do we need to look for before taking on the project and buying the home? Is it better to inspect the house with a contractor, an inspector, an Architect, or […]

Question from Roy I’m building a sauna. I have never framed anything before but have done a bunch of reading and research on it so far. It’s 4ft x 5ft x 6.5feet (interior dimensions). All walls are load-bearing. So, I was framing my first wall and a split started to form near the end of the […]

Here is the question from C.H.: I have a contractor telling me that I do not need a floating cement system over an old concrete slab before installing tile on the floor. Is this true? Well, I haven’t seen your floor, but if it’s an older floor the best way to put tile over an […]

Are you thinking about starting a project? The housing economy is still on fire and a lot of people are going to be remodeling their homes in the next year. So that’s why you want to go to my website. I’m your host Todd Bird. How’s everyone doing today? This is where we cut through […]

I am trying to install a faux stone veneer around a TV Mount and a Fireplace on an interior drywall wall. Here is the question from Sara: What kind of Stone should I use for this project? This is a very common question we receive with interior remodels. I am going to answer it right […]

Question from Janet: Can you install regular windows (like the ones sold at “Big Box Stores”) in a manufactured home? Well, you know what? I am not exactly sure of the answer to that question. That’s why I rely on my website AskTheContractors.com for reliable subcontractors and contractors. …like Mark Cherry of Cherry Home Improvement. […]

“My outside faucet knob broke off and when I removed the broken knob, I notice that it fit into a piece that was flat on the top and on the bottom but rounded on each side, kind of like in parentheses.  I can’t find the replacement at my hardware store since they all fit circular […]

I’m specifying recessed lighting for a home remodel using led lights that don’t have housing. They’re RAB 4″ gimbal lights and are IC-rated and have a driver box. Our electrician says we need lights with housings to pass inspections. I’m guessing he normally uses housings with exposed studs to indicate where the lights will go. […]

I have a Tongue and Groove ceiling and there is a crack in one of the boards. Question from Josh: Can I fix this? Should I be concerned? This is a really, really good question. And a very important question. Josh actually sent me a picture and showed me exactly what was going on. I […]

“We are converting our garage into a heated space family room, the area that we are closing off in front of the door is 26′ x 8 1/2′. Here is the Question from Rachel “Can you tell me what type and number insulation would I need to buy for Georgia and how much do I need […]

Matt’s remodeling his bathroom, and he wants to know how to convert from copper to plastic piping, better known as Pex. He puts it as PVC, but it’s called Pex. So here’s his situation… Hey, I am remodeling my bathroom, and I have old copper piping from my show drain. I have been reading about […]

Question from Angela: How do I Measure Exterior Square Footage for Billing Purpose? Getting an accurate measurement of a new or existing home is very important… Welcome to AskTheContractors.com. I’m your host, Todd Bird. Thanks for joining me. Well, I know in California, when we measure the square footage of homes here sometimes we just […]

I have some sections of rim joists that need replacing and repairing at my home. The sill plate appears to be fine in all locations. James is here with his Question: Can a 4-foot section of rotten rim joist be fixed by simply using blocks? And, if I need to contact a contractor, how much […]

I have a Quartz countertop installed in a bathroom. It is a solid surface product, so I was not expecting an unfinished underside, much like granite.  This is the Question: Can you explain why the underside would be finished this way? Is there anything I could do to clean Granite and Quartz to prevent dust […]

Welcome to Askthecontractors.com. It’s a new show and a New Year, with lots of exciting projects coming up around your home. I want to hear all about them. Send me your details of what you’re doing around your home. I know others want to hear about it too. “That’s what this show is all about. […]

There is a lot that we are considering for purchase. It is between many houses and down a private road. It does not have utilities.  This is the Question: How much extra can I expect in permits, planning, and contracting to install water, power, and sewer? To help answer that question, I’ve brought on Nicole […]

This is the Question from Leslie:  I’m looking to build a climbing wall in my garage. Basically an 8ft wide x 12ft tall wall, slanted at a 45-degree angle. I need to anchor the top part of the wall to something, like the rafters. Is this a good idea? How much extra weight can I […]

It makes me feel good that I’m able to help homeowners with projects that could be considered challenging. Renovations can be trying on a family. It can even be trying on your pet dog. It’s a big disruption when you do a renovation so we want to help you do it the right way. We […]

Question from Robin: “I have a large family of 10 people. We are looking into building a house. Who do we contact to have house plans created into a site plan?” Okay. This is a good question because this starts with preparation. [Click and follow along with the Full Transcript] You need something to use […]

Are you getting ready for winter? Do you feel the chill out there? I do. It’s one of my favorite times of the year, and that’s Fall. Everything in the garden is starting to die off and look kinda creepy out there. It’s spooky and I really love that. And then of course, right after […]

Question from Mimi:   We installed factory painted doors that have one panel with an embedded trim of molding around the panel. Since the molding protrudes, it has become very scratched up and chipped. I understand how to fill the chips, but I want to paint the moldings with the strongest paint to endure the […]

Question from Jon The contractor doing my bathroom renovation has used gold bond Purple XP (a water-resistant drywall) as a backer for the tile in my shower. This is the Question:   Is this an accepted practice or should I be concerned? To help answer this question we’re bringing on ATC contractor, Paul Reeves with […]

A lot is happening out there with smart technology. Now, I’m not a high-tech kind of guy. I need my 10-year old granddaughter to figure out a new phone whenever I get one, so that’s where I’m at in life. I’m your host Todd Bird. This is AskTheContractors.com. Your source for local Home Improvement Pros. […]

This episode looks deeply into housing prices. We continue to see the cost of housing rise to record numbers. A lot of that has to do with land values, especially here in California. You can buy a home across the Golden State and the price will vary, but [two-by-fours] are still the same cost; sheet-rock […]

Just because people tell you something, doesn’t mean it’s true. We want to dispel some of the misconceptions about buying a home… The home-buying experience can be complicated, terrifying and littered with a lot of misunderstanding. Sometimes, it’s hard to separate fact from fiction. “You just bought that home dream home. You’ll love it. You can’t wait […]

According to a new study. 90% of Americans say they plan on tackling a home remodeling project soon. Some of you will start with a kitchen or overhaul your master bathroom. Others want to just finish off your basement and garage. Are you one of those considering a remodeling project? Before you do, it’s important […]

Welcome to AskTheContractors.com Do you have a project going on at your home? This is where we cut through it all and nail things down. That’s because we’re your Source for Local Home Improvement Pros. I’ve been a contractor well over 30 years. So if you need a contractor, you can request an estimate from […]

Question from Pam   The framers are using wood with cracks and frays. They told me that’s normal for the wood.   This is the Question: Should I require the work to be undone to replace this wood? To give you a little background. Pam’s having her home framed. This is rough framing. Her contractor […]

Do you need to have a project started around your home? We’re your source for local Home Improvement Pros in Northern California. I see more and more people are starting to renovate their homes. They know they need to update that flooring. It’s probably way behind the times. Or the bathroom was built in the […]

Welcome to Ask The Contractors. Your source for local Home Improvement Pros. I’m your host Todd. We are advocates for your next Home Improvement project It’s your home. You’re proud of it. Homes are kind of like a kid. You know how to maintain it. You’ve got to take care of it, and you certainly […]

Question from James – in Georgia  We are adding a large porch to the front of our home. The home also features a large chimney at the front of the home.  This is the Question: How do I join the ridge beam into the existing structure where there’s a brick chimney stack? I love questions […]

Welcome to AsktheContractors.com. This week’s full podcast takes us outside to the Garden, and on a tour of the house. Plus, we talk about keeping ourselves safe from the environment inside our home. In fact, our show today is partly being recorded from my own very Garden. I love being out here. It’s just so […]

Question from Jeff in Folsom.  Environmental purity is a big concern for my family.  This is the Question: How can I check my home for air-borne mold spores? So, joining us now is Blake Roath, Owner / Operator of Select Environmental to help answer this question. [Click to Follow Along with the Transcript] What would […]

The overall consensus is that California is unaffordable. The affordability index has only gotten worse since the downturn in 2008. Buyers are struggling to find a home that they can afford, while sellers are doing everything they can to push UP the value of their homes and grab the highest sales price. Factor in low […]

The lines have been blurred between what’s indoor-only and what you can use outside. Thanks to tips from our Trusted Pro, Kerrie Kelly, Zillow’s design expert and founder of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab, we have… Outdoor Trends for Summer 2019 This Summer, Metal accents, Woven threads, and Corduroy-type upholstery are being mixed together in new […]

The Spring Time is here. We’re out exploring for new ideas from the area Home Shows and look who we found! It’s Keith Howard, owner of American Therapy Tubs. Keith’s out at this weekend’s Home Show in Auburn. We got to talking about his Walk-in Tubs… “Our tubs give you a lot of flexibility when […]

’…Til death do you part’, right?  But the rules of your relationship may not apply when remodeling your home. Turning your house upside-down during a remodel is stressful enough, but doing so while bickering over every last detail with your partner is almost impossible. That’s why a 2018 study found that 12 percent of couples considered […]

Question from Sterling – in Georgia  Our Carport has original brick pillars and a roof attached to the house, while the concrete slab flows up with the driveway.  This is the Question: How could I build up the carport floor to keep water out? Joining me now to answer this question is Sterling. [Click to […]

Common Challenges I’ve Run Against in my nearly 40 Years of Contracting. For homeowners who plan on staying in their homes for a while, now is a great time to invest in Renovations.  The economy is thriving. Home values are increasing.And that gives you a prime opportunity to improve your home.  But if you’re starting […]

It’s my favorite part of the show because I get to answer a question from our listeners. This one’s coming from Paul in Florida. This is a great question. It might be a little confusing but I’m going to help us figure this out. Question from Paul – in Florida   I need to replace […]

…and your Independent Lifestyle. More families choosing to stay at home, renovate for aging households As the population ages, more and more homeowners are opting to stay in their homes longer. A Harvard University study said in 2017, homeowners who wanted to age at home spent $40 billion on renovating kitchens and bathrooms. In 1997, that […]

Question from “Ted” – in Sacramento  Our Landscaper is very “casual” with his business practice. There’s no actual contract. He has nothing really in print except hand-drawn diagrams with a few details, including his price.  He’s asked us to provide him with a check for $700 to buy supplies, and then we’ll schedule the work. […]

…and for more money. We always watch the data from the single-family home listings to find out which features will help sell your home, and stand out above the crowd. These are the features that can raise your medium home price.  Not only that, these can limit the days on the market. You want to […]

Question from “S” in California   We are trying to avoid a full re-siding job since the siding is in great shape. But the gable-end of our ranch faces the street, and vertical would improve the look. These are our Questions: – Can we re-side one end of a horizontally sided house with vertical siding?– […]

I love having this guy on. Troy Bird with Guild Mortgage. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate has been at its lowest since February of last year. Todd: I want to give a little history lesson also. I want to go back to October 1981. What do you think the interest rate was for a […]

Glass, Toilets, Tubs, and Saunas While most home-owners don’t spend much time in our bathrooms, design experts say home buyers value bathrooms that are functional and well designed.  So, we wanted to identify some of this year’s early bathroom trends that people might look for in their search to upgrade their bathrooms. What can make […]

It’s my post-Thanksgiving, gettin’ ready for the holiday, Ask The Contractors podcast. Are you ready? I’m Todd Brid, Host of Ask The Contractors radio show and website, and these are my best Tips and Tricks to prepare your home for your holiday guests.

Ask The Contractors Podcast featuring Todd Bird's news, mortgage rates, building equity, listener questions about paver stones, and a new-kitchen checklist.

It's called Hydroblox and installer Pete Popcke from Drainage Technology Solutions explains how Hydroblox works and why it's better than digging.