AsktheBuilder.com Issue #1222 (I think)

February 26, 2023

Dear ,

You might be a new subscriber. 

You're a hot mess because you've been abused by a builder or remodeler. Bad advice from countless hobby blogger wanna-be home improvement sites has cost you thousands of dollars. Your search for trustworthy human knowledge that can save you time and money has left you helplessly hoping. 

Fortunately, days ago, you found me.

Put on your safety glasses and grab your hat. We're going on a journey.

Our next stop...  

the Ask the Builder Home Improvement Zone

Click HERE for the full experience. Thanks, Rod!

I only live for the day but I'm one day behind.

Let's get started.

Are You a Realtor?

I was a real estate broker in Ohio for over twenty-five years. I had to surrender my license when I moved to New Hampshire as there was no reciprocity between the two states.

I'd like to speak with you if you're attached to a big national real estate company or if you're a big wig with a large local real estate company in your city. I've got something that may help you get more listings.

And as anyone in the real estate biz knows, it's all about listings. Please reach out to me.

Toro 60V SnowThrower Video

In the past four days I tested a new Toro electric snowthrower that's powered by coal and natural gas for the most part. I think you'll like this new video. No, you don't have to get a tiny coal fire burning in a small boiler like an old steam locomotive. 

The AI Article

A little over two weeks ago you might have participated in my short survey about artificial intelligence. As it turns out, that's not an accurate descriptor of the technology. It might better be described as scraper guesser (SG) technology because that's what the invisible emotionless software does.

I decided to share the survey and the results with those that read my nationally syndicated newspaper column.

Wait! You might be a subscriber that doesn't know the origin of Ask the Builder!

Ask the Builder started as a syndicated newspaper column BEFORE my website came to life. My first column ran on October 2, 1993 in the Cincinnati Enquirer. My weekly column still runs in quite a few papers all across the USA.

If you want my column in your paper, it's EASY to make it happen. 

Write a short letter to the editor after reading this NEW COLUMN of mine. Once you read my AI column, I think you may be in the majority that knows AI content may cause you a massive financial headache down the road. In your letter, SHARE the link to the column above so your local editor can read it.

Tell your paper's editor that you want to MAKE SURE that you don't become the victim of coughed-up home improvement hairball columns that may be filled with flawed AI content.

Make a bold statement that you want a column written by a real HUMAN (mention Ask the Builder) that can fog a mirror and use a nail gun at the same time.

If, by chance, you already read my column in your paper, you should write a similar letter telling the editor that you don't want AI garbage to kick my column to the curb.

Trust me, I've been kicked to the curb and the bruising and scars can last for many decades! It's no fun.

Home Depot/Lowe's DANGER

Two days ago I found myself re-installing three sinks for that young woman Kathy and I know from our church. She had new countertops installed in her kitchen and two bathrooms.

The day before I was at her home as the countertop contract workers from Home Depot were finishing up the install. The lead installer had out a tablet and took some photos of the tops and then asked the young woman to sign the tablet "so I can get paid from Home Depot". That's exactly what he said - I heard it.

It's important to realize this young woman is an expert in contract language and all she does all day long is read the fine print in contracts to protect her company.

She said, "I'd like to inspect the countertops if you don't mind." She went to all three rooms and looked at them. It was a pressure situation as the installer was hovering over her the entire time. Even I felt the stress.

I was on the first floor and they went up to the second-floor bathroom. Evidently, the installers smeared some silicone caulk on the quartz tops leaving a dark area. She pointed this out and the installer said it was water.

How it could be water is a mystery since the SINK WAS DISCONNECTED! What did he do, get water from the toilet bowl/tank????

She then asked him a few questions about the warranty and he responded that it does include labor and material and is for a year.

She then signed the tablet.

After the installer was gone, she got an email from Home Depot thanking her for signing the Release of Lien. Realize I didn't read the email. I'm just sharing hearsay.

But it gets worse, much worse. When I arrived the next day to reconnect the sinks, the young woman shared more details about signing the tablet.

She said, "He actually duplicated my signature. I signed one block and he re-produced it on two documents on the tablet. He didn't make those two available for me to read. It's illegal."

I arrived the next day to install the sinks and that wet area on the second-floor countertop was still there. It was NOT WATER. I'm convinced it was smeared silicone caulk that was used to adhere the quartz backsplashes to the wall.

Let's go back to the tablet. Do you know how you can enlarge parts of what you see on a screen by putting your thumb and index finger on the screen and spread them apart?

The installer had done this so just the signature area of the document was showing on the screen and you couldn't read any of the text above without scrolling. That, in my opinion, is very unethical.

The young woman was signing an important legal document and she was not aware of it. 

All in the heat of the moment. 

I KNOW you've been in a similar situation at some point in your life. 

I know I have!

How could this have been avoided? What's the teaching moment?

When she went to Home Depot to look at the countertops and to set up the purchase, she SHOULD HAVE ASKED to speak with the Installed-Sales manager.

She should have said, "Can you provide me with a copy, either digital or paper, of EVERY DOCUMENT I'll be required to sign INCLUDING any documents that the installer may have me sign when he completes the work?"

You then READ those documents BEFORE you place your order. You keep the documents so at the time a tablet is placed in front of you you can see if there's an EXTRA document you're being asked to sign that you've never seen before.

If you're NOT COMFORTABLE signing any documents at the time the install is finished, DO NOT SIGN THEM. The installer is not going to rip out the work. Ask the installer to call the Installed-Sales manager at Home Depot/Lowe's/or the company you placed the order.

Tell that person you MAY sign them AFTER you've had a chance to read them. You don't want to surrender rights or say you're happy with the install until you can look closely at the work after the contractor has left.

Yes, I know you might DAMAGE the work after he leaves, but allow the contractor to take as MANY PHOTOS as she/he desires to protect her/his interest.

You should do this with ANY contractor/salesperson you deal with. It could be a replacement window/door company, a roofing contractor, a kitchen/bath cabinet dealer.

For the love of God, STOP trusting people and STOP being played.

P.S. What do you think it would have cost this young woman to reinstall a toilet, and to disconnect and reconnect the three sinks? 

Home Depot told her the countertop installers would NOT disconnect/reconnect the sinks. 

Based upon an email I received from Greg, a NH subscriber that lives about 30 miles east of me, I'd wager just under $2,000.00. 

He may still be recovering from an invoice he got from his plumber to disconnect/reconnect a kitchen sink.

That $2,000.00 guesstimate is NOT a typo.

If you have to re-install sinks, toilets, or have any other plumbing jobs looming over you and you want to save HUGE MONEY, I can probably talk you through the job over the phone.

Remember, Zoe in New Mexico? She was a 28-year-old woman that INVESTED in three 15-Minute phone calls with me and she installed ALL OF THE NEW DRAIN, WASTE, & VENT PIPES herself in her new home!

She saved herself about $15,000.00.

If anything in this newsletter helps save you time, money, or makes you feel warm and fuzzy, maybe you want to reciprocate and buy me a popover & a cup of coffee? That would be appreciated!

Or, you could buy me a raffle ticket and come join me for a week of ham radio in the Caribbean! If you don't want to do radio, you can just go to the beach. Go here to purchase the raffle ticket.

Big Rain and Wet Basements

Early Spring showers/rain may already be falling at your home. Here in central New Hampshire, Old Man Winter is still here. All the water falling from the sky is frozen.

I have about 16 inches of snow cover EVERYWHERE around my house on the lawn with piles at the edges of the drive and sidewalk about 4, or more, feet high!

I've come here to pose you a riddle.

Do you have wet basement or wet crawlspace problems? Then answer me this:

Imagine a heavy rain falls at your home. The storm dumps 1 inch of rain on your roof. The total area of your roof is 2,400 square feet.

How many gallons of rain are DUMPED alongside your foundation?

Go here to get the answer and to discover HOW TO PREVENT wet basements and crawlspaces.

Fun Facts

Girls only want boyfriends who have great skills.

I love to hear the steel belts hummin' on the asphalt.

If you vote for me, all of your wildest dreams will come true.

What a nice surprise. Bring your alibis.

That's enough for a Sunday.

If you need to talk with me you have two choices:

Try 603-867-5309. If you get a funky message then go here to set up the call.

Tim Carter

Founder - www.AsktheBuilder.com

APRS Man - www.W3ATB.com

Do It Right, Not Over!

P.S.