by Shelter Associates | Jan 5, 2012 | Building 101
Q: Is there a comprehensive home maintenance book or other resource you recommend? A: Home maintenance is a topic rich in printed and online resources. Among a library full of books, two of the best in terms of practicality and usefulness are the New Fix-It-Yourself...
by Shelter Associates | Jan 3, 2012 | Building 101
Q: What is Lifecycle Assessment? A: Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) is a way to evaluate and estimate the value of a particular building product or system across its usable life. LCA considers a product or system’s cradle-to-grave environmental impact, from its raw...
by Shelter Associates | Jan 3, 2012 | Building 101
Q: My builder seems somewhat removed from the day-to-day construction process and I deal mostly with the site superintendent. Is that normal? A: Increasingly, today's builders rely on others both inside and outside the company to actually build a house. Your home...
by Shelter Associates | Jan 3, 2012 | Building 101
Q: Have building materials followed the downward trend of home prices? A: Unfortunately, no. When the housing downturn first hit in 2008, building materials suppliers were left with a large surplus and production capacities (much like their builders), so they dropped...
by Shelter Associates | Aug 17, 2011 | Building 101
Q: Why do builders sometimes send another company on a service call? A: New-home builders rely on a variety of trade (or specialty) contractors, such as electricians, plumbers, and heating and cooling experts, to help build a new home. Part of their contract is...
by Shelter Associates | Aug 4, 2011 | Building 101
Q: What is the difference between markup and profit margin? A: Markup is what a builder adds to the price of a given item, such as an appliance or lumber order, to cover his overhead costs and achieve a reasonable profit margin on the project. The profit margin is...
