by Admin | Mar 28, 2023 | General Information, Residential
Part 1: Ice Blocks and Hot Coals Let’s talk about averages. We are often asked “What are the average costs per square foot in [fill in the blank]?” Our answer is to use this illustration of average: If you stand with one foot on an ice block and one foot on a bed of...
by Admin | Jan 23, 2023 | Natural Disasters, Residential
The atmospheric rivers, resulting flooding and mudslides in the Western U.S., the tornados in the deep south, and even a minor quake or two in Kansas and California remind us that disasters can occur anywhere and at any time. We cannot always predict what is coming...
by Admin | Nov 18, 2022 | Natural Disasters, Residential
Although the price of lumber skyrocketed and then moderated over the last two years, builders have been reluctant to switch to other construction techniques besides (typically) wood framing. Their reluctance is due to a lack of skilled workers in those alternative...
by Admin | Aug 15, 2022 | Insurance, Residential
In Part 1 of this article we met Sam, who is concerned about whether his homeowners insurance policy will completely cover replacing his home. In order to help him decide his coverage amount we will start collecting data to determine both the most appropriate...
by Admin | Aug 15, 2022 | Insurance, Residential
My best friend in college was Sam. After we graduated college together, I headed South and he headed to the West Coast. Sam now lives in an area of California susceptible to wildfires and contacted me for advice on how much his house should cost to replace. Since he’s...
by Admin | Apr 25, 2022 | General Information, Residential
Even before the pandemic further reduced the available construction labor pool, there was a shortage of skilled labor. Many efforts have been made to attract, market to and steer potential workers toward construction at early stages when they enter the work force. In...
