Ask The Contractors

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 […]

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.