THE ARCHIVE
Honestly, I write these mostly for myself. Past me, present me, and whatever version of me is dealing with this again next year. If any of it saves you a phone call or a bad Friday, that's a bonus.
Issue #13
September 4, 2026
$131,734 and Counting
NAHB says government regulations add an average of $131,734 to a new home's price. What that number includes, and what it doesn't.
Issue #12
August 28, 2026
The Judgment Call
Twelve pieces of hardware, eight guys, and a crane waiting. Why jobsite judgment calls rarely come with perfect information or a perfect solution.
Issue #11
August 21, 2026
Decisions, Decisions
Vented, closed, or conditioned crawlspace? Each option in the 2018 NC Residential Code solves one moisture problem while creating another one.
Issue #10
August 14, 2026
Build for the Buyer, Not the Pinterest Board
A front porch feature took days to design and build. The buyer barely noticed it. What homeowners actually value versus what builders think will sell.
Issue #9
August 7, 2026
The Cost of Better
A deck builder used oversized LVLs for consistency, not necessity. When does better framing actually stop adding value and start adding unnecessary cost?
Issue #8
July 31, 2026
Everybody Followed the Plans
A cased opening was built exactly to plan and still didn't look right. Why good plans don't replace good judgment on a residential jobsite.
Issue #7
July 24, 2026
If the First Guy Misreads the Plans...
A porch pier off by a few inches, an anchor bolt unscrewing itself, and the thirty seconds that could've saved three days.
Issue #6
July 17, 2026
Imperfect People Build Imperfect Homes
A buyer named John, a quote that irritated me for months, and the difference between chasing perfection and pursuing excellence.
Issue #5
July 10, 2026
People Will Only Do What You Inspect
Firing trades vs. building systems, the law of diminishing returns on premium subs, and the piece of advice that rings truer every year.
Issue #4
July 3, 2026
"We're Basically Done"
Every trade's definition of done, a guardrail knocked over with one finger, and the simple question that makes punch items appear out of thin air.
Issue #3
June 26, 2026
The Cavalry Ain't Coming, Custer
An anchor bolt through carpet, a carpet installer with questionable priorities, and the part of construction management nobody tells you about.
Issue #2
June 19, 2026
Water Always Wins
A swale that never got cut, a driveway that became a pond, and the code section that explains why grade isn't optional.
Issue #1
June 12, 2026
How Much Is a Truss Package Worth to a Framer?
Wrong trusses, a framer with initiative, and a code section that explains why confidence is not a repair method.
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