Tim Carter
An expert homebuilder and renovation and remodeling contractor, Tim Carter has 20 years of hands-on experience in the home industry. His syndicated column, "Ask the Builder," is a how-to-get-it-done-right Q&A guide for all types of building projects.
Carter began his career as a renovation and remodeling contractor after college, first working on small jobs and gradually taking on bigger projects. Soon after he graduated from college, he and his wife bought their first house - a "fixer-upper" " and he renovated it and turned a profit. He is now a licensed master plumber, master carpenter, master roof cutter and real estate broker. Carter hosts the weekly two-hour live radio show "Ask the Builder" on WMOH in Cincinnati, and also serves as TV expert for "House and Home," a weekly news segments on WLWT-TV in Cincinnati. He is the editor-at-large of the new magazine Extreme How-To. He is also the co-author of "The Home Ranger Helps You Figure it Out," a resource and instruction book for accomplishing common household repairs.
In newspapers, and on radio, television and his website (www.askthebuilder.com), Carter offers professional advice and walks readers through each project step by step, offering instructions on how to hire the right professionals to do the work, what to expect from contractors, questions to ask, and tips on reading blueprints and job cost breakdowns. Carter's latest website expansion venture is selling e-Books on how to do a job the right way.
Remodeling Magazine selected Carter as one of the top 50 remodelers in the United States in 1993. His professional awards include several for the askthebuilder.com website, including first place from the Construction Writer's Association's 2001, 2000 and 1999 website competitions, and one of the top 50 in the world by Webmaster magazine in May 1997. His Web site was also featured in Web Savvy magazine in 1999.
Tim Carter Samples
Use fuel stabilizers to protect the small engines in your household tools
DEAR TIM: Spring has finally arrived in the high country here. DEAR DON: I used to have hard-start issues with small engines.
Resurfacing a cracked concrete driveway is a great DIY task
DEAR TIM: I have an older driveway that was installed 42 years ago. DEAR JULIE: I've got great news for you. Perhaps the best news of all is that this is a DIY project if you can muster up the help of three friends for just about half a day.
Removing caulk to re-do the job right
DEAR TIM: My son tried to do me a favor while I was out of town by caulking my kitchen backsplash. DEAR AMY: Ouch! There are all sorts of techniques to remove caulk. Let's talk about using simple tools.
For best results, lay stone walkway on reinforced concrete base
DEAR TIM: I want to install some flat pieces of rock for a walkway. DEAR RON: I'm quite sure I can help you with this project as I've got lots of experience creating walkways using brick, stone and other masonry materials.
Cleaning tips for exterior siding
DEAR TIM: My primary home and a camp I own in the woods both are covered with siding. DEAR PATRICK: Each week I receive emails from homeowners just like you.
To connect wood deck posts to concrete piers, plum bob is your friend
DEAR TIM: I need to build a deck, and I'm told that the wood posts that support the deck must then sit precisely on top of concrete piers. DEAR BONNIE: Your bewilderment is pretty common.
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