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
Clearing wooded lot is not a job for the faint of heart
DEAR TIM: I'm going to build a home on a wooded lot that I own. DEAR RANDY: I understand your desire to save money. If you decide to get more estimates, be sure that each contractor is bidding on the same job.
Chimney top is a crucial but usually overlooked detail
DEAR TIM: My chimney needs some tender loving care. DEAR WANDA: I sympathize with you. The crown or top of your chimney is one of the most important elements of the chimney.
Tips on building a patio with pavers
DEAR TIM: This year I plan to build a patio with precast concrete pavers. DEAR CHRISTINA: I can't begin to tell you how many good times I've had with my family on my patios.
How to power a lamppost
DEAR TIM: The house I grew up in had a lamppost out by the street. DEAR SHAWN: I grew up in the city, and lampposts in front yards were pretty rare. The difficulty of installing the lamppost depends on the kind you use.
What you need to know when taking down a wall
DEAR TIM: I'm bound and determined to remove a wall between my kitchen and dining room to make the space more open. DEAR BETH: I'm sorry for your loss but happy for your gain.
How to build a garden pond
DEAR TIM: I've been trying to covince my husband to build a small garden pond that has a waterfall for me. He claims it's too hard and talks about all the challenges.
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