Are porch columns load bearing?

• <div><p>Not all porch columns are load-bearing, though they can be. Some porch columns are simply decorative. There are <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-do-i-find-out-if-column-between-foyer-dining-room-living-room-decorative-or-load.htm">ways to identify a load-bearing column</a>, like looking for visible seams and a foundation. Also, check to see if the column directly enters the ground. In some porch installations, a contractor will excavate a hole to install a column into the earth along with a buried cement base for stability.</p></div>

Do baseboards have to be nailed into studs?

• <div><p>Baseboards don’t have to be nailed into studs. However, nailing them into studs adds to their stability. When studs aren’t available, you can secure them with drywall nails directly into the drywall and adhesive. Always aim to nail into studs, especially in high-traffic or impact-prone areas.</p></div>

Get matched with top contractors in Plainfield, NH

Q: Do baseboards have to be nailed into studs?

• <div><p>Baseboards don&rsquo;t have to be nailed into studs. However, nailing them into studs adds to their stability. When studs aren&rsquo;t available, you can secure them with drywall nails directly into the drywall and adhesive. Always aim to nail into studs, especially in high-traffic or impact-prone areas.</p></div>

Q: Do joists sit on beams?

• <div><p>Joists do distribute their load to beams, but they don&rsquo;t sit on top of the beams. Instead, home builders nail or screw the joists directly to the beams such that the end of the joist butts up against the edge of the beam. Beams can sit on other beams for support, but you&rsquo;ll never see a joist sitting on top of a beam or another joist.</p></div>

Q: Can you do a bump out for a closet installation?

• <div><p><a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/what-is-a-bump-out-addition.htm">Bump-out additions</a> can add some space to a closet without requiring any significant structural work. This entails pushing back the existing rear or side of the closet, simply moving the wall into either an adjacent room or unused space. For ground-floor closets, this could even be extended to the exterior of the home, but that has its own complications. Bump-outs are a good discussion to have with your contractor if you&rsquo;re just looking to increase the space a little&mdash;not renovate the entire closet space. </p></div>

Q: Do I need special lumber for framing a house?

• <div><p>Learning <a href="https://www.angi.com/articles/how-to-frame-house.htm">how to frame a house</a> includes picking the right lumber for the job. Most people will want to pick pine, spruce, or fir for the framing. These types of lumber are affordable and produce sturdy framing for structures. Look for kiln-dried lumber to reduce the risk of shrinkage or insect damage after installation. As part of what&rsquo;s included in framing a house when you hire a professional, the contractor should order the lumber, so you don&rsquo;t have to worry about finding the right lumber.</p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Contractor Service pros in Plainfield, NH

*The Angi rating for Contractor Service companies in Plainfield, NH is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Contractor Service needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Contractor Service companies in Plainfield, NH is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Contractor Service needs.

Last update on August 18, 2024

Reviewed in August 2024
We needed our porch floor, stairs, and railings repaired due to water damage. Ac Construction responded quickly to our inquiry through ANGI and gave a very reasonable estimate. They began work immediately. The porch is like brand new. The quality of their work is EXCELLENT. Workers are...
AC CONSTRUCTION LLC
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Reviewed in June 2024
Talked more than worked. What should have taken about 6 hours took him 10 and was not finished. Let him go before job was done due to overly expensive. Had to tell him step by step. Did not seem to have the carpentry skills he stated he had.
S.A.T. Handyman Services
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Reviewed in July 2023
I contacted three companies to give an estimate for replacing our deck. The deck included steps, a bench, a planter and some fencing. Eddie stood out from the crowd. He came across as professional and knowledgeable and just generally gave the impression that he would do the job right and by the...
Excellence home improvement LLC
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Reviewed in April 2018
We hired Jeff based on reviews from Angie's List. We wanted our basement converted to 2 bedrooms, bath, and workshop. Based on already roughed-in plumbing, he completed the job with help from a plumber and electrician. In order to comply with window egress codes, he built benches in both...
Ridge Top Painting & Carpentry
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Reviewed in October 2014
The drive was resurfaced with asphalt by this company on or about the 6th August 2013. I power washed and edged the driveway before the company's arrival. <br /> Within 2 months cracks started to appear in various areas of the 3000 sq ft driveway. As the winter was drawing near I decided to...
Twin state paving
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Reviewed in November 2013
We originally hired Fred Howe to replace an old double deck porch with new screened in porch and liked him so much we had him do a bunch of other things that needed to be done. On his recommendation we hired GW Kitchen to redo our kitchen and baths and Fred did all of the carpentry work...
Howe Builders LLC
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Reviewed in November 2013
Alan is a trustworthy guy who wants to make his customers happy. For big jobs, he works with a friend, and both of them together can do essentially anything (including basic electrical and basic plumbing). We first hired him to remodel our bathroom. It included tearing a wall down and...
Mr. Mom Property Maintenance
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Reviewed in September 2011
Everything always goes great with Don. He has a super work ethic and a super attitude. He is a great stickler for detail. He treats everything he's working on like he was working on his own house, with his own money. He tries to save the customer money at every opportunity. The quality of...
Don Crump
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Reviewed in December 2009
Fast response and professional, quality work. Lou was able to juggle his schedule to make an emergency repair. Very reasonable prices. We will definitelly use him for future carpentry services.
L. LeRoux Carpentry
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Reviewed in June 2009
He did a superb job and was very flexible on changes and lettings us supply the material.His references were excellent and labor prices very reasonable! I would highly recommend him to anyone seeking any kind of carpentry work!
Ian Oxton
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Find Contractors in Plainfield

Rose Contracting & Design

5.0(

)

Serving Plainfield, NH and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

Free estimates

Customers say: True professional

"I hired Rose Contracting & Design to remodel and convert a 3 room office into a hair studio. I could not have been any more happy with the outcome - Thomas truly outdid himself and exceeded my expectations! Would absolutely recommend him for any job you may have in mind!"

+158

Response time5 days

Response rate86%

3 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Ridge Top Painting & Carpentry

4.8(

)

Serving Plainfield, NH and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 1995

Free estimates

Customers say: Super punctual

"I can't speak highly enough regarding Jeff Lemires's work. I've worked with various contractors throughout my career and have never come across one who is not only thoroughly trained and talented in the trade but who is also scrupulously honest and trust worthy. I have reviewed a number of individuals with whom I've conducted business in the upper valley but never anyone who so richly deserves a perfect score.. This gentleman deserves only those clients who understand and appreciate quality at its best at a fair and reasonable price.
"

+15

Response time12 hrs

Response rate95%

3 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Tejada's Remodeling Inc

4.8(

)

Serving Plainfield, NH and surrounding areas

Approved

Super Service Award Winner

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Tejada’s remodeling will go above and beyond to make sure you are happy with the services provided. They were flexible and worked around our schedule. I already have them scheduled for more work this month! They do it all! Thank you Tejada’s!!!"

Response time1 day

13 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by82%of homeowners

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Potwin Construction, LLC Builder Of Quality Homes

3.4(

)

Serving Plainfield, NH and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2001

Free estimates

Customers say: Quick response

"Paul was great to work with. He did a great job, I would highly recommend him."

Response time2 days

15 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by83%of homeowners

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Sonart Construction Corp.

2.3(

)

Serving Plainfield, NH and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2013

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"I recently had my shingle roof replaced and I?m very happy with the results. The team was professional, punctual, and completed the job efficiently. The quality of the work is excellent, and the new roof looks great. They kept the work area clean and communicated well throughout the process. I would definitely recommend them to anyone needing a roof replacement."

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Mr. Mom Property Maintenance

4.6(

)

Serving Plainfield, NH and surrounding areas

In business since 2007

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"

Mr. Mom helped us save costs by painting some of his leftover gutter materials so they would not clash with the rental house, and finished the job quickly so we could have it done before more rainstorms caused flooding in the basement.

"

Recommended by95%of homeowners

Serving Plainfield, NH and surrounding areas

In business since 2000

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Marquis Roofing did a fantastic job on our roof. The job was completed in one day. Tom Marquis's crew was professional, highly qualified and courteous. Once completed, the job site was completely cleaned of any building material and nails. I would absolutely hire Marquis Roofing again should I ever need another roof job done."

+104

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Oliver Druen Carpentry

4.5(

)

Serving Plainfield, NH and surrounding areas

In business since 2004

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Oliver came to our home to do a free estimate within just a day or so of using Home Advisor. His price was very reasonable. And he was able to start the project very quickly. He did a wonderful job with the vinyl siding installation. I highly recommend Oliver Druen Carpentry."

Very small bathroom in need of a little tlc

+33

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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Cully Thurston Painting

4.9(

)

Serving Plainfield, NH and surrounding areas

In business since 1999

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Work was done in a timely professional manner, most items we initially spoke about got put in the work order.
"

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Serving Plainfield, NH and surrounding areas

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

Credit card accepted

"Quick, professional, and on time. Got the job fine sooner than expected. Great quality. Would hire again and recommend."

+97

Recommended by100%of homeowners

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...

Showing 1-10 of 72

Unfinished Carpentry questions, answered by experts

Not all porch columns are load-bearing, though they can be. Some porch columns are simply decorative. There are ways to identify a load-bearing column, like looking for visible seams and a foundation. Also, check to see if the column directly enters the ground. In some porch installations, a contractor will excavate a hole to install a column into the earth along with a buried cement base for stability.

Baseboards don’t have to be nailed into studs. However, nailing them into studs adds to their stability. When studs aren’t available, you can secure them with drywall nails directly into the drywall and adhesive. Always aim to nail into studs, especially in high-traffic or impact-prone areas.

Joists do distribute their load to beams, but they don’t sit on top of the beams. Instead, home builders nail or screw the joists directly to the beams such that the end of the joist butts up against the edge of the beam. Beams can sit on other beams for support, but you’ll never see a joist sitting on top of a beam or another joist.

Bump-out additions can add some space to a closet without requiring any significant structural work. This entails pushing back the existing rear or side of the closet, simply moving the wall into either an adjacent room or unused space. For ground-floor closets, this could even be extended to the exterior of the home, but that has its own complications. Bump-outs are a good discussion to have with your contractor if you’re just looking to increase the space a little—not renovate the entire closet space.

Learning how to frame a house includes picking the right lumber for the job. Most people will want to pick pine, spruce, or fir for the framing. These types of lumber are affordable and produce sturdy framing for structures. Look for kiln-dried lumber to reduce the risk of shrinkage or insect damage after installation. As part of what’s included in framing a house when you hire a professional, the contractor should order the lumber, so you don’t have to worry about finding the right lumber.

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