"Darryl and his son did an amazing job on my back deck and my front covered porch. Communication was spot on, pricing was very reasonable and open to negotiations. These guys had to work through days of 100deg weather which is why they always started as early as they could knowing when i would be awake. I am already talking with him on future projects and i highly recommend you contact him for anything you need done."
"Contractor always left us know when he was coming and/or sending other people to do work. Helped us with design process and made suggestions for a more workable layout. Also, if we saw things that needed some correction there was no hesitation to get it done. Happy with work and our new kitchen!"
"This was my first experience hiring a contractor and Mr. Sturgess's was great to work with. He was able to meet with me outside of my work hours to go over my plans. His crew was on time, friendly, and answered any questions I had. Mr. Sturgess rates were very reasonable, and he and his team are very honest and easy to work. Since they have finished converting my carport to the screened sun room, I asked if they could go ahead and finish some other projects for me. I can't wait until all of my projects are done."
"We had lived in our home for almost 29 years and what started out as a minor job to repair our livingroom floor turned out to be a major repair for almost our whole downstairs because of termites. A&B started the job and were very professional and took good care of us while the work was being done. They kept us up on the work being done and used top notch professional people to treat our home for the termites, rebuild our floors, walls, insulation, electrical work, sheetrock, painters and a new HVAC system. They are truly givers and not takers! Shane, the Field Manager, was very knowlegable, professional and made sure we were pleased with the work that was done. They did an excellent job on the rebuild and we highly recommed A&B Building Group for any job that you may need, small or large. We are so glad to get our home back and it is much better shape and nicer than when we first bought it! It looks like a new home! I give them more than 5 stars! P. Warren"
"We had Palmetto Renovations renovate or kitchen and it came out beautifully! Their 3D rendering services are great as they help to visualize the project and determine finishes. Needless to say, we have bathrooms we need updated and we will be hiring them in the coming months - project planning is already underway. As a bonus: this group takes communication serious and we never went a day with wondering what all got done or what was coming next. Give these guys a try and be amazed!"
"I was very happy with the work Castro did. I had a piece of Fascia blow off during a storm and needed to find someone who was able to shape the piece in order to properly fit. When I searched for companies on Angi Castro contacted me and came out to inspect the need the same day. They communicated very well, were quick to answer all of the questions that I had, and once I was ready to move forward with them they came out the next day to get it fixed. I was happy with the final product and would use them again for any other work I need."
"Mr. Price was a pleasure to deal with, came in on time and got the job done with none of of the horrible contractor nonsense we all fear. Would hire again in a hearbeat."
Unfinished Carpentry questions, answered by experts
Yes, you can find ceiling joists using simple tools if a stud finder isn't available.
Using a hammer requires patience and a keen ear. Gently tap the ceiling in a grid pattern, listening for sound changes. A hollow sound indicates space between joists, while a solid, dull thud suggests a joist. Mark the location with a pencil and confirm by tapping from different angles.
Alternatively, you can use a nail, but this method will leave small holes. You'll feel increased resistance when the nail hits a joist. Mark the spot and repeat the process every 16 or 24 inches to map the joist locations. This method is considered less reliable than using a stud finder.
Framing with metal studs can be significantly faster than using wooden studs, provided you have some experience working with the material. While you can use virtually instant pneumatic nailers with wood, metal requires installing screws. However, because metal is lighter, straighter, usually comes cut-to-length, and doesn't require sorting for the best pieces, you can save significant time using metal instead of wood.
There are a variety of second-story deck privacy ideas depending on your budget and aesthetic. For starters, you might consider fencing or tall privacy railing that masks a good portion of the open deck. A pergola or an awning can provide additional cover and shade. Outdoor curtains are an easy way to add or remove privacy at your convenience, plus they’re a wallet-friendly way to decorate your deck.
The easiest way to tell if a wall is load bearing is to check if it’s an exterior wall or if it runs perpendicular to the joists above and below it (or parallel to beams). Exterior walls are almost always load-bearing, and walls that run under beams or parallel to them are also usually load-bearing. There are exceptions to these rules, and walls that don’t fit into these categories can still be load-bearing. If you’re unsure, hire a structural engineer to look at your home to assess whether or not the wall is structural.
House framing can be expensive because the materials are pricey, and the job requires a high level of expertise. The more complex the plans, the more expensive the job, but even the most basic frame needs to be installed with high-quality materials and precision. When pricing your home’s framework, remember that a sturdy frame is necessary to create a safe structure.
The Elgin, SC homeowners’ guide to contractor services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Need to run electricity to your basement? Learn about the cost to install an outlet in an unfinished basement and what factors affect your project cost.
House framing is one of the first parts of building a home. To do this, you’ll want to hire a rough or unfinished carpenter. Using this guide, you’ll know what questions to ask and where to look for your house framing contractor.
An unfinished basement is often the final frontier of home design. While the uses of other rooms are often preordained, the basement can be so many different things, from a playroom to a home office to a bar.
