CONTRACTORS

When you ask contractors for competitive bids, make sure you have one of the contractors or a construction-knowledgeable person write the scope of work and specifications of the materials and have all the contractors bid on the same scope of work to get a fair and equal bid price.

SIDING OR STUCCO

When you have either siding or stucco applied to the exterior of your home make sure you ask what the length of time the water-proof membrane has as the ICBO guarantee. Some of the plaster craft or siding paper has only a guaranty of three minutes to hold water.

MASONRY

When you have a masonry retaining wall built, have the backside of the wall waterproofed and make sure the wall has weep holes to relieve the water from behind the wall.

SIDING OR VENEER MATERIAL

When you have siding or veneer material applied to the exterior of your home make sure it is back primed on the back of the siding before it is nailed to the framing.

SLOPES

When you have a slope in your yard don't plant ice plant to protect the slope from sliding. Ice plant will encourage slope failure.