Q. My home insurance premiums have increased over the past couple years. We haven’t been affected by storms or floods, yet my rate has gone up each year. From what little I can gather from them, my home is supposedly increasing in value . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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11/8/19
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Q. I saw an online demonstration of how a robot was being trained to put ceiling and wall boards up and wondered, have you seen any other kinds of construction being done with robots? I’m concerned about seeing jobs taken away by machines.
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By Monte Leeper
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11/2/19
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The Guggenheim Museum, as I outlined in last week’s column, was a landmark from the day it was conceived, always intended to be very different from the typical rectangular buildings that line the streets of Manhattan. The designer, Frank Lloyd Wright . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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10/28/19
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Q. While visiting the Guggenheim Museum, I learned about what a special place it is, so different from other museums because of its round shape. It really is one of a kind, and I was trying to imagine how the architect came up with the idea,
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By Monte Leeper
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10/18/19
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Q. We’re stuck in a dilemma with our construction because our contractor stopped coming back and wants more money. We have a signed contract, but the contractor said he wants more, and without an explanation of why.
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By Monte Leeper
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10/11/19
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Q. My addition is under construction, and the work was stopped by the inspector, who claims he wasn’t called to inspect the foundation and the insulation before the walls were finished. He said he needed to either see the insulation or have the architect write a letter.
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By Monte Leeper
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10/4/19
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Q. We hired a contractor to put in a new storefront in a warehouse building. We want the job done right, with permits. Our building department said we need structural plans from an engineer or architect, which our contractor says they don’t provide.
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By Monte Leeper
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9/27/19
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Q. We were intrigued by the old house we bought, especially when we decided to renovate to add two bedrooms now that we’re expecting. The contractor we met with told us it would be a shame to change the house very much . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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9/20/19
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Q. We’re having a problem with our shower. The tile started to lean out in spots and the seams have opened up. We’re told by our tile guy that the sheetrock is the problem . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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9/13/19
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Q. We have a permit to open up our kitchen to our family room and add a breakfast room. We’re told that our finished basement and attic aren’t legal, but we don’t want to get permits for them, at least not now. We thought they were acceptable . . .
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By Monte Leeper
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9/6/19
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