Beware the Dangers of ZIP System Exterior Sheathing
As construction experts, we notice when new home construction is going up in our region of Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. And one thing we’ve [...]
Understanding Contractor Payments
There is a lot to understand when working with a contractor, not the least of which are the contractor payment requirements that come along with [...]
What is an Overdrilled Beam or Stud?
When Först Consulting Group is performing a detailed inspection, one of the things we can cite as a code violation is an overdrilled beam or [...]
Common Issues With Metal Roofs
Although shingled roofs are most common, there are still a number of people who prefer a metal. A metal roof is beautiful, durable and requires [...]
Do I Need to Worry About Insulation in Summer?
Although most people think about insulating their homes against winter’s cold, summer is also a time when insulation plays an important role. Insulation was designed [...]
Virginia Home Inspector Specializing in Construction Problems
One of our clients was remodeling her home when she started having problems with the contractor. His prices kept going up, but the work didn’t [...]
2018 ICC Building Code Revisions
Every two years, the International Code Council, or ICC, issues revised editions of its code books updated to include current and accurate code information, with [...]
Hot Spot Testing Through Thermal Imaging
Do you know what a “hot spot” is? And no, it doesn’t refer to the latest after-hours club or newest restaurant opening. A hot spot, [...]
How to Address a Renovation Construction Dispute
There was an informative article in the Washington Post (19 April 2018) by Elisabeth Leamy, host of the podcast “Easy Money,” titled “How to Address a Dispute [...]
Why Do Buildings Under Construction Catch Fire?
Almost every day when you turn on the news you see another building fire. Whether it’s a new building or an old one, a large [...]