The Competent Builder Report

For almost 30 years, our company has specialized in post construction repair on residential and commercial projects. Most of our work is a direct result of fixing existing poor construction practices out there.

How many bad construction projects and failed attempts at repairs are really out there? In our experience, it’s possible to find minor to major problems on almost every home, apartment, multi-family or small commercial project there is. Often times we are called to remedy the 2nd, 3rd or even 4th failed attempt at a fix. We have literally seen it all.

In this blog we will share some of our experiences and invite you to share your story with us. If you have a problem with your home, let us help you make the right decisions so that you fix it properly without wasting your hard-earned money.

What is the Best Way for a Homeowners Association to Take Care of Construction Defect Issues?

New construction is exciting. Whether you’re starting from scratch or remodeling an existing building, you expect you’ll end up with something better than what you started with. But unfortunately, that’s not always the case. New, inexperienced, lazy or poorly managed construction companies can make mistakes, turning your exciting project into a nightmare. When it’s your home […]

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Solutions for Cracked Stucco

Cracks happen. You can’t avoid them with stucco, but if you act quickly, you can minimize damage — and the cost of stucco repairs. Why does stucco crack? If it’s not due to something obvious, like an earthquake or a foul ball, you have to rely on some crack anatomy for your diagnosis. Know your […]

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Stucco Repair Is Art + Science

Repairing stucco might seem easy, but the work has to be done right or it won’t last.Nothing lasts forever, least of all stucco, no matter how skillful the original craftsman was who installed yours in the first place. You will need repairs, the question is when. If your stucco is compromised, be it from cracks, buckling […]

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Leaking Roofs Often Require Expert Help

A leak in your roof is usually related to the way the felt papers or roof underlayment were installed prior to shingle installation. It’s common for people to try to fix leaks on a roof by placing sealant over the exterior of the shingles. This may work in situations where a hole formed after the […]

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Missing window flashing

Missing or improperly installed window flashing can cause major problems. Most of these problems go undetected for many years. When we are finally called out to the job, it is often too late….. We see mold and organic growth in the driest desert climates. Trapped water in the wall system of a wood framed structure […]

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A Leaking Window

Window leaks are more common than you would think. Hidden Damage When your home has a construction problem, most people want the quickest, cheapest, and easiest fix. If you're told by the handyman that it can be fixed for $50, why spend $500 with a specialized contractor? Many people do not put a high value […]

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Chimney Cap Leaks

Cracking and staining below a chimney cap The red arrow shows where water is getting through the hole in the chimney cap. The hole was created by the fastener used to hold the cap down. This is a common problem that we have fixed on 100′s of home along the Wasatch Front. The green arrows […]

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Waterproof Decking…. Not exactly

Ironically, waterproof decks are where we find the worst dry rot in the shortest amount of time. There is a huge variety of waterproof decks offered by manufacturers and contractors. In Utah, every tile exterior deck that we run into has failed. Water gets in through the grout joints and into the grout bed under […]

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STUCCO REPAIR OR EXTERIOR REMODELING QUESTIONS? PLEASE GIVE US A CALL.

American Architectural Manufacturers Associationexterior home remodel and repair contractorHome Builders AssociationMember NFIBAWCI member