Things I Love, part I

"Love" seems like a strong word when it comes to how one feels about certain home-improvement products... however, you learn to love things that make your job, and life, easier.

1. Good Drywallers: There is no more over-looked tradesman in the building industry than drywall finishers. A good point-up guy can lower your or your customer's blood-pressure by at least 20 points. It's all in the touch. A good drywall finisher is like a world-class Olympic Curler... it seems so simple in theory, until you try to do it yourself. Drywall finishers should make a million dollars per year. There are certain people you should keep as close friends: A lawyer, a dentist, a doctor, an accountant and a reliable drywall finisher.

2. Cheap Caulk Guns: If you are a contractor, you probably own 2,345 caulk guns. Whenever you need one, you never have it in your truck. The only thing that dulls the sting of having to buy a new one, is finding one that costs less than $2.

3. Azek's Procell Decking: The only thing that would make this product better is if it flew through the air and installed itself on your newly-framed deck. It's light, easy to work with, doesn't split or crack, is stainproof and virtually scratch proof. Oh yeah, customers love the way it looks too. For decking boards, it doesn't get any better than this.

4. Three-inch screws: If you have a pound of three-inch screws in your truck, you are pretty much prepared for any situation. I have yet to come across any problem that can't be fixed with a 3" screw.

5. Bobcats: If you have a Bobcat loader on your job and a guy who can drive it well, you can pretty much do anything. It's like having 20 extra guys on the jobsite. Good Bobcat operators are like ninjas and they deserve to make as much as drywall finishers.

6. Geo-Thermal HVAC systems: Pretty much the coolest and most common sense system for heating and cooling your home. It costs a bit up front, but on the long run it can save the homeowner a ton of money. If you don't know anything about it, just Google it.

7. Stamped and colored concrete: If you are thinking about getting a new patio or driveway and haven't looked into stamped concrete, you are missing out on an amazing product. It offers everything pavers can, but no weeds!

8. Ridgid-brand power tools: The light-up power cords are such a simple feature but so cool!

9. Carriage house style garage doors: It used to be that if you wanted to have an automatic garage door, the only choice you had was whether you wanted windows or not. Today, there are so many stylistic choices available you don't have to settle with the ordinary. With so many houses out there designed with the garage facing the street, this advancement is well appreciated.

10. Stanley FatMax tape measure: This isn't your father's tape measure. 11'+ standouts are common now. It makes it much easier to work when you're not directing someone on the dumb end.

Anyway, that's 10 for now. All of my recommendations are given freely, I'm not making any endorsement money on these. However, I am open to offers!

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