Q. I'm thinking of a career in new home construction and know very little. One of the things I don't fully understand is the foundation footer. I'm also stumped about piers. What's the real purpose of ...

DEAR TIM: I’m not very good at reading blueprints. On the ones for my new home, the architect has drawn a step footing. Is this an accepted way to put in a foundation? Why can’t the footer that rests ...

Building my own cottage is something I’ve dreamed about for as long as I can remember. But in my mind, it was a much smaller, simpler endeavour than it turned out to be. Building a house in the city ...