-To build an arched door opening, the carpenter needs to know the "spring line". Provide him with the height of the opening and the radius of the circle that will be at the top. This is calculated by dividing the width of the door by 2. So, for a door that is 7.5' tall, the curve will begin at 6' up the wall (7.5' minus 1.5').

-I will always strive to avoid building an open porch with living space beneath it. It is extremely difficult to waterproof.

-Watch out for HVAC contractor overselling by overestimating your needs. I built a house with three furnaces recently, when I really only needed two.

-Tell your HVAC contractor exactly where you want your air ducts to go in the basement. If you are not careful, they will be spread out in such a way that you will have difficulty making some of the basement ceilings high enough.

-Watch out for contractors who you use regularly and who believe that they have you as a regular customer. They know that you are not getting multiple bids and may not even give you an estimate. Not all contractors will do this, but I have had at least one who did: He raised his prices rapidly and unreasonably. Additionally, he overcharged me for change orders. I will always get multiple bids on every trade, if possible, in the future. An expensive lesson to learn!

Former builder and instructor of "Save Time and Money in Home Remodeling" cont. ed. course at Emory University