About the author

Todd Fratzel

I'm full time builder for a large construction company in New Hampshire. I run their design-build division that specializes in custom homes, commercial design-build projects and sub-divisions. I'm also a licensed civil and structural engineer with extensive experience in civil and structural design and home construction. My hope is that I can share my experience in the home construction, home improvement and home renovation profession with other builders and home owners. I'm also the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Tool Box Buzz. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, suggestions or you'd like to inquire about advertising on this site.

Home Network with Structured Wiring

By Todd Fratzel on Electrical

I’ve written about the structured wiring used when we built our new home. Structured wiring is a great way to create a very stable and functional home network. My wife and I both work at home quite a bit between our real jobs and online ventures so having a home network setup is extremely useful.Setting…

Continue reading »

Buy A Snow Blower Before Winter Storms Hit

By Todd Fratzel on Landscaping, Maintanence, Power Tools

Winter is almost here in New England and that means snow! If you lived here last year then you probably are still have nightmares about the quantity of snow we received. Buying a snow blower is one of the best ways to keep your driveway cleared this winter without breaking your back. It never fails,…

Continue reading »

SpacePak Winter Supply Shut-Off

By Todd Fratzel on Air Conditioning, Maintanence

We use the SpacePak air conditioning in our new home to cool the house in the summer. The SpacePak system is only used for air conditioning so there are two steps to take each fall in preparation for winter. Because the SpacePak system is not used for heating the house it sits unused all winter.…

Continue reading »

Dewalt Reciprocating Saw Review

By Todd Fratzel on Power Tools, Product Reviews

The Dewalt DW304PK Heavy-Duty 10 Amp Reciprocating Saw is one of my favorite demolition tools. If you’re going to do any serious home improvements or house construction then you’re going to need to buy a reciprocating saw. Most people call a reciprocating saw a “sawzall” but Sawzall is a model name for the reciprocating saw…

Continue reading »

Tools For Coping Moldings

By Todd Fratzel on Finish Carpentry, Power Tools, Product Reviews

The best way to get a professional looking inside miter corner for moldings is to cope one piece to fit into the other. Whether you’re installing crown molding or baseboard the coped inside corner creates a very professional look. Using a coping saw is the most basic and proven way to cope moldings. You can…

Continue reading »

Using Concrete Pump Trucks To Pour Foundations

By Todd Fratzel on Foundations

Using concrete pump trucks to pour foundations is becoming quite popular. Pump trucks provide several major benefits which most concrete sub-contractors are taking advantage of on a regular basis. The concrete pump truck pictured on this site has a reach of 100 feet horizontal. Traditionally concrete trucks would pull up to the forms and dump…

Continue reading »

Forming Concrete Foundation

By Todd Fratzel on Foundations

As I continue to share with you the Total House Construction Series – Foundation to Finish the time has come to show you how the concrete foundation walls are formed. Forming concrete foundation walls is a very labor intensive and time consuming process. This new house is also rather large compared to typical houses. The…

Continue reading »

DeWalt Plate Joiner Review

By Todd Fratzel on Power Tools, Product Reviews

Plate Joiner Review The DeWalt Plate (Biscuit) Joiner is one of the specialty power tools that I own and highly recommend. Plate (biscuit) joiners are used to create really strong joints between two boards. You can use the joiner to splice together multiple boards in the same fashion you’d dowel them together. Some of the…

Continue reading »

Copyright © 2009-2023 Front Steps Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Home Construction & Improvement™ is a Trademark of Front Steps Media, LLC.