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.

Should We Go Solar?

By Todd Fratzel on Solar Power

I’ve been writing about alternative energy quite a bit lately and my interest in the subject goes deeper than blog posts. The fact is the thought of paying $3 to $5 per gallon of propane to heat our domestic water and our home is really wearing on me. I can’t help but wonder where the…

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How To Install Undermount Sinks

By Todd Fratzel on Plumbing

Installing Undermount Sinks Installing an undermount sink might seem like a complicated home improvement project. However, if you know a few tips that the pros use the project won’t be that difficult. Undermount sinks are typically installed under solid surface counter tops. The only difference between stone and acrylic counter tops is the way you…

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How To Install A Dimmer Switch

By Todd Fratzel on Electrical

Installing A Dimmer Switch A fairly easy home improvement project is installing dimmer switches. Dimmer switches can help create better visual settings in a room depending on the activity the room is being used for. In addition, using dimmer switches can actually help reduce your electric bill when the light is being dimmed. As with…

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How To Assemble John Deere Plug Aerator

By Todd Fratzel on Landscaping, Power Tools

Today I finally got around to assembling the John Deere 48″ Plug Aerator that I purchased recently. The 48″ plug aerator is a tow-behind model that attaches to the hitch on my John Deere X300 lawn mower. The assembly took me about one hour with the help of my three year old son (hmm…..does that…

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Ceiling Fan Speed Controls

By Todd Fratzel on Electrical

Today I learned something new about how to control the speed of ceiling fans. We have a ceiling fan in our bedroom that we use pretty regularly during the summer. It has three pre-set speeds, slow, medium and fast. Here’s the problem: the slow and medium speeds are so slow that they really don’t do…

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Sun-Burned Lawn

By Todd Fratzel on Landscaping

We have a serious case of sun-burned lawn behind our home. As you can see in the photo there is a very large area of sun-burned grass. You can also see in the lower left hand corner of the photo where our septic tank is buried by the nice rectangular outline of sun-burned grass. This…

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Evaluating a Domestic Solar Hot Water System

By Todd Fratzel on Energy Conservation, Solar Power

Top 5 things to evaluate when choosing a Domestic Solar Hot Water system (SDHW) With the price of energy skyrocketing, many people are looking into ways to reduce their energy use and thus expenses. Solar systems, particularly SDHW systems are an excellent way to do just that. SDHW systems are often less expensive than their…

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Peel and Stick Crown Molding?

By Todd Fratzel on Finish Carpentry, Product Reviews

Self Stick Crown Molding Peel and stick crown molding? What will they come up with next? I’m having a hard time understanding how this product is a good thing. There are a couple of manufacturers out there making peel and stick crown molding. They sell it in short lengths and it comes ready to cut…

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