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.

Walk-In Closet Organizers | Design

By Todd Fratzel on Closets & Storage, Design

Choosing Closet Organizers & Materials As part of our walk-in closet design-build project I’ve been researching and shopping for closet organizers and materials. Our wish list includes a cherry finished style of closet shelving, drawers and a hanging rod. It has been our experience that shopping online for these type of products can save  money.…

Continue reading »

Painting | Walk-In Closet

By Todd Fratzel on Closets & Storage, Interior Decorating, Painting and Finishing

Walk-In Closet Color Pallete We are in the process of finishing our walk-in closet that’s part of our master bedroom suite. Our walk-in closet design-build project will include painting the room and installing wood closet organizer products. We are currently trying to evaluate which closet manufacturer we want to use but we have decided that…

Continue reading »

Lifting Straps Replace Dollies

By Todd Fratzel on Power Tools

Forearm Lifting Straps Forearm lifting straps have pretty much replaced dollies when it comes to moving furniture and large bulky items. If you’ve had any appliances delivered to your home then you’ve seen these great lifting straps in action. I haven’t seen a delivery or moving guy use a dolly at all in the last…

Continue reading »

Buy Sump Pumps Before Spring Rains

By Todd Fratzel on Power Tools

Sump Pumps Sump pumps can make the difference between a dry basement and a flooded basement when spring rains soak the ground around our homes. Submersible sump pumps don’t last forever so it’s really important to check them once or twice each year. If your submersible sump pump is corroded or not functioning properly it…

Continue reading »

How To Trim Pocket Door Jambs

By Todd Fratzel on Doors, Finish Carpentry

Pocket Doors Pocket doors are a really great space saver and they’ve become extremely popular with today’s floor plans. Pocket doors slide on an overhead rail system that allows the door to be slid into a pocket in the adjacent wall. Pocket doors can even match all the other doors in your home and appear…

Continue reading »

Makita 2704X1 Table Saw Review

By Todd Fratzel on Power Tools, Product Reviews

Today I had the pleasure of trying out the Makita 2704X1 Contractors 15 Amp 10-Inch Benchtop Table Saw with Stand. We’re building a new house for a client and the homeowner just ordered this table saw. He had it all set up in the basement next to our Bosch Worksite Table Saw. First of all…

Continue reading »

Walk-In Closet Design-Build Project

By Todd Fratzel on Closets & Storage, Design & Planning, Interior Decorating

Walk In Closet Design Existing Walk-In Closet Layout We’ve decided that it’s finally time we finished our walk-in closet that’s in our master bedroom suite. One of the features that my wife really wanted in the new house was a walk-in closet in addition to our his and her reach in closets. Unfortunately, when we…

Continue reading »

Underground Storm Water Detention

By Todd Fratzel on Design

Storm Water Detention Almost all new construction today requires some type of drainage analysis of the project property. Whether the developer does the analysis of the entire project in a sub-division or whether your local government requires an analysis most regulations prevent new water runoff from leaving your property. Obviously this is a simplification of…

Continue reading »

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