Mark Clement: Measure Twice http://blogs.hgtvpro.com/hgtvpro/mark_clement/ HGTVPro.com contributor Mark Clement shares his thoughts on tools and products, homebuilding industry trends, and more. 2009-07-23T10:56:47-05:00 Check What's on Top... Or Look Out Below! http://blogs.hgtvpro.com/hgtvpro/mark_clement/archive/2009/07/check_whats_on_top_or_look_out.html So here's one from the "While-You're-Here-Could-You-Just..." Department.

I get hired to build things, but I'm often asked to do other stuff. In this case, it was move something. And by "something" I mean "the most massive piece of furniture ever."

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Mark Clement 2009-07-23T10:56:47-05:00
Claw-Foot Tub for a Bathroom Remodel http://blogs.hgtvpro.com/hgtvpro/mark_clement/archive/2009/07/clawfoot_tub_for_a_bathroom_re.html Vita in Florida writes (My replies are in italics. I can also speak in italics, but only at parties:)

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Mark Clement 2009-07-06T10:23:13-05:00
Oil, Oil Everywhere http://blogs.hgtvpro.com/hgtvpro/mark_clement/archive/2009/06/oil_oil_everywhere.html Hello, Mark.

I'm once again turning to you for some DIY advice and guidance. Looking to re-stain my deck. What are the key elements (product choice, technique, process) to consider with this process? The last thing I want to do is screw this up and have to do it 3 times!

I've already used a wood-prep product to strip the deck of the old stain, so I am back down to the wood. The deck is made of pressure treated wood. Not sure of the wood type. Our preference is for a darker stain. Do you like oil based stains over latex?

Any commentary is appreciated – for two reasons. 1) It is useful information to help me do the job correctly. 2) For my reading pleasure.

Thank you,
CamO' from tip-top Topsfield

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Mark Clement 2009-06-22T16:55:19-05:00
Profanity (and More) on the Jobsite http://blogs.hgtvpro.com/hgtvpro/mark_clement/archive/2009/06/profanity_and_more_on_the_jobs.html Here's a newsflash: Carpenters swear like... well... carpenters.

Some of the smartest and yes, most eloquent, people I know drop the "F-bomb" about every third word -- and that's before they really get going.

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Mark Clement 2009-06-08T15:22:45-05:00
Professional Advice for a Tile Backsplash http://blogs.hgtvpro.com/hgtvpro/mark_clement/archive/2009/05/professional_advice_for_a_tile.html Q: Hey Carpenter Mark, we recently had new kitchen cabinets and counters installed and I'm tossing around the idea of doing the tile backsplash myself. What level of difficulty would you rate this job? Things to look out for, tips, etc.? We're going with a 2"x4" tile on 12"x12" mesh-backed sheets.
-Dave, Massachusetts

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Mark Clement 2009-05-28T17:04:03-05:00
Talk About Incentives... WOW!!! http://blogs.hgtvpro.com/hgtvpro/mark_clement/archive/2009/05/talk_about_incentives_wow.html So I have sales on my mind -- big time.

It's always important to be hustling for new work -- even in busy times -- but never has it been more important than now.

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Mark Clement 2009-05-26T11:37:00-05:00
Sweating the Small Stuff: Doing it Right, or Facing the Consequences http://blogs.hgtvpro.com/hgtvpro/mark_clement/archive/2009/05/sweating_the_small_stuff_doing.html When you build something, no one is closer to it than you. Indeed, even though you're building it for someone else, deploying your effort and tools to a piece of wood imbues the work with some kind of far-out-right-on-Birkenstock-ish tacit ownership. I suppose you could say that your actions and the piece of wood become the same -- and no one owns you. So there you have it, from my moon- child file.

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Mark Clement 2009-05-25T10:32:15-05:00
Writing for Realtors -- Get Your Foot in the Door http://blogs.hgtvpro.com/hgtvpro/mark_clement/archive/2009/05/writing_for_realtors.html "Tough times make tough people."

I read that in a great book about the World Series of Poker called The Biggest Game in Town by A. Alvarez (Seriously, even if you don't know a full-house from a roundhouse this is a totally gripping book).

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Mark Clement 2009-05-21T15:54:27-05:00
Are Decent Plumbers a Vanishing Breed? http://blogs.hgtvpro.com/hgtvpro/mark_clement/archive/2009/05/are_decent_plumbers_a_vanishin.html I think plumbing, like real estate sales, is one of those businesses where 10% of the people do 90% of the work. And right now I find myself in the unenviable position of trying to find one of the 10%.

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Mark Clement 2009-05-18T10:20:12-05:00
Tire Kickers & the Square Foot http://blogs.hgtvpro.com/hgtvpro/mark_clement/archive/2009/05/tire_kickers_the_square_foot.html Is it just me or are you giving a lot of bids to prospective customers who are simply shopping price, or, as the car-cliché goes, kicking tires? If so, has it changed how you operate?

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Mark Clement 2009-05-15T15:45:15-05:00
A Sense of Space in the 21st Century http://blogs.hgtvpro.com/hgtvpro/mark_clement/archive/2009/04/a_sense_of_space_in_the_21st_c.html So I present demonstrations at JLCLive. Before the Seattle show, a friend and I toured the city.

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Mark Clement 2009-04-11T10:16:49-05:00
How's Your Design Vocabulary? http://blogs.hgtvpro.com/hgtvpro/mark_clement/archive/2009/04/hows_your_design_vocabulary.html This blog is your chance to take me to task, to run me through the ringer, take me down a peg. See when I started building on my own, designing trim for a home improvement job -- or even entire house -- meant going to Home Depot and picking out which molding I liked.

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Mark Clement 2009-04-03T11:03:01-05:00
Taking a Lesson from Southwest Airlines http://blogs.hgtvpro.com/hgtvpro/mark_clement/archive/2009/03/taking_a_lesson_from_southwest.html So I flew Southwest Airlines recently.

The low-cost carrier had the NICEST gate I've ever been at only to be followed-up by a primo plane. Seating was a snap -- you get your seating assignment on-line before heading to the airport -- and the service was great.

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Mark Clement 2009-03-31T12:29:12-05:00
Smoking on the Jobsite http://blogs.hgtvpro.com/hgtvpro/mark_clement/archive/2009/03/smoking_on_the_jobsite.html I don't smoke.

I don't care if you smoke.

But, smoking is an issue that many people in our business confront, both in-house and in YOUR house.

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Mark Clement 2009-03-27T11:43:25-05:00
Working... and Working Out http://blogs.hgtvpro.com/hgtvpro/mark_clement/archive/2009/03/working_and_working_out.html Slinging a tool pouch on at the beginning of the day probably means you lead a physical life.

Who'd argue that climbing ladders, rolling joists, or breaking down a deck package isn't an "active" lifestyle? But working, to me, is waaaaay different than working out. And working out is a key component in staying healthy for work.

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Mark Clement 2009-03-24T10:54:34-05:00