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Sub contractor that was not being watched close enough. they probably threw it in and covered it up before the general contractor got to look at it.

Where’s your guys trench shoring for that 14’ deep hole? Trench collapses aren’t no joke.

Wood skin & tapered?! That's crazy. Breaks so many rules. Why? Love those corner windows.

Question. I was just watching one of M. Rissinger videos on a house with exposed studs that he "Outsulated". Wouldn't that be better for a basement? Would bring the thermal mass into the envelope? Though you would have to "Outsulate" up to the framing. Thanks

Glulam beams? Looks interesting

This was a very interesting find Steven! For about 30 years I have been on that path to solution and my 21 Beechwood project is the product of that 30 years of learning, success and fail. I cannot wait for that "first week" run, and the year of tuning the system to see if my ideas work. So much of success is failure, both personal and from others. Knowing how to use this knowledge is the key to making progress. I know that Katrin at Phius is working on the next level, thermal mass. Once my project is operational, success or fail I hope to share my findings with the industry. My friend Alex MacDonald was friends with Amory Lovens, and Joe and Amory now with Katrin have guided the industry towards standards. A long way to go, but the opportunities that exist today with all the new materials, software, machines, etc., is unprecedented. Stepping stones always build up to great things. The diversity of the team will lead to better outcomes. The same old, just does not work anymore. Thank you for the great day starter! Ideas for sure from this one. Now a days people like my friend at NASS use vacuum tubes which are as big as your arm to do the same work as that monster on top of that otherwise nice looking home.

Haha, super cool ideas!

Was the guy in the hole looking at people dancing on Tik Tok or trying to find this video to see how to fix the problem?

So how were the water problems, air sealing and insulation done to fix the problem?

If the conditions for a basement are that bad why not slab on grade?

Brilliant!!!

The third leg is scope, not time; time a component of cost. Meaning that if reducing cost (or time) is your primary objective then you must reduce the scope of the job or quality will suffer. This is what has killed quality of spec built homes... they all try to build a McMansion (scope) for far too cheap per square foot (cost), so the only way to do it is to sacrifice quality. But this tripod fits everything we do... writing a paper for school? If you have a fixed number of hours to work on it (cost), then you have to prioritize quality of your content, or the amount of it (scope). Or perhaps the scope is fixed (teacher wants 10 pages), you now have to prioritize your time or the quality of work. Otherwise... good stuff!

Thank you 🙏

Love that shelf next to the toilet. Gives you a place to set your cell phone while you do the paperwork!😂

Yes, that is clever. It would have been more of a challenge had the shower been curbless.

Considering the amount of space you had to contend with I think it is a exceptional idea Steve, three problems addressed, a shower wall, a spot for the soap and shampoo, and a storage cabinet

More stuff for my brain! Keep on keeoin on

We have a single story, mid century home with a low slope (3 in 12) roof, no attic. My wife said we need a place with an attic to store stuff. I said we need less stuff...

Baczek is dropping Building Science. All these house flipping suckers are building science fiction

On the steel stud starter form, is that placed on both sides of the form? Is there some type of siller or gasket placed on bottom for air sealing? Does it go all around the perimeter including the corners?

Thank you for demonstrating integrity, yours not theirs

Love this subject. Years ago there were builders or remodelers and produced a good to great product. And made money doing so.❤ Now all I hear is " I'm in the business to make money ". When making money is all you care about then there is nothing you won't do to make $$$. House flipper's favorite saying is " I want to just put some lipstick on this pig and thats it ". The buyers assume that between the realtor and the home inspector, any major issues will be addressed. Lol At this point nothing will delay the closing. A buyer can protect themselves with one easy step. Zillow will tell you on the first page if there is a difference in what the county has recorded for square feet and number of bedrooms/bathrooms, and what is on the listing. If there is more bedrooms That means no permits were pulled and the work done wasn't inspected by anyone. That doesn't mean the work done is wrong, just means getting a 2nd home inspector with a focus on plumbing and wiring would be money well spent.

Thanks for sharing, Steve.

The combination of rigid foam, spray foam, and various diameters of backer rod will allow you to get the wall assembly air tight, if you put the time in and pay attention to detail.

This is valuable information. A well-planned basement build-out can add very usable space to your home. Another way of obtaining minimal thermal break under the sole plate on a basement slab is to staple two layers of roofing felt. If you have concerns about water getting in, and you don't want to trap it between the sole plate and concrete wall, you can elevate the sole plate under the studs by screwing plastic shims onto the bottom of the sole plate before installing it. Then compress backer rod into the air space between the floor and the sole plate. If you need to remove that backer rod to let water out and air in, you can. Then when things are dried out, tuck it back in. Of course, the best way to go is to ensure that you don't have water intrusion to begin with. But not everyone has that option and budget.

Honesty, integrity and ethics do not exist with many people. They never learned the "Golden Rule" in school or at home. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Treat people with kindness and respect. Take pride in what you do.

In our area of the PNW that drop is only 1". All decks and thresholds. Most people don't want a tripping point as they age in place. That detail could have been flashed properly with more $$. But the lack of handrail, slate + slope + ice = ER visit!

I have 'flipped' homes but I do not like that term. I refer to what I do as a 're-build' to the latest code. I am basically doing a complete gut with all new mechanicals, everything. I must watch my costs. I do need to make a profit and cannot use high end windows or high end cabinetry and such but I do have a conscious. But, the other person who should see this are some home inspectors as some do not have the knowledge as you have. I am sure this homeowner had this property inspected.

Unfortunately this is the norm for flipping houses Steve, get in and out as quickly as possible and do it on the cheap

"Build nice, or build twice !"

Steve, really appreciate these looks into putting attention to detail into existing homes. There just isn't enough content out there.

In your opinion from a material cost and performance perspective does it make sense to use less than premium double-glazed windows and then install retro storm or triple track storm windows either in or outside with what is basically a double envelope system in new construction

I did a very similar project but on a nice large apartment complex. The situation that occurred was the tenants not closing the outer window. We would never have thought this would happen. They were lazy and would leave the exterior window open in snow and rain. This looks like this is a 3 decker with tenants and I assume there were hopefully no problems. The windows appear to interior extension jambs between the windows. I still think it is a good solution.

Did the neighbors complain about the chemical release into the air near their homes, especially as the adjoining homes in an urban location are closer than in many suburban lots.

Excellent information Steve! Can you explain how you handled the air infiltration/insulation for attic? Another video??

Considering something similar, ~130-150 year old early-victorian, but want to preserve the window look from the exterior. Thinking about 2" rockwool exterior + rainscreen, adding 2-3/4" window bucks to new siding. Interior would eventually get new custom made inswing windows.

Furring strips go over the original siding then? And there is no vapor barrier membrane inside the wall? I've never seen this option. Thanks!

Steve, can you explain the rationale for not removing the original siding for re-use on the new outer level of the building??

Perhaps you will enjoy this quote by Machiavelli: “It ought to be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things. Because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well under the new. This coolness arises partly from fear of the opponents, who have the laws on their side, and partly from the incredulity of men, who do not readily believe in new things until they have had a long experience of them.”

Great work, Steve! I have a question I haven’t been able to get a solid answer on via my readings… In a 3a (warm/humid) climate zone (Tulsa, Ok), would it be problematic to sheath the interior side of a double wall assembly? Either with drywall applied on top of the sheathing, or without drywall applied. Thanks! Chad

Curious about what the polyiso board was installed over (what the house had for structural shear / walls). Did this house have sheathing (boards) under the existing/original cladding ?

Can you explain how the metal screws that hold down the EPS and the furring are thermal breaks?

Hi Steve, A video detailing how you installed the storm windows to get triple pane would be very interesting.

Interesting methodology. The drawback to me seems that you create monopoly like result because the eaves have shrunk significantly. Changes the aesthetics slightly. Probably not an issue with protecting the windows since you have two layers. In our market there has been an awful trend of modern All black New Zealand style “sheds” with no eaves. Asking for trouble!

But what did you do about the basement? Or was this the rare triple decker with a dry basement?

I like your thoughts on this house. I agree it isn't an efficient use of space or funds to heat hot water, though I admire the will and drive to make give it a go. Plus as you mention back then with different technology this perhaps wouldn't have been such a bad design. The person who designed this seems to have had a visionary mindset and would probably be quite knowledgeable on green building tech and materials today.

What did you get the air changes per hour down to? Also, since you tightened up the building a lot, did you have to put in an ERV or a dehumidifier?

Great to here that your daughters followed you in such a Nobel profession Steve, I wish more kids would be interested in the math and sciences in our country. I get the concept of this house but it is hideous looking

so much of learning or solving problems is to "do something, even if it is wrong" or doesn't work

I think that house may have an aneurysm. I'm not a doctor though.