Down and dirty – a complete step-by-step guide to making, installing and living with beautiful, all-natural earthen floors Poor heat and moisture management are the enemies of durable, comfortable, and efficient housing, and good building design and construction starts with a solid understanding of good building science. Essential Building Science provides a highly visual and accessible introduction to the fundamentals of building science for residential construction. Part one covers the rationale behind high-performance design and the fundamentals of building physics, including thermal dynamics, moisture transfer, and hygro-thermal dynamics such as vapor drive and condensation. Part two teaches the vital critical thinking skills needed to consider buildings as whole systems and to develop thermal and moisture control strategies regardless of the specifics of the design. Case studies and examples from across North American climatic zones illuminate real-life problems and offer builders, designers, and DIYers the insights and tools required for creating better new buildings and dramatically improving old ones. Good science plus critical thinking equals high performance buildings.

This guide is for owners. It offers a new approach to managing the cooperative effort required in all custom home and home addition projects by preparing the owner for a more active oversight role and by substituting a Project Advisor for the General Contractor. The guide is not about pouring footers, framing, or applying shingles. There is an army of experienced tradesmen available in the yellow pages, through TV offerings or in local newspapers that can provide these skills. Planning and building a new home or major addition, unless one chooses to be passive and surprised by the cost and the results, requires a great deal of owner participation. This guide prepares the owner to participate more effectively in all phases of the project by preparing them for the experience and by providing guidance and references. The simple process outlined avoids problems, simplifies oversight, makes the process more enjoyable, and saves money by making the process more efficient. With the help of an experienced Construction Advisor, owners can save as much as 20% by actively participating in the planning and management of a custom home or home addition project.

Being your clients’ Most Trusted Business Advisor is not about selling and making pitches. It’s really about showing an interest in your clients, asking the kind of questions that will help you learn what is important to them, and then listening. Based on the AICPA’s successful Trusted Business Advisor Program and intended for CPAs who want to take their consulting practice to the next level, this workbook provides approaches to help you do just that. By the time you finish working through the book’s helpful forms and exercises you will be better able to: have critical conversations with your clients ask the right questions effectively be a better listener easily identify services that will add value to your clients’ organizations avoid administrative pitfalls throughout the process effectively market your services, and profitably grow your practice Find out how to uncover critical client needs in ten minutes or less, how to help your clients prioritize their wish lists, and how to help them quantify the value of addressing each of the issues that keep them awake at night!

The definitive guide to understanding and managing the effects of water on buildings Water in Buildings: An Architect's Guide to Moisture and Mold is a detailed and highly useful reference to help architects and other design professionals create dry, healthy environments, without jeopardizing a project with poor liability management. Much more than a book of "quick fixes," this practical guide illuminates an essential understanding of the "whys" of moisture problems, including valuable information on how water behaves and how its performance can be anticipated and managed in building design. With a special emphasis on water's role in creating mold, an issue of growing concern and liability, Water in Buildings offers the most up-to-date information on rainwater management, below-grade water management, foundations, wall and roof construction, mechanical systems, moisture, and much more! Providing authoritative guidance to designers and builders, this definitive guide features: * Clear explanations of how water interacts with building materials and equipment * An in-depth exploration of the paths of leaks * Numerous case studies on such well-known structures as Mount Vernon, Independence Hall, and Wingspan (Frank Lloyd Wright) * Numerous descriptive drawings and photographs

In "Building Elite Advisor Teams: The Supernova Path," author Elara Phoenix draws on her extensive experience with LPL Financial and the Advisors Group to reveal the secrets behind creating and maintaining high-performing advisory teams. Through the lens of thousands of elite advisors, Phoenix uncovers the consistent ambition of top performers: to build, protect, and ultimately transfer a thriving business to a worthy heir. Discover the transformative power of the Supernova Moment, where elite Advisor Teams command premium valuations based on deep client goodwill. While not all advisors achieve this coveted status, their relentless pursuit of best practices and innovative strategies propels them forward. This book serves as a guide for aspiring and established advisors alike, providing actionable insights into the quest for excellence in the ever-evolving financial landscape.

This book addresses the important issues involved in forming effective and profitable teams for construction projects - both within and between client, design and construction firms. It is divided into two main sections. The first contains theories related to particular aspects of project teams, with key points illustrating their practical application. The second contains real and simulated building and civil engineering case studies, each concluding with corrective lessons to aid successful construction project team building.