TORQUE & TAPE — The Blue-Collar Skills Guide

Building a Barndominium: Step-by-Step Guide

Building a Barndominium — The Complete Step-by-Step Guide is a field-tested roadmap that takes you from first sketch to a clean Certificate of Occupancy. It speaks to owner-builders and pros who want straight answers, safe methods, and code-smart details without fluff.
Chapter 1 locks the plan and budget so the project is buildable and bankable. You confirm how your authority classifies a barndominium, then pick a structure that fits your span and climate. You size the shell around real rooms and door heights, not guesses. You choose a foundation from soil and loads. You draw a moisture and condensation plan that prevents drips and mold. You line up permits, stamped drawings, and a procurement schedule with long-lead items marked.
Chapter 2 turns dirt and drawings into a tight shell. You lay out the site with permanent control points, build a compacted pad, and place a slab with vapor control and clean joints. You set anchor bolts to plan, stand the first frames plumb, and brace each bay before you skin it. You install roof and wall panels with straight lines and sealed laps. You flash windows and doors, route water away from the foundation, and pass the key inspections for foundation, framing, and roof dry-in.
Chapter 3 brings the interior to life. You insulate with a dew-point strategy matched to climate. You frame fire separations between shop and living. You rough electrical, plumbing, and HVAC cleanly, label everything, and test. You air-seal, hang drywall or liner panels, set floors, cabinets, and trim, then install fixtures and appliances. You run a blower door and balance air. You finish with a punch list, a warranty binder, and a maintenance calendar that protects the investment.
Throughout, the guide stresses safety, plain language, and steps that a careful beginner can follow. It names common fails and shows exact fixes. It keeps the legal guardrails clear: follow local code, use licensed pros for foundation, gas, main electrical, and HVAC, and document every inspection. The result is a quiet, durable, efficient home with the shop power you wanted, delivered without guesswork.

How to Build Your Dream Shed — Step-by-Step Guide from Foundation to Finish

Building your own shed is one of the most rewarding backyard projects. This guide walks you step by step through the entire process — from choosing the right site and laying a solid foundation, to framing sturdy walls, setting a roof, and finishing with siding, doors, and paint. Along the way, you’ll learn essential safety checks, tool tips, and smart tricks for keeping everything square, level, and weatherproof.
Whether you need extra storage, a small workshop, or a place to keep your garden tools organized, this shed build is designed to be practical, durable, and beginner-friendly. You’ll finish with more than just a structure — you’ll gain confidence in your skills and a shed that lasts for years with only simple seasonal care.

Building an Off-Grid Home: From Groundwork to Winter - A Homesteading Journey

A couple picks a parcel by reading the land with simple tools and patient notes. They test soil, trace sun and wind, and check access in bad weather. Water and power come first. They compare a drilled well to rain catchment, flag a cistern for gravity head, and size a modest solar setup with a quiet generator as backup. Paperwork and erosion control clear the way for grading and a septic perc. They beat a storm to dry-in with piers, framing, roof skin, wrap, and sealed openings, then fix a single leak on the fly. Systems start clean under lockout and tagout. Solar, batteries, transfer switch, propane, PEX freeze plan, septic, and a safe wood stove pass basic checks. Insulation and air sealing lower loads. A thermal mass corner, cold cupboard, gutters with first flush, and clear filtration turn a shell into shelter. The first season proves the plan. They log power, water, and heat, run drills, trade help with a neighbor, solve small setbacks, balance the budget, and set year two upgrades. Habits carry the house when weather turns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DIY Solar Power on a Budget: Your Beginner’s Guide to Off-Grid Living

In this episode, we explore how to build a budget-friendly DIY solar power system perfect for off-grid living. Our step-by-step guidance walks you through essential topics such as load math, LiFePO4 battery setup, and MPPT programming. Discover how to wire a pure-sine inverter and maintain your system to ensure your lights, phone, laptop, router, and small TV run smoothly without guesswork. Whether you're a complete beginner or someone looking to upgrade their solar knowledge, this episode will provide the insights you need to start your off-grid journey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Year-End Maintenance Checklist for Trades

Avoid January breakdowns with our step-by-step field manual! In this episode, we present a comprehensive year-end maintenance checklist designed specifically for small trades shops. This guide helps you lock in schedules, pass inspections, keep your trucks road-ready, and kick off the new year clean and confident. Tune in and set your shop up for success as we dive into practical maintenance strategies tailored for the trades industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hiring Your First Helper

Stop guessing and start hiring with confidence! In this episode, we present a step-by-step field manual designed specifically for small shops in the work and trades industry. From establishing the legal setup for hiring to crafting clear job posts, conducting structured interviews, and managing clean payroll, we've got you covered. Plus, learn about essential day one safety measures and develop a comprehensive ninety-day plan that effectively ties pay to employee skills. This episode is built for work and trades teams seeking reliable onboarding practices, blue collar skills growth, and ultimately aiming for fewer callbacks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Effective Customer Communication for Field Service Pros

Master the art of customer communication designed specifically for field service professionals. In this episode, we provide a clean talk track ideal for technicians who aim for first-time fixes and fewer callbacks. You'll discover simple scripts, clear metrics, and proof points that customers can retain. This comprehensive guide is tailored for the nuances of customer communication, setting realistic expectations, showcasing live readings, and ensuring a follow-up check-in the next day. Don't miss out on these essential strategies for success in the trades! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Smart Pricing Strategies: Mastering Margins and Markup

In this episode, delve into essential pricing strategies that empower you to work with confidence. Understand the crucial differences between margin versus markup, discover how to build a real shop rate, and learn to set floors for materials. We’ll guide you on how to block labor time effectively, blend a whole job to meet your target profit, and navigate discounts and change orders seamlessly. Plus, find out how to send a clean bid that stands firm in records. Mastering these concepts is vital for any shop owner or worker looking to enhance their pricing skills! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thermal Imaging Techniques for Efficient HVAC and Electrical Diagnostics

In this episode of Torque & Tape, we present a clear, step-by-step field manual for using thermal imaging techniques to accelerate diagnostics for HVAC systems, electrical panels, motors, and building envelopes. Discover how to set emissivity, control span, and effectively pair images with meter proof. Learn to build detailed reports that secure approvals and significantly reduce downtime, all while enhancing your skills in thermal imaging diagnostics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Grounding and Bonding Essentials

Electrical Skills for Professionals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.