Bob walks through the Manhattan Brownstone floor-through apartment with project manager Chris Vila, looking first at the ductwork that has been run in the ceiling for the forced air heat. He then joins John McEvoy of Thorough Construction for a look at the drop ceiling installation they will be using to hide the ductwork and mechanicals in the ceiling. This Chicago bar system allows the crew to hang a perfectly level drywall ceiling instead of following the uneven pattern of the existing joists. First an anchor is screwed into the joists. A pencil rod is then fitted into the hole in the anchor and bent to hang from the joist. A lasar level marks the exact position for the kelly clips that will hold the main stays or block irons in place. The Chicago bar is then clipped to the block irons with a spaghetti clip to create a grid for the new drywall. The drywall will be screwed directly into the suspended Chicago bar.

Open Joist 2000 is an engineered wood system designed to maximize solid-sawn lumber strength while minimizing lumber waste. This truss and joist system features fully trimmable joists that are ordered to length from an inventory that is maintained by the manufacturer. These joists feature an open-webbed design that allows wiring and pipes to be run through the joists, without the need for a drop ceiling or lost headroom.

The furred out walls from the 1940s, the oringinal lathe and plaster, and all the extra building materials have been removed from the 1890s Brownstone, leaving the original brick party walls. This allows for rigid insulation along the walls and built-out framing for the new windows. There has been a discovery during demolition -- original cornice work all around the perimeter of the front room, tthat was hidden by a drop ceiling, was found in near perfect condition. The plan is to restore it and skim coat the original ceiling, building back the areas where sleepers were hung to support the suspended ceiling. Now that the drop ceilings have been removed, the ceiling heights are 12.5 feet throughout. Looking up, Bob marvels at the quality workmanship of the craftsmen from the 1890s whose joistwork with cross bracing is still evident. Alongside the original joistwork is the cobbled job from a 1940s conversion that will need to be remedied during reconstruction.

Bob talks with Nick Beasley, owner of a home in Melrose, Massachusetts. Beasley reviews how he and his family bought a two-family home in Melrose. The house was originally built as a single-family home but was later converted. Beasley and his wife are expecting a baby in six weeks. Maggie Beasley shows Bob the basic layout of the house and the improvements they have made. Maggie Beasley reviews the colors of the living room, dining room, and kitchen that were selected with the help of a colorist. She shows Bob the kitchen and expresses the hope that they will be able to upgrade their kitchen safety in advance of the baby's arrival. On the third floor, there is a nursery, two bedrooms, and a small room the Beasleys will convert to a bathroom. A larger master bath will be created during this project, with the smaller bath moving to the hall. Nick Beasley reviews the demolition of the existing small bath and the new partition wall that has been built to frame out the new space.