Editorial Policy
How BuildToolHQ Researches and Verifies Content
BuildToolHQ exists to give contractors and serious DIYers accurate, field-tested technical guidance on concrete, drilling, anchoring, and fastening — the kind of specific, code-referenced detail that's hard to find in generic home improvement content. This page explains exactly how that content gets made.
Who Writes This
Content on BuildToolHQ is written under the direction of Thomas Leroy, a contractor with 15+ years of hands-on experience in concrete, masonry, and structural fastening work across Quebec and Ontario. Technical positions, product recommendations, and installation guidance reflect that real-world experience — not generic advice repackaged from other sites.
How Content Is Produced
In the interest of full transparency: content on this site is researched and drafted with the assistance of AI tools, under direct editorial direction and technical review. Every article is built around real, verifiable technical standards — ACI 318-19, ICC 2021, and IBC code references — and reviewed for accuracy against manufacturer specifications and established industry practice before publishing.
We believe disclosing this is the more trustworthy approach than pretending otherwise. What matters to you as a reader is whether the information is accurate and useful, not the exact tools used to produce it — and we hold every article to the same standard of technical accuracy regardless of how it was drafted.
How We Select Products and Recommendations
Product recommendations are based on genuine technical criteria: published load ratings, ICC-ES evaluation reports, real-world reliability, and fit for the specific application described in the article — not which product pays the highest commission.
When we name a specific brand or product (for example, recommending the Simpson Strong-Bolt 2 for a structural wedge anchor application), that reflects genuine industry standing, not a paid placement. We do not accept payment from manufacturers in exchange for a favorable recommendation.
Affiliate Disclosure
BuildToolHQ is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, BuildToolHQ earns from qualifying purchases made through links on this site, at no additional cost to you. This never influences which products we recommend — see “How We Select Products” above.
Sourcing Standards
Technical claims involving load capacities, embedment depths, code compliance, and installation specifications are checked against ACI 318-19 (Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete), current ICC-ES evaluation service reports, and applicable IBC sections. Where a specific code section is cited in an article, that citation reflects the actual section governing the claim — not a generic reference. That said, code requirements vary by jurisdiction and edition; always verify current local code with your authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) before a structural or safety-critical installation.
Corrections
If you find a technical error, an outdated product reference, or anything that doesn't match current manufacturer specifications, we want to know. Corrections are reviewed and published promptly once verified. Reach us at thomasleroy4k@gmail.com.