Across many cultures, there is a quiet belief that the first person to step through your door on the first day of January shapes your luck for the entire year. This idea is often called first footing.

Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, ...

Question: I believe I read in ACI 332 that footings are to be a minimum of 2 inches outside the face of the wall sides and the IRC states 4 inches. Which one is right? – Concrete Contractor (Alabama).

Question: Do you know if it states in the IRC code that a “J”-bar must be poured in the footing if the wall requires vertical reinforcing. I have a meeting with an inspector tomorrow to discuss code ...

There are plenty of Scottish traditions which are observed on New Years, but it's after the bells ring that first-footing comes into play. Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you ...