Thinking of finishing off the attic to gain an extra room? Or to have a special hideaway? To avoid problems, do not tamper with collar ties. Those pesky horizontal framing members that run in every direction are there for a reason. Yes, it would look better if you could remove a few for more headroom and to make your attic space more functional. But, beware! Those collar ties are structural members that keep the rafters from spreading out. In some cases they could be removed, in others, possibly raised or relocated. But you'll need an architectural engineer to tell you exactly what goes where and what can go. If you don't, willy-nilly sawing, cuts and removals could have serious ramifications. And that's the On The House tip for today.