Everyone has heard the old cliché about having the right tool for the job. But the best tool for any home improvement or home repair project is ultimately only as good for the job as the person handling the work. Hand and power tools are generally sold in one of four grades: cheap, homeowner, serious [...]
The good news last year was that several home remodeling projects still delivered solid returns in home valuation for the investment. It’s less so right now, according to Remodeling Magazine in its annual Cost vs Value Report. For 2010-2011, the magazine shows a downward trend on increased valuation when you hold last year’s improvements against [...]
There are winter home improvement projects that take into consideration the down-time many contractors experience through the winter months. That means hardly any lag time between when homeowners make appointment calls and when the work gets done. It can be especially prudent to schedule routine, but absolutely necessary, home maintenance projects, even if the money [...]
In my last half dozen blogs I’ve been urging homeowners to be cautious about the dangerous potential of grandiosity in their plans for home improvement. Experts have been warning homeowners and DIYers for almost a year now to use the current housing stall to make modest improvements, rather than embark on huge undertakings that can [...]
Toward the middle of last year I wrote about the annual report released by Remodeling Magazine that revealed some of the best investments in home improvement projects. At that time I warned against overspending on large, pricey renovations and suggested that you focus instead on small conversions or enhanced features during the economic downturn. It [...]
In the heart of winter, it can be easy to let go of your commitment to fix up your home. There are some advantages to doing home improvement projects in the winter; your contractor may have more time for you and may charge less as the company appreciates the work. And if you’re housebound, it’s a [...]
According to the Department of Energy, your heating and cooling costs make up to 70 percent of your total energy bills. Energy leaks in the home can increase your bills by as much as 30 percent. These numbers make a great argument for green improvements, or at least for fixing your leaks immediately. One first [...]
Painting the interior walls and ceiling of your home doesn’t have to be a terrible misadventure—unless you want it to be! As with most home improvements, if you use the proper tools, then all you need for success is to apply the proper techniques. Even if you employ a time-tested painting technique, the job may [...]
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