Hurricanes, tropical storms, and tornados are natural disasters that can have cataclysmic consequences for homeowners. For those who lose some, most, or even all of their possessions and property in a natural disaster, trying to find anything positive amid the ruin can be impossible. But as profoundly unfortunate as these events can be on individuals, […]

We’ve all heard of assembling model airplanes and sweaters at home, but now comes a home assembly project that is quite literally a home assembly project.   For under $50,000 you can now purchase online an architect-designed prefabricated house kit that you can use to construct a brand new dwelling for a total cost of […]

It’s one thing to have a home security system and quite another to have a quality home security system. The police know this. That’s why in many cities and towns, fines are levied if a homeowner has an excessive number of false alarms. So how can you avoid getting on the bad side of the […]

Short of having a roof blown off in a tornado, very few homeowners recognize the signs that it’s time to either invest in roof repair or a new overhead covering altogether. Here are five steps you can take toward evaluating the condition of your roof without actually having to climb up on it: Wait for […]

If you’re an avid do-it-yourselfer, painting the interior or exterior of your home may seem like it would be relatively easy to accomplish. The unvarnished truth, however, is that a professional painter can go a long way toward guaranteeing that the job is done right. Here are a few reasons why: Painting is a skilled […]

Not all home services contractors are created equal. Home improvement contractors have their own unique talents and specializations; therefore, hiring a particular contractor should be based on your need and their expertise. Of course, their expertise shouldn’t be your only criteria. Licensing, certifications, expertise and affordability are other important considerations. By hiring licensed and certified […]

When it comes to signing a written agreement with a contractor, the bottom line is who does the document protect—you or him? Obviously, you want the former. This is how to help make sure it goes down that way: First, don’t accept a boilerplate agreement that the contractor may want to give you when you […]

A largely unregulated home improvement trade has been around basically since Paul Revere had someone swap out a bad log in his cabin.  First, those involved in tasks like these were simply called laborers, then handymen, and finally independent contractors. Although there have been many great strides made toward establishing professional standards for contractors over […]

There are basically three types of contractors: 1) the persnickety price gouger who will charge top dollar for any home renovation project because he thinks he’s an artiste; 2) the unreliable low-baller who will give you the cheapest estimate just to get your business and then wreck your home; and 3) the dependable craftsman who […]

The last time you hired a painter to do work in your home, he was so overcome by an allergic reaction to your cats that he rushed through the job just so he could get out of your house sooner. Alas, his haste showed in the finished product. Oops. You forgot to inquire about his […]