Your home is a huge investment when you buy it, plus monthly operating costs like utility bills. We help you spend less, get more value & build homeowner equity like a savings account.
You've probably never hung a door or shingled a roof. That’s why problems are scary. We share concepts, terminology so you can make smart decisions about your home ... with confidence!
With Pinterest, Houzz and so many shows about home improvements, it's natural to have a wish list. We share our ideas, your homeowner stories and support you in achieving your dreams.
Water mitigation is the process of preventing or reversing damage caused by water in a building. When my house flooded, the insurance company sent out their preferred water mitigation company. Sadly they failed to follow the standard steps used to dry out a house quickly, resulting in mold!
Here's what my house looked like when the water mitigation company arrived.
With a flooded house, you have to depend on professionals but …
When you buy a house you focus on the mortgage, property taxes and homeowner insurance. These costs won't tell you the true cost of home ownership. Imagine how you would handle a $500 water bill or an electric bill exceeding $700. It's time to track homeowner expenses starting now!
The problem is looking at individual expenses [Save More…]
Most of us learn about floods on the news. Some homeowners learn the hard way when their home and/or neighborhood experiences a flood due to a hurricane, river or similar natural disaster. This isn't when you want to learn that your homeowner insurance policy doesn't cover flooding. Now is the time to see if you really need flood insurance which is a separate policy.
This article was prompted by a letter from my lender. They said my property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area [Save More…]
Most people have heard a few stories about mold, often stories about toxic mold making people sick. There are many types of mold so mold testing is the critical first step in any mold remediation process. Yesterday my flooded house was tested for mold using air sample and swab testing techniques. Before the mold team left, they told me the mold cleaning products I could use to wipe down or wash personal belongings.
Air sampling mold test in quilt room …
Every house has baseboard which is installed when a house is built. You might replace your baseboard when remodeling or refinishing your floors. If your house floods, replacing baseboard will be one of the many things needed to return your home to it's pre-flood condition. The big question is when to remove the baseboard?
Decorative baseboard can dress up a room …
Unless you've lived through a remodeling project, you probably aren't familiar with what is hiding behind baseboards. [Learn More …]
The emphasis on low cost products drives lower quality products. Poor quality means products have to be replaced more often. When you have to replace building materials frequently, they cost more when you include installation costs. Walmart focuses on consumable products, ones that aren't expected to last a long time. They don't sell cheap house windows because …
Houses last 40, 60 or 100 years. Walmart does sell window accessories like screens, shutters, window film, window awnings and window insulation kits.
Sadly many production builders, to save a nickel here and there, [Learn More …]
We spend more time at home around the holidays. We put a lot of time into cleaning, decorating, baking and cooking. Why not capture these special holiday memories with photos you can enjoy the rest of the year? Then you can take your favorite photos and make a holiday memory book (Mixbook, Walmart, Costco and more).
Decorate your tree with people you love …
Let's take this idea a step further. Instead of rushing around and doing everything yourself, why not invite guests to join you for a tree decorating party or an afternoon baking cookies? That's how you can turn chores into holiday memories [Start Dreaming …]
Mold is part of the world we live in. When decomposing organic material like dead leaves and providing penicillin, it's helpful. But mold and moldy environments can seriously affect your health. That's why you need to understand how mold can affect your health.
Visible mold growth behind kitchen cabinets …
Rather than tell you in words how mold can affect your health, there's a movie [Start Dreaming …]
Holidays more than any other time of year, involve visits from relatives. Bathroom grab bars are one of the most important safety features for loved ones staying overnight. Grab bars are also pretty ugly. Fortunately there are new stylish grab bars that will enhance your bathrooms look and feel.
So what choices do you have for grab bars that [Start Dreaming …]
