Home improvement guides
22 guides for a happier home.
Plain-English help on kitchens, baths, floors, paint, outdoor living, roofs, heating and cooling, plumbing and seasonal care.
- 5 topics
- Free to read
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Plan Like a VIP
Planning a project, reading an estimate, asking good questions and getting your home ready for the crew.
Plan Like a VIPHow to Plan a Home Project Like a VIPTurn a wish into a plan with a few simple decisions.2 min read 
Plan Like a VIPReading an Estimate Line by LineWhat to look for so two estimates can be compared fairly.2 min read 
Plan Like a VIPTwelve Questions to Ask a ContractorA short list for the first call and the estimate visit.2 min read 
Plan Like a VIPGetting Your Home Ready for the CrewA little preparation keeps your things safe and the crew moving.2 min read 
Plan Like a VIPThe Right Order for Big ProjectsFrom structure to finishes, in an order that protects your work.2 min read 
Plan Like a VIPWhat a Home Inspector Looks AtA walk from the roof to the foundation and everything in between.2 min read Inside the Home
Kitchens, baths, floors, paint and counters, with the choices that matter most.
Inside the HomeKitchen Remodel from Layout to FinishLayout, storage, surfaces and light for a kitchen you will love.2 min read 
Inside the HomeBathroom Remodel: Planning a Spa at HomeLayout, waterproofing and finishes for a bathroom that feels like a retreat.2 min read 
Inside the HomeFloors Compared: Wood, Tile, Carpet and VinylWhere each flooring shines and where it does not.2 min read 
Inside the HomeChoosing Paint Colors and SheensPick colors with confidence and the right sheen for every surface.2 min read 
Inside the HomeCountertop Materials Side by SideQuartz, granite, marble and butcher block in plain words.2 min read Terrace and Grounds
Decks and patios, outdoor kitchens, gates and fences, roofs and landscape lighting.
Terrace and GroundsDeck or Patio: Choosing Your TerraceA simple way to decide between wood, composite and stone.2 min read 
Terrace and GroundsOutdoor Kitchens, Fire and Lounge PlanningZones, comfort and lighting for a backyard that feels like a resort.2 min read 
Terrace and GroundsGates, Fences and BoundariesKnow where your line is before the first post goes in.2 min read 
Terrace and GroundsRoof Health: What to WatchClues from the ground, the attic and after a storm.2 min read 
Terrace and GroundsLandscape Lighting and Outdoor GlowLayers of light that make a property feel welcoming after dark.2 min read Systems and Safety
Heating and cooling, plumbing, electrical and keeping water out.
Systems and SafetyHeating and Cooling Comfort GuideFilters, thermostats and the signs a system needs help.2 min read 
Systems and SafetyPlumbing Early Warning SignsSmall clues that save you from big leaks.2 min read 
Systems and SafetyElectrical Safety and UpgradesSimple checks that keep the lights on and the family safe.2 min read 
Systems and SafetyKeeping Water Out of Basements and Crawl SpacesStart outside, then protect inside, and act fast if water arrives.2 min read Seasonal Checklists
A spring refresh and an autumn prep checklist for any climate.
Put the guides to work.
VIP MatcherType what is going on, or what you dream of, in your own words and see which of our eighty-five-five services fits.Open the tool Emergency HelperPick what is happening and get a safe, step-by-step list of what to do first, then connect with help.Open the tool Home Care CalendarA month-by-month list of simple home care tasks, each linked to the service that can help.Open the tool Visit Prep ChecklistPick your project and get a tailored checklist so the visit and the estimate go smoothly.Open the tool Project Order PlannerSee the usual order of work for a kitchen, bath, addition, deck or yard, with the service for each step.Open the tool