What’s a fair price for drywall repair in my area?
I'm new to hiring out for drywall repairs and could use some advice. I have a handyman coming over today to fix a few holes in my drywall,…
renovations
Why are so many home updates just so poorly done?
I've been looking for houses for a while now, and it feels like there's an unwritten rule that every "updated" home has to come with at least one…
Why Do Contractors Give Outrageous Quotes Instead of Just Declining Jobs?
I've been wondering why some contractors throw out ridiculously high quotes instead of simply declining the job when it's not worth their time. For example, I needed to…
Is it Normal to Pay Your Contractor the Full Budget Upfront?
I'm redoing my home theater and bedroom with a contractor, and I'm really concerned about their payment terms. I've made it clear what my budget is and I'm…
Drywall Options: Should I Skim Coat or Use 3/8" Drywall Over Existing?
I live in a century-old house with a new, thicker exterior wood door installed, which now makes the door frame sit uneven with the existing plaster trim. I…
Buying a Home with an Illegal Bedroom: What Are Our Options?
So, we bought a 130-year-old house in August 2023, listed as a 3-bedroom, but we recently discovered that one of the bedrooms isn't legally permitted by the city.…
Can I Expand My Closet Door Opening Without Compromising Structural Integrity?
I'm looking to expand the opening of my closet door from 26" to 36". The wall runs perpendicular to the floor joists below, so I'm wondering if it's…
Should I Buy This Home with Major Issues as a First-Time Buyer?
We're considering buying our first home – it's an estate sale in an ideal neighborhood, listed for $535,000 with $9,000 in taxes and 2,000 sq ft of space.…
What's a Fair Price for Sanding and Painting French Doors?
I'm looking to get my front french doors sanded and painted and would like some insight on pricing. I have two wooden doors that are currently stained, each…
Should I Invest in Home Improvements if My Location Isn't Ideal?
I'm curious about the experiences of others when it comes to making upgrades to a house that's not in the best location. I live on a busy street,…
How to Handle Difficult Neighbors During Major Home Renovations?
So we bought our house in May 2023 and kicked off a major renovation in October. The house is about 50 years old and needed a lot of…
How Much Should I Expect to Pay for a New Roof?
I'm considering getting a new roof for my house, which has about 1900 square feet of roofing. I need to tear off the old shingles and put on…