By Dixie Somers If you're looking to raise the value of your home, especially for resale purposes, you've undoubtedly heard all sorts of ideas that will get the job done, many of which may be too expensive or too difficult for you to handle at the moment. Many require a large chunk of change, and while they may very well give you a return on your investment, you may...
When it comes to home improvement, additions to the bathrooms, bedrooms and kitchen are popular—and pricey—upgrades. According to Remodeling magazine's 2018 Cost vs. Value Report, the average cost of a kitchen remodel is $21,198; the average bath remodel runs $19,134; and adding a bed and bath combined for a master suite totals $123,420. The average homeowner...
By Brentnie Daggett In all likelihood, your home is the biggest investment you'll make in your life. To protect that investment, turn to regular maintenance tasks to ensure that your home will be running efficiently for years to come. Most folks are already aware of this. But if you feel like you're mastering your home maintenance, you may be surprised to learn...
By Brian Kampe Utilized by builders for its stability, permanence and natural beauty, brick has long been a defining architectural detail of historic properties. And when it comes to interiors, exposed brick walls can add texture, warmth and personality to any setting. Unfortunately, because it's incredibly heavy and requires the specialized skills of a mason, using...
By Steve Willson Home builders usually place a handful of receptacles on the outside walls of any house. Unfortunately, they aren't always located in the best places. You can make them work with long extension cords, but it makes more sense—especially from a safety point of view—to install receptacles where they'll be most convenient. The job is easy for an experienced...
Editor's Note: This post was originally published on January 17, 2018. Housecall continues to share this piece due to ongoing requests and reader interest. A strong housing market isn't necessarily all good news for sellers. As evidenced by Remodeling magazine's newly-released Cost vs. Value Report for 2018, average return on investment (ROI) for home improvement...
By Fran J. Donegan A recent Gallup poll found that 63 percent of Americans worry about the quality of their drinking water—the highest percentage since 2001. Although most of these fears may be unfounded, you may simply want to improve the taste of your drinking water and eliminate the possibility of any contaminants that could be introduced through older plumbing...
The color of 2018 is no shrinking violet. Pantone, the authority in color for design, fashion and more, recently debuted its 2018 Color of the Year: "Ultra Violet." The color—"dramatically provocative and thoughtful," according to the company—is cool and cosmic, with an otherworldly vibe. Image Credit: Pantone "We are living in a time that requires inventiveness...
By Zach Wendt Technology has made it easier than ever before for today’s homeowners to be fluent in DIY. From conducting an energy audit and increasing security, to doing minor repairs without calling in the pros, there’s a whole lot we can do with the right tools. If you’ve got a do-it-yourselfer on your gift list this holiday season, consider a high-tech gift...
By Brentnie Daggett Decorating and organizing your home with damage-free techniques is something we all can get behind. If you are a renter, you want to ensure you don’t damage your rental space and risk losing your security deposit. As a homeowner, it’s always better to preserve the integrity of your space, although you have the leeway to make modifications....
