Planning and compliance
Home Project Permits: Find Out What Applies Before Work Starts
A practical way to identify permit and inspection questions early and document who is responsible for them.
Read articleThe journal / homeowner perspectives
The stories behind better decisions.
Articles on the choices, tradeoffs, and questions that come up when you care for a home. Read a perspective; follow the sources.
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Featured article · Hiring and contracts
How to Compare Home-Improvement Bids Without Comparing Apples to Oranges
Turn several contractor proposals into a meaningful comparison by aligning scope, assumptions, exclusions, and responsibilities.
Read the articleFROM THE JOURNAL / September 2026An independent look at the decisions behind the work.
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Heating and cooling
HVAC Efficiency Labels: What They Tell You—and What They Don’t
Read equipment efficiency information in context, distinguish product ratings from installation quality, and verify exact model numbers.
Read articleEnergy planning
What to Expect from a Home Energy Audit
Learn what a useful home energy assessment can examine, what to prepare, and how to turn findings into a prioritized project plan.
Read articleIncentives and financing
How to Verify Home-Energy Incentives Before You Count on Them
Check program rules, timing, eligible equipment, and tax treatment with the administering agency before relying on an incentive.
Read articleHiring and contracts
How to Check a Home Contractor’s Credentials
Verify licensing, insurance, references, and business identity through independent records before signing a home-improvement contract.
Read articleHiring and contracts
Change Orders: Keep Added Work Clear and Approved
A clear written change-order process helps homeowners understand scope changes, cost impacts, schedule effects, and authorization.
Read articleHiring and contracts
Home-Improvement Payment Schedules: Tie Payments to Clear Milestones
Review deposits, progress payments, retainage, and final payment terms so the schedule is understandable before work begins.
Read articleRoofing
Roof Inspection or Replacement? Questions to Ask Before Committing
A practical framework for deciding whether to investigate a roof condition, repair a limited defect, or seek replacement proposals.
Read articleSafety
Lead-Safe Renovation: What Homeowners Should Confirm
Learn when federal lead-safe renovation requirements may apply and what to ask about certification, containment, cleanup, and records.
Read articleKitchens
Comparing Kitchen Remodel Scopes: A Line-by-Line Method
Normalize kitchen bids by matching layout, products, installation, trade work, allowances, and exclusions.
Read articleBathrooms
Bathroom Waterproofing Questions to Ask Before Tile Goes In
Know what to ask about shower waterproofing layers, transitions, drains, testing, and moisture control before finishes conceal the work.
Read articleHiring
Understanding Contractor Warranties: Read the Promise, Not the Label
Separate product warranties from workmanship promises and learn what to confirm about coverage, exclusions, claims, and records.
Read articleHiring
Comparing Itemized Contractor Bids Without Chasing the Lowest Total
A method for aligning bid scopes, quantities, materials, exclusions, schedule, and change-order assumptions.
Read articleHomeowner Protection
After a Storm: Warning Signs in Home Repair Offers
Practical steps for evaluating urgent storm-repair pitches, documenting damage, and protecting yourself before signing.
Read articleProject Planning
Home Project Contingency Planning: Prepare for Unknowns Without Guessing
Plan for concealed conditions, delayed selections, and scope changes with written assumptions and decision points.
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