Home repair can be the remodel to give you the house of your dreams, or it can be all those pesky weekend tasks that never seem to end. Check out our articles, blog posts, videos and radio shows for helpful advice to keep your home in pristine condition.
Find Synthetic Stucco (EIFS) Problems With Home Inspection
Homes may be covered in stucco or synthetic stucco. Most problems are with synthetic stucco called EIFS (exterior insulation finishing system). Learn how a home inspection can help you discover moisture problems related to synthetic stucco.
How Does Synthetic Stucco Cause Damage
Many homeowners are now discovering that synthetic stucco, if applied incorrectly and not maintained properly, can cause tremendous damage to the interior structure of a home. Maintenance plays a more important role with synthetic stucco than any other kind of exterior finishing.
Putting A Fixer-Upper On The Market
Should a home be repaired before going on the market, or can it be sold as a fixer-upper? If you don't have the time, interest or cash to repair a fixer-upper yourself, taking whatever cash you can get from selling it may be a good solution. To help you decide on the fixer upper, invite a real estate agent over to share opinions.
Report Bad Builders To Local Authorities
After buying a newly built home, a couple discovers many problems and has a missing builder. The local county commissioner will be a big help in getting the builder to make the repairs. If the builder is doing any new construction in the county, and if the commission finds a pattern of problems with the builder's homes, have the commissioner's office yank his building permits. That should put him in serious enough financial trouble to get his attention.
New Construction: Roman Style
In the early years of the Roman empire, some 2,500 years ago, the Romans used Etruscan building materials and slave labor to construct Rome. Now in Chicago, a recycling company is auctioning off contents of homes after windows are pulled out of walls, brick and stone pavers are dug up out of the yard, and doors, hinges and moldings are pulled out and taken away. Reverse home repair.
Preserve Your Home Value With Maintenance
By failing to properly take care of your home, you could be setting yourself up for some expensive repairs. If you do regular, ongoing maintenance in your home, the costs are relatively minor. However, regular and ongoing maintenance also means tackling larger jobs from time to time.
Plan Ahead For Home Repair Projects
Buying a fixer-upper can be a great way to turn a profit. Since few homeowners have unlimited cash to spend, planning ahead for a renovation or home improvement project can make a world of difference. Plan ahead for short-term or long-term projects, shop around for the best prices on supplies, try to do some if not all of the work yourself, and keep track of all of your expenses. Staying on top of your home repair projects will maximize the value you get out of them when you sell.
Terence Conran’s New House Book: The Complete Guide To Home Design
More than 1,000 photos showcase elegant ideas for restoring interiors. Learn what to do before decoration starts, including assessing a home, putting ...
New Construction May Need Home Repair
When you buy a new construction home you may expect to move in and have no home repair needs -- at least initially. But that may not be the case. Just before closing you should do a walk through of your new construction property and put together a punch list, which is a list of home repair items the builder should address. While you may think new construction is flawless, it's only as good as the contractors who worked on it.