Posts

How Supply Chain Shortages are Affecting Everyone For supply chain shortages are causing issues for homeowners and contractors alike. While contractors are busier than ever, they can’t find materials as easily as they used to. Concrete pavers, decking, microchips, certain stones, paint tints, heat pumps, small plumbing parts, lumber, and a myriad of other materials are all in short supply, causing issues for everyone involved in a project. Longer lead times When contractors can find the materials they’re looking for, their lead times are often still three to six months....

A home inspection can also help a prospective buyer create a wish list of upgrades. All of this information feeds back to the negotiation process, giving buyers and sellers key details that affect the property’s value. Some mortgage lenders require a building inspection, to get an accurate assessment of the investment they’re funding. But it’s smart for any prospective homebuyer to go through an inspection process. There are several options for having a house inspected....

Best Grilling Gifts for Any Outdoor Cook For the Griller Who Can’t Quite Get Started: Oklahoma Joe’s Propane Charcoal Starter/Lighter For the Grillmaster Who Only Uses Charcoal: F2C Ash Bucket For the Person Who Has Been Burned One Too Many Times: Heat Guardian Heat-Resistant Gloves For the Griller Who Likes To Show Off: Cuisinart Deluxe Grill Set For the Person Who Wants To Sign Their Steaks: BBQ Fans Personalized Monogram Branding Iron For the Griller Who Can’t Get Enough of Chicken: Cave Tools Beer Can Chicken Holder For the (Indoor) Grillmaster: Elite Gourmet Indoor Electric Grill For the Grillmaster Who Never Skips the Vegetables: Cuisinart Nonstick Grill Wok For the Griller Who’s Constantly Checking the Temperature: Secura Wireless Remote Meat Thermometer For the Tidy Grillmaster: GRILLART Grill Brush and Scraper For The One Who Loves Smoking Meat: Dyna-Glo Vertical Offset Charcoal Smoker For the Rookie Griller: Char-Broil Propane Gas Grill For Those Who Want To Grill Everything: Lodge Carbon Steel Skillet For the Griller Who Cooks With Oil: Nunez De Prado Extra-Virgin Olive Oil For Those Who Want To Grill Anywhere: Fire Sense Yakatori Charcoal Grill For the Griller Who Prefers Cooking With Wood Pellets: Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker For Those Who Like an Extra Kick: Mike’s Hot Honey Original & Extra Hot Combo For the Grillers Who Love Barbecue Sauce: Stubbs Texas BBQ Sampler Pack For the Griller Who Loves Kebabs: Norpro Stainless Steel 14-Inch Skewers For The Person Who Cuts Their Own Meat: DALSTRONG Cimitar Knife...

Top 5 Handsaws Best Folding Blade: Corona Razor-Tooth Folding Saw Best Double-Bladed Saw: SUIZAN Double-Edge Japanese Ryoba Pull Saw Best Curved Blade: Tabor Tools Pruning Saw Best Long Blade: Craftsman Hand Saw Best Electric Hand Saw: BLACK+DECKER Electric Hand Saw Best Folding Blade: Corona Razor-Tooth Folding Saw The molded plastic handle of this hand saw is designed for easy gripping. The saw’s seven-inch blade also features six teeth per inch to make quicker, smoother, and more accurate cuts....

The This Old House Reviews Team believes TruGreen is the top lawn care company in The ATL. TruGreen offers decades of experience, comprehensive lawn care programs, and a variety of a la carte services. Alternative lawn care providers include Weed Man and Lawn Doctor. Top Recommended Lawn Care Provider: TruGreen TruGreen is known across the country, providing services to 2.3 million residential and commercial customers nationwide, in every state except for Alaska....

Caulking also requires the knowledge to select the right caulk for the job. There are dozens of dissimilar materials such as tile, wood, and vinyl that require bonding and/or gap-filling around your home, and no one single product works everywhere. But help is on the way. We’ll show you how to buy the right caulk and how to lay down that elusive perfect bead. Caulking Tips Whether you’re caulking with a gun or a squeeze tube (a wise choice for small jobs that call for a water-based caulk), keep the tip moving and try to maintain steady dispensing pressure for an even bead....

Some of these courses come with multi-step modules and video and some are even free of charge. Here are some top-rated courses that we hand-picked for you: Learn Home Improvement Basics A crash course in home improvement is helpful for literally any renter or home owner. This curriculum from ITU Online includes 51 videos with corresponding test questions on everything from power tools to installing a new toilet. Fee: $99...

A skirt typically consists of a lattice panel set into a wood frame. In older homes, it’s often built of untreated pine or fir, neither of which is very resistant to decay and bugs. In time, the parts closest to the ground begin to rot and the decay spreads to the lattice. In regions that receive a lot of precipitation, wood rot can begin to appear in less than two years....

For a growing number of Americans, home is where mom, dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and the kids (and sometimes their kids) are. A 2021 survey by Generations United, a national advocacy organization, found that 26 percent of us live in households that include three or more generations. The same survey in 2011 found that only 7 percent were residing in multigenerational housing. While the pandemic and resulting economic pressure may have driven some families together, many are now sold on big family meals, more hands to help with schoolwork, and the ability to keep a closer eye on elderly parents....

Find out the pros and cons of refinancing your mortgage to pay for your renovations and if this is the best financial strategy for you. Refinancing Your Mortgage When you refinance your mortgage, you pay off the loan to your original lender and use a new lender with completely new loan terms. Often, this includes a new interest rate (ideally a lower one), a new payment term, and some closing costs....

What Kind of Wood Should I Use to Make a Bookshelf? Traditionally, built-in bookcases are made with solid wood boards, carefully routed to make tight grooves that accept each shelf. But sawn lumber is expensive — enough oak for a 8-foot bookcase, for example, could run into thousands of dollars. Plywood that has a hardwood veneer is not only less expensive but in many cases stronger than solid softwoods like pine....

Building a Fire Pit Patio: An Overview The built-in fire pit, made from massive salvaged blocks of granite, anchors the patio design and keeps the festivities going after the sun goes down. Follow along as they show you how to construct a bluestone patio around a centerpiece fire pit from excavated base to barbecue-ready. Fire Pit Safety: 4 Tips to Consider The Timeline SATURDAY: Prep the base and install the fire pit (Steps 1–9)....

If you want an attractive yard minus the hassle, consider planting some ornamental grass. These grasses require very little maintenance and less watering than most plants. They also look gorgeous, blooming into various colors and textures and growing in clumps or mounds. Additionally, they prevent soil erosion and provide windbreaks on your property. This guide will introduce you to the most popular, low-maintenance varieties and how to take care of them so that they thrive with very little help....