Home Improvement
-
Things to consider before adding a greenhouseJan 06, 2013 4:00 am - Many men and women with a passion for gardening hope to one day have a greenhouse they can call their own. Though greenhouses are a great place for gardeners to hone the...
-
Consider a ‘universal design’ bathroom remodeling jobJan 06, 2013 3:02 am - Q. My wife and I are in our early 50s and we plan on completely remodeling our master bathroom. Hopefully, this will be our last big home-improvement project, and we wan...
-
Some communities allow a cottage out backJan 05, 2013 4:00 am - Something small is afoot. Backyard cottages — from 800-square-foot bungalows to Lilliputian studio cabins — are springing up behind houses in many cities, some of which ...
-
Common sense a key tool in inspecting older homesJan 05, 2013 4:00 am - Q. The home I’m trying to sell was built around 1913 and has the usual amenities associated with an older home. The buyers’ home inspector discovered problems I already ...
-
Worst mistakes people make in designing a kitchenJan 05, 2013 4:00 am - Celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian and developer James Ramos were trying to find a place upstairs for an espresso machine. As far as Zakarian was concerned, you roll out o...
-
Standby generators are a smart investment for a homeDec 30, 2012 3:02 am - Q. Like many homeowners in the Northeast, we were affected by the recent storm. While we were lucky and did not get a direct hit, we did lose power for a couple of days....
-
Space heater may reduce electricity costsDec 29, 2012 4:00 am - Q. I have an electric furnace that keeps the house warm, but I can’t keep up with the bills. I was thinking of buying a space heater, but I don’t know if that will save ...
-
Building department red-tags old additionsDec 28, 2012 4:00 am - Q. One month after we bought our home, a letter arrived from the local building department. It alleged that we were trying to sell the house with two unpermitted rooms: ...
-
Home inspector: Faulty outlet fried appliancesDec 21, 2012 4:44 am - Q. About five years ago, we built a detached garage in our back yard. All of the work was inspected and passed by the county building inspector. The electrician who was ...
-
Little changes can make a big difference in water savingsDec 16, 2012 3:50 am - Q. It’s so nice to have an actual plumbing newspaper column, so I can cut out some of your articles and hang them up for reference. Hopefully, I’ll see my question on th...