Articles filed under Home Improvement

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Articles filed under Home Improvement

Do new homes really need a home inspection?

By Barry Stone
Jun 4, 2023 7:00 AM - Q: You often recommend home inspections for newly built homes, but in my case, this has proved to be unnecessary. Since buying my home about six months ago, I've had two problems, and the builder repaired them immediately. In another six months, my warranty will expire. What reasons, if any, can you give for having an inspection during that time?
The home inspector has no clothes

By Barry Stone
May 28, 2023 7:00 AM - Q: Last year, we purchased a 1947 home. Since then, we've noticed a lot of new cracks in the plaster walls and some unevenness of the floors. Before buying the house, we had a home inspection, but our inspector did not check the foundation crawl space. He said he'd forgotten to bring his overalls and would have to forego that part of the inspection.
Chicago's Painted Ladies Competition recognizes value in repainting a home's exterior

Submitted by David Brimm
May 27, 2023 1:06 AM - Earn bragging rights for your home by entering the Chicago Paint and Coatings Association's 38th annual Chicago Finest Painted Ladies and Her Court Competition.
Low-cost senior design features make it easier to age in place

By Diana Melichar | President, Melichar Architects
May 25, 2023 8:35 PM - There are discreet aging-in-place features that are relatively low-cost and easy to incorporate into new home designs, as well as remodels. Here are 12 of those accommodations that can be inexpensively (and discreetly) incorporated.
Standards for legal basement bedrooms

By Barry Stone
May 21, 2023 7:00 AM - Q: As a Realtor, I sell a lot of older homes, some of which have portions of basements that were converted to bedrooms. In many of these, the rooms do not comply as legal bedrooms because the windows are too high for fire escape.
Contractors often blindly remove asbestos

By Barry Stone
May 14, 2023 6:00 AM - Q: In one of your columns, you stressed the importance of testing for asbestos before removing some types of building materials in older homes. In particular, you mentioned "cottage cheese" ceilings and vinyl flooring.
Home inspector ignores known fire hazard

By Barry Stone
May 7, 2023 6:00 AM - Q: When I bought my house, the home inspector reported no problems with the main electrical panel. After moving in, my insurance company requested a photograph of the panel. I sent the photo, and they replied with a cancellation notice, stating that Federal Pacific breaker panels are fire hazards and must be replaced.
Growth, change and liability in inspection business

Apr 30, 2023 6:00 AM - Q: As an insurance agent for more than 40 years, I've watched with interest the rapid growth of the home inspection business. Back in the 1980s, I didn't know what home inspections were. Today they seem to be center stage in every home purchase.
Income tax credit may pay for home upgrades

By Jean Murphy
Apr 23, 2023 6:00 AM - Homeowners who suffered from cold air-leak through failing windows and doors this past winter should consider replacing them this calendar year because a federal government tax credit is being offered once again.
Cleaning and improving your garage

By Erik J. Martin
Apr 23, 2023 1:00 AM - Got a garage that's become an eyesore inside and out? You are not alone: 36% of Americans polled say their garages are so cluttered they can no longer park vehicles within it.

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