Plan to Renovate

Learn DIY kitchen remodeling on a budget from a great new book from Better Homes and Gardens.

Confession: As a home improvement writer, I make liberal use of home improvement guides. It's necessary: the world of home remodeling is just too big for me to know everything. So, I have developed a library of the best home improvement guides, and this is to your benefit. I have encountered some real gems--and real stinkers--along the...

Enter the world of secret and not-so-secret secrets in the Home Renovation Dossier.

Which is better? Lowes or The Home Depot?

Find out great home remodeling ideas you can use for your own house.

A new service called Project Turtle aims to break the hammerlock that ServiceMagic, Angie's List, etc. have on "find a contractor" web searches. But can it help you find a contractor or not?

Before taking on a home renovation project--big or small--consider these questions.

Can I call my local building permit office and ask a question anonymously? Will my building permit office penalize me if they find out who I am?

Kris Jensen-Van Heste

When renovating your house, what comes first? Then second, then third, and so on? While not set in stone, the process of renovating does have a few key concepts.

Does it matter if a remodeling contractor is licensed? Yes, but less than you may think.

It's often difficult to know when you need a permit. Check out these general guidelines.

Could care less about resale value because you plan on keeping your house forever? Think again.

Not sure if you should take on a project by yourself or hire a professional?

Installing a toilet: do it yourself or hire someone? Check out this chart for my recommendations on this and other renovation projects.

What are change orders when dealing with construction or home remodeling?

$1500 Obama Home Remodeling Tax Credit

Sears Home Improvement: readers tell us their experiences about Sears Home Improvement (Sears Home Services).

Do Not Remodel Your Home

Home Remodeling Regrets

How do these online contractor referrals work for consumers? Are they scams?

Room plan software helps you put together a design for a room (vs. for a whole house) and find out how all of the components should fit together.

Building Permit Costs

RRP Rule - Renovation Repair and Painting Rule - Quick Reference Guide

A personal account and review of Sears Home Improvement.

Book review of Michael Litchfield's "In-laws, Outlaws, and Granny Flats: Your guide to turning one house into two homes"

Review of the book Pocket Neighborhoods: Creating Small-Scale Community in a Large-Scale World by Ross Chapin

Review of No Place Like Home: Tips & techniques for real family-friendly home design by Stephen Saint-Onge.

What is the typical asbestos test cost? The answer might surprise you.

Here's a list of asbestos building materials often found in the home.

Ranch House Style--a guide to designing and remodeling a ranch house style home.

A reader sent in a question about the legality of DIY asbestos removal within your own house.

You can hire a day laborer for your remodeling project, without going down to the local 7-11. Find out how you can help yourself and others by hiring a day laborer.

Here is the place to complain or praise any home improvement company.

Consumer reviews of remodeling companies, products, and services.

Consumer reviews of online contractor-matching company ServiceMagic.

A review of the IKEA online 3D kitchen planner.

A few remodel tips for house flipping.

A list of Veneer Stone Manufacturers and Suppliers, such as Eldorado Stone and Cultured Stone, Inc. and many more.

Review of the book Staying Put - Remodel Your House to Get the Home You Want, by Duo Dickinson

A review of Long Fence and Home, a Washington DC Metro-based remodeling company that does windows, siding, insulation, gutters, and more.

Reader reviews of Long Fence and Home, from Beltsville, Maryland.See submissions

A review of Bloc-it painters tape.

Review of a company selling asbestos abatement supplies as a kit.

Learn a few of the elements of a mid century modern home remodel and how to re-create them for your own swinging pad.