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How to Find a Reliable Roofer

How to Find a Reliable Roofer

Roofing work is expensive, and, if you hire the wrong contractor, you can spend thousands of dollars too much and still get terrible work.

Avoiding a Shakedown for Roofing Costs

Avoiding a Shakedown for Roofing Costs

When hiring a roofer, quality of work should be your primary consideration. Once you have identified roofers that measure up on quality, get several fixed-price bids for the work. You’ll find big roofer-to-roofer price differences for the same job.

How to Tell It’s Time for a New Roof

How to Tell It’s Time for a New Roof

Different types of roofs have different lifespans. Your inspections will reveal whether the entire roof is due for replacement.

Window Shopping Guide

Window Shopping Guide

The type of windows you buy will affect your home’s appearance, the amount of light admitted, your comfort, and energy savings. Plus, some windows last longer than others.

Finding the Best Window Installers

Finding the Best Window Installers

We receive a disturbing number of complaints from consumers regarding window installation work, often about companies that advertise heavily. Many complaints are about sloppy work.

What to Get in Writing for Window Replacement Work

What to Get in Writing for Window Replacement Work

Whichever window company you choose, make sure you have a tight contract that includes all details on the product and installation, payment schedule, work schedule, and guarantees.

How to Find a Good Housecleaning Service

How to Find a Good Housecleaning Service

The first step in farming out your chores is to decide whether to hire a company or an individual. Hiring a company has one major advantage: You do not assume the responsibilities associated with the role of an employer, such as filling out paperwork and paying various taxes.

How to Hire an Individual Housecleaner

How to Hire an Individual Housecleaner

Many consumers prefer to hire an individual for housecleaning help, rather than a service. But doing your own hiring brings the responsibilities associated with the role of an employer, such as filling out paperwork and paying various taxes.

Guidelines for Managing Household Employees

Guidelines for Managing Household Employees

The National Committee on Household Employment, before it closed its doors, developed a set of standards for employers and their household employees. The guidelines presented here are from its Code of Standards for Household Employment.

How Water Gets Into Your Basement

How Water Gets Into Your Basement

Most serious basement moisture problems occur when water leaks or seeps through basement floors, through joints between floors and walls, or through walls below ground level during or after rainstorms.

How to Solve Basement Moisture Problems

How to Solve Basement Moisture Problems

There are a number of ways to treat below-ground rainwater leakages, with advantages and disadvantages to each. The first step is to check gutters and downspouts. Then inspect the soil around your house to make sure it is properly graded.

Who to Hire for Wet Basement Help

Who to Hire for Wet Basement Help

Once you decide on the best way to solve your wet basement problem, how do you get the work done?