Since most garden centers buy—rather than raise—most of what they sell, there is room for tremendous variation in buying ability and buying standards. The opinions we collected from consumers on garden centers reflect this big variation in quality.

Are you ready for a kitchen makeover? Here's advice on planning your space, finding the right designers, suppliers, and contractors, and getting good prices.

When the time comes for a kitchen redo, you certainly should go with finishes and fixtures that you love. But make sure they fit current and up-and-coming cabinet and countertop trends before signing any contracts or swinging a demo hammer.

Countertop materials range from wood to plastics to metal to stone. Manufactured quartz—formed from stone chips, resins, and pigments—is edging out natural stone materials in popularity, thanks in part to its durability and its availability in zillions of colors.

Finding the right appliance, buying it, and getting it delivered and installed without hassles can be an aggravating experience. Fortunately, some area stores serve their customers well, and you don’t have to pay more to get this kind of treatment.

To make sure your heating and air-conditioning systems work when needed, they must be properly installed and maintained. We’ve rated area heating and air-conditioning services for quality and price.