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Thinking About a Home Remodel? Here’s Where to Start
Begin by carefully considering what you think you want and how you can get it. Weigh your wish list against what you’ll probably pay to fulfill it.
Planning a Home Remodel
If you’re adding new rooms, making substantial changes to the existing floor plan, or dealing with complex structural or functional questions, you’ll need to hire professional design help. There are several design options and combinations of options.
How to Check Out Contractors
Some homeowners leave contractor vetting and selection to their architects or house designers, but most make the call themselves, and rightly so: It’s the most important step.
Where to Find Good HVAC Help
To make sure your heating and air-conditioning systems work when needed, they must be properly installed and maintained. Here are some tips on finding the best heating and air-conditioning services.
What to Do If You Need HVAC Repairs
If you know the repair you need, get price quotes from at least three highly rated companies—a bit of shopping will pay off big time.
Choosing New HVAC Equipment and Getting It Installed Properly
How well a new HVAC system performs, and how much it costs, depends heavily on its design and the quality of installation. It’s important to make the right decisions—and there are many to make. You also must make sure to get a fair contract.
Why Don’t New Appliances Last Very Long?
In the market for a new stove or dishwasher? Don’t expect it to keep working for several decades, since appliances simply don’t last as long as they used to. Why? Technology, energy efficiency, and economics all factor in.
Finding the Best Appliance Repair Services
When a major appliance goes offline, it can feel like a far-from-minor problem. You need to fix it—fast.
Should You Repair or Replace an Old Appliance?
Your dryer isn’t working. The estimate is $300. Do you fix it or buy a new one? To decide whether to repair or replace, consider how much time your investment is likely to buy you—but be aware that published lifespan figures can be misleading.
Improve Your Home’s Security By Focusing on Its Perimeter
Because most burglars enter homes by simply opening unlocked doors or windows—or pushing and kicking locked ones until they open—even the most basic protective measures will improve your security.
Adopt Good Home Security Habits
In addition to beefing up your home’s physical defenses, following some good-security rules will help deter thieves.
DIY Home Security Options Are Inexpensive
Dozens of companies now sell security system components that are easy to set up. All this competition and choice mean lower prices.
