Writer, editor, dog lover
Winter is the season for holiday festivities, ice skating and cozying up in front of a fireplace with a hot cup of cocoa. But if your house is not prepared for the elements, the winter cold can take a toll on your home — and your finances.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your house from snow, ice and freezing temperatures and avoid costly repairs.
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DIY home projects can save you time and money and can leave you with a sense of accomplishment. But if you stretch yourself beyond your abilities, they can also leave you with a big mess that you end up having to pay a professional to come in and fix. Before you start one, it’s important to know what is feasible and what to expect along the way.
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There’s a good chance you’ve recently rolled up your sleeves and taken on a home improvement yourself.
Eight out of 10 homeowners have tackled at least one DIY project since the start of the pandemic, an Angi survey found. Furthermore, spending for home improvements and repairs is expected to peak this year, according to a study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. In 2019, the most recent year JCHS has data for, homeowners spent an average of $3,300 on improvements and $820 on maintenance.
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“Renovating my house was a piece of cake,” said no one ever. Indeed, even seemingly simple projects, like installing a screen door, staining hardwood floors, or refacing kitchen cabinets, can surprise homeowners with unexpected challenges and ever-escalating costs. And the problems multiply if you make certain all-too-common mistakes.
We’re not trying to discourage you from renovating your house, but if you’re planning to give your house a face-lift, be sure to avoid these seven renovation fumbles.
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Think you don’t have the time to tackle a home improvement project? Good news: There are a number of easy renovations you can do in one day — without the help (or cost) of a handyman or contractor. Here are four that you can do with just a few basic tools.
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Ah, the joys — and burdens — of 
becoming a homeowner.
Buying a home is an exciting milestone, but after you’ve completed the purchase and moved in, you’re responsible for maintenance. In other words, you no longer have a landlord to fix that running toilet or leaky faucet.
The upside? Having a few essentials in your toolbox can help you make some common repairs yourself. Being your own jack-of-all-trades can also help you save money, as repair people typically charge about $60 to $65 an hour, according to HomeAdvisor. But you don’t want to cheap out on tools, home improvement expert Bob Vila says.
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No matter what we’re shopping for, 
few of us like sticking to a budget. But when you’re doing a major home remodeling project, knowing precisely how much money you have to spend and staying within that budget is crucial.
“As contractors, we design our projects to our clients’ budgets,” says J.P. Ward, architect and vice president of business development at Anthony Wilder Design/Build in Cabin John, Md. “Homeowners need to know what their budget is upfront and be realistic about what they can afford.”
Considering a big home renovation? Here’s how to set your priorities, establish a spending limit and stick to your budget.
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Think you’re ready to tackle 
a home-improvement project yourself? Deciding whether you’re up to the challenge or whether you should hire a professional can be tricky.
On one hand, choosing to DIY a home renovation can help you save money, as home improvement spending increases nationwide. From February 2016 to February 2017, U.S. homeowners shelled out an average of $5,157 on home projects — an increase of $1,869 over the previous 12 months, HomeAdvisor’s 2017 True Cost Survey found.
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Is your kitchen hopelessly outdated, 
and your bathroom a blast from the past? Then it sounds like you’re overdue for some home improvements. There’s just one problem: Remodeling can be a huge undertaking—and a costly one at that. The average kitchen remodel will set you back $60,000; a bathroom overhaul, $17,908. Ouch! But hey, that’s just the average price homeowners pay. Plenty of home renovations can fall way under that wire if you know some tricks to keep your home improvement budget in check. Check out these smart ways to save on home renovation costs to achieve the home of your dreams without blowing wads of cash.
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Daniel Bortz 