Home Improvement Resources

From LoveToKnow HomeImprovement

The good news for do-it-yourselfers is there are plenty of home improvement resources available.

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Due to the boom in the do-it-yourself market, there is a Home Depot or Lowes every twenty miles, the cable television stations are saturated with home improvement shows and the magazine stands are packed with specialty magazines offering inspiration and advice.

List of Home Improvement Resources

Here's a list of reliable home improvement resources available to the motivated home owner. Whether you just want to fix a dripping faucet or install cornice boards, or you plan to build a garage or home addition, there is information available to get you started.

Web Resources

  • Service Magic is an online community that connects homeowners with contractors.The company prescreens service providers and then posts customer reviews on the site. Homeowners can search for contractors by area of expertise and read the reviews to see how others felt about the work they provided. Or, if the homeowner prefers not to surf the site, they can simply enter information about their project and Service Magic will match them with contractors in their geographic area.
  • Energy Star, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, has information on its website for the environmentally-sensitive homeowner. This is a good resource for information on green remodeling and energy efficiency.
  • The National Association of Remodelers website lists remodelers by region and offers tips on home improvement.
  • The U.S, Green Build Council (USGBC) has an extensive website about green building. The USGBC is the organization behind the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system for buildings. You can find information on the website about LEED for homes.

Print Resources

A trip to the newsstand will turn up plenty of magazines dedicated to home improvements, remodeling and decorating. Several magazines have been published for years because consumers trust their information.

  • Popular Mechanics is geared toward the fairly skilled do-it-yourself. The magazine also has a Website full of home improvement ideas.
  • This Old House has been a trusted voice in home improvement for years. The popular franchise has a magazine, television show and website with relevant topics about caring for older homes.
  • Better Homes and Gardens is geared toward decorative home improvements. This is a good resource for decorating ideas and craft projects. You will not find advice on building a garage but you might get advice on organizing it.
  • Workbench magazine has also been around for years. The magazine prides itself on offering practical home advice. The magazine also has a website with unique content.

Trade Shows, Expos and Seminars

If you're looking for face-to-face advice, then a workshop or seminar might be a more appropriate home improvement resource for you. Hardware stores and adult education programs frequently offer seminars on building stairs, refinishing decks and replacing windows. In addition there are national and local expos where home owners can meet with product manufacturers, talk to contractors and attend seminars.

  • Facilities Expo.com lists regional shows such as the South Florida Facilities Expo, the New England Facilities Expo and the Northwest Facilities Expo.
  • GreenBuild is the annual expo of green building sponsored by the USGBC. GreenBuild draws huge crowds each year. It is a good place to source environmentally-friendly products.

It's easy to find advice on hiring someone to work on your home or tips on tackling projects, both big and small, on your own.

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