What are my options for borrowing money for home improvement? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 20, 2009 - 8 answers

What are these thin wood beams in m attic and why are they there? [more inside]
posted by bingwah on Jan 10, 2009 - 12 answers

I need to cheaply sound-insulate a door that has two issues: it's hollow, and it has half-inch gaps at its top and bottom. [more inside]
posted by sparrows on Dec 5, 2008 - 14 answers

Help me figure out just what the hell is up with our new addition, bugs, and sawdust! [more inside]
posted by littlerobothead on Jun 24, 2008 - 2 answers

I need recommendations for a good central vacuum system to install in my house. [more inside]
posted by bondcliff on Sep 18, 2007 - 1 answer

I need to locate two light fixture mountings that have been plastered over in the ceiling of my condo. [more inside]
posted by talkingmuffin on Aug 22, 2007 - 10 answers

I'm moving a pre-existing house onto a small lot in NW Florida. The lot is not waterfront. I'm thinking of putting the house 10' up on pilings so I'll have room to park the cars underneath, plus maybe a laundry/storage room. My questions are should I put the house up on poles or build concrete footings and block pilings? Which is best and why? Which is most cost efficient?
posted by wsg on Aug 4, 2007 - 6 answers

Kitchen and bathroom remodeling. First time homeowner wanting to bring my kitchen and bathroom up to date. Never hired a contractor, nor do I have any recommendations from friends or neighbors. I own a duplex and did all of the simple work on the upstairs unit, but the lower unit that I occupy will be needing work that is out of my skill range (most likely a teardown to the studs and building up from there). I have some ideas on what I want done. I'd like to work with someone that can keep the project within what the neighborhood resale value can sustain and offer advice and refine my ideas. So how do I go about finding this person? I'm in Milwaukee.
posted by sharksandwich on Aug 16, 2006 - 7 answers

What US neighborhoods are best known for interesting examples of Craftsman homes? I know about the various bay area neighborhoods - the Maybecks of the Berkeley hills, Westwood Park in SF, etc.; I'm familiar with Pasadena and its Bungalow Heaven, as well as Santa Barbara's many restored bungalows - and I'm familiar with similar neighborhoods here in Sacramento, where I live now. What I'm mainly looking for are out of the way, underrated or less-known neighborhoods with interesting historical and architectural character, specifically expressed in homes built in the Craftsman aesthetic - from the conservative late Victorian through the Prairie and Mission revival. [more inside]
posted by luriete on Jun 7, 2006 - 21 answers

Can anyone recommend a good contractor / home builder in the Boston / Metrowest area? [more inside]
posted by bondcliff on Apr 25, 2006 - 6 answers

Evaluating Home Construction: We're considering buying a home in NM, where construction is very different from here in MN. Anyone have any good sources (online or otherwise) to help home buyers evaluate quality of construction in Southwest style homes -- especially stucco homes? We're looking at pueblo/adobe style places.
posted by nancoix on Mar 22, 2006 - 3 answers

I'm building a small DIY house. Where's my online community? [more inside]
posted by zek on Mar 8, 2006 - 8 answers

Might have to do some serious work on my house's foundation. Estimates run to $10,000 or more. What should I be asking or thinking about here? [more inside]
posted by jojopizza on Feb 19, 2006 - 4 answers

How thick would a carbon steel plate have to be to roughly approximate the bending & deflection characteristics of 5/8" to 3/4" plywood? [more inside]
posted by true on Jan 19, 2006 - 6 answers

I need some advice on how to best break up a seemingly indestructible concrete slab in my backyard. It is about 8 feet by 4 feet by 2 feet deep. I've tried a sledge hammer and also a relatively low-power jackhammer, with little success. [more inside]
posted by krudiger on Nov 28, 2005 - 22 answers

Rapid self-design house building in the UK. I have an ill-informed notion that this should be possible by using pre-formed concrete slabs, but can find very little information. Can anyone shed any light on the subject? [more inside]
posted by ajp on Aug 9, 2005 - 6 answers

Anyone know where to get basic plans to build a pet door? Specifically, I'd like plans for a door to be used in a sash window. I'm sure I can make one for less than $110, but can't find a plan online. Is there a good book that can help with this kind of thing?
posted by mediareport on Jul 5, 2005 - 5 answers

Can anyone recommend a good handyman or home/construction type contractor in the Seattle area? (Specifically Bellevue, but most of these guys seem willing to travel.) [more inside]
posted by agropyron on May 11, 2005 - 5 answers

Anyone have recommendations for home construction / design software? I'm looking for a reasonably powerful software package that will let me do both design and 3D visualization of the results. [more inside]
posted by true on Feb 27, 2005 - 7 answers

I'm interested in exploring options for building a "green" home, and I would like some advice about where to start. [more inside] [more inside]
posted by stonerose on Jan 11, 2004 - 16 answers