How can I fix a peeling soap dish in my tile? [more inside]
posted on Apr 20, 2008 - 12 answers

Bathroom Renovation Filter: DIY vs. Contractor [more inside]
posted on Feb 22, 2008 - 16 answers

RenovationFilter: I live in the top floor of a historic building. I have a small section on the sloped ceiling where the original planks are visible. One problem is that there are spaces between the planks, an inch or into the spaces is the actual roofing material. As you can imagine this is hardly energy efficient. I'd like to "plug" up the gaps but leaving the sections of planking exposed for aesthetics. Does anyone know how I could do this? I'm imagining there's some kind of black spray foam insulation I could spray in there that would expand to fill it, and not be too visible, but I'm not sure if there is, or if this works. Any recommendations for tips or specific products is highly appreciated.
posted on Feb 12, 2008 - 17 answers

I'm looking for remodeling picture sets (like this) for renovation inspiration. They don't have to be on Flickr, but a sequential, step-by-step series would be nice. Is there a site that specializes in these types of DIY remodel picture sets?
posted on Jan 30, 2008 - 2 answers

What does it take to get a 'rehab' mortgage to purchase a building? [more inside]
posted on Dec 8, 2007 - 0 answers

Shortly after marrying Mrs Mutant I learned I needed a new kitchen. After precisely NO debate on this topic we're starting the kitchen work Sunday. I have some questions. [more inside]
posted on Dec 5, 2007 - 12 answers

After what has felt like months of waiting, it now looks as though I may very soon have a new flat (yay!) and need builders to carry out renovations in that flat. Although several friends of mine have made recommendations, I am having trouble finding recommended builders who work in (very) central London, WC1 to be precise. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted on Nov 25, 2007 - 6 answers

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

The end is near. Now, how do we expedite it? I'm talking about a house renovation, and a contractor who is trying to shake more money out of our pockets at the 11th hour. What would you pay for, knowing that this guy can make our lives a living hell with a mechanical lien or litigation. More inside ... [more inside]
posted on Aug 16, 2007 - 7 answers

Home Renovation Filter: How do I get the last lingering residue of smeared sheetrock/joint compound dust off of my wood floors and ceramic tiles? [more inside]
posted on Jul 10, 2007 - 8 answers

Need ideas and suggestions for converting a detached two-car garage into a home office and a more efficient storage space. The garage is roughly 20' x 20' and about 70 years old, uninsulated, unvented, with a poured concrete floor. What are some features we should think about adding, and what are some possible pitfalls? Before/after photos and personal stories of renovation/conversion also sought. [more inside]
posted on Jul 3, 2007 - 13 answers

Our house needs new siding, and we've had several siding contractors out to give us quotes. There's not a lot of talk about materials though - is this normal? [more inside]
posted on Jun 8, 2007 - 10 answers

My landlord is renovating the apartment next to mine. It is very noisy from 9 to 6 every week day (even today). Constant hammering, squeaking, sawing, etc. The walls are shaking and I found paint dust along the walls of my apartment.. It's driving me crazy. [more inside]
posted on May 28, 2007 - 9 answers

Is it safe to powerwash asbestos/cement siding? [more inside]
posted on May 19, 2007 - 9 answers

RemodelingFilter: What's the name for the not-so-common style of bathroom sink in which (1) the back half of the bowl fits firmly within the vanity/countertop like a normal top-mount sink, but (2) the rounded front half of the bowl juts out several inches from the vanity, overhanging similar to the front edge of a pedestal sink? [more inside]
posted on Apr 8, 2007 - 3 answers

What are the risks associated with adding a second bathroom to an old apartment building not necessarily "wired" for the task? [more inside]
posted on Apr 6, 2007 - 11 answers

Sources for antique wood from old construction, like old crossbeams, etc? Or used/abused antique tables? [more inside]
posted on Mar 21, 2007 - 10 answers

Kitchen cabinet camouflage - bring me your ideas! [more inside]
posted on Feb 18, 2007 - 19 answers

How do I remove a recessed toilet paper holder? [more inside]
posted on Feb 4, 2007 - 9 answers

DIY.filter: I have a converted attic with acoustical tiles attached to the ceiling. Does anyone have any thoughts on mudding over them or covering them up with something to update the look? [more inside]
posted on Oct 9, 2006 - 11 answers

How do you figure out a real estate buyer profile? We've purchased a home and will be doing some updates. We don't know how high end to go. [more inside]
posted on Aug 8, 2006 - 12 answers

How do I seal holes in the vapor barrier around electrical wires? [more inside]
posted on Jul 16, 2006 - 10 answers

Please help me figure out how to replace this nightmare of a (rental) counter! See [more inside]
posted on Jul 15, 2006 - 18 answers

I bumped into my neighbour the other day and he asked to meet with us and his neighbours on the other side. Apparently it is a legal requirement in Ontario that when you undertake serious renovations that you discuss it with the neighbours. So I asked him what he planned on doing. His response: we're going to demolish the existing house and build a new one. [more inside]
posted on Jul 8, 2006 - 16 answers

What type of wood should we use for historically-appropriate exterior window shutters? Details inside, special interest for those in hurricane-prone coastal areas. [more inside]
posted on Jun 6, 2006 - 9 answers

Can anyone recommend home inspectors and/or renovation contractors in Portland, Oregon? [more inside]
posted on May 15, 2006 - 3 answers

Anyone have experience with home asbestos removal? [more inside]
posted on May 5, 2006 - 3 answers

We're trying to figure out the best kitchen counter material for our new kitchen. I know there are lots of great options, but we've narrowed our needs/wants down to a few important ones and have a shortlist we can't get past too easily, so are looking for some insight. [more inside]
posted on Apr 30, 2006 - 22 answers

What can I do with an unattractive brick wall in a family room? [more inside]
posted on Apr 14, 2006 - 19 answers

What can you do if you live in a concrete building and need emergency access to your bathtub connection but have a neighbour who blocks access? [more inside]
posted on Sep 14, 2005 - 21 answers

What can we do with this three-season porch? [more inside]
posted on Aug 23, 2005 - 12 answers

HomeImprovementFilter: I'm planning on having a basement room finished, and before I put the contractors to the time and expense of coming out for estimates, I want to know if the project will be something I can afford to do right now. [more inside]
posted on Aug 18, 2005 - 2 answers

DIYFilter: My kitchen floor still has the original tile from 70s (yuk!). I'd like to update it somehow on the cheap. So short of re-tiling, anyone have a good idea what I can do to update it?
posted on Jun 25, 2005 - 6 answers

We are having a fairly major renovation done on our house by a friend. Do we get him a gift at then end and if so, what could it be? [more inside]
posted on Jun 20, 2005 - 9 answers

How much would it cost to install a new window where there was none before? [more inside]
posted on Jun 17, 2005 - 7 answers

RenovationFilter: We just bought an old library out on the great plains. Yes, library. But that's not the point. It's a wonderful, hundred-year-old brick building. The floors are beautiful, straight-grained, old-growth fir. Unfortunately.... [more inside]
posted on Jun 10, 2005 - 27 answers

I have a friend who wants to buy a sweet (and cheap!) fixer-upper in an up-and-coming section of Philadelphia. Thing is, she'll need to do a lot of work to renovate it, including putting in new floors... [more inside]
posted on May 18, 2005 - 14 answers

Bought a house last year (1901) with a lot of old ceilings and woodcraft. Some parts really need a good renovation. Are there any good resources for these specific operations?
posted on Mar 29, 2005 - 6 answers

BowlingFilter: Does anyone know how to best dismantle a bowling alley? [MI]
posted on Jan 14, 2005 - 16 answers

How do I find a contractor for an unusual job? The members of my condo association want to look into enlarging the balconies on our building. Should I start at the 'A's in the General Contracting section of the yellow pages and work my way down?
posted on Dec 9, 2004 - 8 answers

Drywalling: putting up gyproc over an insulated interior wall. From cutting to affixing to mudding, what tips and tricks have you learned? Aside from learning to pay someone else to do it, though I suspect that's ultimately the lesson...
posted on Oct 21, 2004 - 14 answers

Roofing filter day

My wife has decided that we need a new roof and that we're going to do it ourselves. I'm not opposed to this, well, okay I am, but stilll....

How do we price this out for ourselves? Any denizens or askmefi have any experience in this? We have asphalt shingles now and will stick with same.

My wife says thanks in advance.
posted on Jul 20, 2004 - 23 answers

Plumbing question - you have a bath tub, free standing, with no shower; no switch to change between the water coming of the faucet vs from a shower head, and no shower curtain or support for such. How much (and what) would the parts be to add shower functionality? Is this a job that you could do by yourself?
posted on May 13, 2004 - 7 answers

I have a closet in a converted basement (drywall). In the closet there is a light bulb powered by a switch so I assume there is electricity. My burning desire in life is to get a power outlet in that closet. What steps do I need to take? Is this a crazy young-person sort of dreamer's dream?
posted on Feb 6, 2004 - 17 answers

'Nother flooring question: Nurri and I want to Ardex the floors in our new place, for that clinical-industrial-minimalist look. Does anybody have any advice as to whether it's better to rip up the extant Pergo flooring and apply the Ardex to whatever substrate may be hanging out under there, or simply slap it on over the Pergo?
posted on Jan 9, 2004 - 8 answers

Anyone know anything about refinishing hardwood floors? I discovered really nice hardwood under the ugly tile that covers the floors of my house, but there's a few areas where spills seeped through, and the wood has bleached out. [more inside]
posted on Dec 13, 2003 - 18 answers