Home Maintenance & Improvement

Resources in this category:

Answers @ Ace
http://www.acehardware.com/infodept/index.jsp?clickid=body_b...

Helpful features include a product research center, index of step-by-step project how-to's, and glossary of home improvement terms.

Apartment Therapy
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/

Want to make your home more beautiful, organized and healthy? This stylish blog site will show you how without requiring a large amount of money or space. "Simplicity and luxury are not mutually exclusive."

BobVila.com
http://www.bobvila.com/

The well-known home improvement expert's website. In addition to information from Vila's television program, Home Again, the site features a searchable how-to library, 3D design guides, and an "Ask a Question" section with discussion forums and access to expert advice.

Calculators - This Old House
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/calculator/0,,,00.html

"Calculate exactly how much you need for your next home improvement project". Contains measurement calculators for painting, wallpaper, flooring, insulation, air conditioning, grass seed and mulch.

DIY -- Do It Yourself Network
http://www.diynet.com/

"DIY answers the call for more how-to projects with easy step-by-step directions. Whether you're creating a craft, remodeling a home, or planting the perfect garden, the DIY Network gives you the details you need, and the DIY Web site lets you see it again, print it out and take it with you." Instructions on a variety of home and do-it-yourself projects, as well as workshops that provide in-depth instruction on a variety of topics.

DoItYourself.com
http://www.doityourself.com/

DoItYourself.com features resources on a wide range of home improvement topics. Resources include a comprehensive DIY project index, community forums, and contractor referral service. Searchable.

Get Organized at Home
http://www.organizedhome.com/

Seasonal and year-round advice on organizing and cleaning your home. Resources include message boards, articles, tips, guides, planners.

Home Improvements
http://www.bbb.org/alerts/home.asp

Advice from the Better Business Bureau on planning a home improvement project and hiring a contractor.

Home Sweet Home Improvement
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro20.shtm

Tips from the US Federal Trade Commission on hiring a competent, reliable home improvement contractor, complete with tip-offs and information about potential rip-offs.

Hometime
http://www.hometime.com/home.html

"Find how-to information, including step-by-step guides, photos and supply lists, on dozens of home improvement projects from the producers of the weekly TV show." Organized by subject, searchable.

HomeTips
http://www.hometips.com/

'HomeTips is your one-stop resource for help with home improvement, remodeling houses, home repair, decorating, and buying appliances and other home products." Helpful features include impartial buying guides and articles such as "Projects to Please Your Mate" and "Should You Do It Yourself?"

HowToCleanAnything.Com
http://www.howtocleananything.com/

"[A] comprehensive collection of information, compiled by industry professionals, that seeks to provide the best quality" information on household cleaning methods. Information arranged by house exterior, interior, pets, auto, recreation, and stains. Includes glossary of cleaning terms and articles about topics submitted by readers. Six experts affiliated with the site take e-mail questions from the general public; they are professionals in carpet, janitorial, pets, chemicals, clothing, and computer cleaning.

The Kitchn
http://www.thekitchn.com/

All things kitchen and cooking, this sumptuous blog site contains a wealth of information from stylishly decorating your kitchen to rustling up a quick midweek meal.

Ohdeedoh
http://www.ohdeedoh.com/

Colorful ideas to transform your child's living spaces. "This is a site for people who care about good design, but happen to have children"

Re-Nest
http://www.re-nest.com/

How can we make our homes greener? Re-Nest supplies some creative and non-expensive ideas that combine home decor with green living.

Referwork
http://www.referwork.com/index.htm

This site offers guidelines and assistance for selecting the contractors and professionals (such as an architect) necessary for residential construction projects including remodeling, maintenance, repairs and more. The contractor referral service is a commercial one, offering to help you find your next contractor or professional such as an architect, excavator, landscaper, mason, tiler, roofer or drywaller through a free registration process tied to your geographic location. The service processes results within a week.

The Tangled Nest
http://thetanglednest.com/

Writer Lyanda Lynn Haupt draws on her own experiences to experiment with ways to achieve a sustainable and artful urban home through "projects, musings, news, reviews, adventures and misadventures."

This to That
http://www.thistothat.com/

"A simple, practical guide to finding the right adhesive. Select the two types of materials that you plan to glue together, and get impartial product recommendations with information on toxicity, time to adhere, cost, and more. Glue trivia, history, and humor complete the offering."

Tipnut
http://tipnut.com/

An ecletic collection of household tips, craft projects, recipes, kitchen & cooking tips brought together in one site.

Toiletology 101
http://www.toiletology.com/index.shtml

Online course about the care and repair of toliets.

Workbench Ideas
http://www.workbench-ideas.com/

Provides ideas, plans, safety tips, and step-by-step instructions for building a workbench, a great first step in completing home improvement projects safely. Also find help on wood staining, restoring antique furniture, easy crown moldings, and other do-it-yourself woodwork projects.