Homeowners have no shortage of complaints about their contractors. But contractors have feelings, too, and according to this New York Times article, one belligerent homeowner drove the contractor to therapy. It's an often-overlooked issue—that homeowners can drive their contractors crazy with unreasonable, irrational and selfish demands, making them feel like "human punching bag[s]." If you are a contractor who is feeling abused, reading this collection of anecdotes may make you feel just a tiny bit better. And homeowners, please remember, contractors are human beings, too.
While the home improvement business is slowing down, plenty of contractors are finding work fixing abandoned homes, according to this story in The New York Times. Foreclosures are booming across the nation, but it is a process that, once underway, often takes years to conclude. And the longer a property sits vacant, the more wear and tear it endures from vandals and nature. Abandoned properties can also draw drug users and criminal gangs to an area. As a result, mortgage companies are under fire from state and local governments to maintain vacant properties, providing a booming business for some local contractors.
I have always dreamed of a large, wraparound farmer's porch on my house. My little Cape Cod doesn't have one, so I guess I'll have to keep dreaming for a while longer.
If you have a front—or a back—porch that's not brand-new, you probably need to do a little maintenance. CalFinder, a site for remodeling contractors, also has some useful articles for homeowners. "Fixing up Your Front Porch" offers some good tips for getting your porch in shape for the summer.
One of my favorite blogs is Charles and Hudson. They have some wonderful DIY advice. In a recent blog entitled "The Top 5 Tools of Mass Destruction" they compile their list of the right tools to get the job done quickly so you can begin building. Check it out.
With checks already in the mail, you may be wondering how you are going to spend (or save) the tax rebate that is part of the government's economic stimulus plan. According to a survey conducted by building products manufacturer Johns Manville and reported on the Building Online web site, 24 percent of U.S. homeowners are "considering using" the money they will receive as part of the federal economic stimulus package to upgrade or improve their homes. One in five said they would "definitely use" their rebate money for a home improvement project. Respondents had definite ideas on what those projects would be. Here's how they said they'd spend the rebate: "household upgrades, including landscaping (23 percent) or an upgrade of the bathroom (13 percent) or kitchen (12 percent); improving their homes' energy efficiency, including adding attic insulation (9 percent), caulking or sealing (4 percent), or installing energy efficient light bulbs (4 percent); or painting a room (10 percent)." How will you spend your rebate?
HGTV's has a list of the "Six Deadly Sins of DIY Projects" that really touched a nerve with me. I have to admit my greatest weakness is tackling too many projects without comprehending how much time each one is going to take. They are:
Time. Too many projects, all at once
Money. "Almost impossible to foresee all the costs"
Skill. If you pretend to be an expert, you will fool no one
Planning. More planning usually means smoother renovations
Mess. I have yet to be on a job site that doesn't resemble a complete disaster area
Enjoyment. You should remember that there will be good days and bad days
I'm writing these down and posting them on my toolbox.
