Bob Vila

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bob Vila

You probably know me from TV, where for nearly 30 years I hosted a variety of educational shows—This Old House, Bob Vila’s Home Again, Bob Vila, and Restore America with Bob Vila. I’ve also written 12 books about remodeling your home, buying your dream home, and visiting historic homes across America. It’s fair to say my life’s work has been helping people upgrade their homes and improve their lives.

Before my life in broadcasting, I launched my own residential remodeling and design business. Earlier still, I served as a Peace Corps volunteer, building houses and communities in Panama. I learned first-hand about home building from my father, who hand-built our family home.

Over the years I've also supported many causes dealing with housing and architectural preservation. I've been actively involved with Habitat for Humanity and helped them blitz build a house in Yonkers, NY, which we put on TV. I worked for years with the National Alliance to End Homelessness, supporting the work of many organizations throughout the country. In the last several years I've been helping out with the restoration of Ernest Hemingway’s home and collections at Finca Vigía near Havana, Cuba. This place was his home from 1939 until his death and he left it to the Cuban people to be run as a museum. This project has allowed me to visit my parents' homeland several times.

Now it's this website that I am passionate about and the chance to share my projects, discoveries, tips, advice, and experiences with all of you. I’ve always believed that a little sweat equity goes a long way toward making a house a home, and that's exactly what BobVila.com helps homeowners do.

Connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube and Instagram. I look forward to the conversation and to getting to know you.

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JANUARY 24, 2021 | SUNDAY
Hydroseeding: Is it Right for Your Lawn?

The process of hydroseeding is garnering attention from homeowners who want a new approach to a beautiful lawn, especially in large areas that are difficult to seed. Unlike laying sod or ...

JANUARY 22, 2021 | FRIDAY
Installing a Pocket Door

What's true about fashion can be applied to interior design: If you wait long enough, the old styles come back in vogue. Pocket doors were ubiquitous in old Victorian homes, where they we...

NOVEMBER 30, 2020 | MONDAY
The Best Tool Boxes, Tested and Reviewed

Whether for home improvement, hobby projects, or simply making minor repairs, there’s not much you can accomplish without tools. And the more tools you accumulate, the more pressing the q...

AUGUST 13, 2020 | THURSDAY
How To: Replace a Toilet Shut-Off Valve

That inconspicuous toilet shut-off valve doesn’t see much action. In fact, that valve may sit for years without ever being closed. That’s not a good thing. After going unused for so long,...

AUGUST 11, 2020 | TUESDAY
The Dos and Don'ts of Sprinkler Repair and Maintenance

Quality sprinkler systems are easy, water-efficient means to keep your yard green and lush. Their programmable and scheduled irrigation, combined with strategic sprinkler head placement e...

JULY 31, 2020 | FRIDAY
Solved! Does Grass Seed Go Bad?

Q: I purchased two bags of grass seed last spring, and I am finally getting around to using them. However, one of the bags now has a musty odor. Does grass seed go bad?A: Everyone wants a...

JULY 29, 2020 | WEDNESDAY
The Dos and Don'ts of Vinyl Fence Installation

Although few do-it-yourselfers relish the prospect of a weekend spent mixing hundreds of pounds of concrete and digging numerous post holes, most can handle a vinyl fence installation. In...

JULY 7, 2020 | TUESDAY
How to Overseed a Lawn

A full, green lawn creates curb appeal and makes you feel like sipping an iced tea on the back patio. But if bare spots peek through and weeds overpower the grass, the lawn might be more ...

JUNE 5, 2020 | FRIDAY
Zero Turn vs. Lawn Tractor: The Right Mower for Large Yards

Lawns over half an acre give you plenty of space to play and lounge in the great outdoors. However, when it’s time to mow, you’re looking at a major commitment. Factor in landscaping like...

MAY 19, 2020 | TUESDAY
How To: Remove Stain from Wood

If you're updating hardwood floors or refinishing a piece of furniture, for the best results, you need to remove the existing stain first. Removing wood stain can be an involved process s...