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.

Browse By Tag

  • (565)
  • (141)
  • (123)
  • (122)
  • (115)
  • (108)
  • (104)
  • (88)
  • (84)
  • (80)
  • (78)
  • (70)
  • (67)
  • (63)
  • (53)
NOVEMBER 15, 2019 | FRIDAY
Types of Gutters to Consider for Your Home

Rain gutters, which run along the base of a roof, do more than keep downpours from drenching people as they come and go. By channeling water out and away from your home’s foundation, rain...

NOVEMBER 12, 2019 | TUESDAY
The Complete Guide to Weatherstripping the House

Weatherstripping is a time-honored method of minimizing door and window drafts throughout the house. In the winter, weatherstripping prevents heated air from escaping the home and bars th...

NOVEMBER 12, 2019 | TUESDAY
How To: Dispose of Paint

No matter what you're painting—your home's exterior, the living room, or the furniture you recently bought secondhand—every project seems to leave you with a frustratingly minute quantity...

NOVEMBER 11, 2019 | MONDAY
Solved! How Often to Change a Furnace Filter

Q: I turned on my furnace for the first time this year, and it made the whole house smell musty. I checked the filter and found it caked with dust, so I replaced it with a new filter, and...

NOVEMBER 8, 2019 | FRIDAY
Solved! What Is Trisodium Phosphate, and Is it Safe to Use?

Q: My wife and I recently bought a fixer-upper home, and are doing a lot of the repairs ourselves. Some of the projects we have in mind—cleaning our deck and siding, for example—recommend...

NOVEMBER 5, 2019 | TUESDAY
Mulching Leaves: Why Mowing Leaves is Better Than Raking Them

Every year, fall reintroduces us to a raft of pleasures like no other season—hot apple cider, pumpkin carving, and so on. But fall also signals the return of one chore many of us dread: r...

NOVEMBER 4, 2019 | MONDAY
How to Remove Water Stains From Wood

Wood furniture is beautiful, but it’s not impervious to the wear and tear of everyday life. To retain their looks, new and antique wood tables and chairs must be properly maintained. It’s...

NOVEMBER 4, 2019 | MONDAY
Solved! How to Fix a Leaking Water Heater and Prevent Future Woes

Q: Help! My hot water heater is leaking.  After mopping up, I see more water starting to puddle but I can’t tell where it’s coming from.  Do I need to call a plumber, or is it possible fo...

OCTOBER 29, 2019 | TUESDAY
Change Filters Frequently to Optimize Furnace Efficiency

Dust bunnies are multiplying, dog hair is piling up, and allergies are worsening—oh my, it must be the furnace filter! To change a furnace filter is perhaps the quickest and easiest way t...

OCTOBER 28, 2019 | MONDAY
Solved! Why Is My Electric Bill So High?

Q: I just opened my electric bill, and my jaw dropped. It’s way higher than ever! I called the electric company to see if there had been a mistake, but I was assured there wasn’t. Why is ...