ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Name: Meghan Wentland
Title: Contributing Writer and Editor
Meghan Wentland joined the Bob Vila team as a writer and editor in the home finance, home security, and home improvement spaces in 2020. She is also a professor of writing and literature, where she spends her time teaching students to think critically and look for clarity.
Expertise and Experience
Most of Meghan’s expertise in the home improvement area comes from research, trial, and plenty of errors. In her teaching career, she spends a lot of energy explaining to students that writing is a set of skills that can be learned, and the same goes for any unfamiliar process or project. This is how she believes that with enough preparation, home buying and home improvement don’t have to be intimidating. The best companion during a home project is a clearly laid-out explanation of what to do and how to do it; Meghan is happy to contribute to that body of work for new and experienced DIYers.
There’s a lot to know about improving a home, but home finances, insurance, and security can be just as intimidating as home improvements, especially for new buyers. In her writing, Meghan strives to tame these beasts and make them accessible for newcomers or those who don’t need the whole backstory but only the steps they need to take to get the job done.
Meghan also enjoys working on gift guides, product reviews, and pieces that help readers estimate the costs of projects and hiring the right professionals to help.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 | FRIDAY
How Much Does Flood Insurance Cost in Utah?
Highlights The cost of flood insurance in Utah typically runs between $367 and $1,441 per year, with many homeowners paying an average of $659 per year. Insurance companies weigh many f...
SEPTEMBER 28, 2023 | THURSDAY
U-Haul vs. Home Depot: Which Moving Truck Rental Service Should You Choose in 2023?
The cost of moving can be expensive—there’s no getting around it. And it’s not just long-distance moves that can cause sticker shock, either; finding affordable moving trucks for a local ...
SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 | TUESDAY
This Is the Best Time to Buy Flooring (and the 2 Times When You Absolutely Should Not)
Our methodology: To determine the popularity of flooring projects, we reviewed how our readers have engaged with our flooring content over the past two years (all of 2022 and 2023 so far)...
SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 | MONDAY
Mayflower Makes Moving a Breeze, But Expect To Tackle This One Major Task Solo
Anyone who has ever planned and executed a move looks toward the next one with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Hiring a moving company to do the heavy lifting can alleviate some ...
AUGUST 31, 2023 | THURSDAY
How Much Does Palm Tree Removal Cost?
Highlights It typically costs between $150 and $1,150 to remove a palm tree from a yard. Some of the factors that determine palm tree removal cost include the size and species of the tr...
AUGUST 23, 2023 | WEDNESDAY
The Cost of Quartz vs. Granite Cost: 6 Factors to Consider When Upgrading Your Countertops
Whether a homeowner is planning a full-scale kitchen remodel or a quick face-lift, new countertops are often at the top of their wish list. There are many options when homeowners are sele...
AUGUST 22, 2023 | TUESDAY
Solved! How Many Security Cameras Do I Really Need to Protect My Home?
Q: I’ve been seeing lots of posts from neighbors on our local social media that include footage from their security cameras of criminals stealing packages, casing the yard, and checking c...
JULY 17, 2023 | MONDAY
How to Make Your House a Smart Home In Just 8 Steps—And The Best Devices to Buy First
Smart homes, or homes where a variety of home functions can be controlled from a panel display, mobile app, voice assistant, or all of the above, used to be a common element in movies whe...
JULY 10, 2023 | MONDAY
Renewal by Andersen vs. Pella: Which Window Replacement Company Should You Choose in 2023?
Old, drafty windows can cost homeowners hundreds of dollars in lost energy every year. But making the decision to replace windows can be difficult: There’s a significant cost outlay all a...
JULY 10, 2023 | MONDAY
HomeAdvisor vs. Angi: Which Home Services Website Should You Use in 2023?
With the raft of home services digital marketplaces flooding the internet, it can be difficult for homeowners to choose which platform to use when searching for contractors and profession...
