Homeowner guides
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Homeowner advice
AC running but not cooling? 6 things to check
How often should you change your air filter?
How often should you mow your lawn?
How to choose a lawn care service
Plain-English, no jargon
- AC running but not cooling? 6 things to checkYour AC is on but the house won't cool down. Six safe checks to try before you call, what each one means, and the signs you need an HVAC technician.Read the guide
- How often should you change your air filter?Most homes should replace a standard HVAC filter every 1 to 3 months. Here's how to pick the right schedule for pets, allergies and filter thickness.Read the guide
- How often should you mow your lawn?Most lawns need mowing once a week in the growing season. Learn the one-third rule, the right height for your grass and when to switch to every other week.Read the guide
- How to choose a lawn care serviceWhat to check before you hire a lawn care company: what's included, insurance, pricing, scheduling and the questions that separate good crews from bad ones.Read the guide
- Signs of a hidden water leak in your houseA rising water bill, a meter that moves with everything off, damp spots or a musty smell can point to a hidden leak. How to check, and when to call a plumber.Read the guide
- When to call a plumber vs. fix it yourselfWhich plumbing problems are safe to fix yourself and which need a licensed plumber now. Plus what to do while you wait for help.Read the guide
- How to prepare for a house cleanerA few minutes of prep helps a house cleaner spend their time cleaning. What to pick up, what to tell them and what not to worry about.Read the guide
- Do you need regular pest control?When a quarterly pest control plan makes sense, when a one-time treatment is enough, and what you can do yourself to keep pests out.Read the guide
- What junk removal companies won't takeMost junk haulers won't take paint, chemicals, propane tanks or asbestos. Here's what's usually refused, what costs extra and where to take it instead.Read the guide
- How to prepare a room for paintersWhat to move, what to leave and what to decide before painters arrive, so the job starts on time and your quote doesn't grow.Read the guide
- Handyman vs. contractor: who should you hire?Hire a handyman for small repairs and installs. Hire a licensed contractor for permitted work, structural changes, electrical, plumbing and big remodels.Read the guide
- How often should you pressure wash your house?Most homes need a wash about once a year. How often to clean siding, driveways, decks and roofs, and why siding should be soft washed.Read the guide
- How to compare quotes from home service prosThe cheapest quote isn't always the best deal. How to compare quotes for the same job: scope, materials, timing, insurance, payment terms and warranty.Read the guide
- Should you repair or replace your AC?Use the system's age, the repair cost and how often it breaks to decide whether to fix your air conditioner or replace it.Read the guide
- How often should you service your HVAC system?Most homes need an AC tune-up each spring and a heating tune-up each fall. Here's what a tune-up covers and what you can do between visits.Read the guide
- 7 signs your water heater is failingRusty water, rumbling noises, leaks and running out of hot water are signs a water heater is wearing out. Here's what each one means.Read the guide
- How to unclog a drain safelyClear a slow sink, tub or shower drain without damaging your pipes: what to try first, what to avoid and when to call a plumber.Read the guide
- When is the best time to aerate your lawn?Aerate cool-season grass in early fall or spring and warm-season grass in late spring to early summer, when it's growing fast enough to recover.Read the guide
- How to get rid of ants in the houseFind the trail, remove the food, use baits instead of sprays, and seal entry points. Plus when ants mean it's time to call pest control.Read the guide
- How to prepare for a pest control treatmentWhat to do before the exterminator arrives, how to protect kids and pets, and what to expect after the treatment.Read the guide
- How much should you tip a house cleaner?Tipping a house cleaner is common but not required. How people tip for one-time cleans, regular service, deep cleans and the holidays.Read the guide
- Deep clean vs. regular clean: what's the difference?A deep clean reaches the buildup a regular clean skips. What each includes, how long they take and when you need one.Read the guide
- How long does exterior paint last?Exterior paint often lasts about 5 to 10 years depending on the surface, prep, paint quality and sun. Signs it's time to repaint.Read the guide
- How to prepare for junk removalSort, separate what's refused, take photos for a firm quote and clear a path. A short checklist before the junk removal crew arrives.Read the guide
- Questions to ask before hiring a handymanAsk about insurance, pricing, minimums, licensing and guarantees before you hire a handyman. Here's what good answers sound like.Read the guide
- Can you pressure wash vinyl siding?High pressure can force water behind vinyl siding and damage it. Soft washing with low pressure and a cleaner is the safer way to clean it.Read the guide
- AC frozen up? Why it ices over and what to doIce on your AC lines or indoor coil means air or refrigerant isn't flowing right. How to thaw it safely, what to check and when to call an HVAC pro.Read the guide
- AC leaking water inside? Common causes and fixesWater around your indoor AC unit usually means a clogged drain line, a cracked pan or a frozen coil. What to check, what's safe to do and when to call a pro.Read the guide
- Furnace blowing cold air? What to check firstHeat on but the vents blow cold? Check the thermostat fan setting, the filter and the furnace power before you call an HVAC pro.Read the guide
- No hot water? How to find the causeNo hot water from any tap usually points to the water heater. Safe checks for gas and electric heaters, and when to call a plumber.Read the guide
- Toilet keeps running? How to fix itA running toilet wastes water around the clock. The three usual causes, a dye test to find leaks, and when it's worth calling a plumber.Read the guide
- Low water pressure in the house? What causes itWeak water at one tap or the whole house? How to narrow down the cause, from clogged aerators to failing pressure regulators, and when to call a plumber.Read the guide
- How to get rid of roaches in your houseRoaches need food, water and hiding spots. How to cut those off, use baits the right way, and when it's time for professional pest control.Read the guide
- Signs of termites: what to look for in your homeMud tubes, discarded wings and hollow-sounding wood can all point to termites. What each sign means and why you shouldn't disturb them before an inspection.Read the guide
- How to get rid of mice in your houseSigns of mice, how to seal them out, where to set traps and how to clean up droppings safely. Plus when to call a pest control pro.Read the guide
- How to get rid of mosquitoes in your yardMosquitoes breed in standing water. How to dump the breeding spots, protect your patio and decide whether a professional yard treatment is worth it.Read the guide
- Brown patches in your lawn? Causes and fixesDry spots, fungus, grubs or dog spots? How to tell what's browning your grass and what to do about each one.Read the guide
- How much paint do I need for a room?A simple way to work out how many gallons of paint a room needs, with a worked example, plus when to add primer and extra coats.Read the guide
- Move-out cleaning checklist: room by roomA room-by-room move-out cleaning checklist to help get your deposit back, including the spots landlords check first.Read the guide
- How to get rid of an old mattressDonate, recycle, trade in, bulk pickup or junk removal: the ways to get rid of an old mattress, and which fits your situation.Read the guide
- How to hire a plumberWhat to check before you hire a plumber: licensing, insurance, pricing, warranties and the questions that separate good plumbers from the rest.Read the guide
- How to hire a house cleanerHow to hire a house cleaner: what to ask about insurance, supplies, pricing and what's included, plus how to run a first visit.Read the guide
- How to hire a house painterHow to hire a house painter: what a good quote includes, questions about prep and paint, and red flags to avoid.Read the guide
- How to hire an HVAC contractorHow to hire an HVAC contractor for repairs or a new system: licenses, sizing, written quotes and the questions to ask.Read the guide
- How to hire a pest control companyHow to hire a pest control company: licensing, treatment plans, contracts, guarantees and the questions to ask first.Read the guide
- How to hire a junk removal companyHow to hire a junk removal company: how pricing works, what they won't take, and what to ask before the truck arrives.Read the guide
- How to hire a pressure washing companyHow to hire a pressure washing company: insurance, soft washing, what to ask about your siding and roof, and how quotes work.Read the guide
- How to hire a handymanHow to hire a handyman: what jobs they can take, how they charge, what to ask about insurance, and when you need a licensed trade instead.Read the guide
- Spring home maintenance checklistA spring home maintenance checklist: AC, gutters, lawn, exterior and pest prevention, with what to do yourself and what to hire out.Read the guide
- Fall home maintenance checklistA fall home maintenance checklist: heating, gutters, pipes, lawn and pests, so your home is ready before winter.Read the guide
- New homeowner checklist: what to do firstJust bought a house? A checklist for the first week, month and year: locks, shutoffs, filters, safety and the maintenance to schedule.Read the guide
- Home maintenance schedule: monthly, seasonal and yearlyA simple home maintenance schedule: what to check every month, every season and once a year to prevent expensive repairs.Read the guide
- How to hire an electricianWhat to check before you hire an electrician: licensing, permits, insurance, pricing and the questions that protect you and your home.Read the guide
- How to hire a tree serviceHow to hire a tree service: insurance, arborist credentials, what the quote should include and the red flags to avoid.Read the guide
- How to hire a landscaperHow to hire a landscaper for a new design or yard makeover: what to ask, what a good quote includes, and how to compare bids.Read the guide
- How to hire a fence companyHow to hire a fence company: property lines, permits, HOA rules, post depth and what a good fence quote includes.Read the guide
- How to hire moversHow to hire movers: licensing, binding estimates, insurance coverage and the red flags of a moving scam.Read the guide
- How to hire a garage door companyHow to hire a garage door repair company: springs, openers, pricing, warranties and how to avoid upsells.Read the guide
- How to hire a flooring installerHow to hire a flooring installer: subfloor prep, measuring, what's included in the quote and how to compare bids.Read the guide
- How to hire a remodeling contractorHow to hire a remodeling contractor for a kitchen, bath or addition: licensing, contracts, payment schedules and change orders.Read the guide
- How to hire a foundation repair companyHow to hire a foundation repair company: why an independent engineer helps, what to ask about piers and warranties, and red flags.Read the guide
- How to hire a water damage restoration companyHow to hire a water damage restoration company in an emergency: certifications, insurance claims, drying and moisture readings.Read the guide
- How to hire a deck builderHow to hire a deck builder: permits, footings, wood versus composite, and what a good deck quote includes.Read the guide
- How to hire a window replacement companyHow to hire a window replacement company: retrofit versus full-frame, warranties, installers and how to compare window quotes.Read the guide
- How to hire a pool serviceHow to hire a pool service: what each visit should include, chemicals, repair licensing and how to compare monthly prices.Read the guide
- How to hire a gutter cleaning companyHow to hire a gutter cleaning company: insurance, downspouts, debris removal and what's included in the price.Read the guide
- How to hire a carpet cleanerHow to hire a carpet cleaner: pricing per room, cleaning methods, pet stains and how to avoid bait-and-switch pricing.Read the guide
- How to hire a chimney sweepHow to hire a chimney sweep: certification, inspection levels, cleanup and how to handle big repair recommendations.Read the guide
- How to hire a locksmithHow to hire a locksmith: getting a price over the phone, checking licensing, and spotting common locksmith scams.Read the guide
- How to hire a septic companyHow to hire a septic company: licensing, what a pumping should include, inspections and how to compare repair bids.Read the guide
- How to hire an appliance repair technicianHow to hire an appliance repair technician: diagnostic fees, brand experience, parts warranties and repair-or-replace advice.Read the guide
- How to hire a concrete contractorHow to hire a concrete contractor: base prep, thickness, reinforcement, permits and what a concrete quote should list.Read the guide
- How to hire a siding contractorHow to hire a siding contractor: material choices, house wrap, trim, warranties and how to compare siding bids.Read the guide
- How to hire an insulation contractorHow to hire an insulation contractor: R-value, air sealing, removing old insulation and how to compare insulation quotes.Read the guide
- How to hire a countertop installerHow to hire a countertop installer: picking slabs, seam placement, cutouts, sealing and what a countertop quote should include.Read the guide
- How to hire a sprinkler repair companyHow to hire a sprinkler repair company: hourly rates, zone checks, backflow testing and repair-or-replace advice.Read the guide
- How to hire a snow removal companyHow to hire a snow removal company: seasonal contracts, snow depth triggers, response times and damage policies.Read the guide
- How to hire a holiday lighting companyHow to hire a holiday lighting installer: lights included or not, takedown, service calls and how lights are attached.Read the guide
- How to hire a solar panel cleaning companyHow to hire a solar panel cleaning company: warranty rules, safe methods, minimum fees and add-on inspections.Read the guide
- How to hire a cabinet companyHow to hire a cabinet company: choosing refacing, refinishing or replacement, lead times and what a cabinet quote includes.Read the guide
- How to hire a door installerHow to hire a door installer: prehung versus slab doors, frame repairs, weather sealing and what the quote should include.Read the guide
- How to hire a window tinting companyHow to hire a home window tinting company: film types, window warranties, samples and film warranties.Read the guide
- How to hire a masonHow to hire a mason: mortar matching, repointing versus tuckpointing, finding the cause of cracks and comparing bids.Read the guide
- How to hire a drywall contractorHow to hire a drywall contractor: patch versus replace, texture matching, finish levels, cleanup and painting.Read the guide
- How to hire a window cleanerHow to hire a window cleaner: inside and out, screens and tracks, upper floors, insurance and recurring pricing.Read the guide
- How to check a contractor's licenseHow to check a contractor's license and insurance before you hire: where to look, what to ask for and what to watch out for.Read the guide
Local guides
Advice for your area
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