Plumbing
Plumbing guides & cost breakdowns
Includes: When Should You Call an Emergency Plumber? and 4 more guides
Home project guides & cost breakdowns
Before you bring in a pro, get clear on what the project really involves, what it usually costs, and how to avoid surprise add-ons. These guides are written to pair with the same categories you'll see in our "Find a pro" search.
Research by project type
AC Repair
AC Repair guides & cost breakdowns
Includes: Should You Repair or Replace Your AC Unit? and 3 more guides
Electrician
Electrician guides & cost breakdowns
Includes: Average Cost to Rewire a House and 2 more guides
Roofing
Roofing guides & cost breakdowns
Includes: How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Roof? and 3 more guides
Handyman
Handyman guides & cost breakdowns
Includes: Spring Home Maintenance Checklist and 2 more guides
Pest Control
Pest Control guides & cost breakdowns
Includes: Is It a Pest Control Emergency or Can It Wait? and 2 more guides
House Cleaning
House Cleaning guides & cost breakdowns
Includes: Deep Clean vs. Standard Clean: What’s the Difference? and 1 more guide
Landscaping & Lawn Care
Landscaping & Lawn Care guides & cost breakdowns
Includes: Lawn Care Basics: Mowing, Watering, and Fertilizing 101 and 1 more guide
Windows & Doors
Windows & Doors guides & cost breakdowns
Includes: Window Replacement Cost Breakdown and 2 more guides
Flooring
Flooring guides & cost breakdowns
Includes: Flooring Cost Comparison: Carpet vs. Vinyl vs. Wood and 1 more guide
Interior & Exterior Painting
Interior & Exterior Painting guides & cost breakdowns
Includes: Interior Painting Cost: Per Room and Whole-House Pricing and 1 more guide
Pools & Spas
Pools & Spas guides & cost breakdowns
Includes: Pool Maintenance Basics for New Homeowners and 1 more guide
Garage Door Repair
Garage Door Repair guides & cost breakdowns
Includes: Garage Door Repair vs. Replacement and 1 more guide
Appliance Repair
Appliance Repair guides & cost breakdowns
Includes: Is Appliance Repair Worth It or Should You Replace? and 1 more guide
Solar Panels
Solar Panels guides & cost breakdowns
Includes: Solar Panel Payback Basics: When Does It Actually Pencil Out? and 1 more guide
Moving & Storage
Moving & Storage guides & cost breakdowns
Includes: Moving Cost Breakdown: DIY Truck vs. Full-Service Movers and 1 more guide
Home Security Systems
Home Security Systems guides & cost breakdowns
Includes: DIY vs. Pro Home Security Systems: Which Is Right for You? and 1 more guide
Gutters
Gutters guides & cost breakdowns
Includes: How Much Does Gutter Cleaning Cost (and How Often to Do It)? and 1 more guide
Fencing
Fencing guides & cost breakdowns
Includes: Fence Installation Costs by Material and 1 more guide
Remodeling & Renovation
Remodeling & Renovation guides & cost breakdowns
Includes: Bathroom Remodel Cost Guide: Budget, Midrange, and Upscale and 1 more guide
All guides
51 detailed guides across key home projects.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Roof?
Typical ranges, what drives the price up or down, and how to budget smart.
roofingupgrade
8 min read10 Signs You Need a New Roof (Before It Leaks)
How to tell if your roof is at the end of its life and what to do next.
roofingadvisory
7 min readEmergency Roof Repair: What to Do After a Storm
Immediate steps to take, temporary fixes that actually work, and when to call a pro.
roofingemergency
6 min readRoof Leak? Temporary Fixes Before the Roofer Arrives
Safe stopgap options, what not to do, and how to buy time until a pro can visit.
roofingemergency
5 min readWhen Should You Call an Emergency Plumber?
What counts as a plumbing emergency, and what you can safely wait on.
plumbingemergency
6 min readWater Heater Repair vs. Replacement: What’s Cheaper Long-Term?
How to judge the age, condition, and efficiency of your water heater before you spend.
plumbingadvisory
7 min readCommon Plumbing Repairs and What They Typically Cost
From leaky faucets to clogged drains, see average prices and what affects the bill.
plumbingmaintenance
8 min readWater Main Repair Cost: What Homeowners Should Expect
Average cost ranges, what drives pricing up or down, and when the city might be responsible instead of you.
plumbingemergency
8 min readClogged Drain or Main Line Backup? How to Tell the Difference
Quick tests, warning signs, and when it’s time to call an emergency plumber.
plumbingemergency
7 min readAverage Cost to Rewire a House
Signs you need rewiring, costs by home size, and how to plan the project.
electricianupgrade
7 min readWhy Your Breaker Keeps Tripping (and When It’s Dangerous)
Common causes of breaker trips, simple resets, and when to call an electrician ASAP.
electricianemergency
6 min readDo You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade?
Amps, loads, EV chargers, and how to know if your panel is undersized.
electricianinstall
8 min readShould You Repair or Replace Your AC Unit?
How age, efficiency, and repair history factor into the decision.
ac repairadvisory
7 min readAC Running but Not Cooling? 7 Things to Check First
Quick homeowner checks you can do safely before calling an HVAC pro.
ac repairemergency
6 min readAnnual AC Maintenance Checklist for Homeowners
Simple steps to help your system run longer, cooler, and cheaper.
ac repairmaintenance
8 min readHow Much Does a New AC Unit Cost?
Installed prices by system type, SEER rating, home size, and region.
ac repairinstall
8 min readIs It a Pest Control Emergency or Can It Wait?
How to triage ants, roaches, termites, rodents, and more without panicking.
pest controlemergency
6 min readTermite Treatment Options and What They Cost
Tenting vs. spot treatments, warranties, and how to compare quotes.
pest controlupgrade
8 min readPreventive Pest Control: What Actually Works Long-Term?
Service plans, DIY steps, and how often pros recommend treating your home.
pest controlmaintenance
7 min readSpring Home Maintenance Checklist
A room-by-room guide to getting your home ready before the busy season.
handymanmaintenance
10 min readWhat a Handyman Can (and Can’t) Legally Do
Where a handyman shines, when you need a licensed trade, and how to avoid permit issues.
handymanadvisory
7 min readHigh-Impact Handyman Projects You Can Finish in a Day
Quick wins like caulking, minor carpentry, and hardware upgrades that add value fast.
handymanupgrade
6 min readDeep Clean vs. Standard Clean: What’s the Difference?
Service checklists, how often to schedule each, and what cleaners typically include.
house cleaningmaintenance
6 min readMove-Out Cleaning Checklist Landlords Actually Love
How to get your deposit back and what pros charge for a full move-out clean.
house cleaningmaintenance
7 min readLawn Care Basics: Mowing, Watering, and Fertilizing 101
Regional tips, seasonal timing, and how to decide between DIY and a lawn service.
landscapingmaintenance
7 min readLandscaping Project Costs: From Simple Cleanups to Full Makeovers
Average price ranges for common landscaping jobs and what impacts the quote.
landscapingupgrade
8 min readWindow Replacement Cost Breakdown
Frame types, glass options, and how many windows it takes to see energy savings.
windows doorsupgrade
8 min readFront Door Upgrades: Security, Curb Appeal, and What They Cost
Materials, locks, and when to consider a full unit replacement vs. slab only.
windows doorsinstall
6 min readImpact Window Replacement Cost in Hurricane Zones
Code requirements, permit fees, and how to compare impact window quotes apples-to-apples.
windows doorsupgrade
8 min readFlooring Cost Comparison: Carpet vs. Vinyl vs. Wood
Per-square-foot costs, durability, and where each material makes the most sense.
flooringupgrade
8 min readHow to Prepare Your Home for New Flooring
Furniture moving, subfloor issues, and how much disruption to expect.
flooringadvisory
6 min readInterior Painting Cost: Per Room and Whole-House Pricing
How pros bid painting jobs and ways to save without cutting corners.
paintingupgrade
7 min readChoosing the Right Paint Finish for Every Room
Flat vs. eggshell vs. semi-gloss and where each one actually belongs.
paintingadvisory
5 min readPool Maintenance Basics for New Homeowners
Chemicals, circulation, and weekly tasks to keep your water clear.
poolsmaintenance
7 min readWhat Does It Really Cost to Install an Inground Pool?
Construction methods, add-ons, and long-term ownership costs.
poolsinstall
9 min readGarage Door Repair vs. Replacement
When a tune-up is enough and when it’s safer to start fresh.
garage doorsadvisory
6 min readUpgrading Your Garage Door Opener: Features and Costs
Smart openers, battery backups, and what pros charge for install.
garage doorsinstall
7 min readIs Appliance Repair Worth It or Should You Replace?
Rule-of-thumb formulas, warranty checks, and age cutoffs by appliance.
appliance repairadvisory
7 min readFridge Not Cooling: Quick Checks Before Calling a Pro
Simple steps you can safely try and when food safety is at risk.
appliance repairemergency
6 min readSolar Panel Payback Basics: When Does It Actually Pencil Out?
How incentives, usage, and panel size affect your break-even timeline.
solarupgrade
9 min readHow to Choose a Solar Installer You Can Trust
Quotes, equipment brands, and red flags to watch for in contracts.
solaradvisory
7 min readMoving Cost Breakdown: DIY Truck vs. Full-Service Movers
How distance, weight, and timing factor into your total price.
movingupgrade
7 min read6-Week Moving Checklist to Keep You Sane
What to do each week so you’re not packing at 2 a.m. on moving day.
movingmaintenance
8 min readDIY vs. Pro Home Security Systems: Which Is Right for You?
Monitoring, contracts, and hardware differences in plain English.
home securityinstall
7 min readBest Places to Put Security Cameras Around Your Home
Coverage basics, privacy considerations, and wiring vs. wireless.
home securityadvisory
6 min readHow Much Does Gutter Cleaning Cost (and How Often to Do It)?
Typical prices by home size and what’s included in a standard service.
guttersmaintenance
6 min readAre Gutter Guards Worth the Money?
Types of guards, pros and cons, and when they actually save you cash.
guttersupgrade
7 min readFence Installation Costs by Material
Wood, vinyl, chain link, and how height and gates affect pricing.
fencinginstall
8 min readFence Maintenance Guide for a Longer-Lasting Fence
Staining, sealing, and repair tips to avoid full replacement.
fencingmaintenance
6 min readBathroom Remodel Cost Guide: Budget, Midrange, and Upscale
Line items, hidden costs, and where to splurge vs. save.
remodelingupgrade
9 min readThe 5 Phases of a Kitchen Remodel (and How Long Each Takes)
From design to punch list so you know what to expect at every step.
remodelingadvisory
8 min read