Category Archives: General Advice

A Leaky Roof No More

So I’ve mentioned in the weekly status reports that we had a significant issue with the flat roof at Mintwood. This post just shares a bit more info on that saga. When we bought the property in 2020, we knew it needed a new roof. In fact, one of the first things we did wasContinue reading “A Leaky Roof No More”

Smart Home – Doors and Locks

This is the fourth post in my series on smart home technology. You may want to start with the one entitled Smart Home Starting Point. {Disclosure: I’m providing links for these products. If, at the time of publication, the price was the same on Amazon and elsewhere, I linked to Amazon and I may getContinue reading “Smart Home – Doors and Locks”

Smart Home – Lighting

This is the third post in my series on smart home technology. You may want to start with the one entitled Smart Home Starting Point. {Disclosure: I’m providing links for these products. If, at the time of publication, the price was the same on Amazon and elsewhere, I linked to Amazon and I may getContinue reading “Smart Home – Lighting”

Whom do I trust? (updated)

{I originally posted this back in Feb 2022. Since then, I’ve found new sources, and some are less valuable over time. It’s worth updating this post to include them. Read on…} In the “old days”, if you had a project at your house, you had to have a friend who knew what he was doingContinue reading “Whom do I trust? (updated)”

Smart Home – without the headaches

I probably watched too many episodes of The Jetsons as a kid, but I have always loved the idea of home automation. I just thought it would be cool to come into the house and have it automatically make the environment exactly what I liked, without having to run all over the place changing theContinue reading “Smart Home – without the headaches”

Who do I trust on YouTube?

In the “old days”, if you had a project at your house, you had to have a friend who knew what he was doing and would come by to help (I’m looking at you Chris K.) . It was part of the neighborhood tradition- knowing who was a plumber, who knew electrical, etc. Today, everyoneContinue reading “Who do I trust on YouTube?”

License and Insurance, Please

I’ve been asked what is the most important lesson I’ve learned so far. Here it is: Ask for their license and proof of insurance. Generally speaking, anyone who works on your house needs to have a contractor’s license of some sort. For state, county, or city licensing authority likely operates a website that talks aboutContinue reading “License and Insurance, Please”