Recommended Resources

Home improvement can feel overwhelming when you’re starting out. There’s a lot of advice out there, not all of it is good, and it’s easy to spend weeks reading before you actually start anything. We’ve put together a list of the resources we actually use when we’re planning a project, learning a new skill, or trying to understand whether something is worth the effort and cost. These are places we come back to again and again.

How to use this page

Each resource below solves a specific problem. You don’t need to read through all of them — find the one that matches what you’re trying to figure out, and go there. Most of them have tutorials, cost guides, or decision tools built in, so they work whether you’re in the research phase or ready to actually make the purchase or call the contractor.

When you’re at this stage	Go to	What you’ll find
Starting to think about a project	Resource guides	Cost estimates, difficulty ratings, time requirements, and what to buy
Learning the skill yourself	Step-by-step tutorials	Video walkthroughs, tool recommendations, common mistakes to avoid
Deciding whether to DIY or hire help	Scope guides	The reality of what this project actually requires versus what the ads say
Finding rebates and financial help	Rebate tracking resources	Federal, state, and utility programs that offset the cost

Key resources we recommend

Project research and cost guides

Start here when you’re trying to understand the scope of what you’re taking on. These are built around individual projects — replacing a window, refinishing hardwood, adding insulation — with honest assessments of cost, difficulty, and timeline.

Video tutorials and step-by-step instruction

When you’ve decided to do the work yourself, video helps more than anything else. A good tutorial shows you the tools you actually need, the mistakes everyone makes, and what success looks like when you’re done.

Material and product reviews

Not all brands are the same, and “best rated” online doesn’t always mean “best for your project.” These resources collect real user experiences and contractor feedback so you know what you’re actually buying.

Rebate and incentive tracking

Energy-efficiency upgrades, water conservation, and some structural improvements qualify for rebates you might not know exist. These change by state and by utility, so checking before you buy can mean recovering 25–50% of your cost.

Safety and compliance information

Some home improvement work requires permits or certification. It’s not because the government wants your money — it’s because you’re working with lead paint, electrical systems, or structural elements where mistakes are expensive or dangerous.

Recommended reading

The Energy Savings Hub at the U.S. Department of Energy is worth a look before any insulation, air-sealing, or appliance project, since it also tracks the rebate programs your state or utility might already be running. You can see exactly which upgrades qualify, what the current incentives are, and whether they cover your project. It changes quarterly as programs fund out, so check it even if you looked before.

We update this list as we find new resources and as others change. If you find something that helped you make a better decision or save money on a project, send it along — we’re always looking for resources that actually work instead of just sounding good in marketing copy.