If you want to save a little extra money and energy, you may want to consider installing a “kill” switch” if you are remodeling or rebuilding. In a Networx article by Carl Seville he suggests the kill switch, “which is a regular switch that controls a set of receptacles that you plug in all the things that you can turn off”. Seville, who works with electricians in Atlanta, also shares several other tips such as using occupancy sensors which “turn on lights when someone enters a room, turning them off automatically a pre-set amount of time after they exit".

Drywall guru Myron Ferguson of Albany, NY offered tips for remodeling with drywall. Some common DIY mistakes he notes include: “Not using enough mudding compound behind tape, causing bubbles. Not letting the mudding compound dry thoroughly between coats, and too thick or too thin fill coat which covers the tape.” Ferguson also urges DIY homeowners to “get enough help” when putting up drywall. “The sheets are heavy, fragile, and difficult to maneuver,” he said.

What are steps you should take if you discover your concrete foundation is leaking? In a Networx article, writer Steve Graham gets some advice from Cassi Sherman of Peak Basement Systems, a concrete contractor near Denver. Sherman emphasized safety and said to check for submerged wiring or appliances before stepping into a pool of water. “Confirm the water is a foundation leak and not a broken pipe or sewage backup,” she said. Unfortunately, depending on the cause of the leak, you may need to call in a remediation company, an electrician, a plumber, or a concrete foundation or waterproofing specialist.

When you are facing plumbing problems, it’s important to also protect yourself from disreputable plumbing contractors. Laura Foster-Bobroff, in a Networx article, said that while most plumbing contractors are reputable, it’s a good idea to know what to watch out for such as inaccurate estimates and sending in extra workers to pad the bill. “Inaccurate estimates are the most common way a plumber can get money out of you,” says plumber Dave Buteau of OnDemand Plumbing in Concord, New Hampshire.

If you have crawl spaces in your home, it’s a good idea to check them regularly to be certain you don’t have any excessive moisture of water gathering in them. As the company Kennedy Plumbing notes on their website that moisture and standing water can lead to larger problems than mold. “It can also result in structural damage from unstable wet soil, dry rot, potential indoor air quality problems, as well as the presence of termites and other unwanted pests attracted to moisture,” states the Portland plumbing company.

If your dishwasher is having problems, you may want to call plumber instead of an appliance repair technician. Pioneer Plumbing and Roofing, a plumbing company in Los Angeles, states on their website: “Many of your kitchen appliances that work with water are interconnected, and your dishwasher may not need a part but rather some simple plumbing.” The company goes on to state that they look at your plumbing system over-all to make a determination regarding what might work best for you and your situation.

If you live in or are buying an older home it is likely to have paneling. Can you paint over it? Yes! I have done it myself with beautiful results. Painting our drab, windowless brown-paneled hallway white changed the entire atmosphere. Interior designer Linda Merrill consulted on the topic of painting wood paneling with Jennifer McSharry of Kurt Dwyer Painting, a Boston-area painting contractor. “Proper prep work is essential for any painting project and for painting over natural wood surfaces it is crucial,” said McSharry.

When thinking of ways to create a sense of warmth in your home, one of the first obvious choices is changing the wall color. Lee Anne Culpepper, an interior decorator who works with painters in Atlanta, Georgia shares her thoughts on ways the color brown can be used and introduced in your home. For example, Culpepper said that “brown is a relaxing color that helps to promote sleep.” She advises the use of browns in rooms that have a good deal of light and to be sure to use bright accent colors such as hot pink or tangerine for contrast.