Philip Schmidt

Philip Schmidt

Philip lives in Colorado with his wife, two daughters, and too many leftover building materials. He has been teaching readers how to do things for almost two decades. A former carpenter, project designer specializing in houses and everything we do with them and longtime writer and editor, he is the author of 24 books, including PlyDesign: 73 Distinctive DIY Projects in Plywood (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007T1PJ36/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1), Little Free Libraries and Tiny Sheds: 12 Miniature Structures You Can Build to Enhance Your Yard or Neighborhood (https://www.amazon.com/Little-Free-Libraries-Tiny-Sheds-ebook/dp/B07QFG3ZBP), Black and Decker the complete guide to treehouses: Design and Build Your Kids a Treehouse (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008D1PIT6/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1), The Complete Guide to Greenhouses & Garden Projects: Greenhouses, Cold Frames, Compost Bins, Trellises, Planting Beds, Potting Benches & More (https://www.amazon.com/Decker-Complete-Greenhouses-Garden-Projects-ebook/dp/B005CDCX50), The Complete Guide to DIY Greenhouses, Install Your Own Solar Panels: Designing and Installing a Photovoltaic System to Power Your Home, DIY Solar Projects - Updated Edition: Small Projects to Whole-home Systems: Tap Into the Sun, The Complete Guide to a Clutter-Free Home, The Complete Guide to Contemporary Sheds: Complete plans for 12 Sheds, Including Garden Outbuilding, Storage Lean-to, Playhouse, Woodland Cottage, Hobby Studio, Lawn Tractor Barn, Schaum's Outline of Elementary Algebra, Decorating with Architectural Details, Install Your Own Solar Panels: Designing and Installing a Photovoltaic System to Power Your Home, Ultimate Guide: Trimwork, Upgrade Your House: 100 DIY Repairs Improvements For Under $100, The Complete Guide to Attics & Basements, The Complete Guide to a Green Home: The Good Citizen's Guide to Earth-Friendly Remodeling & Home Maintenance, Craftsman Router Techniques; A Comprehensive Guide to Using Routers, Molding & Medallions: Four Easy Weekend Projects (eHow Easy DIY Kindle Book Series), McGraw-Hill's 500 College Algebra and Trigonometry Questions: Ace Your College Exams: 3 Reading Tests + 3 Writing Tests + 3 Mathematics Tests, Black Decker The Complete Photo Guide to Treehouses: Design and Build Treehouses for All Ages, Don't Sweat It... Hire It!, The Complete Guide to the Green Home, Decorating with Architectural Details, and The Complete Guide to Treehouses.

Estimating Kitchen Remodel Cost

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Jan 01, 2011

The cost of a kitchen remodel depends on three main factors: the changes made, the materials used and local labor costs (or more specifically, the fee of the remodeling contractor you...

Should I Repair or Replace my Electrical Control Panel?

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Jan 01, 2011

The electrical control panel, or "breaker box," is the heart and mind of your home’s electrical system. The panel connects to the power lines from the utility company and delivers...

Understanding Gut Rehab Costs

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Jan 01, 2011

Photo of a gut rehab by Jeremy Levine Designs/Flickr The price tag of any renovation work comes with two simple rules and a bit of a paradox. Rule Number 1: Costs add up. If you've...

Quick Concrete Fix: Crack Injection

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Jan 01, 2011

Photo of two guys doing a DIY crack injection project on a cracked driveway by slgckgc/Flickr. Fixing cracks in concrete? If the cracks are small, you can easily DIY. These days,...

Home Remodeling Contractors

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Jan 01, 2011

When it’s time to renovate any part of your house, an experienced remodeler is the pro to hire. Home remodeling contractors range from independent craftspeople to large, full-service...

Kitchen Floor Plan Ideas

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Jan 01, 2011

Since the 1950s, you really can’t have a discussion about kitchen floor plans without mentioning the concept of the “work triangle.” For as much as kitchens have become...

Renovation Costs Checklist

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Jan 01, 2011

“How much will it cost?” is the first question most people ask when considering a home remodel. And the fact is, you won’t get a really accurate picture of renovation...

Air Conditioner Maintenance Checklist

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Jan 01, 2011

Like so many mechanical systems in our homes, air conditioners always get used when we need them but are otherwise roundly ignored ... until there’s a problem. That’s...

theilr/flickr

Ditra vs. CBU

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Jan 01, 2011

Tile has, and always will have, two main enemies: movement and water. In the old days (before the 1970s), tile setters routinely defeated the bad guys by laying tile over a thick bed...

Floor Grout Options

Posted by Philip Schmidt | Jan 01, 2011

Choosing a grout should be nothing like the monumental task of selecting just the right tile from the thousands of available options, but in many ways it’s equally important....