All articles – First House Fixes

Worth It, Not Worth It: Two Tools I'd Rebuy and One I Returned

Posted on June 2, 2026In Tools & Workshop

A pocket-hole jig and a fiberglass stepladder earned their keep. A phone thermal camera went back to the store. Here's how each one did.

Posted on May 27, 2026In Weekend Projects

All winter, wet boots lived on the side-door landing. A simple bench and boot shelf from pine and 2x4s, finished in May when we no longer needed it.

Posted on May 21, 2026In Yard & Exterior

Moose figured out the gate latch in about a week. The $34 fix that finally stopped him, after two that didn't, and an apology to the neighbors.

Posted on May 15, 2026In Repairs & Fixes

Torn screens, a spline roller and the garage floor as a workbench. How I re-screened six windows for $58 and the corner trick I learned late.

Posted on May 9, 2026In Energy & Utilities

A cold-climate heat pump quote came in at $15,800, plus a panel upgrade. Why we're replacing the furnace instead and keeping the idea for later.

Posted on May 3, 2026In Homeowner Money

Every job goes in the house sheet: quote, materials, tools, hours and risk. How we decide what I do and what we pay someone else to do.

Posted on April 29, 2026In Repairs & Fixes

Our two-handle tub faucet dripped day and night. Finding the right stems took three stores; the rebuild itself took twenty minutes and $46.

Posted on April 24, 2026In Yard & Exterior

Plow damage on the lawn edge, salt-burned grass, a cracked downspout elbow and maple twigs everywhere. Our first spring cleanup weekend.

Posted on April 19, 2026In Weekend Projects

Two years ago we got the keys. What we'd do in a different order, where we overspent and the jobs we're glad we didn't hire out.

Posted on April 11, 2026In Tools & Workshop

Sharpening the mower blade, cleaning EGO batteries, checking cords and putting the snowblower away properly. My April list for the garage.