Ballpark Estimate: $1,000 to $8,000 You can go to great lengths to take care of your car, but the occasional scratches and defects on the body are inevitable. When the effects of sun, wind and rain do a real number on your car’s finish and the problems are strictly cosmetic, a good paint job can be the key to making the body look pristine again. Keeping up the look of … [Read more...]

Ballpark Estimate: $25 to $100 to plow most driveways Do you love the beauty of freshly falling snow turning your yard into a winter wonderland, yet find your appreciation quickly goes cold at the thought of actually going outside to clear it? If this sounds familiar, you’ll probably warm up to the idea of investing in a snow removal service to handle the … [Read more...]

Ballpark Estimate: $50 to $300 per tire There’s no way around it: when your tires are old or in bad shape, it’s essential that they be replaced for safety’s sake. Tires that have the tread too warn down can be difficult to maneuver, especially in bad weather. Tire Selection When it comes to purchasing new tires, not all are created equal. Since your tires need to be able … [Read more...]

Ballpark Estimate: $10 to $30 per month A first-class vacation may not be in your budget these days, but that doesn’t mean you have to ignore your urge to get away. Instead, how about swapping homes with someone else in another part of the world? This type of bartering arrangement can provide you with a comfortable setting without breaking the bank. Concept The concept of … [Read more...]

Ballpark Estimate: $125 to $250 To avoid potentially major repair expenses and as part of routine septic system maintenance, you should have your septic tank pumped out every one to three years, depending upon how heavy the use is. Large families tend to need it done more often than small ones. The more you use the washer, garbage disposal, shower, toilet, sink, the more … [Read more...]

Ballpark Estimate: $30 to $150 an hour If you feel like you are drowning in clutter, maybe it’s time to call a professional organizer to the rescue. Professional organizers can be invaluable in helping you come up with a customized plan to clean up your space and manage it over time, so you can minimize your stress and free up your attention to focus more on your work and … [Read more...]

Ballpark Estimate: $5 to $150 per square foot Home architecture has evolved dramatically over the last fifty years. Back then, the typical home was a highly compartmentalized structure with each functional area separated from the next by a wall. Over time, that style of architecture lost favor as homeowners embraced the concept of the “open” floor plan. This transition in … [Read more...]

Ballpark Estimate: $100 to $600 for a DIY organizer; $2,500 to $5,000 for a custom installation If you have more clothing, shoes and accessories than you have space to store them, it is likely that your closets will be quite disordered. But you don’t have to waste any more time fumbling through piles of clothes in the hunt to locate your favorite pair of jeans or to dig out … [Read more...]

Ballpark Estimate: Average is just under $600 a year Damage caused by flooding usually isn’t covered under standard home insurance plans. This means that should you experience any water damage caused by a host of weather conditions or other problems, you could find yourself dealing with extensive repairs without any help to cover the expense. To Buy or Not If you live in … [Read more...]

Ballpark Estimate: $700 to $1,600 for Installation + $25 to $45/month These days a simple door lock just isn’t good enough- not if you want your family to feel safe and secure in your new home. You need something stronger, something that will give you peace of mind and a sense of safety and comfort. There are many different ways to secure your home, but they are all based on … [Read more...]