Making a house a home can be hard work and expensive, too. When you want to give your digs a facelift, you may not be able to anticipate all the hazards, but staying away from these 10 mistakes will save you time and money. See more »

There was a crooked man who built a crooked house -- and charged you thousands for the labor. Some stories about contractors are enough to give you chills. And other tales remind you that consumers need to be smart about their demands and expectations. See more »

Paintbrush? Check. Hammer? Check. Got everything you need for that DIY project? Think again! Unless you have the proper safety gear, you could injure yourself while repairing or beautifying your home. See more »

Updating the old homestead by making a few important repairs now and then can keep you feeling at home. It's even better if you can do the labor yourself and save a little money. But do you really know what you're doing? See more »

If you're under the assumption that any renovation will instantly boost the value of your home, you should think again. Some home improvements could actually decrease its worth. See more »

Noise creeps between apartment walls, irritating you with muffled conversation, stifled instrumentals, even the TV. Is there any way to insulate your home from your neighbor's racket? See more »

Imagine lifting up a secret door in the floor and sliding down to a concealed room below. Does this stuff only happen to Scooby-Doo and Harry Potter? Open the door and find out. See more »

If you're one of the many that has an overstuffed garage that's a catch-all for the junk around your house, then this article is for you. Take your space from drab to fab. See more »

Fact: Home improvements cost money. But some projects -- if done right -- can actually save you money in the long run. See more »

A few years ago, the construction market was at an all-time high. But the recession brought with it a huge downturn in the real estate market. So if you're stuck in your house, how about sprucing it up? See more »