Expert Advice for your Lawn & Garden TV Host of Today's Homeowner^® and home expert for The Weather Channel

Most people know they should document their home’s contents for insurance reasons but they often ask why or how to do it the right way. If you have a loss due to fire, theft or natural disaster your insurance company will need certain details to complete the claims process.

People who rent their homes often ask whether they need insurance or they simply assume that their landlord’s insurance policy will cover them. If you rent, the fact is that your landlord’s insurance usually only covers the building where you live, but not your personal belongings so Renters Insurance may be a good idea for you.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina left lots of people with questions about the differences between homeowners insurance and flood insurance. Flood insurance is an extra policy, but how do you know if you need flood insurance? The fact is, Flash floods can occur at almost any elevation, even if you are not in a flood zone.

Lots of homeowners have questions about what their insurance actually covers but unfortunately many don’t find the answers until they have damage from a fire or natural disaster. One of the easiest ways to determine what is and isn’t covered is to look at the Declaration Page of your policy. This is basically a miniature summary of your coverage.

If you are looking for a way to get some of your home improvement projects done quicker, easier, and safer, you may want to consider renting some professional equipment from a local rental center. You will be surprised by the myriad of choices of tools and equipment available for rent.

Gritty construction dust is the bane of any remodeling project or large home repair job, whether you’re hiring a contractor or doing the work yourself. Dust can damage furniture and rugs and ruin the finish on a hardwood floor. Plus, as I’ve seen with nearly every home I’ve remodeled, dust inevitably finds its way far beyond the work area, traveling on shoes, clothing, the slightest breeze and even through ductwork.

Do you need a contract for your next remodeling project? The short answer is yes. With the exception of emergencies, when the scope of the work is clearly defined and you’re in a hurry, insist on a contract for any work done on your home. It doesn’t have to be a lawyer-approved formal document loaded with legal jargon. Instead, it should be a written agreement that outlines your expectations, how the contractor plans to fulfill them and clear guidelines for payment.

Remodeling is expensive. I can often help my clients manage costs, but not always in the ways they expect. Most of my clients have been told they can save money on a project by doing part of the work themselves or by cutting corners on materials. Usually, these schemes end up costing more in the long run or throwing off the schedule irretrievably. If you’re planning a major project, here are some pitfalls to avoid.

It doesn’t take much more than a brush, bucket and ladder to get into the painting business. To get the quality paint job you’re paying for, ask these questions and make sure your contract is very specific.

A good interior decorator will save you months of hunting down product samples and other research, and prevent some potentially messy missteps. What’s more, the decorator can do everything from simply acting as a sounding board for your ideas to undertaking more involved work, like buying paint and fabric, scheduling an installation and even supervising the job.