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

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.

A split seat or a wooden chair often sends it to the junk heap but this solution may save one at your house. The fix begins by forcing wood glue into the crack and clamping the seat back together. While this will put the chair back together, it may happen again.

When you think about a home automation system there are several ways to approach it, from a stand alone video door answering system that can be mounted in the kitchen, or room of your choice, and set up to monitor the front door to automated lighting or even an extensive whole home automation system designed to control all the major systems within a home including lighting, HVAC, security and audio/video systems.

Life seemed much simpler when the hardware store carried only three kinds of caulk. Now, home centers dedicate an entire aisle to caulk. As a result, confusion reigns when it’s time to do a very simple job, but caulking doesn’t need to be complicated.

The short, dreary days of winter are a good time to think about adding skylights to brighten up dark rooms. Even small units make a big difference in the way rooms look and feel.

If you thought you had to spend $20,000 and up on a brand new kitchen think again. We have a simple, three-step plan that will take ten years off your kitchen without breaking your bank. Whether you are planning to stay in your home or are trying to sell it, a “kitchen facelift” is one of the best investments you can make in your home.

My firm gets more calls about leaks around chimneys than about any other problem. And more often than not, the culprit is the flashing — the sheet metal that keeps the intersection between the chimney and roof watertight. When water gets behind faulty flashing, it can do a lot of damage to the roof sheathing and framing and to the ceiling below, so you need to deal with this problem immediately.

Thirteen tips to improve the look and efficiency of your home.

With the colder weather approaching many people are beginning to think about getting their homes ready for fall and winter. Much of the routine maintenance that needs to be done this time of year will not only help keep you cozy this winter, it will also help save money on your heating bill and of course help protect your biggest investment, your home.