Mirrors definitely do the trick—I put one opposite a window in my living room and it's like doubling the daylight. But have you tried lighter-colored ...

Good point about flashing, but honestly, sealing every tiny gap perfectly is nearly impossible. I've found that focusing too much on perfection can dr...

Yep, learned that the hard way myself. When we first moved in, I thought treated lumber meant "set it and forget it," but nope...it still needs some T...

Had a similar experience last year—thought I'd breeze through replacing a newer faucet, but the fittings were a nightmare. Meanwhile, my 40-year-old b...

Yeah, that 20% buffer is spot-on. I usually start with a detailed list of known costs, then tack on extra for the "unknown unknowns." Learned my lesso...