Understand it before you buy
Plain-words guides for 18 trades, and the basics for 14 more: what people call about, what is urgent, what is on a quote, the red flags and what to ask.
Decode a quoteActive emergency?
A gas smell, a carbon monoxide alarm, smoke, sparking, or someone hurt: get everyone out and call 911 (or your gas utility) first. Then come back here.When something can go wrong right now
These trades can have emergencies. Each guide starts with how to tell.
Heating & cooling
Furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, air conditioners, ductwork, thermostats.
No heat · AC not cooling · Replace the furnace
Full guideRead the guidePhoto: Piisamson, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Plumbing
Leaks, water heaters, drains, pipes, fixtures, sump pumps.
Water heater leaking · Clogged drain · Low water pressure
Full guideRead the guidePhoto: Behrat, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Electrical
Panels, outlets, lighting, EV chargers, generators, wiring.
Breaker keeps tripping · Add an EV charger · Upgrade the panel
Full guideRead the guidePhoto: Kevin Kiefuik, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Roofing & gutters
Repairs, full replacements, flashing, skylights, gutters.
Roof leak · Missing shingles after a storm · Replace the roof
Full guideRead the guidePhoto: Wikideas1, CC0 1.0, cropped
Garage doors
Doors, openers, springs, cables, keypads.
Garage door won't open · Broken spring · New opener
Basics guideRead the guidePhoto: Neongtsr, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
Water, fire & mold cleanup
Water damage, flood cleanup, mold, fire and smoke restoration.
Basement flooded · Mold in the bathroom · Smoke damage
Basics guideRead the guidePhoto: Atomicdragon136, CC BY 3.0, cropped
Pest control
Insects, rodents, termites, wildlife, prevention plans.
Mice in the walls · Termite inspection · Wasp nest
Basics guideRead the guidePhoto: Alton, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Locksmith
Lockouts, rekeying, deadbolts, smart locks, broken keys, safes.
Locked out · Rekey after moving in · Key broke off in the lock
Basics comingSee the basicsPhoto: cogdogblog, CC0 1.0, cropped
Chimney & fireplace
Sweeping, inspections, liners, caps, chimney masonry, gas and wood fireplaces, stoves.
Chimney smokes into the room · Chimney inspection · Gas fireplace won't light
Basics comingSee the basicsPhoto: Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0, cropped
Septic & well
Septic tanks, leach fields, pumping, well pumps, pressure tanks, well water.
Septic backing up · Septic pumping · Well pump not running
Basics comingSee the basicsPhoto: Nonztp, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
Foundation & basement waterproofing
Cracks, bowing walls, settling, piers, sump systems, French drains, crawl spaces.
Crack in the foundation · Basement wall bowing · Water seeps in when it rains
Basics comingSee the basicsPhoto: Kai Kemmann, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
When you are planning a project
Take your time here. These guides help you compare quotes before you commit.
Solar & batteries
Rooftop solar, batteries, inverters, net metering.
Is solar worth it here? · Add a battery · Compare two solar quotes
Basics guideRead the guidePhoto: Gray Watson User:E090, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Flooring
Hardwood, laminate, vinyl, tile, carpet, refinishing.
Replace carpet with vinyl plank · Refinish hardwood · Tile a bathroom floor
Basics guideRead the guidePhoto: Suzcp6, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
Carpentry & decks
Decks, framing, trim, doors, stairs, built-ins.
Build a deck · Replace rotten trim · Install interior doors
Basics guideRead the guidePhoto: R3dus-01, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
Remodels & additions
Kitchens, bathrooms, basements, additions, whole-home projects.
Remodel the kitchen · Finish the basement · Add a bathroom
Basics guideRead the guidePhoto: Pilewam, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
Fencing
Wood, vinyl, chain-link, aluminum fences and gates.
Fence the backyard · Replace a leaning fence · Add a gate
Basics guideRead the guidePhoto: Deniseesser, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Pools & spas
Inground and above-ground pools, liners, pumps, heaters, hot tubs.
Add a pool next year · Pool pump not running · Replace the liner
Basics guideRead the guidePhoto: Andy “AJ” Jennings, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Windows & exterior doors
Replacement windows, entry doors, sliders, storm doors.
Replace drafty windows · New front door · Window seal failed
Basics guideRead the guidePhoto: Tucker T, CC0 1.0, cropped
Blinds & shades
Blinds, shades, shutters, motorized treatments.
Blinds for the whole house · Motorized shades
Basics guideRead the guidePhoto: Mikael Häggström, CC0 1.0, cropped
Landscaping & lawn
Lawn care, planting, patios, drainage, irrigation, tree work.
Fix yard drainage · New patio · Sprinkler system
Basics guideRead the guidePhoto: Scooter133 at English Wikipedia, Public domain, cropped
Painting
Interior and exterior painting, staining, drywall touch-ups.
Paint the exterior · Paint three rooms · Stain the deck
Basics guideRead the guidePhoto: Steve Purpy, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
Insulation & air sealing
Attic, wall and basement insulation, air sealing, energy audits.
Attic insulation · Drafty house · Energy audit
Basics guideRead the guidePhoto: Jason Dale, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Handyman & small repairs
Small jobs that belong to no single trade: mailboxes, shelves, caulk, hinges, drywall patches, TV mounts.
Mailbox broken · Hang a TV · Patch a hole in the wall
Basics comingSee the basicsPhoto: frankieleon, CC BY 2.0, cropped
Appliance repair
Dryers, washers, fridges, ovens, dishwashers, microwaves: repairs and hookups.
Dryer not heating · Fridge not cold · Dishwasher won't drain
Basics comingSee the basicsPhoto: Icade, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
Masonry, concrete & driveways
Brick, block, stone, stucco, concrete slabs, steps, driveways, paving.
Driveway cracked · Brick steps crumbling · Replace the front walk
Basics comingSee the basicsPhoto: Panamitsu, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
Siding & exterior trim
Vinyl, fiber-cement and wood siding, trim, soffit and fascia repairs.
Siding blew off in the wind · Replace the siding · Rotten fascia board
Basics comingSee the basicsPhoto: Wikideas1, CC0 1.0, cropped
Cleaning services
House cleaning, deep cleaning, carpet, windows, pressure washing, move-out cleaning.
Deep clean before guests · Pressure wash the siding · Carpet cleaning
Basics comingSee the basicsPhoto: Cvcuk, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
Junk removal & hauling
Haul away furniture, appliances, debris, yard waste, estate cleanouts, dumpster rental.
Haul away an old couch · Clean out the garage · Rent a dumpster
Basics comingSee the basicsPhoto: Eric Fischer, CC BY 2.0, cropped
Home inspection
Buyer, seller and maintenance inspections, roof and sewer-scope add-ons.
Inspection before buying · Pre-listing inspection · Sewer scope
Basics comingSee the basicsPhoto: Amanda Bicknell, Public domain, cropped
Radon, mold, asbestos & lead
Testing and mitigation for radon, mold, asbestos, lead paint and indoor air.
Radon test · Asbestos in old floor tile · Lead paint test
Basics comingSee the basicsPhoto: Unknown author (public domain), Public domain, cropped
Smart home & low-voltage
Smart thermostats, cameras, doorbells, networking, alarms, speaker and TV wiring.
Install a smart thermostat · Wi-Fi dead spots · Doorbell camera
Basics comingSee the basicsPhoto: TaurusEmerald, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
Water treatment
Softeners, filters, reverse osmosis, UV, iron and sulfur systems, water testing.
Water tastes bad · Hard water spots · Sulfur smell in the water
Basics comingSee the basicsPhoto: Muselsom, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped