Randy's Articles at The Homebuilding/Remodel Guide

Jack And Jill Bathroom Doors Require Space

A word of advice to all DIY home builders, contractors, and home architects… be sure to make enough room so both of the Jack and Jill bathroom doors can be opened at the same time without banging into one another.

10 Reasons You’ll Probably Want To Get A Central Vacuum System

Portable vacuum cleaners are better than ever these days, but a central vacuum system has the winning edge! See why… Here’s what I’ve learned about central vacs, including the cost and DIY installation info too.

Derek Jeter’s Tampa Mansion: Home Run or Foul Ball?

The Derek Jeter mansion in Tampa, Florida has 32,000 sq. ft. of living space. The master suite alone covers over 2,500 sq.ft.. The sprawling, eclectic English manor on the waterfront is the largest house in Tampa, by far! Here are photos and videos of Derek Jeter’s Tampa home, what it’s worth today, and a little about what the retired New York Yankees shortstop is doing today.

Thinking Of Putting A Hot Tub Inside Your House? Pros & Cons Of Indoor Hot Tub Installation

Thinking of installing an indoor hot tub? At the very least, don’t do it yourself! Although an indoor hot tub gives you more privacy and fewer maintenance issues, you have to think about mold inside, weight capacities on your flooring, and the multitude of electrical and plumbing issues that could arise. Here are the pros and cons of indoor hot tub installation.

Pros and Cons of Ceramic Coatings (Paint) For Your Home

Is there such thing as an ecofriendly permanent exterior paint? Maybe. But if you’re thinking of adding a ceramic coating to your home or using a ceramic house paint, here’s what I now know about ceramic paint that I wish I’d known sooner!

Sealing Granite Countertops 101: How To Tell If Granite Has Been Sealed, How To Remove Granite Stains, And How To Seal Granite

Wondering if you should use a granite sealer on your countertops? The short answer is: Yes! I’ll help you determine if your countertops need sealed right now or if you can wait awhile, whether to use a topical sealer or an impregnator sealer, how to seal granite countertops yourself, and how to remove stains from granite.

Where Do Granite Slabs For Countertops Come From? How Is Granite Made? I’ve Seen The Process Firsthand!

Where does granite come from? How is granite made? The process of bringing Mother Nature’s art to market is complex — and I’ve seen it firsthand. Here’s what I’ve learned about the process of mining granite slabs and preparing granite slabs for sale in stores. You’ll never look at granite kitchen countertops the same way again!

Choosing The Best Driveway Gate + Tips For Installing Driveway Gates Yourself

Considering automatic driveway gates? Here are the different types of driveway gates, materials that you can choose from, maintenance issues for each type of entry gate, and how to ultimately choose the best driveway gate for your residence.

Toilet Flush Ratings: Making Sense Of Maximum Performance (MaP) Toilet Ratings

Toilet flush ratings are no laughing matter. They really are important when choosing the best toilet that is energy-efficient and flushes (your business) like nobody’s business! Here’s what to look for in Maximum Performance (MaP) toilet flush ratings. I’ll explain how a MaP rating is verified and how they put toilets to the test.

RV Communities: These Neighborhoods Have RV Garage Home Plans For RVers Who Want A Nice Home Too

Want to see what it’s like living in a house with RV garage? Browse through the RV garage homes in these RV communities! RV retirement communities that have homes with RV garage plans are popular among those who want to incorporate their lifelong dreams of being a road warrior while still having a permanent home base.

Choosing A Farmhouse Sink: 5 Important Things To Think About Before You Buy An Apron Front Sink

Buying a new kitchen sink? If you have a little bit of flexibility in the dimensions, capacity, and cost, then you might want to consider a farmhouse sink (aka an apron front sink). But before you do, here are the 5 most important things to think about when choosing a farmhouse kitchen sink.

How To Keep Your Condensate Line Flowing Freely: Easy Steps To Clean & Clear A Clogged Condensate Drain Line

Save money by reading this before you call an HVAC professional — because keeping your condensate drain line clean and clog-free is easier than you think! Follow these simple steps to maintain your HVAC system’s condensate line — whether you have a gravity flow line (like most people do – including myself) or an a/c condensate pump (like I recently installed).

Eze-Breeze Vinyl Screened Porch Windows: A Clear Alternative To Glass Porch Windows

When it comes to choosing screened in porch windows for screen porch enclosures, there are many options. My parents proved that Eze Breeze windows are a smart alternative to plastic sheeting for screened porches — theirs even survived a tornado! Here are some reasons to choose vinyl glazing over glass windows — plus photos.

What You Need To Know About Impact Resistant Windows Before Buying Hurricane Windows For Your House

Impact resistant windows are a coastal homeowner’s best friend — especially during hurricane season! If you’re thinking of retrofitting your home with hurricane windows, here’s what you need to know before you begin the process of replacing your regular windows with impact resistant glass.

Installing A Gas Range Where An Electric Range Once Stood Can Be Challenging! (Trust Me… I Did It)

Converting a 220V hardwired connection into a 110V standard plug when you install a gas stove is best left to a trained professional, but you can see here how it’s done first. Here’s my gas stove installation story — including 3 setbacks that I encountered while installing a gas range in my kitchen.

Using A Sanding Sponge For DIY Home Projects – Here’s How & When To Use A Sandpaper Sponge

If you typically tackle DIY projects around the house such as painting and woodwork, I’ll show you why you should make a (really) small investment in a sanding sponge. It’s an invaluable little tool that lives up to its reputation as a “can’t do without” item that a DIY homeowner shouldn’t be without. See how to use a sandpaper sponge for sanding wood, paint, metal, and drywall.

How To Choose The Right Deck Stains For Your Home And Stain Your Deck Yourself

Knowing which deck stain to choose is only half the battle. I recently refinished my 21 year old deck and I want to share the tips and tricks I’ve learned about finding the best deck stain and how to clean and stain a deck. It’s a great diy project that can be done in one weekend.

How To Find Appliance Rebates & Home Energy Tax Incentives In Your Area

Finding out if a new appliance has a rebate from a government source is easier than ever. An Energy Star rating doesn’t mean it’s eligible for a rebate, but there is no sense in leaving money on the table, now is there?

How To Give Your Old Appliances A Sharp, New Look Using Stainless Steel Paint

You can use stainless steel paint to update an old appliance and make it look like a brand new (stainless steel) model! We tried it. Here’s our review of the process and how it turned out. It was actually fun and easy to do and I’ve shared a ton of pics, tips, and tricks to make your experience even easier.

How To Spackle And Sand Walls For A Smooth Finish: DIY Drywall Repair

Ready for some DIY drywall repair? Drywall spackle and sanding tools are important to get the job done and I’ve included my best tips to do it yourself!

How To Remove Paint From Windows Quick And Easy: 3 DIY Steps To Remove Paint From Glass

DIY paint project leave you wanting to know how to remove paint from glass windows? 3 easy-to-follow and fast ways for stripping paint from your windows. Quick and easy instructions to remove paint from windows yourself.

How To Repair Screeching Faucet Problems: My DIY Kitchen Faucet Repair Tips

Got screeching faucet problems? Here are the 5 main causes of faucet problems, plus photos and the steps I used to do my own kitchen faucet repair. You can too – It’s DIY time! Still think you need a plumber? I’ve got tips before you hire a plumber for more serious issues as well.