Gene and Katie Hamilton
Gene and Katie Hamilton are veteran do-it-yourselfers whose column, "Do It Yourself Or Not," has been in newspaper syndication for 20 years. They've been in the home improvement trenches long enough to know when to hire a contractor and when to do a project yourself and share their sage advice with real life experience and dollar and cents figures.
The award-winning authors have penned 20 home improvement books. Their latest best-seller, "Fix It and Flip It," is a handbook for investors who want to buy, fix and sell houses. The Hamiltons are best known for their quirky, no-nonsense philosophy of home improvement and demystifying a home repair so it's not intimidating. Their offbeat humor can be found in a series of "Dummies" titles including "Painting and Wallpapering for Dummies," "Plumbing for Dummies," "Carpentry for Dummies" and "Home Improvement For Dummies." Gene and Katie are Internet pioneers who founded HouseNet.com, the first home improvement site on the Web. As home improvement experts they are frequent speakers at home shows across the country and have appeared on "The Today Show," "Dateline," "CNN News" and many other television shows.
Gene and Katie Hamilton Samples
Install Landscape Speakers
If you enjoy spending time on the deck or patio, consider bringing your favorite music outside with outdoor speakers. The speakers are designed for permanent outdoor installation to withstand the elements year-round.
Build a Swing Set
To provide hours of safe and enjoyable fun and exercise outdoors, consider building a kid's play set in the backyard. A playground equipment company will charge $1,800 to install a good quality play set.
Build a Picket Fence
Is there a more traditional accent to a house than a picket fence? Before you begin any fencing project, check with your local building department about any ordinances that pertain to building a fence on your property.
Replace a Submersible Sump Pump
A submersible sump pump can be an important defense against floodwaters threatening your home. A plumber will charge $184 to replace a good quality 1/2 hp. submersible sump pump, but you can buy one and make the swap for $120, the cost of the pump.
Install a Solar Entry Light
Use the power of the sun to light up your front or back door entrance and provide security and safety in an earth-friendly way.
Stain Concrete Block Walls
One of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to improve a basement is by staining its concrete block walls. It's a labor-intensive job, so it's good for a handy homeowner.
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