Explore 1,000+ articles designed to guide you through every stage of your home improvement project.
HVAC
Screening Air Conditioning Contractors by Phone
In recent interviews with Modernize, 90% of homeowners requested a checklist to help them with finding and screening contractors. One of the most important steps of that process is your first phone call with a potential air conditioning contractor, during which you will vet this contractor against the others you’re considering. While finding someone you…
HVAC
Avoid Unexpected Expenses During Your Air Conditioner Replacement
What to Know About Hidden AC Replacement Costs Replacing your air conditioner can improve your home’s comfort, value, and energy efficiency. However, without the right preparation, it can also come with unexpected costs. In this guide, we’ll cover how to stay on budget and avoid surprise costs: To avoid hidden expenses, start by understanding your…
HVAC
How to Evaluate Contractors’ HVAC Replacement Cost Quotes
Comparing contractor quotes is an important step in the journey to save on your HVAC improvement project, whether you are replacing an air conditioner or upgrading the furnace heating your home. A recent Modernize survey revealed 63% of homeowners compare three to four contractor estimates ahead of a home improvement project. Evaluating multiple HVAC replacement…
HVAC
Hiring a Contractor: HVAC Contractor Checklist
When your heating and air conditioner breaks, it becomes an emergency that disrupts your entire household. The goal is to repair or replace the unit as quickly as possible, but care should still be taken to find the most reliable and trustworthy HVAC contractor for your project. This helps ensure that your home is restored to…
Roofing
After the Storm: How to Detect and Repair Roof Damage
Modernize homeowner surveys have consistently shown that homeowners with damage to their roofs are more stressed than homeowners seeking any other kind of home repair. There’s good reason for that: Your roof protects you and your most valuable belongings from the worst weather. If you fall into this category, you are not alone. In this…
Windows
Window Damage After a Storm? Tips to Detect and Repair
Because your windows keep you safe from the outside elements, they are one of the most important features of your home. If your windows are shattered or broken during a storm, they need to be replaced or repaired immediately to restore your privacy, safety, and comfort. But not all window damage is easy to see,…
HVAC
The Best HVAC System for Your Home
When the weather hits extremes and your HVAC system is outdated, old, or just plain poor-performing, you probably feel the need for an urgent change — and wish you knew what kind of unit would best beat the temperatures. If you’re thinking of making a change, here’s what to know about the best heating and…
HVAC
Why Is My Heater or AC Not Working?
Whether it’s a malfunctioning central air conditioner or a furnace that just doesn’t seem to be doing its job, a broken down heater or air conditioner is cause for alarm in anyone’s book. A faulty unit could mean a costly repair — and of course, all those uncomfortable hours waiting for it to be fixed!…