An addition can be comfortable in summer without a bigger air conditioner. Orientation, shade and airflow decide most of the load before equipment is sized.
A cheap house is not a bargain until the repair list is priced. Here is the underwriting sheet we use to decide whether a fixer-upper is worth the risk in 2026.
Air sealing is the cheapest envelope upgrade you can make, but the wrong order can trap moisture or starve a furnace. Here is the checklist we use on site.
We start with the job on site. We read the permit record, price the material at retail, and measure the work against the code that the inspector will apply. We name the figures, show the dates and say what is still uncertain. We research the products and methods we cover, we disclose affiliate links, and we correct mistakes in public within two days. We do not sell placements and we do not hide sponsorship.
Our five desks cover home improvement, real estate, interiors, contractors and architecture & design. Every guide carries real 2026 prices from quotes and invoices, so you can check the numbers instead of trusting a summary. Standards for household energy, housing and safety data come from public agencies such as energy.gov and hud.gov.
