https://www.youtube.com

YouTube isn’t just for funny cat videos and sports highlights. It’s also a valuable resource for learning how to do almost anything. Whether you want to learn how to cook ratatouille, rebuild a lawnmower engine, or repair your specific model of dishwasher, chances are, you’ll find it with a quick search—and that includes virtually all DIY home renovation projects.

Being able to watch professionals and other enthusiast DIYers tackle the same problems you’re having with drywall, flooring, or wiring can be a great resource and an easy way to solve difficult problems that might otherwise require the expertise of an expensive contractor.

https://www.ebsco.com/products/research-databases/home-improvement-reference-center

For more in-depth information and step-by-step guides related to your home improvement or DIY project, EBSCO’s Home Improvement Reference Center is a great resource, whether you’re just starting out or are stuck somewhere in the middle of the renovation process.

Search the full text of more than 125 reference books and 50 magazines, and reference 35,000 images to get a better visual of the steps you need to take to complete your DIY project. Topics covered by the database include general remodeling projects, electrical work, home and garden, outdoor improvements, plumbing, and carpentry work.

https://www.homeadvisor.com

Even the best video tutorials and step-by-step guides are no match for jobs that require a true professional’s touch. Things like electrical work, complex plumbing issues, and HVAC problems are generally best left to people with years of experience in the industry, and HomeAdvisor is a great way to find the top local contractors in your area.

In addition to being matched with the right contractor for your home renovation project, you can also use the website’s cost estimating feature to determine how much money you’ll need to shell out to get your project finished the right way and on time. By calculating a variety of different variables, including size and scope of the job—as well as your geographic location—you’ll be able to quickly find out whether hiring a professional is within your budget.

https://remodelingdoneright.nari.org/

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is an organization of remodeling professionals that provides industry connections, tips, and tricks for homeowners looking to renovate their homes by hiring contractors or by undertaking DIY projects. The website uses a six-step process to help homeowners during the modeling process:

• Step 1: Finding inspiration for a potential remodel or renovation project, as well as reasons why the project is necessary for your home
• Step 2: Creating your budget and determining how much money you’ll need to see the project through to the end in order to get a satisfactory result
• Step 3: Understanding the type of professional you’ll need to get the job done, including general contractors, architects, and designers
• Step 4: Using the available resources and information to select the right professional or team of professionals who fit your budget and can help you complete your renovation project
• Step 5: Working with professionals throughout the renovation process by knowing the right questions to ask and maintaining open communication
• Step 6: Assessing the project’s outcome upon completion and looking over finalized contracts, invoices, and receipts to make sure everything was finished to your satisfaction

https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-safe-renovations-diyers

Everyone knows that undertaking a home renovation or DIY project can be challenging, but many homeowners are unaware that it can also be dangerous and potentially hazardous to your health. The EPA has a list of tips and helpful guidelines for homeowners who may come into contact with dangerous substances like lead dust while they’re in the process of renovating, repairing, and painting their homes.

The tips provided by the EPA cover a range of topics, including how to work safely by removing household furniture and items from rooms, purchasing the right safety equipment, and hiring certified lead abatement contractors before cutting into walls or surfaces with lead paint.

https://www.epa.gov/asbestos/protect-your-family-exposures-asbestos

Lead paint isn’t the only potential danger lurking in many homes. Asbestos is also present in millions of homes constructed during the middle of the 20th century, and it can be difficult for homeowners to identify asbestos just by looking at it. When left alone, asbestos fibers don’t pose a major health risk to homeowners, but when the fibers are disturbed during renovations and remodeling projects, they can be aspirated and lead to serious health problems and diseases.

The EPA’s asbestos warning website for DIYers includes tips for finding a trained and accredited asbestos professional prior to beginning renovation work, as well as a list of do’s and don’ts for homeowners who may come into contact with asbestos building materials during their renovation projects.

https://www.hud.gov/topics/home_improvements

For additional resources and information about home renovations, check out the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s guide to home improvements. This page contains helpful links to information about the HUD’s rehabilitation and repair home loan program, property improvement loan program, HUD-approved lenders, and loans/grants for rural homeowners who want to undertake renovation and repair projects.

In addition, the page also offers tips for improving your home’s energy efficiency and the best ways to protect yourself and your hard-earned money from deceptive home improvement contractors.