

Are Home Improvements Tax Deductible?
As tax season quickly approaches, we're sure many of you are thinking about deductions. One specific question we hear a lot is this: are home improvements tax deductible? If you are a financial mastermind, well-versed in the nuances of tax law, whose second Christmas arrives on April 15, the answer is, "Sometimes.” (But you already knew that.) If that last sentence put you to sleep and you prefer your taxes to be of a TurboTax variety, the answer is still “Sometimes." Let's d


5 Great Gift Ideas for New Homeowners
Purchasing a home is a huge milestone that deserves to be celebrated! Next time someone close to you gets their keys, consider getting them a housewarming gift on this list. These items are thoughtful and useful. Perfect for someone whose to-do list (or "honey-do list") just got a lot longer. Cast Iron Skillet While you can certainly cook a passable egg on an aluminum or steel skillet, they’ll never have the durability or versatility of a cast-iron skillet. Long after other p


Can You Insulate Walls Without Tearing Down Existing Drywall?
This is a great question (and one we get from a lot of our clients). It may sound counterintuitive, but yes, absolutely! Existing walls, in old houses and new, can be insulated using a fantastic technology called "drill and fill." (You can learn more about how we use the drill and fill technique on our Insulation page. Best Materials for Drill and Fill Insulation Drill and fill insulation is installed by drilling a small access point (usually 1/2" to 2.5" in diameter), then i


How to Prepare Your Pole Barn for Year-Round Use
Winter is here, and cold weather won't be letting up anytime soon — especially out here in the Great Plains! There are lots of steps you can take to winterize your house and prevent cold drafts from sneaking in. But what should you do to stay comfortable in your pole barn, metal building, or shop? If you spend time daily in your hobby shop, farm shop, or other pole bar, keeping it a comfortable temperature is essential to making sure you can actually use the space year-round.