Home Improvement Web sites Can Educate and Inspire

RISMedia
With the weather ideal for spring home maintenance tasks, homeowners nationwide are relying heavily on the Web to get them the how-to information they need, and fast. With the click of a mouse, a plethora of Web sites will detail everything from caulking to landscaping, to hiring a pest professional for an annual inspection. Before embarking on any project, the key is to be judicious in selecting a few reliable Web sites to serve as guides, according to James and Morris Carey, nationally recognized experts on home building and renovation, and hosts of the syndicated radio show, On the House.

"The Internet can be both a help and a hindrance," warns James. "It can be downright time-consuming to comb through the dizzying number of sites that are out there. So, it's absolutely critical to rely on the quality of information a site has to offer, in addition to educated recommendations from reliable home improvement experts."

For a productive and fruitful spring - with more time spent outside or around the house than at the computer - the Carey Bros. advise to keep the following websites a click away:

- TheFamilyHandyman.com: For the DIY-minded consumer, this Web site hosts a large assortment of great tips and quick fixes. Easy to maneuver, it includes step-by step-pictures for each tip, a resource that's quite helpful for first time projects.

- HGTV.com: Ideal for decorating, remodeling, gardening, and crafts, this Web site has educational and engaging video tutorials and inspirational content to challenge ambitious homeowners.

- OnTheHouse.com: The official Web site of the Carey Bros., this Web site is host to over 20 years of seasoned home improvement expertise, updated daily with fresh content. Says James, "We're fortunate enough to share the tried and true and the latest and greatest home improvement tips and trends with our audience."

- TermiteInstitute.com: There are some projects that even seasoned homeowners should leave to the pros, and termite defense is one of them. Recently featured in the New York Times as a premier termite consumer education resource, TermiteInstitute.com provides a complete, simple tutorial on termites - how to rid your home of them, as well as prevent them. For consumers looking to learn more about America's $5 billion wood feasters, there's no better resource on the Web," notes Morris.