Have you ever thought of selling your own off-grid electricity back to the grid? This article is my answer a student’s question about how this is possible in many areas. Greg was in a previous session of my online course POWER…
Watch Steve’s quick video on how to cut and install fancy cedar sidewall shingles as an artistic accent to any exterior siding installation.
The idea was straightforward: wrap the house in a thick blanket of rigid foam and watch the energy bills drop. No drafts, no cold spots, no regrets. That’s how it looked on paper. But a few days into the project—tools…
Buying a rental property sounds like a smart move. You expect steady rent payments, tax benefits, and long-term value. But many new landlords face one major problem: They underestimate the true cost of owning a rental. These aren’t just one-time…
If you’re planning to build a new backyard deck this year (or refurbish an old one with a good frame but rotted top), you’re probably about to make a mistake. Several mistakes, actually. The reason is because standard deck building…
Got a seasonal water system to put away for the winter? Watch the video below to learn about a fast, fool-proof way to winterize pipes inside your place. It even works with washing machines, dishwashers and water dispensers. Perfect for…
Steve Maxwell, Canada’s Handiest Man, explains solutions to a common problem during Canadian summers: wood doors swelling and sticking.
If you own a summer cottage, you know there’s always a lot to do when closing up for the winter. That’s why it’s good to look for ways to make the job more effective. When I began my cottaging career…
Click below to watch me apply a new, coloured version of a favourite outdoor wood finish of mine. It’s called Ecowood Treatment. Join me as I apply the “weathered wood” version to a new white cedar picnic table. I’ve never used…
Paul Tyzek has a lot to teach. He’s an old-school solo painter in Winnipeg, Canada and he comes to the trade from a different angle than most. Paul’s a journeyman painter with 30+ years experience, but he’s also a trained…
A number of years ago I was asked to testify in a lawsuit involving a father who fell off a ladder building a shed for his adult son. This man was suing his son for not providing a safe working…
Got a seasonal water system that you need to protect from freezing? Check out this reliable, economical system I installed with a friend as a converts a seasonal property to year-round use.