Steve shares his thoughts and experiences living at the end of a dead end rural road during a harsh Canadian winter.

Did you ever have trouble with zoning bylaws when you built the tiny house you’ve written about? I want to follow your plans, but the 550 square foot floor size is smaller than the 800 square foot minimum I hear about where I live. What should I do? Read on for Steve’s advice to this reader.

Listen as Steve Maxwell talks about the problems with conventional basement finishing, and how you can finish your basement in a way that will avoid mold, mildew, and poor indoor air quality.

BRUSHLESS DRILL TOUR A reader named Vern asked about what type of cordless tools he might need for a remote island worksite without power. Vern is hoping to bring a bunch of charged batteries to avoid the need for a…

Insulation doesn’t feel like a thrilling home renovation topic for most people. But the fact is, you should be thrilled. Upgrading insulation can put money in your pocket, and who doesn’t like that? You’ll also be more comfortable at a given room temperature with added insulation and your home will have greater resale value especially as the world changes. Watch this video to see what I mean.

Sometimes a real challenge is just what people need. That’s why  Steve thinks kids need a little less stuff in their lives and a little more incentive to go out and make things happen with their own small home maintenance businesses….

Note to a Discouraged Homesteader

Back in my previous blog I talked about the reasons I see would-be homesteaders change their minds and give up on dreams of rural living. This often involves rejecting too much technology, but there are other reasons, too. Mistaken ideas…

Nothing much happens without tools. But which ones will really serve you? Let Steve get specific and tell you all about the top ten tools you need to get started with home improvements, DIY and home repairs. There’s lots more to buy other than these, but the ones you’ll learn about here are the best to start with.

Hendrik Varju is a man who’s spent most of his working life doing two things most people just dream of. First, he works largely from home, more-or-less free from the increasing cost and emotional burden of commuting. And second, Hendrik’s…

List to Steve responds to a homeowner question about eliminating window condensation and mold growth this winter.

Home insulation isn’t flashy or fun. And unless you’re weird, it’s hard to get as emotionally excited about insulation as, say, a granite countertop of a new hardwood floor. But the fact is, insulation upgrades offer plenty to get excited about. Read Steve’s thoughts and see for yourself.