As this is such a large part of Home Ownership, you can count on the Club to steer you to the right resources. There is more fraud and anti-consumer activity in this area than in any other. Membership in the Club means you will be prepared before, during and after any major improvement. We have Advocacy Services to check out your Contractor, your Contract and tips when things go wrong. There is someone on your side! We also keep you up on which improvements that are Smart Ones.. with the highest payback at sale time.


Streaming Online Videos
Many online services that feature Home Improvement issues don't have the content the Club does. From your computer screen you can see streaming video tutorials on renovation topics and new products that are on the market.
Here is a Summary of the topics covered...

Installing a Garbage Disposer , Soldering Copper Pipes , Working with Plastic Piping, Faucet Basics, , Installing a Frost-Free Sillcock , Replacing a Toilet , Unclogging a Sink Drain , Installing Base Cabinets , Installing Hanging Cabinets , Countertop Removal & Demolition , Installing a Post-form Countertop
Planning a Deck , Deck Structural Design , Deck Marking & Layout , Installing the Deck Ledger , Deck Post Holes & Foundation , Installing Deck Posts & Beams , Installing Deck Joists , Installing Deck Boards , Installing Deck Stairs , Installing, Deck Railing , Pruning & Trimming Trees , Installing a Garden Pond , Patching Dead Grass , Installing Outdoor Low-Voltage Lighting , Laying a Brick Walkway or Patio , Laying Stepping Stones , Building a Dry Stone Wall
Installing Shoe Molding, Installing Chair Rail, Installing Vinyl Cove Molding, Making Radiator Covers, Installing a Valance, Repairing a Spindle Back Chair, Applying an Oil or Water-based Stain, Applying a Sanding Sealer, Applying a Tung Oil Topcoat, Chemically Stripping Wood
Hanging Drywall , Hanging Ceiling Drywall , Patching Drywall , Taping Drywall , Knocking Out a Wall , Installing Ceramic Floor Tile , Installing Resilient Floor Tile , Patching Hardwood Floors , Refinishing Wood Floors with a Drum Sander , Silencing, Floor Squeaks , Interior Paint Prep, Painting Interior Rooms , Installing Basement Paneling , Wallpapering Preparation , Wallpapering Basics , Wallpapering Corners & Obstacles
Cleaning Gutters , Repairing & Maintaining Gutters , Replacing Asphalt Shingles , Exterior Caulking, Exterior Paint Preparation , Exterior Painting , Painting Exterior Trim
Insulating an Unfinished Attic, Replacing a 3-way switch or a Receptacle, Mapping Electrical Circuits, and Installing an Attic Fan, Ridge Vent, Soffit Vent, Blown-In Insulation, Ceiling Fan, Dimmer Switch, GFCI Outlet, and Recessed Lights.

 


Not many more issues are as important as these. We monitor developments in Mortgages, Home Equity, Credit Cards and other essentials. We keep a keen eye on tax law changes and report on how they will impact you now and in the future. Usually the news is not good as homeowners are always looked at as an easy source of tax dollars- but being in the Club will get you advance notice. We also have a series that runs during Tax season that will help minimize Uncle Sam's Tax Bite.


We also update you on Home Sale Price appreciation in your area and forecasts for the future.



Consumer Protection Resources
We here at the Club try to prevent the nightmare stories that you see covered on Dateline and 20/20. There are many unscrupulous contractors and other so called "Professionals" that are out to rip you off. The Club's resources include Scam Watch- a regular feature warning members of the latest scams. Also we have the Contractor Review Service where we will investigate your choices of contractors. The Contract review service is an Advocacy Review by a trained Lawyer and Remodeler who will help you write and enforce a remodeling contract.


As the internet is more woven into our daily lives, Identity Theft and other online scams are tracked by the club and reported to you.


 

 Let's face it. We elect officials to tell us what is going on in the legislative and regulatory circles. But who is watching them? Find out how your Congressman and Senator are voting on the issues. Track their contributors so you know who may be trying to exert influence. You will get the lowdown on new bills in Congress and how they are going to impact you and your household.


Remember- the Founders of the Club spent many years in Washington and they know the "ropes". You can also "Sound Off" by sending  email to all media outlets covering your area.

 

 Our homes represent a major portion of our total assets. Knowing how your home is appreciating is valuable knowledge. We always want to know what the Home "down the street" sold for.

In the Home Owners Survival Kit you have access to recent home sales, public and private school information neighborhood demographics and cost of living information for areas all over the US.


Telecom, Energy and Insurance Resources

As your Telecom bills continue to escalate, look to the club to make it all clear. Phone Service over the Net, Wireless Hubs, new cell rules and calling plans....we track it all. Even new technology in the home.
A large part of our budget is consumed by Energy and Insurance and we have editors looking into ways to save you money and understand the options available to you. Natural Disasters effect us all and we can be better prepared both through insurance and prevention. The Club's founders have many years of experience in Washington DC. advocating in these areas. We have over 100 articles just on insurance!