Build it, fix it, grow it—your guide to self-reliant living.
Welcome to Our Guides—your one-stop resource for building, fixing, growing, and everything in between. Whether you’re a first-time DIYer, a seasoned homesteader, or just someone who wants to know the right way to get the job done, you’ll find practical, step-by-step help right here.
These guides are built from years of hands-on experience, tested tips, and lessons learned the hard way (so you don’t have to). From tackling home repairs and choosing the right tools, to growing your own food and living more sustainably, each guide is designed to make the process clear, simple, and doable.
Painting and Supplies
Brush, Roll, Create—DIY Painting Tips That Make Every Project Fun, Easy, and Beautiful
Dive into our Painting & Supplies guides and discover how to pick the perfect brushes, rollers, and paints, prep like a pro, and add those finishing touches that make every project shine. Packed with tips, tricks, and product picks, these guides turn any DIY painting job into a fun, stress-free experience.
- Home painting tips – Practical tips and tricks to make every painting project at home easier, faster, and more professional-looking.
- DIY paint projects – Step-by-step guides and creative ideas to make your next paint project easier, faster, and more professional looking.
- Best painting tools – Find the must-have tools that make painting easier, cleaner, and give you a flawless finish.
- Interior & exterior painting -Tips and techniques for painting both inside your home and out, with results that last.
- Paint brushes, rollers & primers – Learn which brushes, rollers, and primers give you the best coverage and smooth results.
- Color selection for home – Guidance on choosing paint colors that match your style and bring your home to life.
- Painting inspiration – Fresh ideas and creative looks to inspire your next painting project.
- How to paint walls & trim – Simple steps to get crisp lines and smooth walls when painting rooms and trim.
- Paint tutorials and advice – Helpful tutorials and expert tips to make every painting project easier and more successful.
Tools
Smart tips, essential gear, and insider know-how to help every DIY project go smoothly.
Real Tools, Real Projects, Real Confidence is where DIY meets know-how. From power tools to hand tools, discover gear that’s been tested in real homes, on real jobs—just like yours. Whether you’re starting your toolbox or upgrading to pro-level equipment, find honest advice, project-based recommendations, and clear guidance from The Helpful Hardware Guy.
Build smarter, safer, and with confidence—because the right tool doesn’t just do the job; it lifts you up.
- Essential Tools For Homeowners – Confidence boosters that make your first DIYs feel like a breeze
- Top Picks for Projects – Favorite tools that actually help—not just take up space
- Power vs. Hand Tools – When to plug in, when to muscle through, and how to stay safe
- Budget Tools That Work Hard – Affordable options that punch above their price tag
- Creative Uses & Pro Tips – Little-known ways to get more mileage (and smiles) from every tool
Electrical
Step-by-step tips, safety advice, and expert know-how to tackle every electrical project with confidence.
Wiring might sound intimidating, but with the right guidance it’s easier than you think. Our Electrical guides walk you through everything from swapping a light fixture to adding outlets—always with safety first and stress kept low. Think of it as having a handy friend by your side, showing you the tricks, tools, and know-how to keep your home powered up and running smoothly.
Bright ideas and safe solutions to tackle your home’s electrical projects with confidence.
- DIY electrical tips – Practical advice and step-by-step tips for tackling basic electrical projects safely at home.
- How to install light fixtures – Easy-to-follow guidance for installing light fixtures safely and efficiently.
- Electrical tools for beginners – A guide to essential electrical tools every beginner should have for safe and effective projects.
- Safe home wiring – Tips and best practices for keeping your home wiring safe and up to code.
- Residential breaker box guide – Clear instructions for understanding and safely managing your home’s breaker box.
- Replacing outlets and switches – Step-by-step tips for safely replacing outlets and switches in your home.
- Voltage testers and meters – Learn how to choose and use voltage testers and meters for accurate and safe electrical work.
- Electrical project inspiration – Creative ideas and practical examples to spark your next home electrical project.
Plumbing
Practical tips, step-by-step guides, and expert advice to keep your plumbing projects flowing smoothly.
Plumbing: the art of keeping your house from turning into a swimming pool. From leaky faucets to clogged drains, plumbing problems don’t have to be a headache. Our Plumbing guides break down repairs and upgrades into simple, step-by-step projects you can actually handle. With the right tools, a few insider tricks, and a little confidence, you’ll keep the water flowing—and maybe even save a plumber’s bill along the way.
Clear fixes and smart tips to keep your home’s water running smoothly.
- Home plumbing repairs – Tackle everyday plumbing fixes with confidence, from leaky faucets to clogged drains.
- Plumbing tips for homeowners – Simple, practical tips to help homeowners maintain and troubleshoot their plumbing.
- Plumbing tools for beginners – A beginner’s guide to essential plumbing tools for safe and effective home projects.
- How to fix a leaky faucet – Step-by-step instructions to stop leaks and restore your faucet’s smooth operation.
- How to unclog a drain – Easy methods to clear clogged drains and keep your plumbing flowing smoothly.
- Plumbing basics and tutorials – Helpful tutorials and foundational tips to tackle common plumbing tasks with confidence.
- DIY toilet replacement – Step-by-step guidance for removing and installing a toilet safely and efficiently.
- Simple pipe fitting tips – Practical advice for cutting, joining, and fitting pipes like a pro.
Pop back in anytime—I’m always flushing out fresh tips, unclogging confusion, and laying down solid advice like perfectly sweated copper. Whether you’re fixing a drip or overhauling your throne room, I’ve got the tools, the tricks, and the kind of know-how that makes leaks shake in their boots.
Hardware
Gear up with the right screws, clever tips, and insider tricks to tackle every project like a pro—without the stress.”
Screws, bolts, and that one thing that you don’t know what it is—because nothing says DIY like hunting for the right screws at 2 a.m., our Hardware section has everything for projects big, small, or just slightly terrifying. Whether you’re fixing, building, or pretending to know what you’re doing, the right hardware makes all the difference. Dive in, and let’s make sure your next project doesn’t end up as a cautionary tale.
Nuts, Screws, and the Occasional ‘Why Did I Buy This?’ Moment
- Screws vs. Nails: What to Use and When – Clear guidance on choosing screws or nails for every project to get the strongest results.
- Anchors and Wall Plugs: Secure Mounting Made Simple – Tips for using anchors and wall plugs to safely and securely mount items.
- Brackets, Braces, and Connectors – A quick guide to choosing the right brackets, braces, and connectors for strong, stable builds.
- Bolts, Nuts, and Washers: Locking Things Down – Simple tips for selecting and using bolts, nuts, and washers to secure any project.
- Specialty Hardware for Common DIY Projects – Discover specialty hardware that makes common DIY projects easier and more reliable.
- Doorknobs and window hardware – Advice on choosing and installing doorknobs, handles, and window hardware with ease.
- Storage and Organization Tips for Your Hardware Stash – Practical tips to organize and store your tools and hardware efficiently.
Bonus section: Automated Home Hardware – Explore smart home devices and automated hardware to make your home more convenient and efficient.
Lawn and Garden
Smart tips, essential gear, and insider know-how to help every DIY project go smoothly.
Shovels, seeds, and that mysterious plant you definitely didn’t plant—because nothing says gardening like discovering surprises in your own backyard at 6 a.m. Our Lawn & Garden section has everything you need to keep your outdoor space thriving, from tiny seedlings to sprawling lawns. Whether you’re pruning, planting, or just trying to remember where you left the rake, the right tips and tools make all the difference. Dive in, and let’s make your yard something worth bragging about—without too much backache.
Weeds, Watering, and the Occasional ‘What is that on my hands?’ Moment
- Lawn care tips for homeowners -Easy-to-follow tips to keep your lawn healthy, green, and thriving year-round.
- DIY gardening advice – Practical guidance for growing and maintaining a beautiful, productive garden at home.
- How to grow a raised bed garden – Step-by-step instructions for building and planting a thriving raised bed garden.
- Outdoor tools for landscaping – A guide to essential outdoor tools for maintaining and beautifying your yard and garden.
- Irrigation repair and maintenance – Tips and techniques for keeping your irrigation system efficient and leak-free.
- Seasonal lawn care checklist – A handy checklist to help you care for your lawn throughout every season.
- Beginner gardening tools – A guide to essential gardening tools every beginner needs for successful planting and upkeep.
- Mulching, pruning, and planting tips – Practical advice on mulching, pruning, and planting to keep your garden healthy and productive.
- Home gardening inspiration – Creative ideas and tips to inspire your next gardening project at home.
- Real-life landscaping projects – Inspiring examples of landscaping projects to spark ideas for your own yard.
Bonus section: Bird Feeders – Tips for choosing, placing, and maintaining bird feeders to attract feathered friends.
Homesteading
Practical tips, DIY projects, and clever hacks to help you live sustainably, grow your own food, and make the most of homestead life.
Compost piles, chickens, and bees that could start a revolt—because nothing says sustainable living like negotiating with your backyard ecosystem at sunrise. Our Homesteading section has tips, projects, and ideas to help you live greener, grow food, and maybe keep the chaos contained. Whether you’re planting, collecting rainwater, or just trying to figure out how not to overfeed the rabbits, the right guidance makes sustainable living achievable (and occasionally hilarious). Dive in and embrace your inner homesteader.
Backyard Gardens, Rabbits, Chickens, and Bees That Could Start a Revolt (Seriously, why did you add bees?)
- Backyard Homesteading – Practical guidance for growing food and raising small animals right in your backyard.
- Water Collection & Conservation – Simple strategies for collecting and conserving water to make your home more sustainable.
- Organic Gardening & Pest Control – Tips for growing healthy, chemical-free plants and managing pests naturally.
- Raising Backyard Livestock – Step-by-step guidance for caring for chickens, rabbits, and even bees.
- Homebrewing – Beginner-friendly tips and techniques for brewing your own beer or cider at home.
- Outdoor Cooking & BBQ – Grills, pizza makers, and techniques for cooking delicious meals outdoors and mastering the BBQ.
- Preserving the Harvest – Practical methods for storing, canning, and preserving your garden’s bounty year-round.
- DIY Projects for Self-Sufficiency – Step-by-step guides for DIY projects that help you live more independently and sustainably.
- Tools & Gear Recommendations – Expert picks for the best tools and gear to tackle any DIY or homesteading project.
My wife named one of our chickens ” Sir Clucks-a-Lot” and another “Mother Clucker”. I drew the line at “Nugget”. That’s just not right.