home improvement contractors

Home improvement issues were the 2nd biggest source of complaints in 2022
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Home improvement issues were the 2nd biggest source of complaints in 2022

Home Improvement

Here’s how to file one in Massachusetts — and how to avoid getting into that mess in the first place.

Gavel And Soundboard On Consumer Protection Law Book Over Wooden Table for a story on consumer complaints

The Globe’s Ask the Remodeler writer offers tips for vetting contractors. Adobe Stock

For the seventh year in a row, auto sales and repair complaints ranked first in the 2022 consumer complaint survey report, conducted by the Consumer Federation of America.

Home improvement/contractor issues and consumer debt/credit rank second and third, respectively.

Here’s what to know if you want to file a complaint in Massachusetts.

Start at the Attorney General’s Office. There, you can file a consumer complaint

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The Art of Slow Living & 5 Tips
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The Art of Slow Living & 5 Tips

The Art of Slow Living

When we went to Europe for the very first time- my husband and I noticed that there was a very different feeling in the way time seemed to flow there. That first morning, we were up before dawn ready to go get coffee and start exploring – but Paris was ready to sleep in for a few more hours. We spent the first few days in Paris learning to slow ourselves down a bit. And I say learning– because it was learning. It was a new thing to not just jump out of bed

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How to trim lavender topiaries to keep them beautiful
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How to trim lavender topiaries to keep them beautiful

Oh those little potted lavender topiaries are such charmers aren’t they? Planted in little pots and lined up on the table or simply tucked anywhere you want a little bit of whimsy and charm. I adore them and I know so many of you do too. And every time I share them- I get a lot of questions about how to keep them looking good. Aka- when they get a bit wild and crazy- what do you do to make them beautiful again. I gave our topiaries a trim last weekend and so, today, sharing a bit more about how

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Five home improvement projects to take on in Summer 2023
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Five home improvement projects to take on in Summer 2023

Summer is the perfect time to tackle home improvement projects that enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of your property.

With the sunny weather and longer days, you have the ideal conditions to complete projects efficiently. In this article, we’ll explore five home improvement projects to consider this summer, with a particular focus on heavy-duty tasks where you need help from professionals.

Basement Waterproofing

One of the most critical home improvement projects is basement waterproofing. Moisture infiltration in basements can lead to mold growth, structural damage, compromised indoor air quality and can even impact the value of your property. Waterproofing

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Beach Weekend View – French Country Cottage
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Beach Weekend View – French Country Cottage

Welcome to the Weekend View- this week, the view looked like sand and surf, family and fun.

Beach Getaways

My husband and I decided to take off for a few days this week for a little getaway. We were planning a bigger trip but pushed it back a bit for now. We have a family reunion at our house coming up quickly and lots of storm damage that hasn’t been cleaned up yet. So, we took a quick trip over to Capitola beach and stayed a couple of days for a staycation get away.

Capitola is such a beautiful beach

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Real vs Faux- How to Decorate with Beautiful Flowers
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Real vs Faux- How to Decorate with Beautiful Flowers

Have you ever wondered how artificial flowers compare to real – side by side?

I got a message from a reader recently after showing some faux floral decor on the table. It was about using faux flowers in decor and if that was something that is ok to do if you love and like fresh. A perfect topic to delve into more.

The quick answers? For one, there are no rules! If you love fresh flowers and find a faux arrangement that knocks your socks off? It’s OK to love and enjoy them both! For two: not all faux flowers

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Home equity loans and home improvements: What owners should know now
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Home equity loans and home improvements: What owners should know now

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For homeowners looking to finance major repairs and improvements, a home equity loan may be worth it.

Getty Images


Looking for an affordable way to fund your next home improvement project amidst elevated interest rates?

Home equity loans can be a good option thanks to their relatively low costs and lenient eligibility requirements. Plus, when you spend the loan funds on qualifying home improvements, the interest can be tax-deductible.

Explore your home equity loan options here now to see what you can qualify for.

Home equity loans and home improvements: What owners should know now

If you’re a

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How to Create a Beautiful Floating Floral Arrangement
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How to Create a Beautiful Floating Floral Arrangement

Layers of lovely is one of my favorite things. From layers of decor in a room to layers of beauty on a table. And for a special gathering – layers of magic join in. From twinkle lights to candles to flowers. And this floating floral arrangement is such a simple and easy way to add even more ambiance and charm. I promised to share the easy how-to on creating this look- breaking it down in today’s post and don’t miss the video that shows more details as well.

What is a ‘floating’ floral arrangement

A floating floral arrangement is just

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