Building a Wine Cellar: Climate Control, Insulation and Design
How to build a home wine cellar: 55 F and 70% humidity targets, insulation and vapor rules, cooling unit placement and the pro help you need.
Author
Ryan
Ryan writes Home Remodel Guidance's planning guides: the order of a remodel, permits, contracts, budgets and contingencies, room-by-room renovations, and which jobs a homeowner can do versus which need a licensed trade.
Ryan has written most of Home Remodel Guidance, covering a renovation from first plan to final inspection: the sequence of work, permits and inspections, contracts and change orders, contingency budgets, financing and insurance, and guides for kitchens, bathrooms, additions and home systems. His DIY-versus-professional guides separate the jobs a careful homeowner can take on from those that need a licensed electrician, plumber or engineer. Guides on this site cite their sources and are updated when the facts change.
Articles by Ryan
Home Theater Design: Room Layout, Acoustics and Seating
Design a home theater room: ceiling height, sound isolation, acoustic treatment, seating, viewing angle and finishes, based on Dolby and CEDIA guidance.
Powder Room Renovation Ideas: Big Impact in a Small Space
Powder room renovation ideas that fit code clearances: layout math, vanity and toilet picks, lighting, ventilation, wallpaper and tile for a half bath.
Adding a Master Suite: Cost, Planning and Code Rules
Plan a master suite addition: 2025 Cost vs. Value costs and payback, room size and egress rules, permits, and where the suite can go.
Planning an Eco-Friendly Renovation from Start to Finish
Plan an eco-friendly renovation: energy assessment, air sealing, efficient systems, water savings, low-VOC materials, waste and tax credit status.
What Should Be in Your Renovation Contract: An Annotated Sample Outline
See how a renovation contract is organized, section by section, with plain-English sample wording and notes on where homeowners should push back.
Renovation Red Flags: Warning Signs Before and During the Job
Spot contractor red flags before you sign and during the job: payment demands, missing permits, pressure tactics and what to do when something is wrong.
Which Renovations to Tackle First: A Priority Order That Works
Not sure where to start? Rank renovation projects by safety, water, structure and systems first, then comfort and finishes, using a simple scoring method.
Understanding Change Orders: Managing Scope Creep
What a change order is, what it must say, how to price and approve one, and how to prevent scope creep from draining a renovation budget.
Living in Your Home During Renovations: Is It Possible?
Can you live in your house during a renovation? Learn when staying works, the EPA lead dust and asbestos rules, dust containment and when to move out.
