How we review home repair guides

How Homeowners Repair Guide keeps information accurate, safe, and up to date

This page walks you through the exact process we use to create, review, and update every repair and safety guide on Homeowners Repair Guide—so you know what you’re reading is carefully checked, not just quickly published.

  • Drafted or reviewed by specialists with real-world experience.
  • Safety-first editorial rules that favor caution over risky DIY.
  • Clear update practices and reader feedback channels.

On each guide, you’ll see a “Last updated” date near the top. That date is tied to the process outlined here.

At a glance

3 expert roles

Author, subject-matter reviewer, and safety/editorial reviewer. One person may fill more than one role—but every guide is seen from multiple angles.

Safety-first filter

If there’s disagreement between “faster” and “safer,” we publish the safer path—even if it’s less exciting.

Transparent corrections

When something needs to change, we update the guide, log the change, and adjust the “Last updated” date.

Editorial principles

The rules every guide has to follow

Whether it’s a short checklist or a deep-dive tutorial, each piece of content on Homeowners Repair Guide is held to the same core standards.

1. Homeowner-first clarity

We write for everyday homeowners, not tradespeople. That means clear definitions, minimal jargon, and visual or step-by-step structure wherever possible.

2. Safety over “hacks”

We never publish risky shortcuts for electrical, gas, structural, or water-damage work. If a project is borderline DIY, we label it clearly and lean toward calling a pro.

3. Realistic expectations

Guides include rough cost ranges, typical timelines, and when to expect permits, inspections, or multiple visits—so you’re not surprised later.

Our 3-step review process

How a guide goes from idea to published page

Behind each article is a small editorial workflow. Here’s what happens before you ever read a guide on Homeowners Repair Guide.

Step 1

Author draft from field experience

Every guide begins with a draft from a subject-matter specialist or an editor working directly from expert notes, jobsite checklists, and real homeowner questions.

  • Defines the problem in homeowner-friendly language.
  • Outlines “if this, then that” troubleshooting steps.
  • Identifies obvious “stop and call a pro” moments.
Step 1

Technical & safety review

A second specialist reviews the draft for technical accuracy, common field edge cases, and safety. If needed, steps are reordered or removed.

  • Checks against current best practices and typical codes.
  • Flags anything that might be unsafe for homeowners to attempt.
  • Adds extra cautions around fire, shock, flood, and structural risks.
Step 1

Clarity, structure & final checks

An editorial pass makes sure instructions are clear, scannable, and consistent with the rest of the site—and that safety flags are impossible to miss.

  • Ensures headings follow the same pattern across guides.
  • Highlights “DIY vs pro” decisions near the top.
  • Sets the initial “Last updated” date before publishing.

In some cases, one expert may wear more than one hat (for example, author and technical reviewer), but the safety and editorial checks always happen separately before a guide goes live.

Safety rules

Work we won’t walk you through step-by-step

Some types of work belong firmly in the hands of licensed professionals and local inspectors. To protect you, we don’t provide detailed “how-to” instructions for high-risk categories, even if you might find them elsewhere online.

  • Live electrical panel work, new circuit installation, or service upgrades.
  • Gas line work, combustion venting, and fuel-burning appliance modifications.
  • Major structural changes, foundation underpinning, or load-bearing wall removal.
  • Remediation involving asbestos, significant mold, or contaminated water.

How we handle risky topics

When we do cover high-risk subjects, we focus on:

  • Helping you recognize red-flag symptoms early.
  • Explaining typical diagnostic steps (without turning them into DIY tutorials).
  • Preparing you to ask better questions when you call a licensed pro.

The goal is informed conversations with professionals—not replacing them.

Updates & corrections

How and when we update guides

Homes, products, and best practices change over time. Updating our guides is part of the job, not an afterthought.

Scheduled reviews

Regular content check-ins

Core safety and system guides are reviewed on a recurring schedule (typically every 12–24 months) to reflect changes in common equipment, terminology, and best practices.

Triggered updates

When new information appears

We also update guides in response to notable code changes, manufacturer recalls, or patterns we see in homeowner questions and contractor feedback.

Corrections

Fixing errors & clarifying details

If we find or are alerted to an error, we correct it as quickly as possible, update any related guides, and adjust the “Last updated” date. Significant changes may be briefly noted in the content.

Building codes and licensing rules vary by location. Our guides are written to reflect common practices in North America, but they are not a substitute for your local code official, inspector, or licensed contractor.

Your role

How homeowners and pros help us improve

We treat this site as a living resource. Thoughtful feedback from homeowners, inspectors, and tradespeople helps us keep guides practical and accurate.

  • Homeowners can report unclear instructions, missing steps, or confusing terms.
  • Professionals can suggest clarifications or note where practices have shifted.
  • Everyone can flag potential safety concerns or outdated recommendations.

We can’t respond individually to every message, but every submission is reviewed and considered in future updates.

Send feedback

Found something that should be updated?

The fastest way to reach us is through the contact form linked in the site footer. When you write, it helps if you include:

  • A link to the page you’re referencing.
  • What seems incorrect, unclear, or missing.
  • Any relevant details, like equipment type or approximate home age.

Please don’t include personal contact information for contractors or sensitive details about your property—we only need enough context to improve the guide.

Common questions

FAQ about our review & update process

A few helpful clarifications about what this process does—and doesn’t—cover.

Does this replace a home inspection or licensed contractor?

No. Our guides are educational and designed to help you understand issues and options. They do not replace in-person inspections, local permits, or the judgment of licensed professionals familiar with your specific home and codes.

Are your experts paid by manufacturers or local contractors?

No. Subject-matter specialists who contribute to Homeowners Repair Guide are not compensated by local service companies or product manufacturers for specific recommendations in editorial content.

How quickly do you update something if there’s a safety concern?

Clear safety concerns move to the top of the queue. Our goal is to review and, if needed, correct those sections as soon as reasonably possible and mark the page with an updated date.

Do you use AI tools to create or edit content?

We may use drafting tools to help with structure, organization, or clarity—but technical details, safety guidance, and final wording are always checked against expert knowledge and practical experience before publication.

Learn more about us

See the people and purpose behind the process

Now that you know how guides are reviewed and updated, you can learn more about the specialists who contribute—and the mission behind Homeowners Repair Guide.

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