Some of us lead more stressful lives than others. One renovation idea that can address aesthetics and stress reduction is to make your bathroom more "spa-like." McDonald Remodeling, a remodeling company located in the St. Paul MN region, offers some soothing ideas on their website:

"In bathrooms, calm design can lead to rejuvenating spaces. With that in mind, each bathroom has a style that befits the homeowners."

Ideas the company offers include having a "soaking retreat," where the bath tub or Jacuzzi is the focal point of the room; having a very simple, but stylish bathroom that needs little or easy upkeep; and having an nature-oriented, soothing color scheme or a large shower "tube" for a feeling of space while bathing.

"Greening" your home, isn't just good for you, it's also a good remodeling idea if you are thinking of selling. Networx writer Steve Graham interviewed Lara Collins, a real estate broker in the Denver area.  You don't have to go to extremes either. Collins suggests some simple ways to ecologically renovate in and around your home such as cleaning up your yard and adding some native plants that require less water and maintenance. If you need to do some interior painting, use low/no VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints. If you are updating a bathroom, put in low-flow toilets, showerheads and faucets. Collins also suggests putting in a countertop made with recycled materials.

If you want to add a new and unique touch to your home when remodeling, you may want to consider tiling in an unusual place. In a Networx article by KMS Woodworks you can garner some fresh ideas about spots you may have not considered tiling before such as your foyer, stair risers, or tiling an accent wall. KMS Woodworks, who works with renovators in the Boulder area, said of the accent wall idea (which I personally think is a pretty cool idea): "In lieu of art, how about a wall of artistic mosaic, or some stone's natural beauty? Not just for floors or bathroom floors, tile can add style and durability to just about anything."

If you want to save a little extra money and energy, you may want to consider installing a "kill" switch" if you are remodeling or rebuilding. In a Networx article by Carl Seville he suggests the kill switch, "which is a regular switch that controls a set of receptacles that you plug in all the things that you can turn off".

Seville, who works with electricians in Atlanta, also shares several other tips such as using occupancy sensors which "turn on lights when someone enters a room, turning them off automatically a pre-set amount of time after they exit".

If it's time for a new roof, you want to be sure the job not only meets your budget, but is done well. E.M Blue, an Atlanta roofing company, offers some good advice on their website.

A few of the tips the company offers when looking to have a roofing job done revolve around getting to know your roof and what you really need ahead of time and working with local contractors. Other tips include making sure your roofing contractor has liability insurance, have a good track record, and has a permanent business. I've had guys show up on my doorstep offering fantastic roofing deals. If you have the same thing happen to you, don't fall for it. The company also recommends not paying for the roofing job in full until it is completed. 

Drywall guru Myron Ferguson of Albany, NY offered tips for remodeling with drywall. Some common DIY mistakes he notes include:

• "Not using enough mudding compound behind tape, causing bubbles. Not letting the mudding compound dry thoroughly between coats, and too thick or too thin fill coat which covers the tape."
• Ferguson also urges DIY homeowners to "get enough help" when putting up drywall. "The sheets are heavy, fragile, and difficult to maneuver," he said.
• Ferguson recommended using full 16-foot sheets of drywall when ever possible and to try to minimize seams.

What are steps you should take if you discover your concrete foundation is leaking? In a Networx article, writer Steve Graham gets some advice from Cassi Sherman of Peak Basement Systems, a concrete contractor near Denver. Sherman emphasized safety and said to check for submerged wiring or appliances before stepping into a pool of water. "Confirm the water is a foundation leak and not a broken pipe or sewage backup," she said.

Unfortunately, depending on the cause of the leak, you may need to call in a remediation company, an electrician, a plumber, or a concrete foundation or waterproofing specialist. Leaks in your concrete foundation can occur for a variety of reasons. The next task after maintaining safety from electrical shocks is to determine the place and cause of the leak.

What are steps you should take if you discover your concrete foundation is leaking? In a Networx article, writer Steve Graham gets some advice from Cassi Sherman of Peak Basement Systems, a concrete contractor near Denver. Sherman emphasized safety and said to check for submerged wiring or appliances before stepping into a pool of water. "Confirm the water is a foundation leak and not a broken pipe or sewage backup," she said.

Unfortunately, depending on the cause of the leak, you may need to call in a remediation company, an electrician, a plumber, or a concrete foundation or waterproofing specialist. Leaks in your concrete foundation can occur for a variety of reasons. The next task after maintaining safety from electrical shocks is to determine the place and cause of the leak.

What attributes should you look for in a "green" HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) business? One example of such a company is Greentree Heating and Air Conditioning in Denver and Omaha. They recommend working with a company that follows all government incentives and tax benefits associated with installing or improving your home energy standards. Other questions you should ask an HVAC contractor include inquiring about the willingness of the company to do an energy audit/analysis first. An audit will help you find ways to reduce the amount of wasted energy to both lower your energy costs as well as your carbon footprint. Is the company willing to repair and upgrade your systems or do they just want to sell you new products? And lastly, will they work with your particular situation to find green solutions?

When you are facing plumbing problems, it's important to also protect yourself from disreputable plumbing contractors.  Laura Foster-Bobroff, in a Networx article, said that while most plumbing contractors are reputable, it's a good idea to know what to watch out for such as inaccurate estimates and sending in extra workers to pad the bill. "Inaccurate estimates are the most common way a plumber can get money out of you," says plumber Dave Buteau of OnDemand Plumbing in Concord, New Hampshire. 

In Foster-Bobroff's interview, Buteau goes on to describe the "shady practice of sending in two or more people to do the job. If a plumber is training an apprentice, that's one thing, but you shouldn't be charged extra if the job only requires one person do the work."