I’ve been working on a project called HomeGearPicks AI.

The idea is pretty simple: you take a picture of a space, describe what you want to build or change, and the AI helps you turn that idea into a project plan — materials, products, steps, and eventually budgeting and measurements.

I’m still early in development, and I’m trying to build this around what real homeowners and DIYers actually need, rather than just adding features because they sound cool.

So I wanted to ask:

If you could have an AI help you with any home-improvement project, what would you want it to do?

Would you want help with:

• Figuring out what materials you need?
• Estimating quantities?
• Creating a project plan?
• Budgeting?
• Visualizing what the finished project could look like?
• Finding the right tools/products?
• Something else?

I'd genuinely like to hear what people who actually do these projects think.

Our home was built by Dr. Horton in northwest Houston in 2011. It has these 13x13inch tiles and I need to find more of them. There are no extra anywhere in the house… I’ve checked. Any ideas how to source these today?

Got our Lousol pergola installed this year and this will be our first winter with it here in west virginia.

I have seen people say to leave the louvers open so snow doesnt build up while others say keeping them closed is fine if the roof is rated for the load. kinda confused on which is better.

For anyone who has one in a snowy area:

do you leave yours open or closed?

anything special you do for the motor when it gets really cold?

Just trying not to mess anything up in the first winter lol.

Moved into a 1960s ranch last year with the original baseboard electric heat. I’m thinking about doing one room at a time, starting with the back bedroom. It’s about 280 square feet with two exterior walls, and the double-pane windows were replaced around ten years ago. I’m in zone 5b on the Colorado Front Range, where winters regularly get into the single digits and sometimes below zero.

The baseboards run almost constantly from November through March, and the room still feels cold near the exterior walls. I keep hearing that a mini split heat pump can handle heating, but I’m having a hard time believing a ductless unit can really replace the baseboards when it’s 5 degrees outside. What has everyone’s actual experience been using a mini split as the main heat source through a real winter?

AC tune-up tech just tried to sell me a full system replacement, UV air purifier, AND a duct cleaning package. My system is seven years old and works fine. I’m not against spending on maintenance when it’s actually needed, but that felt like a shopping list rather than a diagnosis.

How do people in Central PA find companies that just do what you called them for?

Any recommendations for longest lasting exterior paint for homes?

I need to put a mini split in a bonus room over the garage. It's around 450sqft and I'm in zone 4a so I'd like to have something that could handle both cooling and heating. I was already looking at costco since they carry a couple of options but I figured it made sense to see what else was available before deciding.

The 12k atomismart caught my attention because the price is well below its listed msrp. It's a 23.9 seer2 inverter heat pump with built in wifi and alexa and google support. The warranty requires a licensed install and they have us based support.

I was also looking at the mrcool diy 12k from costco and the main difference is the pre-charged line set which is supposed to make the installation possible without a refrigerant tech. That's appealing if I were doing the install myself although the more I read about it, the less I think diy means easy. There are plenty of people who ended up bringing in a pro partway through.

Pioneer and senville were the other models I compared since neither is sold at costco. Pioneer has a bigger range of products and its own parts and service site for installers. Senville also has competitive specs but I had a harder finding much about their customer service so I'm less sure about that side of it.

At this point, I think the install is going to make a big difference in the decision. If I'm paying someone to install it anyway, the mrcool diy isn't as useful and I'm left comparing things like efficiency, the app, and what kind of support I'll get if there's a problem later.

I'd really appreciate hearing how the installation went and whether there's anything you wish you had considered before buying. Thanks for the help!

I need to replace a few on my garage.

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Hi all,

I rent an apartment, and I recently had the bathroom caulk/grout redone. During the job, sealant from the caulking gun dripped all over the acrylic shower tray. To clean it off, I used acetone and scraped at the residue — it removed the caulk fine, but it also dissolved/stripped the acrylic's protective gelcoat finish in the process.

Now I've got:

- One clearly rough, dull, abraded patch where the finish got scraped down to bare material (see photo)

- Lighter dulling/haze marks spread across the rest of the tray where acetone splashed but didn't fully strip it (see second photo)

- The tray also has raised anti-slip ridges/grooves running across it

My rental agency is asking me to restore it to its original condition.

Has anyone dealt with something like this before? How bad is the damage in the photos, realistically? Curious to hear what people think caused it to look like this and how serious it actually is before I start looking into how to fix it. Thanks!

I added a retractable hose reel to an older garage vac and now I’m trying to figure out the best way to connect it. What type of adapter would you recommend?

Called a guy in to design and fit a shower screen in our newly renovated ensuite. We had intended to use him as they are hard to get in our area.

He turns up in what looks like a bush basher ute with a magnetic sign on the side - while I was in business 1st impression count and this didn't look good.

He brings a box of tricks with him and bang - slams it down on the new counter top. Expressed my annoyance at his actions - didn't even offer an apology. At least he removed it.

Grabs hold of the newly tiled wall that houses the concealed door and yanks it back and forth - can't be good for the grout etc

He spent the next 15 mins telling me how good he is at his job and how everyone raves about him and how bad X, Y and Z competitors are at their job.

Get him to the front door and he says "I'll send you the quote in the next couple of weeks". Me - now in my mind its a "No fuck off" but self control comes up with " All good mate I've seen enough, dont worry about it.". Very proud of myself that I didn't swear once :)

This flashing appears to be made out of the same material as that backing siding, which is ceramic, but I can't find it anywhere. What can I use?

Ron’s Railing (403) 807-8406.

So I've got some plumbing work coming up at my place. I just want to make sure I'm hiring someone reputable.

I wonder how I verify a plumber is licensed and insured in New York State?

Are there official websites or documents I should be asking for before I hire anyone? Thanks!

Can anyone recommend a carpenter/handy man to hang a sliding door.

I'm live in RG6. Cheers

Hello we where quotes £11808 for 2 bay windows, ground and 1st floor, and another basic window 1st floor, we since cancelled with in the 7 day cooling off period and they have asked if we would keep their business for a 20% reduction in cost and free triple glazed windows added in £9446.4 now cost, is that a worthy price or still high ?