This deck in Upper Marlboro, MD was in need of repairs.  Several boards were warped and splintering.  I had the contractor replace 12 boards of pressure treated lumber (16 feet each),  2 cross sections, and a complete paint job which included the lattice below the deck.   I purchased a 5 gallon bucket of deck paint for $170.  We agreed on $850 total cost for materials, labor, and haul away old debris.  Good deal!  Here are some photos I took.

This home located on Woodyard Rd. in Upper Marlboro is undergoing a major renovation.  It's been completely gutted and a 2nd floor is being added.  Can't wait to see the finished product!

A few weeks ago my basement flooded again.  Oh, the woes of home ownership!  The Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area had over 63 inches of rain in the last year.  Ground water and water tables persist in Upper Marlboro.  Water seeps in from under my basement floor where it meets the foundation footer.  The french drain (gravity flow system) I personally installed in the front yard didn't seem to solve the problem as the ground water made its way to the front wall of the basement.  

So, I decided to hire a local waterproofing company.  They did a great job and gave me a fair price.  Ask me how much? The labor costs are the bulk of the job.  The contractor had to dig a channel (trench) around the perimeter inside my basement, alongside the footers.  PVC pipe was then installed in the newly-made channel to allow the flood water to flow into a sump pump basin, then pumped outside of the house. 

Here's a video I made of the project..........https://youtu.be/JXV3abLlago

Based on my personal experience using an established home improvement company, the purchase price and installation of one standard size window can range from $300-$700 each.  A bow or bay window alone can cost upwards of $4,000. 

If you are considering replacing windows in your home, do a little homework first.  Google "double-hung vinyl windows."  Get at least three estimates from reputable home improvement companies.  It's a big negotiating game once the salesperson comes to your home for a presentation.  He or she will make recommendations and actually show you a sample window.  Consider the best quality windows of course. 

After a 1-2 hour presentation, the salesperson will quote you an astronomically high price!  This is where the negotiating begins.  Hold your ground.  Don't be forced into overpaying with the promise of low monthly payments for 15 years.  

Please note, financing huge investments like this will normally attach the loan to your house.  What this means is that if you miss several payments on the new window loan, the lender has the right foreclose on your home.