I don’t often get into home improvement topics on this blog, or DIY techniques because this isn’t written for homeowners. Sometimes though there are resources that appeal to the DIYer that might also offer some tidbits of knowledge to construction pros.

I got an email announcing the existence of a forum specifically for home repair. Some of the questions seeking answers included:

• Can plaster be patched with spackle?
• Why are cabinets so expensive?
• How do you know how much is too much?
• How much is a fair fee for a general contractor to charge?
• Mounting recessed lights in a 7 inch concrete ceiling?

In true capitalist form there are always those on these forums offering advice and counsel on home improvements while hoping for a little exposure that might lead to some future business. Others participate in order to gather new ideas and share some of their own. Then too, there are the lonely ones who just want to chat.

This is also great territory where the ego-driven construction pro can jump in and provide demeaning answers to what they might consider to be stupid questions so they can appear to be superior. I’ve seen that happen perhaps more than it should.

But these forums can also be a great place for construction pros to get an idea of what’s on people’s minds when it comes to home improvement. Just keeping in touch with that can help you to anticipate the kinds of questions and concerns that might be coming your way as you go about your estimating and sales duties.

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