About

Who Are You?

My name is Lee Wallender. Since 2006, I have been a professional, full-time writer specializing in all things related to improving homes: repair, remodel, design, decor. From 2006 to 2012, I wrote the home renovations site for About.com, then owned by The New York Times Company. In 2012, the internet holdings powerhouse IAC purchased About.com.  In 2017, About.com split off its home-related publishing to a separate domain, The Spruce, where I remain as a full-time contributing writer. While I am a hands-on home remodeler, one of my strengths is the ability to separate truth from bullshit regarding home improvement advice.

Why Are You In So Many Photos?

Accountability, not vanity. By attaching my face to my statements, it makes me more aware that I need to be as accurate as possible. It also lets readers know that there is a real person behind the words.

What Are These “Best Answer” Articles?

Best Answer is a single, concise answer to questions about home remodeling that you can access rapidly. It is a kind of calculated dice throw, attempting to get the answer 100% right, of course. But in the interests of providing you a compact, easy-to-understand answer, 80% is acceptable. The Qualifers section further down the article covers that missing 20%.

Basically, it is my response to the frustrating Internet phenomenon of giving you a 2,000 word article titled “10 Best Things About Laminate Flooring” when you just want to know if laminate can be used in bathrooms.

What Are These “Choose for Me” Articles?

Since 2006, I have received innumerable questions from readers who want assertive advice about which thing they should choose. They just want to know if they should install vinyl flooring or laminate flooring, and they’re happy to go with whatever I say.

This is the same as my approach to topics that I don’t really care about outside of the home realm. I might research some items, but I’m happy for someone to tell me which desktop computer or car to buy. Being in the business of dispensing home improvement advice, I am happy to sift through all of the complexities and deliver one answer. Because one answer doesn’t fit all, further down in the article I list qualifiers, if anyone cares to scroll down that far.

 

What About Wrong Information?

Yes, it might be so. Any information site will have errors. This site will have errors. I am continually updating things. I value corrections, especially when it comes from industry insiders, people in the trades, company owners, or anyone who has inside information. I only want to hear from you if you are polite and can offer constructive information. If you’re being a jerk or using degrading language, I will ignore you, even if you’re right.

Poor Older Content

This site has been around since 2006. Articles from 2017 onward have been more rigorously researched, written, and edited. A majority of the older articles may be thin or even contain some wrong information. I am editing and improving older content as time allows.