Cole Hartman
DIY & home-projects writer
Columbus, OH
Cole learned home projects the way most people do — by doing a few of them wrong the first time. He writes the practical math side of DIY: how much paint you actually need, whether a flooring quote is fair, what a project really costs before you start. He's a hands-on hobbyist, not a licensed contractor, so he sticks to the planning and the numbers and leaves the code-and-permit calls to the pros.
Articles by Cole Hartman
Land Contract vs. Traditional Mortgage: Total Cost Comparison for Buyers Who Can't Qualify for Conventional Financing
Land contracts (seller financing) can seem like a lifeline when banks say no, but the true cost is often buried in higher interest rates, balloon payments, and zero equity protection. This guide breaks down the total cost of a land contract vs. a traditional mortgage, who actually benefits, and what to calculate before you sign.
Aug 18, 2026Lead Paint Testing and Abatement Cost Calculator: Budget Guide for Pre-1978 Homes
Buying or renovating a home built before 1978? Discover how much lead paint testing, encapsulation, and full abatement actually cost, how to prioritize rooms by risk level, and whether disclosure requirements affect your home's resale value and insurance premiums.
Aug 16, 2026Crawl Space Encapsulation Cost Calculator: Moisture Control ROI vs. Vented vs. Sealed Systems
Discover how much crawl space encapsulation actually costs, whether vapor barriers, dehumidifiers, and sealed systems are worth the investment, and how to calculate long-term energy savings and home value impact compared to leaving your crawl space vented.
Aug 13, 2026Plumbing Repiping Cost Calculator: Copper vs. PEX vs. CPVC and When Full Replacement Is Necessary
Discover how to estimate whole-house repiping costs based on pipe material, home size, and local labor rates. Compare copper, PEX, and CPVC options side by side, learn the warning signs that partial repairs won't cut it, and calculate whether proactive repiping now saves you from catastrophic water damage costs later.
Aug 12, 2026Home Winterization Cost Calculator: How Much to Budget for Cold-Weather Prep by Climate Zone
Discover exactly how much to budget for winterizing your home based on your climate zone, home age, and heating system type. From pipe insulation and weatherstripping to furnace tune-ups and roof ice dam prevention, this guide breaks down every cost with ROI comparisons so you know which winterization investments actually pay off in lower energy bills and avoided repairs.
Aug 11, 2026Mortgage Assumption Cost Calculator: How to Take Over a Seller's Low-Rate Loan and What It Really Costs
With millions of homeowners locked into sub-3% mortgage rates, assumable loans are back in the spotlight. This guide breaks down which loans are assumable (FHA, VA, USDA), how to calculate the equity gap you'll need to cover, closing cost differences, and when assuming a seller's mortgage beats getting a new loan at today's rates.
Aug 8, 2026Earnest Money Deposit Calculator: How Much to Offer and What Happens If the Deal Falls Through
Learn exactly how much earnest money to put down in any market, when you can get it back, and how contingency clauses protect your deposit if the deal collapses. Includes a step-by-step calculator to estimate the right offer amount based on home price, local market competition, and your risk tolerance.
Aug 6, 2026Exterior Paint vs. Siding Replacement Cost Calculator: When Repainting Stops Being Worth It
Trying to decide between a fresh coat of paint and full siding replacement? This guide breaks down per-square-foot costs for both options, calculates your true break-even point based on home age and current siding condition, and shows which choice delivers better ROI at resale—including a side-by-side comparison of vinyl, fiber cement, and wood siding against premium exterior paint jobs.
Aug 3, 2026Egress Window Installation Cost Calculator: Basement Bedroom Legality, Safety Codes, and ROI Analysis
Thinking about finishing your basement into a legal bedroom? An egress window isn't optional—it's required by building code. This guide breaks down what egress windows cost by size and material, how installation compares between DIY and professional crews, which permits you'll need, and exactly how much a code-compliant basement bedroom adds to your home's appraised value versus the upfront investment.
Aug 1, 2026Home Renovation Loan vs. Personal Loan vs. Credit Card: Which Financing Option Costs Less?
Planning a major home improvement project but unsure how to pay for it? This guide breaks down the true cost of financing renovations through a home equity loan, personal loan, or credit card—comparing interest rates, fees, tax deductibility, and total repayment amounts so you can choose the cheapest path forward.
Jul 30, 2026Bid vs. Estimate vs. Fixed Price Contracts: How to Budget for Home Renovation Quotes
Not all contractor quotes are equal. Learn the key differences between bid, estimate, and fixed-price contracts, how to compare them accurately, and how to calculate your true renovation budget to avoid cost overruns.
Jul 28, 2026Land Purchase Cost Calculator: Raw Land vs. Developed Lots and True Cost to Build
Thinking about buying land to build your dream home? The sticker price is just the beginning. This guide breaks down site preparation, utility connections, permits, and financing costs so you can calculate the true all-in cost of building on raw land versus buying a developed lot — and decide which path actually saves money.
Jul 23, 2026