Home improvement Coverage

Spring into a lush lawn: Your North Carolina yard care guide

Get your North Carolina lawn ready for spring by choosing the right grass type for your region and following proper mowing and watering techniques.

Mark Bergin, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Problems with patio project put neighbors at odds

A patio project gone wrong has friends and neighbors fighting over thousands of dollars. Some of the problems involve the contract the two sides agreed to before the project started.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

Home renovations finally finished for Sanford family after builder went bankrupt

A Sanford family was building a new home when their builder, J&R Homes, went bankrupt. This left the family with a half-finished home.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

The top 5 reasons to hire an interior designer

In this article, we will explore the top five reasons why working with an interior designer can take your project to the next level.

Shanna Middleton, writer for New Homes & Ideas

Contractor accused of defrauding families out of thousands now on the run after violating probation

A contractor accused of taking thousands of dollars from homeowners then abandoning projects, is on the run from law enforcement.

Keely Arthur, WRAL 5 on Your Side reporter

DeWALT recalling saws after multiple injuries

A popular saw is being recalled for a defect that has caused multiple injuries.

Five cheap ways to burglar-proof your home

Smart doorbells, smart locks and smart cameras are all on the market to keep your home safer, but sometimes they're not in the budget. Five On Your Side spoke to the experts and found five ways to make your home safer on the cheap. In fact, every one of these ideas is under $30 and easy to install.

Keely Arthur, WRAL consumer reporter

Tara Lynn shares garage makeover

WRAL contributor Tara Lynn shows us her two-day garage makeover, which included adding a workout area for her husband and a new cabinet.

Paint is the latest product facing supply shortages and higher prices

As the global supply chain crisis continues to roil the global economy, the list of impacted industries is growing by the day. The latest: paint.

By Chris Isidore, CNN Business

Ceiling fans don't cool your room, but they do help another way

Fans cool you when it's hot, but with fall around the corner they're also perfect to flip on when you open the windows.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/5 on Your Side reporter

Siding a good investment to spruce up your home

Consumer Reports says compared to wood, vinyl and other siding alternatives are easier to maintain and less expensive.

Vinyl siding wins on cost, but there are alternatives

Consumer Reports says compared to wood, vinyl and other siding alternatives are easier to maintain and less expensive.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/5 on Your Side reporter

Lowe's hiring more than 700 employees in the Triangle during 'National Hiring Day'

Lowe's "National Hiring Day" is set for Tuesday. The company said it wants to hire more than 700 in the Triangle.

Lowe's launches 100 Hometowns project

The home improvement chain is celebrating its centennial, and is promising to spend $10 million on 100 neighborhood projects.

Coronavirus changes online shopping trends

While consumers try to adjust to the "new normal," eBay looked at its latest sales data to see what they are turning to for joy and comfort during these unprecedented times.

Lowe's Home Improvement employee in Apex tests positive; store cleaned, remains open

A representative from Lowe's confirmed that an employee in its Apex home improvement store was confirmed to have COVID-19.

Leslie Moreno, WRAL reporter

Home improvement projects that actually pay off

Millions of Americans are already starting to plan home improvement projects for springtime. Here's a look at which will earn you the most money back.

Small space, big impact: How to optimize space

Small homes can have as much impact as an impressively large space. Builders know how to achieve it. Decorators know how to enhance it. Vendors have products to optimize it. Let's take a look at how they do it.

Barbara Hobbs, writer for New Homes & Ideas

Pricier shingles perform best in Consumer Reports tests

Consumer Reports tested asphalt shingles to find the best ones for your home.

Time to replace your roof? Consumer Reports tests the most cost-efficient asphalt shingles

Consumer Reports tests the most high quality asphalt roof shingles for endurance, overall strength and cost-efficiency.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/consumer reporter

Robco Fence and Deck VP promises contact for customers left in the lurch

After two weeks of phone calls, texts and knocking on doors, Monica Laliberte caught up with one of Robco's executives.

Robco Fence and Deck exec says company working to make customers whole

After two weeks of phone calls, texts and knocking on doors, Monica Laliberte caught up with one of Robco Fence and Deck's executives.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/consumer reporter

More customers raise questions about Robco Fence and Deck's sudden closing

More customers. More money gone. And more questions for a Raleigh-based fence and deck company at the center of a 5 On Your Side investigation.

$147,000 in question after Raleigh deck, fence business shuts down

The list of complaints to 5 On Your Side from customers who paid deposits for projects that never started keeps growing as word spreads that Robco Fence and Deck suddenly shut down late last week.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/consumer reporter

5 On Your Side works for answers when a local fence and deck company suddenly shuts down

After weeks of no communication from a local fence and deck company, customers reached out to 5 On Your Side for help. Monica Laliberte heard from eight customers who, combined, paid Robco Fence and Deck of Raleigh just more than $26,000.

Monica Laliberte, WRAL executive producer/consumer reporter