About The Author

Nancy Schaffer

Home and Garden Content Writer

Nancy’s father was a jack-of-all-trades, specializing as a handyman and car mechanic. Over the years, she worked with him on many projects, from rebuilding the engine in her first car to working around the house. Eventually, that led to building her own house, doing most of the work herself, including installing concrete countertops and building a custom deck.

As a teen, Nancy’s first job was working on a US Forest Service trail crew. After high school, she worked as a groundskeeper and nursery worker for several years. She spent a decade working with at-risk youth, focusing on outdoor projects and activities. She then worked for 20 years in the restaurant industry before transitioning to freelance writing. In her writing, Nancy draws on the knowledge she has gathered over the years doing hands-on work in the home, garden, and outdoors. She loves using power tools and building and is always ready to learn new skills and discover better ways of doing things. Eventually, that led to Nancy building her own house, doing most of the work herself, including installing concrete countertops and building a custom deck. Since her dad passed on, she has worked on many projects with her son and nephew and now looks forward to building things with her grandson.

Maintenance October 5, 2023 0

How Much Does Deck Repair Cost?

Deck repair costs vary, but most homeowners pay anywhere from $8 to $22 per square foot. The costs can be as high as $50 per square foot for extensive repairs with expensive decking materials. The average deck repair cost is usually between $500 and $2,500. Simple repairs can cost as little as $100, but more […]

Maintenance September 29, 2023 0

How Much Does a French Drain Cost?

The average French drain cost is $5,000, but your actual cost could be as low as $500 or as much as $18,000. This depends on the type of French drain, its location, and how much area in your yard you need to drain. Factors in Calculating French Drain Costs Several factors influence the cost of […]

Pest Control September 27, 2023 0

How to Get Rid of Chiggers: A Big Guide to a Tiny Pest

Chiggers have a reputation as bad as fleas and ticks, and for good reason. These tiny creatures are ectoparasites that bite humans and animals, causing great discomfort. This guide will give you everything you need to know about how to get rid of chiggers, how to spot them, and where you can find them. What […]

Tree and Forestry September 25, 2023 0

How Much Does Tree Trimming Cost? A Homeowner’s Pricing Guide

The average cost of tree trimming is $500, or between $200 and $900 per tree. Explore tree trimming costs and the factors that influence them with this comprehensive pricing guide to tree trimming costs. Factors in Calculating Tree Trimming Costs On average, people pay professional tree trimmers $50 to $125 per hour, but several factors […]

DIY Projects September 20, 2023 0

How to Compost: A Beginner’s Guide to Composting Organic Waste

Composting is the process of converting organic waste like food scraps and yard debris into a nutrient-rich fertilizer for your garden. Learning how to compost is easy, and it’s one of the best things you can do for your plants and the environment. In this beginner’s guide, you’ll learn all the composting basics to get […]

Gardening September 15, 2023 0

How to Grow a Meadow of Wildflowers: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to grow a meadow of wildflowers with this step-by-step guide. Explore why people turn their lawns into wildflower meadows and find the best spot in your yard to grow one. Understanding What a Meadow of Wildflowers Is More and more people are looking for lawn alternatives, and one of the most popular options […]

Maintenance September 5, 2023 0

Low Maintenance Grass Alternatives: Types, Benefits, and Costs

Are you tired of your grass lawn and want to try something new? Transitioning to low maintenance grass alternatives is a great way to have a beautiful yard without being bothered by the hassles of a traditional lawn. Exploring Types of Low Maintenance Grass Alternatives A lush, green lawn in your yard makes your home […]

News October 28, 2022 0

Chainsaw Safety Tips for Homeowners and Pros

We wrote this article as a helpful guide to anybody running a chainsaw. Indeed, chainsaw safety affects everyone from those beginning their career in the green industry to people with decades of experience. So whether you’re just starting out or you work on a logging crew, chainsaw safety matters. We put together a set of […]