(View entire post here)

I've had many calls over the years from people that started a project around their home and before they knew it the project had gone out of control.

I never understood how that could happen until now, because I almost fell into that same home improvement trap.

When I first built my house twenty years ago I was working as a full time contractor and I would do my paid jobs all day, but nights and weekends were spent building my own house.

The work was done every day and I had complete control of the job. Before I knew it I had my house built and because I was able to devote my full attention to the job, everything just fell into place.

Cut to twenty years later. With a book to promote, syndicated newspaper columns to write, TV show, and my work with the Kohler company, I'm on the road most of the time and get to visit my house only for a few days at a time. When I do get to spend time at home, I tell my wife that I like her hotel and look forward to coming back for another stay!

Earlier this year we decided to build an addition for a new laundry room, then we needed a little more space for a home office. Now, with the limited time I had, I could not work on these two projects every day and they did not get my full attention.

Weeks went by before I could start up again where I left off and by then I was floating back and forth between the two large projects with nothing getting done. Things started to get out of control!

(View entire post here)

I have been very proud to promote Ed Del Grande's House Call at every opportunity we can. What I really enjoy about promoting the book is the opportunity to teach people as well as spread the news about my book being released.

We have been promoting the book to newspapers, radio and television with some great results. Recently, we have had two high profile appearances on NBC's iVillage in Orlando and CNN's House Call [transcript] in New York City. The new topic that I love to educate viewers on is the "EPA Water Sense" program now available for select toilets.

To qualify for the EPA water sense label a toilet must test at the top of the testing charts for flushing power, but must also flush with at least 20% less water than the present 1.6 gallon per flush code. This is a tall order to fill but there are some select toilets out there that meet these requirements.

Hi,

This is Ed Del Grande signing on for my first blog ever so please be patient with me if it takes me a little while to get up to speed with this whole blogging world. So for now I'm just going to try this out and get back to you.

Thanks, Ed.

View more information about Ed Del Grande's House Call

books

Penguin Books

(View entire post here)

Ed Del Grande is our guest blogger during the week of June 25^th. Get some inside tips on home improvement and learn more about his book Ed Del Grande's House Call. If you have any questions for Ed, add a comment to any of his posts. Here is some brief information about Ed Del Grande's House Call:

The new bible of home improvement from America's go-to expert and DIY Network television star

On his popular television show on the DIY network, master contractor Ed Del Grande rolls up his sleeves with millions of viewers to teach them how to tackle home improvement projects with skill, confidence, and, most important, a good sense of humor. Now, he brings his expertise to the page in Ed Del Grande's House Call. Ed starts with the basics for all projects, big or small, and explains his essential rule: a house is a living machine. It can "tell" you when something is wrong, but only if you know how to listen. Then Ed arms you with the skills and knowledge you need to hear what your house has to say so you can make the "house call" yourself.