Field notes

Blog

Tips, guides, and insights to help you master your DIY projects.

Ian MacCallum

Ian MacCallum

Sep 16, 20269 min read
Roundups

The best apps to track home maintenance schedules in 2026

The best apps for tracking home maintenance schedules, compared on reminders, forecasts, and the feature most apps skip: syncing to the calendar you check.

Read more →
Ian MacCallum

Ian MacCallum

Aug 12, 20268 min read
Roundups

Best free home maintenance apps in 2026: where free holds up

Which home maintenance apps are actually free in 2026? The free tiers of DIYProject.ai, Dwellin, HomeZada, Homer, Dwellable and HomeKeep, and the catch in each.

Read more →
Ian MacCallum

Ian MacCallum

Aug 10, 20269 min read
Roundups

The best DIY and home improvement Facebook groups in 2026

Seven active Facebook groups where DIYers get real answers, how to post a question that gets fixed, and the jobs where crowd advice will cost you money.

Read more →
Ian MacCallum

Ian MacCallum

Jul 14, 20268 min read
Roundups

The 10 best DIY apps for home improvement in 2026

The best DIY apps for home improvement in 2026: ten honest picks for project planning, measuring, 3D design, cut lists, home records, and home maintenance.

Read more →
Ian MacCallum

Ian MacCallum

Jan 15, 20255 min read
Guides

How to make money from DIY projects

Turn your DIY skills into a profitable side hustle or full-time business: how to price your work, find clients, and grow your earnings without burning out.

Read more →
Ian MacCallum

Ian MacCallum

Jan 12, 20257 min read
Guides

How to stay organized when DIY-ing

Organization strategies that keep your DIY projects on track, on budget, and stress-free, from the first plan and shopping list through the final cleanup.

Read more →

Use this on a project

Build a deck

Start a project

What are you building?

Pick one for a step-by-step plan with tools, materials and costs, or tell us in your own words.