Home Show Strategies

The Handyguys — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:00:36 +0000

The Handyguys record from the floor of the Philadelphia Home Show.

We check out new products for DIYers at the Philadelphia home show. This show is similar to many around the country. Listen to the podcast for our impressions and then decide if you should go yourself or not.

This particular home show is mostly oriented to people looking for contractors. We looked hard for vendors that supply to DIYers but were not able to set-up time while we were there to do on air interviews.

One vendor, Rapid Refill, really wanted to get on the air so we relented, despite them not being home improvement oriented, and chatted with Art Mayo from Rapid Refill. Rapid Refill sells re-manufactured printer cartridges at a considerable savings over OEM cartridges. Rapid Refill has over 200 retail outlets. Find your local store at their website if you want to save on your printer cartridge or toner.

One of the visitors to our recording area was named Rory. We got to chatting and got into so many different home improvement topics we decided to sit him in front of a microphone and record the rest of the show. We talked with Rory about several things.

Motion sensing dusk to dawn lighting – Rory is having trouble with the lights coming on when they shouldn’t. The conversation regressed to just getting a big dog for security.
Paul then brings up doing crown molding, coping joints versus miter joints. Paul then recommends the book/angle finder versus coping.
Rory then asks for advice on his kitchen floor. The Handyguys talk about pros and cons of different flooring options for the kitchen and if Rory’s only vinyl needs to come out first.

That’s it – The general feeling is that if you are a hard core DIYer we recommend you check what vendors are going to be at the show before you go. These shows seem more oriented to people looking to hire contractors. Sure, you can get ideas for your next DIY project but don’t expect to come away with lots of sources and contacts for DIY supplies and products.

Related shows:

Philadelphia Home Show

The Handyguys — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 22:00:50 +0000

The Handyguys attend the Philadelphia Home Improvement Show

Today we attended the 2008 edition of the Philadelphia Home Show. The Home Show is probably coming to a city near you, so give it a Google search or look here. In this podcast, we review some of the products seen there, and we interview Tom Silva of This Old House! You may wonder what Tom Silva is doing talking to the Handyguys. Well Tom was very gracious to take a moment to talk to the Handyguys. You can check out the interview in this podcast.

The popular items at the Home Show are basement finishing, hardscaping, home organization (i.e. closets and garages), hardwood floors and home security. There were some fine vendors in these categories so check them out. We really like the following home solutions:

Hardwood Floors Direct

This company had amazing, high quality, solid wood flooring harvested from renewable forests around the world. They assured us that their samples are consistent with the actual product delivered to contractors or DIYers. In other words, some less than truthful flooring vendors will show you high quality showroom samples, but deliver low quality product. Hardwood Floors Direct gives you a product with long, high quality boards, not warped cut-offs. See www.hardwoodfloors-direct.com

EP Henry

Most of you know this as the company that makes concrete pavers for patios and walkways. But they also make fantastic stone veneer for siding or other applications. EP Henry had great display modeling their various hardscape products. See www.ephenry.com

Slide-Lok

If you want to organize your garage, then you may want to consider this product. Garage organization is a growing category of home improvement. The garage is no longer the junk room in your home. (Or at least it does not have to be.) Slide-lok can send you an innovative garage cabinet system that can be assembled by the DIYer. If you want to spruce up that garage, check out www.slide-lok.com

Ingrid

This company makes an easy to install security system for complete home security. The interesting aspect of this product is not only the ease of installation but that it is a no-gimmick system that really works. We will be keeping an eye on this company because it seems to make home-security so easy that you don’t need a handy-guy to install it. Check them out at www.ingridhome.com

Other than these fine companies, you will be sure to find the side-show vendors marketing their gee-wiz products for $9.99. But the Handyguys advise you to skip these vendors and go get yourself a great cheesesteak across the street at the Reading Market!

That’s it for now… check out the podcast!