Dealbreakers

What are the must-have items you can’t live without when it comes to buying a new home?

CHIC (Pearl)

For me, it’s all about space. I need a big back yard for hosting BBQ parties and large gatherings. The house itself should have a spacious open floor plan to accommodate indoor celebrations and family events. And of course, I need enough closet and storage space to fit my wardrobe and accessories!

GEEK (Kevin)

I’m what you might call a “car guy” and a DIY tool man, so a big, wide, two-car garage is at the top of my wish list. A spacious kitchen is also a priority, for all those nights we spend experimenting with new recipes and breaking bread. And a well-insulated home can help save on heating and cooling costs.

Chic vs. Geek: DIY with the Geek!

Pandemic inflation has labor and material costs soaring, so the Geek decided we should build our own closet organizer. What are the pros and cons of doing it yourself?

CHIC (PEARL)

When it comes to home improvement, I’m a big fan of hiring professionals. After all, if you’ve invested your life in your home, you should want to get the job done right the first time. I’m lucky enough to live with the Geek, and he’s a pretty handy guy! But if you don't have your own wood shop, you can always order something custom from one local shop or another.

GEEK (KEVIN)

I knew this project wouldn’t be as easy as the show racks we saw in the store, but considering a custom closet would cost us $6,000-$7,000, I was ready to go DIY, and the Chic was willing to let me do my best. Of course, eight sheets of plywood ran us about $1,700 (twice as much as a year ago), so no matter who’s doing the work, it’s going to cost you a pretty penny.