The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board Guide

If you’ve ever stood in the plumbing aisle, staring at 14 different types of pipe fittings while frantically Googling “how not to flood my house,” you already know: good home improvement advice is priceless. Bad advice, on the other hand, is what leads to sagging decks, tripped breakers, and that mysterious drip you swear is getting louder at 2 a.m.

That’s exactly the gap The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board is designed to close. Behind the how-tos and project ideas on The Spruce is a team of licensed pros whose job is to make sure the information you’re reading isn’t just friendly and inspiring, but also technically sound, safe, and up to date. Think of the Review Board as the building inspector for the site’s content: checking the structure, verifying the details, and catching problems before they ever reach your screen.

What Is The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board?

The Spruce is a Dotdash Meredith brand focused on practical, real-life advice for creating your best home, with millions of readers turning to it each month for decorating ideas, gardening tips, cleaning strategies, andof coursehome improvement projects. The Home Improvement Review Board sits inside that ecosystem as a specialized quality-control team dedicated to anything involving tools, materials, systems, or structural changes in your home.

According to The Spruce’s description of the board, it was created because DIYers often encounter conflicting, confusing, or incomplete instructions online. The Review Board’s mission is to provide well-researched, fact-checked guidance so that when you follow a tutorial on wiring a light fixture or repairing drywall, you’re working from information vetted by people who actually do this work for a living.

The board also supports The Spruce’s broader editorial standards, which emphasize accuracy, independence, fact-checking, and clear corrections when something changes or needs updating. In other words, the Review Board is one of the ways the site turns those big promises about quality into everyday reality for readers.

Who’s on the Board? Meet the Pros Behind the Pages

The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board isn’t made up of generic “content reviewers.” It’s stacked with licensed, working professionals:

Licensed general and specialty contractors who understand everything from framing and roofing to full-scale renovations.
Journeyman electricians who live and breathe circuits, loads, codes, and safety requirements.
Journeyman plumbers who know the difference between a simple trap replacement and a “call your city inspector” situation.

These experts bring real-world experience with residential and commercial projects: new wiring, service upgrades, kitchen and bath remodels, hot water and heating systems, and more. The Spruce notes that members are selected not only for their credentials and years in the field, but also for their ability to explain complex concepts clearly. That’s why the articles tend to feel accessible even when they’re dealing with intimidating topics like subpanels or load-bearing walls.

In other words, these are the people you’d love to corner at a backyard barbecue and ask, “Okay, be honest: is it a terrible idea if I try to move this wall myself?”

What Kinds of Topics Does the Board Review?

The board focuses on the full spectrum of home improvement categories available on The Spruce’s site. You’ll see their influence across:

Painting and surface prep – primers, finishes, moisture concerns, and proper prep steps.
Kitchen projects – from swaps like new faucets and lighting to more complex updates involving wiring, ventilation, or cabinetry.
Bathroom upgrades – ventilation, waterproofing, tile, plumbing fixtures, and safety considerations.
Interior remodeling – moving walls, adding doors, modifying layouts, and understanding structural implications.
Exterior projects – siding repairs, roofing basics, decks, porches, and outdoor structures.
Outdoor building and home services – sheds, fences, HVAC basics, electrical panels, and routine maintenance.
Green improvements – energy-efficient upgrades, insulation, and eco-friendly building choices.

If a project involves systems, safety, or any chance of turning your weekend into an emergency call to a tradesperson, there’s a good chance the Home Improvement Review Board has eyes on the guidance before it’s published or as it’s updated over time.

How the Review Process Actually Works

Behind a polished how-to article is a fairly structured content pipeline. While specifics vary by topic, The Spruce describes a consistent review lifecycle for home improvement content:

An expert writer drafts the article. Many home improvement pieces are created by writers with hands-on experiencecontractors, tradespeople, or long-time DIYers who know the work, not just the words.
The editorial team assigns a Review Board member. Based on the subjectsay, an outlet installation, a faucet replacement, or a deck repairthe article is routed to the board member whose expertise best matches the topic.
The board member reviews for technical accuracy. They read the piece line-by-line, checking the steps, verifying terminology, and flagging anything that might be unsafe, incomplete, or misleading. This is where things like local code considerations, permit red flags, or safety precautions get refined and reinforced.
Facts are checked and clarified. Measurements, tool lists, required materials, and safety warnings are all scrutinized. The reviewer may add notes such as “turn off power at the breaker panel,” “check with your local building department,” or “use GFCI protection in wet areas.”
The editorial team polishes for clarity and readability. After technical revisions, editors refine the language, headings, and flow so the article is easy to follow for non-pro readers.
The article gets a review badge. Articles that have been vetted by the board display a visual indicator or badge so readers can quickly tell that a licensed expert has reviewed the content for accuracy and currency.

That combinationfield-tested expertise plus professional editingis what helps keep the instructions accessible without oversimplifying critical safety details.

How The Spruce Fits Into the Home Improvement Media Landscape

The Spruce isn’t the only name in home improvement advice, but it operates in good company. Longstanding brands like This Old House, Bob Vila, and Family Handyman all emphasize expert-backed guidance, thorough research, and editorial standards that separate them from random message board advice.

For example, This Old House positions itself as “America’s most trusted home experts,” pairing on-site pros with a reviews team that digs into products and services using research, homeowner feedback, and expert interviews. Family Handyman highlights its editors’ backgrounds as builders, remodelers, and DIYers, and it publishes editorial policies about accuracy, safety, and practical, step-by-step projects. BobVila.com describes its mission as being a “complete toolbox” of inspiration and detailed instructions, grounded in decades of home-improvement experience.

The Spruce’s Home Improvement Review Board sits squarely in this tradition but leans heavily into a digital-first model built around searchable how-tos, real-time updates, and a clear review-badge system. That’s particularly useful for readers who google a specific problem (like “replace bathroom fan” or “how to repair a sagging fence gate”) and land directly on a single step-by-step guide. The review board helps ensure that what they find is both friendly and technically sound.

Badges, Labels, and Other Ways to Spot Reviewed Content

When you’re scanning a page quickly, you don’t want to open the HTML and reverse-engineer whether the piece has been vetted. The Spruce makes it easier with a couple of visual and textual cues:

Review Board badge or label. The site uses badges to signal that a board member has reviewed and edited the article, taking care to confirm accuracy and timeliness.
“Reviewed by” or “Fact checked by” lines. Many home improvement articles include a byline for the author and a separate line noting the reviewer or expert who verified the information.
Publication and update dates. Because building codes, safety standards, and best practices evolve, The Spruce surfaces update dates so readers can see that projects are regularly revisited.
The Spruce Approved and review-board references. For some content, particularly product-focused pieces, The Spruce uses “Approved” or similar seals to signal that an item, method, or recommendation has gone through an additional layer of testing or expert review.

As a rule of thumb, if you see a review badge plus a recent update date, you’re looking at a piece that’s going through a living, ongoing quality-control processnot something that was posted once and forgotten.

Where Product Reviews and Buying Guides Fit In

Not all home improvement decisions are about how to do a project; many are about what to buy. The Spruce also publishes buying guides and product roundups for tools, materials, fixtures, and services. These are supported by a commerce and research team that sets criteria for each category, gathers data, and weights different factorslike durability, price, availability, and warrantybefore ranking products.

While those guides follow their own methodology, they’re aligned with the same editorial values as the Home Improvement Review Board: independence, thorough research, and expert input. In many cases, testing insights and expert interviews feed back into how-to content and vice versa. That means readers not only learn how to replace a faucet, but also get guidance on which faucet might be a smart pick for their budget and skill level.

This ecosystem approachclear how-tos, expert review, and structured product evaluationhelps homeowners avoid two common pitfalls: overspending on gear they don’t need or underinvesting in critical components (like safety-rated hardware, proper fasteners, or certified electrical devices).

Why a Home Improvement Review Board Matters for Real People

It’s easy to assume that a small mistake in a DIY project is no big deal. In reality, poor advice can show up later as:

A deck that doesn’t meet load requirements.
A “simple” wiring shortcut that creates a fire risk.
Improperly vented fans leading to mold in the attic.
Hidden water leaks from mis-installed fixtures.

By putting licensed contractors, electricians, and plumbers in charge of vetting the technical side of content, The Spruce is trying to reduce those risks. For everyday readers, that translates into:

Safer projects. Emphasis on proper PPE, code-aware practices, and realistic skill assessments.
Fewer expensive mistakes. Clear warnings about when you can DIY and when you really should call in a pro.
More confidence. Knowing that a real expert has checked the instructions makes it easier to startand finishthe project.
Better long-term outcomes. Projects that are done correctly the first time last longer, perform better, and add more value to your home.

The board doesn’t replace your local building inspector or tradesperson, but it does significantly raise the floor on the quality of advice you encounter when you search for help online.

Limitations and Smart Ways to Use Reviewed Content

Even the best-reviewed article can’t see inside your walls or know your local building amendments. That’s why it’s smart to treat The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board as a powerful tool, not a universal permission slip.

A few practical guidelines:

Always check local codes. If the project touches structural elements, gas lines, electrical systems, or major plumbing, confirm local rules before you start.
Be honest about your skill level. Review-board content will often point out when a project may be advanced or risky for beginners. Take those flags seriously.
Use the content to vet pros. Even if you’re hiring out the work, reviewed articles can help you ask smarter questions and understand whether a quote or approach makes sense.
Pair articles with manufacturer instructions. Use the guide to understand the big picture and your product’s manual for specific installation requirements.

When you combine vetted online guidance with local regulations and common sense, you end up with the best of all worlds: accessible information, expert oversight, and a home that’s safer, more comfortable, and more valuable.

How Homeowners Actually Use the Review Board (Experiences & Scenarios)

So what does all of this look like in real life, beyond badges and mission statements? Let’s walk through a few realistic scenarios that show how a resource like The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board can shape the way people plan and execute projects.

Scenario 1: The “I Can Totally Move This Wall” Moment

Alex just bought an older house with a cramped kitchen and dreams of an airy, open layout. A friend casually says, “Just take down that wallit’ll open it right up.” Before grabbing a sledgehammer, Alex lands on a Spruce article about removing interior walls, clearly marked as reviewed by a contractor.

The guide explains the difference between load-bearing and non-load-bearing walls, when to bring in a structural engineer, and why cutting through hidden plumbing or electrical can turn a weekend project into a multi-thousand-dollar repair. It also notes that permits are often required for structural changes.

Instead of swinging blindly, Alex:

Uses the article’s checklist to gather information about the wall.
Calls the local building department, just as the article suggests.
Decides to hire a pro for the structural work while handling demo and finishing tasks personally.

The Review Board didn’t tell Alex “no.” It just provided enough context for a smart “yes, but here’s how to do it safely.”

Scenario 2: The Small Electrical Project That Wasn’t So Small

Priya wants to replace a dated light fixture in the dining room. It seems simple enoughunscrew the old one, connect a few wires, call it a day. But the article she finds on The Spruce, reviewed by a journeyman electrician, highlights several essential steps she hadn’t considered:

Shutting off power at the breaker, not just the switch.
Confirming the electrical box is rated to support the new fixture’s weight.
Checking that the circuit is properly grounded and not overloaded.

Halfway through reading, Priya realizes her older home still has mixed wiring and no clear labeling on the breaker panel. The article notes that in these cases, calling an electrician is often the safest route. She decides to have a pro update the box and install the fixture, but she still uses the article to understand what the electrician is doing and to ask better questions.

That’s a win: the Review Board’s guidance helps her avoid a dangerous DIY experiment while still feeling involved in the project.

Scenario 3: The “Cheap Now, Expensive Later” Deck Repair

Marcus notices a few wobbly railings and loose boards on his deck. A quick search brings up a Spruce guide on deck repairs, reviewed by a contractor with outdoor building experience. The article is clear: loose fasteners, rotted posts, and unstable railings are safety issues, not cosmetic quirks.

Marcus had planned to simply sink longer screws into the wobbly posts. But the reviewed guide explains:

How to inspect for rot, not just loose hardware.
Why stair railings and guardrails have specific height and load requirements.
When patch repairs are fine and when sections need to be rebuilt or replaced.

Instead of a quick “good enough” fix, he spends a little extra time and money replacing compromised posts and hardware to bring the deck closer to current safety guidelines. The article doesn’t just save him from a janky railingit protects his friends and family who use the deck.

Scenario 4: Planning a Full Renovation With Less Guesswork

Finally, imagine Dana, who’s planning a multi-room renovation over the next few years. She uses The Spruce’s home improvement library and review-board-backed articles as a planning tool:

Reading step-by-step guides to understand the logical order of tasks (demo, rough-ins, inspections, finishes).
Using maintenance and upgrade articles to decide what she can realistically DIY and where she’ll need licensed help.
Combining how-tos with product guides to budget for materials, fixtures, and tools.

The Review Board’s presence means she isn’t just collecting random Pinterest ideas; she’s building a plan based on vetted processes and realistic expectations. When the project starts, she’s not blindsided by things like electrical rough-in requirements, ventilation rules, or inspection timelines.

In each of these scenarios, the Spruce Home Improvement Review Board works in the backgroundshaping the articles, framing the warnings, and clarifying the stepsso readers can make better decisions. You might never meet the contractors, electricians, or plumbers behind the screen, but you absolutely feel the difference between instructions that are merely clever and instructions that are genuinely trustworthy.

Conclusion: Turning “I Hope This Works” Into “I’ve Got a Plan”

Home improvement will probably always involve a little dust, a little noise, and the occasional “Why did I think this would be fun?” moment. But it doesn’t have to involve guesswork about safety, structure, or basic best practices.

The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board exists to make sure that when you search for help, you’re getting more than just nicely formatted instructionsyou’re getting guidance checked by licensed pros who live with the consequences of getting this stuff right or wrong. Paired with your local codes, your own honest assessment of your skills, and a willingness to call a pro when a project crosses the line, it’s a powerful ally in turning your house into the home you actually want to live in.