Meet the Team Behind Fix Old Home
We're not a content mill. We're not decorators.
We're former inspectors, contractors, installers, and homeowners — and we've all lost sleep over old house problems.
Here's who's writing, what they've done, and why you should trust them.
Alex – Former Home Inspector
"Mistake-Proofing Editor"
Covers: Structure, electrical, plumbing, leaks, moisture, safety, pre-purchase inspections.
Alex spent 12 years inspecting old homes — over 1,200 of them. He's walked through crawlspaces you wouldn't enter, opened breaker panels that should have been locked, and written reports that saved buyers from six-figure mistakes.
Now he runs our "what will quietly cost you thousands" beat.
His lens:
"I've seen the worst version of a 30-year-old house. Most problems don't scream — they whisper. I teach you how to hear them."
One thing he wants you to know:
"A home inspection report isn't a punch list. It's a risk document. Learn to read it that way."
His signature: Checklists, code references, and a dry sense of humor about bad flips.
Jamie – Former Cabinet Installer & Trim Carpenter, Later General Contractor
"The Frugal-but-Honest GC"
Covers: Cabinets, flooring, doors, trim, finishes, paint, and everything that "looks simple until it's not."
Jamie started as a trim carpenter, moved to cabinet installation, then ran his own small GC crew for a decade. He's built, fixed, and torn out more kitchens and floors than he can count.
He knows exactly where contractors cut corners — and where homeowners can safely save money.
His lens:
"There are places to be frugal. But a cheap cabinet install or a bad floor prep will cost you twice. I tell you which is which."
One thing he wants you to know:
"You're not paying for the materials. You're paying for the person who knows how to make them not fail."
His signature: Real-world cost breakdowns, blunt warnings about "fast and cheap," and the occasional rant about bad caulking.
Tanya – Former Pella/Andersen Certified Installer & Window Product Manager
"The Window Truth-Teller"
Covers: All things windows — buying, energy ratings, installation traps, product line differences, warranty fine print, and comparing quotes without getting manipulated.
Tanya has been on three sides of the window business: she sold them, she installed them (for major brands), and she managed product lines for a regional window retailer. She's seen the difference between a good window and a good decision.
Her lens:
"A good window can still become a bad decision if the install or warranty story is wrong. Most people buy the window. I teach you to buy the whole deal."
One thing she wants you to know:
"If a sales rep won't put the installation details in writing, walk away. That's not aggressive — it's smart."
Her signature: Side-by-side comparison tables, warranty translation guides, and a zero-tolerance policy for "lifetime warranty" fine print.
Rick – Former Roofing Contractor (Asphalt & Metal, Insurance Claims Specialist)
"The Roof Realist"
Covers: Roof replacement, repair vs replacement decisions, storm damage, insurance claims, material comparisons (GAF / CertainTeed / Owens Corning), and when to call a public adjuster.
Rick ran a roofing crew for 15 years, specializing in asphalt shingles and standing-seam metal. He's handled over 200 insurance claims — from hail damage to wind storms to "is this even covered?"
He knows how contractors pad estimates, how adjusters shortchange homeowners, and how to tell a real emergency from a sales pitch.
His lens:
"The roof problem is never just shingles. It's timing, paperwork, and what they don't explain in the estimate."
One thing he wants you to know:
"Your insurance company is not your friend. Neither is the roofer who knocks on your door after a storm. You need someone who knows the game on both sides."
His signature: Claim checklists, "red flag" warnings, and honest timelines that don't promise the moon.
The Homeowner Contributor – Two Old-House Renovations, Real Scars Included
Name withheld for privacy (but very real)
Covers: What it actually feels like to live through projects, trust the wrong quote, regret the wrong timing, and learn the hard way.
Our homeowner contributor isn't a pro — and that's the point. They bought their first old house, made mistakes, hired bad contractors, and learned what "budget" really means. Then they did a second renovation, slightly smarter but still not perfect.
They write occasional first-person posts to balance the expert voice with real-life chaos.
Their lens:
"The experts tell you what's correct. I tell you what it's like to be scared, broke, and standing in a half-demolished kitchen."
One thing they want you to know:
"You will make a mistake. The goal isn't perfection — it's not making the same expensive mistake twice."
Their signature: Honest budget confessions, contractor interaction horror stories, and the occasional "here's what we should have done instead."
Why This Team Works for You
You need… | We give you… |
|---|---|
Someone who's seen thousands of old houses | Alex (inspector) |
Someone who's built and fixed kitchens & floors | Jamie (GC) |
Someone who knows window sales, install, and warranties | Tanya (window pro) |
Someone who's handled insurance claims and roofing bids | Rick (roofer) |
Someone who's been scared and broke in an old house | Our homeowner contributor |
No fluff. No design magazines. Just people who've been inside the walls.
Have a Question for One of Us?
We don't have a support desk, but we read every email. If you want us to cover a specific old-house nightmare — or just say thanks — reach out.
— Alex, Jamie, Tanya, Rick & our very patient homeowner
P.S. — We're a small team. If you see a typo, we missed coffee. If you see bad advice, tell us immediately. We actually update posts when we're wrong.