Ad-free. Influence-free. Powered by consumers.
Skip to Main ContentThe payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us.
Re-activateHowcast.com presents a wide-ranging array of 100,000 instructional videos provided by aspiring home-improvement experts, whose enthusiasm sometimes outpaces their subject knowledge and video skills; established home-improvement experts seeking a wider audience; and major retailers and service providers.
You might be intrigued by how-tos on surviving a bear attack and kissing like Angelina Jolie might be of interest, but if you're a dedicated DIYer looking for some home-related advice, check out the site's Home Improvement & Gardening Videos category. (We have not tested how-tos on the site so we can't speak to their safety or effectiveness.)Instructions for installing toilets—see our latest report on and ratings of toilets (available to subscribers)—and freezing foods are well detailed, as is an article on troubleshooting a garage-door opener. Content partners such as Home Depot and Ace Hardware provide videos on using interior paints, and ServiceMagic.com offers pieces on painting siding and repairing drywall. (See our latest report on interior paint.)
Some videos can be enervating more than engaging. One piece on stripping paint starts out as exciting as, well, watching paint dry. It's only after six minutes that the producer reveals his secret: heating paint-encrusted hardware overnight in a pot full of soap and water.
Among the other nifty features in the videos are clickable bookmarks, which let you mouse over a point and jump to the step in a process and extensive guides to storyboarding a video and merging them with text instructions, something done well by Instructables.com, a similar how-to site we've profiled.
The site's contributors also do a good job combining their videos into playlists, such as the Get Your Grill On special, and wikis that meld text and video instructions, including advice for boosting home security and painting kitchen cabinets.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums | Facebook
Essential information: We've added our own appliance and home-and-garden videos, blogs, and articles to our remodeled Kitchen-Planning Guide.
Build & Buy Car Buying Service
Save thousands off MSRP with upfront dealer pricing information and a transparent car buying experience.
Get Ratings on the go and compare
while you shop
