Editorial Policy
The standards every HomeProjectBase guide has to meet: how we write, check facts, use AI tools and fix mistakes.
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Our editorial mission
HomeProjectBase exists to help homeowners make better decisions about tools, materials and equipment. Every article should leave a reader more able to choose, not just more aware of products. If a guide doesn’t help someone decide, it isn’t finished.
Who writes our content
HomeProjectBase research and editorial work is led by Neil Nadder, our Head of Research & Editorial, who has more than 10 years of experience in the home improvement industry. He oversees the research behind every guide and reviews content before it’s published.
Every article shows its author and a last-updated date. When guest contributors or expert reviewers join, their names, roles and credentials will appear on the articles they work on.
How we write
- For a specific reader. Each guide names who it’s for, such as a small household, a cold climate or a first-time DIYer.
- In plain language. We explain technical terms the first time we use them.
- Honest about trade-offs. Every recommendation says who it’s wrong for, not just who it’s right for.
- Without filler. We don’t pad articles to hit a word count.
Fact-checking and sourcing
Every specification, price, efficiency rating and safety claim is checked against a primary source before publishing: manufacturer documentation, ENERGY STAR, the AHRI directory, or the CPSC recall database. We link to those sources in the article.
Retailer listings and other review sites are never treated as the final word on a spec. Our full process is on the How We Research page.
Safety standards
Some home projects involve gas, electricity, structural work or permits. In those guides we follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions, flag when local codes or permits apply, and say plainly when a job should be done by a licensed plumber, electrician or HVAC technician.
We don’t publish workarounds that bypass safety features.
How we use AI
We use AI tools to help us work faster, but a person is responsible for every word we publish. AI never decides what we recommend.
What AI helps with
- Organizing research notes and comparing specification sheets
- Summarizing patterns across large numbers of owner reviews
- Building article outlines and first drafts
- Editing for clarity, grammar and readability
What AI never does on HomeProjectBase
- Pick or rank products
- Supply specs, prices or safety information we haven’t checked against a primary source
- Invent testing, personal experience or quotes
- Create images presented as real product photos
Every article is fact-checked, edited and approved by a human before it’s published, and the named author is accountable for its accuracy.
Corrections
We get things wrong sometimes. If you spot an error, email [email protected] with the page link and what’s wrong. We review every report within 3 business days.
When we confirm an error that changes a fact, recommendation or safety point, we fix it and add a short correction note at the end of the article saying what changed and when. Small fixes like typos are corrected without a note.
Updates and dates
Every article shows a “last updated” date. We change that date only when we’ve actually reviewed or changed the content, not to make a page look fresh. Guides are reviewed at least every six months, and sooner when a product is recalled, discontinued or replaced.
Independence
Our editorial decisions are separate from how we make money. Brands and retailers can’t pay for placement, influence rankings or review articles before publication. Read our affiliate disclosure for details.
Frequently asked questions
Does HomeProjectBase use AI to write articles?
Yes, as a tool. AI helps with research organization, outlines, drafts and editing, but every article is fact-checked, edited and approved by a person, and AI never picks or ranks products.
Who is responsible for HomeProjectBase content?
Every article has a named author who is accountable for its accuracy. Research and editorial work is led by Neil Nadder, Head of Research & Editorial, who has more than 10 years of experience in the home improvement industry.
How do I report an error on HomeProjectBase?
Email [email protected] with the page link and the issue. Every report is reviewed within 3 business days, and confirmed errors are corrected with a note when they change a fact or recommendation.
Does HomeProjectBase update old articles?
Yes. Guides are reviewed at least every six months, and the last-updated date changes only when the content has actually been reviewed or changed.
Can brands influence HomeProjectBase articles?
No. Brands and retailers can’t pay for placement, change rankings or review articles before they’re published.
