Meet the Experts: Your Trusted Guides for Home Improvement

At Family Handyman, we believe in empowering homeowners with the knowledge and skills they need to tackle home improvement projects with confidence. We’ve assembled a team of experienced professionals who are passionate about sharing their expertise. Get to know our experts below and discover a wealth of helpful articles, tips, and advice.

John Williamson: Master Electrician

John Williamson is a licensed master electrician and a certified building official with an impressive 45 years of experience in the electrical field. He’s served as an electrician, inspector, instructor, and administrator. For three decades, John has also been a trusted consultant and writer for electrical DIY projects, contributing to books, magazines, and digital publications.

Since retiring as the Chief Electrical Inspector for the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry in 2021, John has been thoroughly enjoying his own ongoing list of workshop and DIY projects.

Explore John’s Electrical Expertise:

• Watts, Volts, Amps and Ohms Explained
• A Quick Guide to Outdoor and Garage Receptacles
• Electrical Panels In A Bathroom

Susan Martin: Gardening Enthusiast

Susan Martin is a lifelong gardener with a deep passion for plants, gardening, and the business of horticulture. She’s dedicated over twenty years to the horticulture industry, working on new plant development, garden design, sales, marketing, and consulting.

Her home garden has welcomed visitors from around the world and has been featured in numerous gardening publications. Susan’s goal is to inspire and educate people every day about the joys of gardening.

Discover Susan’s Gardening Tips:

• Best Perennials That Bloom Year After Year
• How To Overwinter Geraniums
• What To Know About Sandy Soil for Your Garden
• Can I Replant Potted Bulbs?

Katie Dohman: Home & Design Writer

Katie Dohman is an award-winning freelance writer with over 15 years of experience covering home, design, and lifestyle topics. She enjoys sharing the latest home products and trends and has a vast knowledge of design to draw upon.

Currently, Katie and her architect husband are renovating their 1921 French Revival home. Their goal? To transform it into a unique and stylish space.

Get Inspired by Katie’s Design Insights:

• Best Spa Bathroom Ideas and Designs
• Favorite Décor Trends from Every Decade Since 1920
• Best Pendant Light Fixtures for Your Home
• Best Area Rugs for Hardwood Floors

Chris Deziel: Carpentry & Home Improvement Specialist

After earning a physics degree, Chris Deziel shifted gears and pursued a career in home remodeling and landscaping. He spent over thirty years honing his skills in carpentry, cabinetry, and furniture refinishing. He gained valuable experience constructing a small city in the Oregon desert.

Chris transitioned his passion for building and home maintenance into a writing career, contributing to thousands of articles since 2010. He’s currently transforming his off-grid California property into a dedicated solar homestead.

Learn from Chris’s Carpentry and DIY Knowledge:

• Best Sanders for Wood Projects
• Laminate vs. Vinyl Flooring: How to Choose
• Types of Drills and How to Use Them
• Stainless Steel Alternatives for DIYers

Dan Stout: DIY and Building Expert

Dan Stout is a former residential remodeler, commercial site supervisor, and maintenance manager. He is now a freelance writer and author. He brings experience from nearly all aspects of building and DIY. This includes project planning, permitting, plumbing, basic electric, drywall, carpentry, tiling, and painting.

Dan also writes noir fantasy thrillers, including the book “The Carter Archives” published by Penguin.

Explore Dan’s DIY and Building Articles:

• The Best Riding Lawn Mowers of 2022
• What Is Air Balancing and How Is It Done?
• Drywall Anchors: What To Know Before You Buy
• The Best Backpack Leaf Blowers

Joe Churchill: Turf Specialist

Joe Churchill is a Turf Specialist who works with individuals involved in growing grass professionally, from lawn care providers to professional sports turf managers. He enjoys the challenge of helping others achieve lawn care success.

When he’s not focused on grass, Joe enjoys spending time outdoors, especially climbing rocks along Lake Superior’s North Shore.

Get Joe’s Lawn Care Advice:

• Seasonal Lawn Care Schedule
• Best Lawn Aerators
• How, When and Why to Overseed Your Lawn
• What Is Grass Rust and How Do I Get Rid of It?

Karuna Eberl: Outdoors & Nature Writer

Karuna Eberl is a writer and indie film producer who covers the outdoors and nature aspects of DIY. She explores wildlife, green living, travel, and gardening topics. Karuna also writes the Eleven Percent column for FH, which focuses on women in the construction industry.

Currently, Karuna and her husband are renovating an abandoned house in rural Colorado. You’ll find them hiking, traveling, and camping in their converted van when they’re not working.

Explore Karuna’s Insights on Nature and Green Living:

• How To Make Your Fence Wildlife Friendly
• If You See a Wavy Brick Wall, This is What It Means
• The Eleven Percent: Meet Judaline Cassidy, Professional Plumber
• Best New Outdoor Living Products

Bob Lacivita: Automotive Technician

Bob Lacivita has been an ASE Master Automotive Technician since 1978. He was a General Motors Master Technician for 21 years before moving into technical and career education. As an automotive teacher and administrator, he helped prepare the next generation of automotive professionals.

Bob has also been part of the Family Handyman team since the 1990s. He has made contributions to the magazine as well as the book “Simple Car Care & Repair.”

Read Bob’s Automotive Tips:

• What Is Car Smog and How Do I Get It Checked?
• What Is the Fluid Leaking From My Car?
• Why Is My Car Not Accelerating Properly?
• Best Tire Changing Tools

Scott Flint: Appliance Repair Specialist

Scott Flint, also known as The Fix-It Guy, is a professional appliance repair technician with over 30 years of experience. He empowers homeowners to confidently complete appliance repairs through his popular YouTube Channel and FH.com content.

Scott is also a 9th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate and a longtime martial arts teacher and author. He’s known for his calm and straightforward approach, making complex repairs easy to understand.

Explore Scott’s Appliance Repair Guides:

• Why Bathroom Mats Shouldn’t Go in Your Washer
• 5 Minute Fix for a Dishwasher That Won’t Drain
• How To Replace the Heating Element in an Electric Oven
• How To Fix a Dryer That Doesn’t Dry Clothes

We hope you enjoy exploring the expertise of our contributors. Family Handyman is committed to providing you with reliable and informative content to help you achieve your home improvement goals. Happy DIY-ing!