# Easy Weekend Home Upgrades + Contractor Secrets + John Grisham’s Farmhouse

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/this-old-house-radio-hour-7435754/easy-weekend-home-upgrades-contractor-secrets-john-grisham-s-farmhouse
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/this-old-house-radio-hour-7435754/easy-weekend-home-upgrades-contractor-secrets-john-grisham-s-farmhouse.md
Podcast: [This Old House Radio Hour](https://stenobird.com/podcast/this-old-house-radio-hour-7435754)
Published: 2026-01-27T08:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://pdrl.fm/53c558/pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/americanpublicmedia/podcasts/this_old_house_radio_hour/episodes/2026/01/27/thisoldhouseradiohour_45_20260127_128.mp3?awCollectionId=apm-TOHRH&awEpisodeId=01KFNM62K53GX31D114QER1H8X
Audio file: https://pdrl.fm/53c558/pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/americanpublicmedia/podcasts/this_old_house_radio_hour/episodes/2026/01/27/thisoldhouseradiohour_45_20260127_128.mp3?awCollectionId=apm-TOHRH&awEpisodeId=01KFNM62K53GX31D114QER1H8X
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/this-old-house-radio-hour-7435754/episodes/easy-weekend-home-upgrades-contractor-secrets-john-grisham-s-farmhouse
Duration seconds: 3079

## Resource

If your home feels a little tired after the holidays, we’ve packed this episode with fast, budget-friendly upgrades you can tackle in a single weekend—from smart lighting tricks and warm color temperatures to simple layering that instantly makes rooms feel brighter, calmer, and more put-together. In Contractor Confidential, we break down how to handle unfinished renovation details, manage a punch list, and follow up with a contractor without awkward conversations or surprise costs. Plus, bestselling author John Grisham takes us inside his 200-year-old Virginia farmhouse, sharing the daily writing rituals, quiet workspaces, and deep family history that make “the big yellow house” a true home. In this episode you will learn: * Tell the difference between harmless ceiling cracks from normal house movement and cracks that mean it’s time to call a contractor. (7:36) * Understand what low levels of asbestos under old tile actually mean, and when it’s a real health concern versus unnecessary worry. (14:11) * Why contractors often recommend full window replacement for a rotten sill—and what smaller, less expensive repair options may still exist. (18:20) * The right order to prime and patch plaster walls before painting over wallpaper, so you don’t end up with bubbling or peeling paint. (26:11) All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

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## Transcript

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