About

I believe a well-maintained and comfortable home is the foundation for a happy life. That’s why I created The Home Concierge – a platform where I share my experiences and help others navigate the joys (and sometimes challenges) of homeownership.

My name is Chris Eitel, and I’m thrilled to welcome you to The Home Concierge. I’m a dedicated husband and father of two wonderful kids—a boy and a girl. We live in the suburbs of Chicago, where we’ve been transforming our nearly 100-year-old house since 2008. As a family, we love to travel, watch movies, swim, and spend quality time together at home with friends and family.

Our Journey as Homeowners

Homeownership is a rewarding but challenging journey. Take my first kitchen renovation, for example. With zero prior experience, I tackled a complete kitchen renovation, replacing the floor, refacing cabinets, and adding a pass-through between the kitchen and living room. It was a steep learning curve, filled with a few (okay, maybe more than a few) mistakes! But each project, from that first kitchen remodel to building our deck and creating a paver patio, has taught me valuable lessons.

Since then, we’ve fully renovated our basement bathroom and living areas, created a main floor master suite, installed a semi-inground swimming pool, and tackled countless other projects both big and small. Along the way, I relied heavily on YouTube videos and blogs, often having to piece together information from multiple sources to fully understand and execute each project.

Learning Curves and Valuable Lessons

Along the way, I became a master of the “YouTube University” experience, piecing together information from countless videos and blogs to get the job done. But I also learned that homeownership goes beyond renovations. It’s about the everyday tasks like cleaning windows (ugh!), changing furnace filters, and dealing with unexpected surprises – like the time I discovered grubs in my newly landscaped lawn!

For me, homeownership is about creating a happy, comfortable space for my family. It’s about enjoying life, whether that’s through grilling, gardening, or simply spending time together. While renovations and maintenance are important, so is taking time to relax, enjoy your home, and make memories with loved ones.

From DIY Enthusiast to Home Concierge

Over the years, I’ve become adept at planning and executing projects, keeping detailed notes and sketches to guide me. This habit of detailed record-keeping inspired me to create The Home Concierge. Here, I share my experiences and knowledge to help others avoid the mistakes I made and empower them to tackle their own homeownership adventures.

What You’ll Find on The Home Concierge

The Home Concierge covers a broad range of topics related to homeownership, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Here are the main sections you’ll find:

• Home Concierge: Practical tips for home maintenance and everyday tasks.
• DIY Concierge: Detailed guides on various DIY projects I’ve completed, from building a deck to installing a swimming pool.
• Tech Concierge: Technology-related topics for the home, including WiFi mesh networks, VLAN segregation, and remote speakers.
• Vacation Concierge: Travel planning tips and trip reports to help you plan your perfect getaway.
• Food Concierge: A collection of family recipes, ethnic dishes, and personal culinary creations.
• Drinki: My favorite drink recipes, especially island-inspired cocktails (because who doesn’t love a good vacation vibe at home?).
• Reviews: Honest reviews of software, products, and personal experiences.
• WIKIWS (What I Know Is Worth S#!t): A catchall for miscellaneous ideas, tips, and life experiences that might help or inspire you.

When you read this blog, my goal isn’t to be groundbreaking but to provide you with a better understanding of DIY projects and motivate you to start your own. Homeownership is more than just maintenance and projects—it’s about enjoying life and having fun. I hope The Home Concierge becomes a valuable resource and source of inspiration for you. Welcome, and happy home improving!