This page describes how content on I’ll Just Fix It Myself is researched, written, and updated – including an honest note about how that has changed over the site’s history.
A little history, honestly
Much of this site’s original library was produced by freelance writers working with editors. Not all of it held up to the standard we want, so in 2026 we began substantially rewriting and re-fact-checking the library, guide by guide. Rewritten guides carry a short update note, and older guides are being worked through in order of usefulness to readers.
How guides are researched
Every guide published or updated under the current process follows these rules:
- Facts come from verifiable sources, cited inline. Manufacturer documentation and spec sheets first, then government and safety sources (CPSC, NFPA, EPA, DOE), standards bodies, and reputable publications – cited near the claims they support so you can check them yourself.
- Safety topics get extra sourcing. Guides touching fire, electrical, or chemical safety are held to a higher citation bar and include a specific “when to call a pro” section.
- No invented experience. We never claim testing, professional credentials, or hands-on experience that didn’t happen. Where the owner’s real DIY experience informs a judgment call, it’s framed as exactly that – one homeowner’s read, not a professional verdict.
- Independent review before publishing. Updated guides go through a separate fact-check pass in which cited sources are re-checked against the claims they support before the guide goes live.
How updates and dates work
Publish and modified dates on this site reflect real changes. We do not bump dates to look fresh: a guide’s modified date changes only when its content materially changes, and substantially rewritten guides say so in a short update note.
Corrections
If you spot something wrong, please contact us. Genuine errors get fixed in the guide itself, not buried.