Editorial Policy

This page explains the standards every Abodivo guide is held to before and after it publishes. For a plain-language walkthrough of the research process itself, see How We Research.

Source standards

We prioritize primary and authoritative sources: building codes and adopted standards, government agencies, manufacturer installation and product documentation, recognized standards and trade organizations, and established technical references. A source is chosen because it’s the entity actually responsible for the information -- a code body for a code requirement, a manufacturer for a product spec -- not because it ranks well in search. Every guide lists its real sources; we don’t cite a source we didn’t actually use.

Use of AI, and human oversight

Our research and drafting process uses AI assistance under human editorial oversight -- we’re upfront about this rather than presenting guides as if written by a large newsroom staff we don’t have. Every article goes through an automated accuracy and safety review, checked against its own cited sources, before it’s eligible to publish -- a guide that can’t back its claims with a real source doesn’t clear that review. We don’t claim an article was reviewed by a licensed professional or an industry expert unless that specifically happened; where it hasn’t, the guide doesn’t say otherwise.

Safety standards

Home-improvement work can involve real hazards -- electrical, structural, combustion, working at height, gas. Guides covering safety-critical topics are expected to say plainly when a step requires code compliance, a permit, or a licensed professional, rather than presenting every task as equally DIY-appropriate. See our Terms of Use for the full disclaimer on informational limits.

Keeping articles current

Codes, manufacturer specs, and pricing change. Guides carry a visible “Updated” date, and we revisit existing articles when we become aware a cited source, code reference, or figure is out of date -- not on an arbitrary schedule for its own sake. If you spot something outdated, incorrect, or a source that no longer resolves, see Corrections.

Corrections

We fix real errors when they’re found. See our Corrections Policy for how to report one.