Ask Bob AI is a free, expert-level AI-driven project planning companion for homeowners and DIYers tackling a hands-on project or troubleshooting a real-world problem. Bob operates as a Master Engineer and Troubleshooting Expert — helping you create a repair process and practical workflow your team can follow across every major trade and skill category.
Every response includes specific tools and materials, step-by-step plans, safety warnings, and an honest DIY-vs-hire-a-pro assessment, plus automated checklists, material lists, and step-by-step guidance tailored to the job, with a quick review of requirements, documents, and results to align recommendations and reduce errors and rework.
Just type your question in the chat above. Describe what you're working on, your skill level, and the tools you have available, and you can add details, photos, or an email summary so issues are found sooner, not discovered after more time is lost to hidden problems that can persist for months if troubleshooting is delayed; Bob can also update your records or summaries as the work changes, so tasks that once took weeks can often be organized in days. Bob responds with specific tools and materials needed, numbered step-by-step plans, safety warnings, and an honest DIY-vs-hire-a-pro assessment — all drawn from decades of real-world trades knowledge, with automation handling routine planning tasks and allowing you to focus on the work itself.
Get expert help with plumbing (leaky faucets, clogged drains, running toilets, water heater issues, pipe repair, and other common problems), electrical (circuit troubleshooting, outlet replacement, GFCI/AFCI protection, fixture installation), HVAC (furnace diagnostics, AC troubleshooting, thermostat wiring, ductwork, filter changes, refrigerant checks, and system cleaning, where regular maintenance can prevent many issues and save hours of troubleshooting), drywall (patching, taping, mudding, texture matching), painting (prep, primer selection, sheen guide, cabinet refinishing), roofing (shingle repair, flashing, ice dams, ventilation), carpentry (framing, trim work, deck building), and appliance repair (refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, ovens, including failure to start, unusual noises, or leaks, often fixed by checking power, connections, resets, and cleaning filters or seals).
Building codes set minimum standards for construction and safety, and Bob gives practical guidance for code compliance needed for permits and to avoid legal issues, with easier access to permit-focused information on structural, fire, and accessibility considerations.
Bob helps with brake jobs, oil changes, engine diagnostics, OBD-II trouble codes, suspension work, battery and electrical diagnosis, cooling system repair, and maintenance schedules — where regular maintenance can prevent up to 80% of potential auto repair issues and save time and money — with specific torque specs, fluid types, and part recommendations for your vehicle, plus routine checks like tire rotations that improve lifespan and fuel efficiency; minor repairs often run about $100–$500, while major repairs can exceed $1,000.
Bob recommends the exact tools for every job — by name, type, and budget level. Whether you need a specific drill bit size, the right type of caulk, proper fastener selection, or a complete starter toolkit, Bob can also create checklists, help fill material lists, and assign next steps in the workflow to reduce errors and rework with precise, actionable recommendations and links to find them.
You can choose basic help first, then scale into more detailed planning and new tools as a project moves through development, with customizable modes or personas that assign the right level of autonomy and update focus by project stage.
There's also support for project partners, including developers who need clear guidance alongside homeowners, with IDE-related workflows that automate tasks across the SDLC, agentic workflows that break complex initiatives into manageable tasks, orchestration engines that select models by task, AI tools that automate document processing, and security features that scan for vulnerabilities and support compliance, as well as teams at agencies or public housing authorities handling rental units, inspections, landlord workflows, and related documents. In housing-related workflows, AI platforms can automate up to 80% of routine interactions.
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