You can save lots of money by tackling home improvement projects on your own. Many projects can be successfully completed by anyone with the right knowledge and tools. This article should help you accomplish just that.
Just a minor improvement to your home can significantly increase its value. If you’re looking to sell your house, then consider doing one or two small things. One easy way is to apply new paint to the interior and exterior of your home. Something as simple as this, which costs you only one or two hundred dollars, can increase the value by nearly one thousand dollars!
If you are purchasing a house, have your home inspected by a professional. You will not have to depend on your own judgement and what the seller is trying to tell you. Enlisting a professional inspector who does not have a stake in the sale is a smart method of keeping things honest.
An over-the-range microwave is a great way to save space in an already cramped kitchen. You can find these type of microwave ovens in a variety of prices. Many of them have special features like convection cooking. Many of these units feature a filter rather than outdoor venting, so they are better suited to situations that don’t require extreme ventilation.
Keep your air conditioning filters clean. If it is backed up, the AC unit will need to work that much harder. The unit might also end up running much longer than it ought to. Change your filter on a regular basis; monthly is ideal.
A touch of spackle and a little paint will freshen up walls that look the worse for wear due to lots of nail and hanger holes. All home improvement stores sell spackle. Assuming the holes aren’t terribly large, it shouldn’t take much spackle. Use a pin to spackle the really small holes. Once the spackle dries, smooth over the hole with something rigid (like a credit card) so the wall is smooth. Paint the walls. This will completely transform the look of your wall.
Insulate your home for your next project. Put weather stripping on the windows and doors. You can cut costs when you prevent air from escaping and coming in your home. This will help you keep your bills down.
Talk to a professional before attempting any serious or complicated projects. The small cost of an initial consultation will seem nominal when compared to the costs of having a preventable mishap repaired. Without speaking with a professional prior to making home improvements, you may really mess things up.
It’s important to have fun when doing any type of home improvement. It is vital that you are seriously careful when you are working, but you should also be having fun. Mistakes are more probable if you are not enjoying your work. You may want to hire professional help if this happens to you.
While wood fireplaces can keep your house toasty warm, consider other heating sources first. They certainly look nice, but they aren’t very energy efficient, as the structure of the fireplace ensures high heat loss through the chimney. What’s more, fire is oxygen hungry, which means the amount and quality of breathable air in your home will be diminished.
Compile a list of all the things you need before going to the tool store. A list of everything you will need will keep you from taking multiple trips. It will also keep you better organized.
A home’s basement typically has very little natural light, if any at all. Plan the artificial lighting in the basement of your home well if you want it to be usable. Does your basement have walls that come up from ground level? You might be able to put windows in this area if this is the case.
Whenever you paint or stain an object made of wood, you should begin by sandpapering the surface in order to smooth it out, then use a damp rag to dust the object off. Use a fine grit of sandpaper for optimum smoothness. Then collect the dust with a damp paper towel or rag, preserving the smooth finish.
Free up some space on your nightstands and end tables by choosing a floor lamp instead of a table lamp. Floor lamps stand freely and take up less space. They can also be more easily moved around, since they do not require an entire other surface to rest on. Pick a lamp that has a good design that you could appreciate.
If you have a parent that’s elderly living with you, you have to make improvements that focus on safety, mobility and accessibility. A shower stall that can be easily stepped into reduces their risk of falling. Your home will be more accessible, safer and more comfortable with simple additions like grab bars in the shower.
When adding any type of home improvement project, you want to make sure that it is your own. However, don’t deviating too much from the other homes in your area. Your house will look silly if it has some crazy feature on it that no other nearby houses have. This will make things difficult if you ever want to sell the place.
An air conditioner is a necessary evil in many locations. Conceal it a bit with structures such as wooden trellises or latticework. You could also try some tall, aesthetic grass, such as pampas grass. It’s important, though, to leave at least a foot between the plant’s roots and the unit.
Pick an overall color story for your room. Contemporary color schemes are more suitable for formal areas. Colors that complement each other are actually shown opposite each other on color wheels. This color scheme is visually striking and effective.
Create the illusion of higher ceilings with window treatments. Position your drapes and valances higher on the wall to elevate the look of your ceilings.
Would you like a new dresser? Give old furniture a breath of life by sanding and refinishing them. Refinishing your furniture will save you the money you would have used to by new furniture. You can stain old furniture a wide variety of colors.
It is important to determine an estimate of tools and materials before starting any project, except perhaps really small jobs. Homeowners can realize terrific savings by buying materials in large quantities. A lot places have a long lead time on materials. If you do not plan ahead, the start of your project could be delayed.
Do you find yourself bothered by excessive heat and glare in your home? You might want to consider window tinting. Tinting your windows is quite easy and can usually be done by the average home owner. You will also save some money on the cost of cooling your home.
A lot of home renovation projects can be done by yourself. Hiring a contractor is important if it is an extensive job that takes professional experience. Projects that like simple plumbing fixes, painting and working on drywall can be accomplished by the layman. Saving money is worth it!
Whenever you are looking for a contractor, be sure you get estimates from different sources that you can accurately compare with one another. Create a solid list of the things around your house that you want worked on and do not alter that list between contractors. If you make changes before you get the quotes, it will be much harder to compare the costs.
Don’t try to remove an old popcorn ceiling without testing it for asbestos first. Because the asbestos is highly toxic when disturbed, removing it and disposing of the material is a high risk job. If your ceiling does contain asbestos, you may need to hire a crew with special equipment to remove the ceiling.
Spruce up your home’s entry by applying new paint and buying a new doormat. Your guests will be impressed if the entrance of your home is inviting. Extra touches like an attractive welcome mat and a pretty potted plant by your entrance will create a positive impression on your visitors.
Leaky faucets need to be fixed ASAP! Small leaks can worsen, and each drip is a waste of water and money. The water can also leave stains in your tub, sink or cabinetry. It’s easy and inexpensive to deal with faucet problems. Repairing wood or other items damaged by a leaking faucet might not be.
Never hire a contractor who doesn’t listen to your needs. It is vital that you trust your contractor, but making your contractor aware of your concerns is just as important. Some contractors are highly competent but want to do things their own way, discounting your input. Be sure that they listen very well to you.
If you hate cleaning gutters or your home is surrounded by trees, consider installing a protective screen or guard over your gutters. They will keep the debris out of your gutters, keeping the water flowing freely. Using a hose to spray down minute debris from the top of a guard is usually all that is needed to clean them.
Water usage should be a consideration when planning a home improvement project. Low flow toilets, efficient hot water heaters and low-volume shower heads are all good choices to reduce water consumption. These fixtures add value to your home and save you money on your monthly water bill.
With any luck, this information can help you make your home your dream house. Apply these simple tips to any project to help beautify your home and improve the space that you live in with ease.
If you want to paint over a coat of glossy paint, use a primer. The primer help the new paint adhere better and prevents it from peeling. Priming is also recommended when you are changing out your wall’s color from something dark to light as it reduces the amount of paint or coats you must apply.
